San Lorenzo Golf Course
Threaded through umbrella pines along the Ria Formosa lagoon, San Lorenzo is the Algarve’s most exclusive round and, for many, its most beautiful. Joseph Lee’s 1988 design saves its best for last, with two of the finest closing holes in European resort golf.
Photo: Dean Watson via Google.
The verdict
San Lorenzo occupies the quiet southeastern corner of the Quinta do Lago estate, where the fairways run down to the salt marshes and lagoons of the Ria Formosa nature reserve. Designed by the American architect Joseph Lee and opened in 1988, it has long been regarded as one of the very best courses in Portugal, a serene and birdsong filled layout that feels a world away from the busier resort courses nearby. Access has always been the catch, with play reserved largely for guests of the associated hotels.
At a par of 72 and around 6,247 yards it is not overlong, but it is beautifully balanced and demands precise iron play to greens defended by water, sand and the encroaching pines. The closing stretch is the star, the par 3 sixth across the lagoon and the par 4 eighteenth along the water’s edge among the most photographed and admired holes in the Algarve. San Lorenzo is the round travelling golfers in the region most want on their card.
San Lorenzo at a glance
- Opened
- 1988
- Designer
- Joseph Lee
- Type
- Parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- Around 6,247 yds
- Green fee
- Around €200
Par, yardage and designer verified June 2026 from the course and leading databases. San Lorenzo plays to a par 72 of around 6,247 yards. Green fees are indicative, in the region of 190 to 230 euros in the 2026 high season, with play reserved largely for guests of the associated hotels. Always confirm access and current rates directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
San Lorenzo rewards the thinking player. Lee laid the course gently over undulating pine woodland, and while the corridors are generous in places, the approaches ask for control and the right angle into greens that fall away toward water and waste. The Atlantic light and the stillness of the nature reserve make it a round to savor as much as to score.
The finish is what golfers remember. The short sixth is played across an arm of the Ria Formosa to a green set against the lagoon, a thrilling one shot hole where the water dominates the eye. The eighteenth runs back along the water toward the clubhouse, a demanding par 4 that asks for two brave shots and provides a fitting climax. Few resort courses anywhere close in such style.
San Lorenzo is proof that an Algarve course can be both gentle and exacting, a layout that flatters a good round and punishes carelessness near the water. For the travelling golfer it pairs naturally with the Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo courses on the same estate, making the Golden Triangle the most concentrated cluster of quality golf in southern Portugal.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Play is reserved largely for guests of the associated hotels, including the Hotel Dona Filipa, so tee times are tied to a stay rather than open to the public |
| Green fee | In the region of 190 to 230 euros in high season for eligible guests (indicative) |
| Booking | Arrange through your hotel or trip planner as part of a stay on or near the Quinta do Lago estate |
| On the day | Buggies are widely used; the course sits within the Ria Formosa nature reserve, so pace and care are expected |
| Getting there | In the southeastern corner of Quinta do Lago near Almancil, around 20 minutes from Faro Airport |
| Best months | Spring and autumn are ideal, with the mild Algarve winters making it a dependable cool season escape |
Access and indicative green fees verified June 2026 from the club; they change without notice, so always confirm directly before booking with San Lorenzo Golf Course or your trip planner. Check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is the Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo estate itself, with the Hotel Dona Filipa and a range of resort villas placing you within minutes of the first tee and the Ria Formosa.
For a wider Algarve trip the towns of Almancil and Vilamoura offer hotels, marinas and dining within easy reach of the clutch of championship courses in the Golden Triangle.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near San Lorenzo.
Build an Algarve golf trip
San Lorenzo is tied to where you stay, so the booking has to be built right. We arrange the access, pair it with the best of the Golden Triangle, and handle the hotels and transfers. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
San Lorenzo questions
What is the par and length of San Lorenzo?
San Lorenzo is a par 72 of around 6,247 yards. It is not long, but precise iron play is essential on a course where water, sand and pines defend the greens, particularly over the famous closing holes.
Who designed San Lorenzo?
San Lorenzo was designed by the American golf architect Joseph Lee and opened in 1988. It runs through pine woodland in the southeastern corner of Quinta do Lago, bordering the Ria Formosa nature reserve.
Can anyone play San Lorenzo?
Access is reserved largely for guests of the associated hotels, including the Hotel Dona Filipa, rather than being open to the general public. Tee times are usually tied to a stay, so plan access in advance through your hotel or trip planner.
How much does it cost to play San Lorenzo?
Indicative 2026 high season green fees are in the region of 190 to 230 euros for eligible guests. Rates and access change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Design history, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.