Pestana Gramacho
Gramacho is one of the most unusual layouts in Europe, a par 72 by Ronald Fream near Carvoeiro that opened in 1991 with a rare design of 18 fairways and 27 greens, so a second loop plays to entirely different putting surfaces and angles. Clever, varied and full of character, it is the bolder of the two Pestana Carvoeiro courses.
Photo: Gramacho golf course via Google.
The verdict
Gramacho opened in 1991 as the original course at Pestana's Carvoeiro resort, laid out by the American architect Ronald Fream and later refined with input attributed to Nick Price. It is a par 72 of about 6,107 meters, but its real distinction is structural, one of very few courses in the world built with 18 fairways and 27 greens, so a second round plays to alternate putting surfaces and reshaped angles, effectively two courses on one piece of ground.
That double green concept makes it endlessly replayable and a real test of approach play, the greens cleverly set among rolling terrain and protected by sand. With its sister course next door it gives a complete, varied two course base in the central Algarve. See our best of Portugal ranking and the golf in Portugal guide.
Gramacho at a glance
- Course opened
- 1991
- Designer
- Ronald Fream
- Type
- Parkland, undulating
- Par
- 72
- Greens
- 27
- Yardage
- About 6,107 m
Designer, year and design verified June 2026 from Pestana Golf, the Albrecht Golf Guide and Algarve golf sources. Gramacho, designed by Ronald Fream, opened in 1991, a par 72 of about 6,107 meters near Carvoeiro, famously built with 18 fairways and 27 greens. Green fees are an indicative 2026 guide from around 90 euros in low season to about 115 euros at peak, with twilight rates lower. Rates vary by season; always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Gramacho's signature is its greens, and there are 27 of them across 18 fairways. Play a second loop and you approach familiar fairways from new angles into entirely different putting surfaces, so the course never plays the same way twice and the variety keeps a multi round stay fresh.
The putting surfaces are the heart of the test. Fream set them among gentle rolls and guarded them with well placed bunkers, so the premium is on a sharp approach and a confident short game rather than length off the tee. The fairways are fair and the course is walkable, but the scoring lives around the greens.
It is the more adventurous of the two Pestana Carvoeiro courses, a layout that golfers enjoy precisely because it is different. On a central Algarve trip it pairs perfectly with its strategic sister, and together they make a clever, contrasting double act within the same resort.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Open to visiting golfers year round; resort guests and trip bookings welcome |
| Green fee | An indicative 2026 guide from around 90 euros low season to about 115 euros at peak, with twilight rates lower |
| Booking | Reserve online, through Pestana Golf or with your trip planner; combined rates with Vale da Pinta available |
| On the day | Walkable and fair off the tee; the test is on the approach and the greens; standard golf dress code with collared shirts |
| Getting there | Near Carvoeiro in the Lagoa district, about 55 km and fifty minutes from Faro airport |
| Best months | Spring and autumn are ideal; mild and playable year round in the central Algarve |
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
Carvoeiro, with its cliffs, cove beach and easy charm, is one of the central Algarve's most appealing bases, and Pestana's resort sits beside the golf. Lagoa, Ferragudo and the beaches of the Lagoa coast are all close by.
For a fuller central Algarve trip, pair Gramacho with its sister course Vale da Pinta and the Vilamoura championship golf at Vilamoura Pinhal and Vilamoura Laguna.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Carvoeiro.
Build an Algarve golf trip
We book the tee times at Gramacho, set you up around Carvoeiro in the central Algarve and build the rest of an Algarve golf week around your golf. Tell us roughly when and who is traveling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Gramacho questions
Who designed Gramacho and when did it open?
Gramacho was designed by the American architect Ronald Fream and opened in 1991 at Pestana's Carvoeiro resort, with later refinements attributed to Nick Price.
What makes Gramacho unusual?
It is one of very few courses in the world built with 18 fairways and 27 greens, so a second loop plays to alternate putting surfaces and reshaped angles, effectively giving two courses on one piece of ground.
What is the par and length at Gramacho?
It is a par 72 of about 6,107 meters, a walkable course where the real test is approach play into its many cleverly set greens rather than raw length.
What are green fees at Gramacho?
Green fees are an indicative 2026 guide from around 90 euros in low season to about 115 euros at peak, with twilight rates lower. Always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, year and design verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.