Penha Longa Atlantic
Set in the wooded hills of the Sintra and Cascais Natural Park, a short drive from Lisbon, the Atlantic course at Penha Longa is one of Portugal's most scenic and demanding inland rounds. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr and opened in 1992, it twice hosted the Portuguese Open and remains a technical, beautifully framed challenge. Here is the verdict, the facts, the holes and how to get on.
Photograph: Penha Longa Atlantic Course, Sintra, via Google.
The verdict
Penha Longa Atlantic is proof that the Lisbon coast is more than a beach golf destination. Robert Trent Jones Jr carved this course out of the pine clad slopes of the Sintra hills in 1992, weaving fairways between granite outcrops and through a protected natural park, and the result is dramatic, varied and genuinely testing. It hosted the Portuguese Open in 1994 and 1995, a measure of its championship pedigree.
It is not a long course, but it does not need length to defend itself: severe elevation changes, water hazards, elevated greens and the gusty winds that funnel through the hills make club selection a constant puzzle. For the travelling golfer it is the standout round of a Lisbon trip, set within a five star resort and easily paired with the links of Cascais and the Silver Coast for one of the most rounded golf weeks in Europe.
Penha Longa Atlantic Golf Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1992
- Designer
- Robert Trent Jones Jr
- Type
- Parkland hill
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- Around 6,300 yds
- Green fee
- Around €130
Designer, opening, par and tournament history verified June 2026. The Atlantic course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr and opened in 1992, hosting the Portuguese Open in 1994 and 1995. It plays par 72 over around 6,300 yards through the hills of the Sintra and Cascais Natural Park. Indicative high season green fees are around 130 euros, with lower rates in quieter periods and for resort guests; fees change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Penha Longa Atlantic asks for thought and precision rather than power. The opening and closing holes run through a wooded valley of pine and granite, while the heart of the round, roughly the 6th to the 13th, climbs into the hills and opens up sweeping views over the Sintra and Cascais Natural Park toward the ocean. The elevation changes are severe, and judging the played distance uphill and down is half the battle.
Water comes into play on several holes, often guarding elevated greens that demand a confident, well struck approach, and the gusting wind that swirls through the valleys can turn a short iron into a long one without warning. The greens are quick and cleverly contoured, so even a good drive leaves work to do.
It is a course that rewards the golfer who plays it a second time, when the blind shots and the hidden trouble are known. First time round it is a beautiful, occasionally bewildering test; either way the scenery of the Sintra hills makes it unforgettable.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A five star resort course open to visitors and hotel guests year round; stay and play packages through Penha Longa are the simplest way to secure prime times |
| Green fee | Indicative high season green fees around 130 euros, with lower shoulder and winter rates and preferential rates for resort guests |
| Booking | Book online or through the resort ahead of travel; the course is popular and high season fills early, so reserve in advance |
| On the day | Buggies, a driving range and full five star resort facilities, with the shorter Mosteiro nine also on site |
| Getting there | At Linho near Sintra, around 30 minutes from Lisbon airport and a short drive from Cascais and Estoril |
| Best months | March to May and September to November for warm, settled weather, with golf playable through the mild winter |
Access and indicative green fees verified June 2026 from the resort; they change without notice, so always confirm directly before booking with Penha Longa or your trip planner. Check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
Penha Longa is a destination resort in its own right, a five star hotel set in historic grounds with spa, pools and fine dining, so staying on site makes for an effortless golf break minutes from the first tee.
For a Lisbon coast golf trip, pair the Atlantic with Oitavos Dunes and Quinta da Marinha at Cascais, and head north to Praia del Rey, West Cliffs and Royal Obidos on the Silver Coast for a varied week of hill, links and clifftop golf.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts around Sintra, Cascais and the Lisbon coast.
Play the Lisbon coast and Sintra hills
We arrange tee times on the Penha Longa Atlantic and pair it with Oitavos Dunes, Praia del Rey and the Silver Coast, with a five star base near Sintra or Cascais. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Penha Longa Atlantic Golf Course questions
Who designed Penha Longa Atlantic and when did it open?
The Atlantic course at Penha Longa was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr and opened in 1992. Set in the hills of the Sintra and Cascais Natural Park near Lisbon, it hosted the Portuguese Open in 1994 and 1995 and remains one of the finest inland courses in Portugal.
What is the par and yardage of Penha Longa Atlantic?
The Atlantic course plays as a par 72 of around 6,300 yards. It is not long, but severe elevation changes, water hazards, elevated greens and the swirling hill winds make it a technical and demanding test that plays tougher than its length suggests.
How much does it cost to play Penha Longa Atlantic?
Indicative high season green fees are around 130 euros, with lower rates in quieter periods and preferential rates for resort guests. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm current rates directly before booking.
What makes Penha Longa Atlantic special?
The setting. The course winds through pine woods and granite outcrops in a protected natural park, with the middle holes climbing into the Sintra hills for sweeping views toward the ocean. Combined with its championship pedigree and five star resort, it is the standout round of a Lisbon golf trip.
How far is Penha Longa from Lisbon?
Penha Longa sits at Linho near Sintra, around 30 minutes by car from Lisbon airport and a short drive from the beaches and links of Cascais and Estoril, making it an easy addition to any Lisbon coast itinerary.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening date, par and tournament history verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.