Pinheiros Altos
Threaded through the umbrella pines of Quinta do Lago, Pinheiros Altos offers 27 holes of par 72 golf across three interchangeable nines. The original 18 came from American architect Ronald Fream, with a third nine by Portugal's George Santana da Silva opening in 2007, and the result is a relaxed, leafy resort round in one of the Algarve's most prestigious enclaves.
Photo: Pinheiros Altos Golf Course via Google.
The verdict
Quinta do Lago is the Algarve at its most polished, and Pinheiros Altos plays right through the heart of it, the fairways lined with tall umbrella pines that give the club its name, which translates as high pines. Ronald Fream laid out the first 18, and the addition of Santana da Silva's nine in 2007 brought the total to 27 holes that combine into three distinct loops named for the pines, the corks and the olives.
This is resort golf done well rather than a championship brute. The lakes and the pines provide the framing and the strategy, the greens are receptive, and the whole experience is geared toward an enjoyable, walkable day in beautiful surroundings. With Quinta do Lago's restaurants and lodging on the doorstep, it slots neatly into any eastern Algarve itinerary alongside its more famous neighbours.
Pinheiros Altos at a glance
- Opened
- Original 18 by Fream; third nine 2007
- Designer
- Ronald Fream, Santana da Silva
- Type
- Pine and lake parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- Up to about 6,779 yds
- Green fee
- €103 to €151
Designers, configuration, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Pinheiros Altos and leading course databases. The original 18 holes were designed by Ronald Fream, with a third nine by George Santana da Silva opening in 2007, all combinations playing to par 72 up to about 6,779 yards. Indicative 2026 green fees run from about €103 to €151 for 18 holes by season; figures change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
With three nines in play, Pinheiros Altos offers more variety than a standard 18, and the loops can be combined to suit the day. The Pines and Corks together make the longest, most testing eighteen, the fairways framed by mature umbrella pines and water threatening on several holes.
The strategy is classic resort golf: keep the ball in play off the tee, respect the lakes on the approach, and take advantage of the receptive greens. The par 3s carry water and demand a committed strike, while the par 5s offer genuine birdie chances for the player who finds the fairway. It is a course that flatters a good round without ever giving the green fee away.
The condition is reliably excellent, the pace relaxed, and the setting within Quinta do Lago means the wider resort is never far from the round. For most visitors it is the comfort and the surroundings, as much as the architecture, that make Pinheiros Altos a pleasure to play.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Open to visitors and resort guests; tee times booked online or through the golf reservations team |
| Green fee | Indicative €103 to €151 for 18 holes by season in 2026; nine hole and twilight rates available (indicative, confirm before booking) |
| Booking | Book ahead online, especially in spring and autumn high season; buggies and trolleys available |
| On the day | Walkable but buggies are common; resort smart casual within club standards; range and academy on site |
| Getting there | Quinta do Lago in the eastern Algarve, about 20 minutes from Faro Airport |
| Best months | March to May and September to November for the warm, dry shoulder seasons that suit Algarve golf best |
Access and fees verified June 2026 from Pinheiros Altos; rates and tee sheet policies change, so always confirm directly before booking your round.
Where to stay nearby
Quinta do Lago and neighbouring Vale do Lobo offer some of the Algarve's most luxurious lodging, from the Magnolia Hotel and the Conrad Algarve to a wide range of private villas a short buggy ride from the first tee. Staying within the resort puts Pinheiros Altos and its prestigious neighbours within minutes.
The eastern Algarve is the region's golf heartland, and Pinheiros Altos pairs naturally with the South and North courses at Quinta do Lago, San Lorenzo and Laranjal for a multi course week. With Faro Airport just 20 minutes away, it is one of Europe's easiest golf trips to organise.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Pinheiros Altos.
Build an Algarve golf trip
We book the Pinheiros Altos tee times, pair them with the best of Quinta do Lago and the eastern Algarve, and arrange the villa or hotel around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Prefer to book tee times yourself? Tee time partner: [TEE_TIME_AFFILIATE_LINK] · Hotels: [HOTEL_AFFILIATE_LINK]
Pinheiros Altos questions
Who designed Pinheiros Altos and how many holes does it have?
Pinheiros Altos has 27 holes. The original 18 were designed by American architect Ronald Fream, with a third nine by Portuguese architect George Santana da Silva opening in 2007, all combining to par 72.
What is the par and length of Pinheiros Altos?
Every combination at Pinheiros Altos plays to par 72. The longest pairing, the Pines and Corks, measures about 6,779 yards from the competition tees, with shorter options from the forward tees.
How much does it cost to play Pinheiros Altos?
Indicative 2026 green fees run from about €103 to €151 for 18 holes depending on season, with nine hole and twilight rates also available. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
Where is Pinheiros Altos?
Pinheiros Altos sits within the Quinta do Lago resort in the eastern Algarve, about 20 minutes from Faro Airport and close to the South and North courses, San Lorenzo and Laranjal.
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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.