Belek vs the Algarve for Golf
Two of Europe's most popular golf destinations, and a clear study in contrasts. Belek is the value capital, a dense cluster of championship courses among the umbrella pines near Antalya, wrapped in five star all inclusive resorts. The Algarve is the deeper, more established coast, with more than thirty courses, a mild year round climate and the single best layouts in southern Europe. Here is the honest head to head, with our verdict up front.
Photograph: Monte Rei Golf and Country Club, Algarve, Portugal, via Google
The verdict
For a golf week that delivers the most for the money, Belek wins comfortably. Around fifteen championship courses sit within a short transfer of Antalya, the resorts are all inclusive five star, and the indicative green fees undercut Portugal by a margin. Carya, the Thomson and Perrett designed heathland course and a regular Turkish Airlines Open host, Colin Montgomerie's Montgomerie Maxx Royal and the Antalya Golf Club pair of PGA Sultan and National give you a serious run of golf with food, drinks and transfers wrapped in. For a society or a buddies group it is the most efficient sun and golf week in Europe.
The Algarve is the broader, more rounded destination and home to the best individual courses. More than thirty layouts span everything from Monte Rei, the Jack Nicklaus course often rated the finest in Portugal, and the three Quinta do Lago courses to easy resort golf and the grand old Vilamoura Old Course. The climate is the mildest of the two, a genuine year round and winter sun option, and the towns, beaches and restaurants give a mixed group far more off the course. Pick Belek for value, density and an all in price, the Algarve for variety, climate and the very best golf. Both deliver reliable sun and good courses; the right answer is about the trip you want.
Head to head
| Belek | The Algarve | |
|---|---|---|
| Flagship courses | Carya, Montgomerie Maxx Royal, PGA Sultan and National at Antalya Golf Club, Gloria Old, Cornelia, Kaya Palazzo | Monte Rei North, Quinta do Lago South, North and Laranjal, San Lorenzo, Vale do Lobo, Vilamoura Old |
| Depth of golf | Around 15 courses tightly grouped near Antalya; excellent quality in a compact resort strip | More than 30 courses along a longer coast; the deepest, most established golf in Portugal |
| Green fees, flagship | Indicative 2026 roughly 69 to 219 euros, with resorts often bundling golf into all inclusive packages | Indicative 2026 from affordable up to the premium end at Monte Rei and Quinta do Lago; food and golf usually separate |
| Climate | Hot summers, warm spring and autumn, a cool playable winter; best in the shoulder seasons | The mildest of the two, a true year round and winter sun coast drawing northern Europeans |
| Resort model | Five star all inclusive is the norm, with food and drinks included and golf packages built in | Hotels, villas and golf resorts, food and golf usually paid separately, a wider lodging range |
| Getting around | Antalya airport; most courses within 20 to 40 minutes, minimal driving | Faro airport; courses spread along the coast, more driving between the western and eastern clusters |
| Off the course | Resort focused, beaches, spas and the all inclusive scene; quieter and more golf led | Towns, beaches, marinas and restaurants from Lagos to Tavira; far more non golf options |
| Who it suits | Societies and buddies groups wanting value, density, sun and an all in price | Mixed groups, couples and golfers who want the best courses, a mild climate and more to do |
Course facts and indicative fee ranges verified June 2026; fees move with season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Who should pick which
Pick Belek if
You want maximum golf and sun for a fixed, predictable budget. The all inclusive model means food and drinks are handled, the courses are minutes from the resort, and the green fees are among the lowest in championship golf. A society, a buddies group or any party that values an easy all in week, short transfers and warm weather will get more rounds for the money here than almost anywhere in Europe, and Carya and Montgomerie Maxx Royal are genuinely world class.
Pick the Algarve if
You want the best individual courses, a mild year round climate and a fuller holiday around the golf. You are drawn to playing Monte Rei, the Quinta do Lago courses and the classic Vilamoura layouts, you like having more than thirty courses to pick from, and a mixed group or a couple wants the towns, beaches and restaurants of the Portuguese coast as part of the trip. For variety, winter sun and the elite end of the game, the Algarve has the edge over the all inclusive simplicity of Belek.
Plan your Mediterranean golf trip
Belek, the Algarve or another sun and golf coast. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling, and one concierge builds the tee times, transfers and base, and costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Belek vs the Algarve questions
Is Belek or the Algarve better for golf?
Both are premier European golf destinations with different strengths. Belek, on Turkey's Antalya coast, is the value champion, with around fifteen championship courses among the pines, all inclusive five star resorts and short transfers, led by Carya, Montgomerie Maxx Royal and the Antalya Golf Club layouts of PGA Sultan and National. The Algarve in southern Portugal is broader and more established, with more than thirty courses including Monte Rei, Quinta do Lago and Vilamoura, a mild year round climate and far more off the course. Choose Belek for value and a self contained golf week, the Algarve for variety, climate and the single best courses.
Which is cheaper, Belek or the Algarve?
Belek is generally cheaper, and the all inclusive model makes the saving larger. Indicative 2026 green fees in Belek run from around 69 to 219 euros, and the resorts bundle food and drinks, so the daily spend is low and predictable. The Algarve spans a wider range, from affordable everyday courses up to Monte Rei and Quinta do Lago at the premium end, with food and golf usually paid separately. Fees move with the season, so always confirm directly before booking.
When is the best time to play golf in Belek or the Algarve?
Both peak in spring and autumn. Belek's prime windows are March to May and September to November, with a popular cool weather season through the winter and hot summers best played early. The Algarve has a milder, true winter sun climate that draws northern Europeans from October to March, with spring and autumn also excellent and hot July and August days. Always confirm conditions and overseeding dates before you travel.
Can you combine Belek and the Algarve in one trip?
They are in different countries at opposite ends of the Mediterranean, so they are not a natural pairing in a single short trip. Most golfers pick one for a week. If you want two contrasting weeks in one longer tour we can plan it, but the simplest plan is to base on one coast and play it well. We build either as a standalone trip.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts and indicative fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.