Penha Longa Atlantic Course
The Atlantic Championship at Penha Longa is one of the finest courses in Portugal, a Robert Trent Jones Jr design from 1992 routed through the dramatic, protected hills between Sintra and Cascais. It hosted the Portuguese Open soon after opening and remains the marquee round of the Lisbon coast, a thrilling test wrapped around a five star resort half an hour from the capital.
Photo: Penha Longa Atlantico via Google.
The verdict
Penha Longa's Atlantic course opened in 1992 to a Robert Trent Jones Jr design and quickly proved its quality, hosting the Portuguese Open in 1994. Cut into the steep, wooded hills above Sintra, it is a dramatic mountain layout where Jones used the contours to great effect: sharp elevation changes, blind crests, downhill tee shots and greens framed by the protected landscape of Sintra and Cascais.
It is a genuine championship test and one of the most scenic rounds in the country, every hole different and the views constant. As the headline course of the Lisbon coast, it anchors a trip that pairs serious golf with the palaces of Sintra, the surf beaches of Cascais and the city itself. See our best of Portugal ranking and the golf in Portugal guide.
Penha Longa Atlantic at a glance
- Course opened
- 1992
- Designer
- Robert Trent Jones Jr
- Type
- Mountain, parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,313 m
- Green fee
- Upper for the coast
Designer, year and par verified June 2026 from Top 100 Golf Courses and the resort. The Atlantic Championship course at Penha Longa, by Robert Trent Jones Jr, opened in 1992 in the Sintra hills near Lisbon and hosted the Portuguese Open in 1994, a par 72 of about 6,313 meters routed through steeply sloping protected landscape. Green fees sit at the upper end for the region as an indicative 2026 guide, reflecting its standing. Rates vary by season; always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Atlantic course is a roller coaster of a round, the holes climbing and falling through the Sintra hills with elevation the defining feature. Jones routed it to use every fold of the land, so you play downhill drives to fairways far below, uphill approaches to greens set against the trees, and tee shots that demand commitment when the target is hidden over a crest.
The greens are bold and well defended, and reading the slope is half the battle on these mountain putting surfaces. The setting is extraordinary, with the protected forest of Sintra all around, the Moorish castle and the Pena Palace on the skyline, and glimpses toward the Atlantic from the higher ground.
It is a course to savor and to respect, demanding clear thinking and a steady tempo on the steeper holes. As the centerpiece of a Lisbon coast trip, it sets up a few days that mix championship golf with the romance of Sintra and the easy comforts of Cascais and Estoril.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Open to visiting golfers year round; five star resort on site, so book ahead in peak spring and autumn season |
| Green fee | Upper end for the Lisbon coast as an indicative 2026 guide, reflecting its resort standing and ranking |
| Booking | Reserve through the resort or with your trip planner; buggies recommended given the elevation changes |
| On the day | Steep mountain layout, a buggy is wise; standard golf dress code with collared shirts and soft spikes |
| Getting there | At Linho near Sintra, about thirty to forty minutes west of central Lisbon and the airport |
| Best months | Spring and autumn are ideal; mild year round, with the hills cooler and greener than the south |
Fees and access verified June 2026; the indicative green fees reflect 2026 pricing and vary by season, so always confirm the current rate and tee availability directly before booking. Book a tee time through our trip desk.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is the five star resort hotel beside the course, set in the Sintra hills with spa, dining and stay and play golf across the resort layouts. Cascais and Estoril on the coast offer hotels, beaches and restaurants a short drive away, and central Lisbon is within easy reach.
For a fuller Lisbon coast trip, pair Penha Longa with the parkland golf at Belas Clube de Campo and the pine framed test at Aroeira Pines Classic, then run north for the Silver Coast links at West Cliffs Golf Links.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Penha Longa.
Build a Lisbon coast golf trip
We book the tee times at Penha Longa, set you up near Sintra and Cascais and build the rest of a Lisbon coast golf week around your golf. Tell us roughly when and who is traveling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Penha Longa Atlantic questions
Who designed the Penha Longa Atlantic Course and when did it open?
The Atlantic Championship course at Penha Longa was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr and opened in 1992 in the Sintra hills near Lisbon, hosting the Portuguese Open two years later.
What is the par and length at Penha Longa Atlantic?
It is a par 72 of about 6,313 meters, a steeply sloping mountain course that uses the contours of the Sintra hills with elevated tees and protected landscape all around.
What are green fees at Penha Longa Atlantic?
Green fees sit at the upper end for the Lisbon coast as an indicative 2026 guide, reflecting its resort standing and ranking. Always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
Can visitors play the Penha Longa Atlantic Course?
Yes. The Atlantic course is open to visiting golfers year round, with a luxury resort hotel on site and stay and play packages near Sintra and Cascais.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, year and par verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.