Pine Cliffs Golf
A Martin Hawtree design opened in 1990, Pine Cliffs is a nine hole course strung along the red clifftops above Albufeira. A par 33 of about 2,208 yards, it is short on the card but big on drama, crowned by the Devil's Parlour, a par 3 that carries a ravine on the cliff edge with the Atlantic far below.
Photo: Pine Cliffs Golf via Google, by Karl-Heinz Grabarek.
The verdict
Pine Cliffs is the most scenic short course on the Algarve, and one of the most photographed holes in Portugal lives here. It was designed by the respected British architect Martin Hawtree, with Simon Gidman, and opened in 1990 as the golf centerpiece of the Pine Cliffs Resort, a Luxury Collection property perched on the red sandstone cliffs of Olhos de Agua near Albufeira.
It is a nine hole layout playing to a par of 33, about 2,208 yards from the yellow tees, so this is not a championship test. What it offers instead is setting and theater: pine framed fairways along the cliff edge, ocean views from almost every tee, and the unforgettable Devil's Parlour. For resort guests, for couples, and for any visiting golfer who wants a relaxed round in a spectacular spot, it is a delight.
Pine Cliffs Golf at a glance
- Opened
- 1990
- Designer
- Martin Hawtree
- Type
- Clifftop resort
- Par
- 33 (nine holes)
- Yardage
- About 2,208 yds
- Green fee
- From about 54 euro
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Pine Cliffs Resort and leading course databases. Pine Cliffs Golf was designed by Martin Hawtree with Simon Gidman and opened in 1990, a nine hole par 33 of about 2,208 yards on the clifftops near Albufeira. Indicative 2026 green fees start around 54 euro for nine holes and vary by season, with resort guests and twilight the best value. Fees move with season and demand, so always confirm current rates and availability directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The whole round is built around its setting on the cliffs of Olhos de Agua, with umbrella pines, manicured fairways and the blue of the Atlantic in view from almost every tee. The holes are short, the greens are well kept, and the layout is walkable and welcoming, the kind of golf you play with a smile rather than a scorecard grimace.
The star is the par 3 sixth, the Devil's Parlour. From an elevated tee the shot must carry a deep ravine cut into the cliff, with the beach and the ocean far below and absolutely nothing to bail out toward. It is a genuine heart in the mouth one shotter, one of the signature holes of the Algarve, and the photograph everyone takes home from a round here.
The rest of the nine is more forgiving, a gentle, pretty test that suits a wide range of abilities and makes a perfect twilight or second round on a golf trip. Pine Cliffs is not about length or difficulty; it is about playing a memorable hole or two in one of the most beautiful corners of the Portuguese coast.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort course at Pine Cliffs Resort; open to resort guests and visitors |
| Green fee | Indicative 2026 from about 54 euro for nine holes depending on season; resort guests and twilight are the best value; confirm at booking |
| Booking | Reserve online, by phone or through the resort; replay and nine hole twilight rates are popular |
| On the day | Walkable nine holes on clifftop terrain; buggies available; smart golf dress expected |
| Getting there | Olhos de Agua, between Albufeira and Vilamoura, about 35 minutes from Faro Airport |
| Best months | Spring and autumn for the most pleasant Algarve temperatures, though it plays year round |
Access and fee details verified June 2026. Pricing moves with season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking. See our Algarve green fees guide for the wider picture.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is the Pine Cliffs Resort itself, a Luxury Collection property right on the cliffs, with the golf, the beach, the spa and several restaurants on site, ideal for a couples or family golf escape. The wider Albufeira and Vilamoura area adds a huge range of hotels and resorts for every budget within a short drive.
The central Algarve makes a brilliant multi course golf trip. Pair Pine Cliffs with the championship courses at Vilamoura Old Course and Pinheiros Altos, the links style Salgados, and the classic Vale do Lobo Royal. See our Golf in Portugal hub to shape the route.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Albufeira.
Build an Algarve golf trip
We book the Pine Cliffs tee times, pair them with the best of the central Algarve golf and arrange the resort lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is traveling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Pine Cliffs Golf questions
Who designed Pine Cliffs Golf and when did it open?
Pine Cliffs Golf was designed by Martin Hawtree with Simon Gidman and opened in 1990 at the Pine Cliffs Resort near Albufeira on the Algarve.
What is the par and length of Pine Cliffs Golf?
Pine Cliffs is a nine hole course playing to a par of 33, about 2,208 yards from the yellow tees, set along the clifftops above the Atlantic.
What is the Devil's Parlour at Pine Cliffs?
The Devil's Parlour is the famous par 3 sixth hole, a dramatic clifftop one shotter that carries a deep ravine on the cliff edge, with the beach and the Atlantic far below.
Can visitors play Pine Cliffs Golf?
Yes. It is a resort course open to Pine Cliffs guests and visitors. Indicative 2026 green fees start around 54 euro for nine holes depending on season; always confirm directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.