Pinheiros Altos Golf
Pinheiros Altos is the 27 hole course at the heart of Quinta do Lago, three contrasting nines routed through pine, cork oak and olive on the rolling terrain of the estate. The first eighteen are the work of the American architect Ronald Fream, with a further nine by George Santana da Silva, and any pairing of the loops makes for a varied, scenic Algarve round.
Photo: Pinheiros Altos Golf Course via Google.
The verdict
Pinheiros Altos, which translates as tall pines, sits in the prestigious Quinta do Lago resort alongside some of the best golf in Portugal. Ronald Fream laid out the original eighteen, and George Santana da Silva added a third nine that opened in 2007, giving the club a flexible 27 hole configuration of three loops named the Pines, the Corks and the Olives after the trees that define them.
The three nines have real character of their own, from tight, tree lined corridors to more open, undulating ground, so the course plays differently depending on the combination. As a quieter, more relaxed alternative to its famous Quinta do Lago neighbors, it earns its place on a central Algarve trip and rewards golfers who enjoy variety. See our best of Portugal ranking and the golf in Portugal guide.
Pinheiros Altos at a glance
- Holes
- 27
- Designers
- Fream, Santana da Silva
- Type
- Parkland, pines
- Par
- 72 over 18
- Nines
- Three par 36 loops
- Green fee
- Mid
Designers, holes and par verified June 2026 from Leading Courses, the club and course databases. Pinheiros Altos at Quinta do Lago has 27 holes, the first 18 by Ronald Fream and a further nine by George Santana da Silva that opened in 2007, the three nines named the Pines, the Corks and the Olives. Each loop is a par 36, so any 18 hole combination plays to par 72. Green fees start from around 108 euros as an indicative 2026 guide and rise in peak season. Rates vary by season; always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The three nines give Pinheiros Altos its appeal, each with a distinct feel. The Pines run through the tightest, most tree lined corridors, demanding accuracy and a controlled flight, while the Corks and the Olives open out onto more rolling, undulating ground where the views across the estate widen and the wind has more say.
Fream's original holes have a strategic, American influenced look, with bunkering and water placed to test the line off the tee, and the later Santana da Silva nine blends naturally into the landscape of cork oak and olive. Played as a full 27 hole day, or in any 18 hole pairing, the course keeps you thinking and never repeats itself.
It is a course best enjoyed for its variety and its setting in one of the Algarve's most exclusive corners, a relaxed, rewarding round to set alongside the marquee names of Quinta do Lago. With three loops to mix and match, it is a fine choice for a group that wants to play more than once.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Open to visiting golfers year round across the three nines; book ahead in peak spring and autumn season |
| Green fee | Mid range for Quinta do Lago, an indicative 2026 guide from around 108 euros |
| Booking | Reserve online, through the resort or with your trip planner; choose your 18 hole combination of nines; carts available |
| On the day | Rolling parkland through pine, cork and olive; accuracy on the tighter Pines nine is key; standard golf dress code with collared shirts |
| Getting there | At Quinta do Lago near Almancil, about 20 km and twenty five minutes from Faro airport |
| Best months | Spring and autumn are ideal; mild year round, with the trees giving welcome shade in summer |
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
Pinheiros Altos sits inside the Quinta do Lago estate, the most polished golf address in the Algarve, with on site accommodation, five star hotels and a wealth of dining a short drive from the first tee. Staying within the estate keeps transfers short and puts the area's best courses on your doorstep.
For a fuller central Algarve trip, pair Pinheiros Altos with the lagoon drama of San Lorenzo, the lakes and pines of Quinta do Lago South and the heathland of Laranjal.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Quinta do Lago.
Build an Algarve golf trip
We book the tee times at Pinheiros Altos, set you up in Quinta do Lago and build the rest of a central 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.
Pinheiros Altos questions
Who designed Pinheiros Altos and how many holes are there?
Pinheiros Altos has 27 holes at Quinta do Lago. The American architect Ronald Fream designed the first 18, and the Portuguese architect George Santana da Silva added a further nine that opened in 2007. The three nines are the Pines, the Corks and the Olives.
What is the par at Pinheiros Altos?
Each of the three nine hole loops is a par 36, so any 18 hole combination plays to a par of 72. The routing runs through umbrella pine, cork oak and olive groves on the Quinta do Lago estate.
What are green fees at Pinheiros Altos?
Green fees start from around 108 euros as an indicative 2026 guide and rise in peak spring and autumn season, with resort and buggy deals common. Always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
Can visitors play Pinheiros Altos?
Yes. Pinheiros Altos welcomes visiting golfers year round and sits within the Quinta do Lago estate, with on site accommodation and easy access to the other courses of the central Algarve.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designers, holes and par verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.