Amendoeira O'Connor: 2026 Access and Booking Update
In the orange groves and valleys of the western Algarve, the O'Connor Jnr course at Amendoeira is the parkland half of a two course resort near Silves. Here is where it stands in 2026, what it costs, and how to play it alongside its tougher Faldo sibling.
The news: a resort course holding its value
Amendoeira heads into 2026 as one of the better value two course resorts in the western Algarve, and the O'Connor Jnr course remains the more approachable and playable of its two layouts. There is no construction to report, and the story for visitors is the resort proposition, two contrasting courses on one site near Silves and Alcantarilha, a short drive from Faro.
For 2026 that pairing is the point. The O'Connor Jnr provides the gentler, more scenic round, while the neighbouring Faldo course supplies the stern desert style test, and the resort packages the two together. With green fees that sit below the marquee names of the central Algarve, Amendoeira makes a sensible base for a golf week that mixes value with variety.
The course itself
The O'Connor Jnr course was designed by the Irish architect and former Ryder Cup player Christy O'Connor Jnr and opened in 2008. It plays as a par 72 of around 6,900 yards, longer from the championship tees, laid out through a valley of orange groves threaded with streams and water hazards.
The character is classic resort parkland, generous and attractive, with the citrus trees, lakes and gentle landforms giving it a softer feel than the rugged Faldo course next door. It rewards steady, positional golf rather than raw power, and the mix of water carries and well shaped holes makes it enjoyable for a range of abilities while still asking the better player to think.
How to play it in 2026
Amendoeira is a resort course open to visitors, with preferential rates and tee times for guests staying in the resort apartments and villas, and buggies are generally included in the green fee. Reserve ahead through the resort, and consider the two course package that combines the O'Connor Jnr with the Faldo course over a stay.
On cost, the indicative 2026 peak green fee is around 149 euros, with twilight, summer and winter rates from roughly 96 to 138 euros depending on season and time of day. Those are the resort's set rates and they change through the year, so treat them as indicative and confirm the current price, package and availability directly when you book.
Our take
Our take is that the O'Connor Jnr course is a genuinely enjoyable resort round and, paired with the Faldo course, makes Amendoeira one of the smarter value bases in the western Algarve. It will not displace the region's famous names on a bucket list, but it offers variety, sunshine and a comfortable stay at a sensible price.
If you are planning a 2026 trip, take the two course package, time it for the kinder temperatures of spring or autumn, and use Amendoeira as a relaxed base from which to add a marquee round or two on the great courses of the central Algarve. It is a resort built for an easy, well organised golf week.
Plan your Amendoeira and Algarve trip
From the two courses at Amendoeira to the great names of the central and western Algarve, tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge builds and costs the trip, with no obligation.
Questions
Can visitors play the Amendoeira O'Connor course?
Yes. The O'Connor Jnr course is a resort course open to visitors, with preferential rates and tee times for guests staying in the resort apartments and villas. Buggies are generally included, and a two course package with the Faldo course is available.
Who designed the Amendoeira O'Connor course?
It was designed by the Irish architect and former Ryder Cup player Christy O'Connor Jnr and opened in 2008. It plays as a par 72 of around 6,900 yards through a valley of orange groves in the western Algarve.
How much does it cost to play Amendoeira O'Connor in 2026?
The indicative 2026 peak green fee is around 149 euros, with twilight, summer and winter rates from roughly 96 to 138 euros. Rates are set by the resort and change through the year, so always confirm the current price directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course, season and access details verified June 2026 from club and golf travel sources; conditions and green fees change, so always confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.