The Dunas Course at Terras da Comporta has rapidly established itself as one of the most exciting new courses in European golf. Designed by David McLay Kidd and opened in 2023, it sits on outstanding sandy ground north of Comporta, where rolling dunes and wide corridors through the pine forest define the landscape.

The course is shaped as much by sand as by grass, with expansive waste areas used throughout, at times reminiscent of Pinehurst or the Australian Sandbelt. Width from the tee allows freedom, but strategy asserts itself through bold bunkering, shifting angles and greens of real scale and character.

Dunas has been widely acclaimed since opening and is already regarded as the leading course in Portugal and among the very best in continental Europe.

Oitavos Dunes lies on the Atlantic coastline within the Sintra–Cascais Natural Park, a few miles west of Lisbon and close to Cabo da Roca. Designed by Arthur Hills and opened in 2001, the course is routed through a mix of coastal dunes and umbrella pines, with long views out to sea on a number of holes.

The layout is best known for its par 3s, which vary sharply in length and setting and play across ravines, dune corridors and coastal scrub. Several holes on the back nine run directly along the ocean, where elevation and wind have a clear influence on club selection. Many greens are perched on dunes, placing a premium on precise approach play. Oitavos Dunes has hosted the Portuguese Open and is widely regarded as one of the leading courses in Portugal.

Praia D’El Rey is a links-style course set along Portugal’s Atlantic coast, laid out across rolling dunes and open seaside ground just south of Peniche. Designed by Cabell B. Robinson, the routing moves between pine-lined inland holes and a striking stretch of exposed coastal holes that run directly along the ocean.

The coastal holes are the highlight, with elevation change, long views and greens set hard against the dunes, giving the course much of its character. Inland, the layout provides contrast before returning to the sea. Conditioning at Praia D’El Rey is consistently excellent, with firm playing surfaces and fast, true greens. It remains one of Portugal’s best-known and most enjoyable courses, and a key part of any west coast golf itinerary.

The Torre Course at Terras da Comporta is the first full golf-course design from Sergio García and delivers a compelling test of modern golf. Set on sandy ground among pines and open clearings, the layout rewards players who can shape shots from the tee, with angled fairways, diagonal carries and clear preferred lines that place a premium on positioning.

Approach play is central to the challenge. Greens are compact and well contoured, best accessed from the correct side of the fairway, while missed approaches leave demanding recovery shots from short grass and sand. Conditioning has been excellent since opening, and Torre adds real depth and quality to the Comporta offering. Paired with the Dunas Course, it firmly establishes the area as one of the must-visit golf destinations on any Portugal itinerary.

West Cliffs is one of the most dramatic courses in Portugal, set across wild Atlantic dunes just north of Praia D’El Rey. Designed by Cynthia Dye and opened in 2017, the course occupies rugged coastal ground, with holes routed through towering sand dunes, scrub and exposed clifftops overlooking the ocean.

The layout is bold and uncompromising. Fairways weave between dunes, carries are frequent and often visually intimidating, and several holes feature partially hidden landing areas that demand commitment from the tee. The back nine is particularly striking, with holes running along the cliff edge and greens set close to the Atlantic, creating a strong sense of exposure. Conditioning is consistently excellent throughout the year.

West Cliffs is a demanding and highly memorable course and ranks among the very best courses to have opened in Europe in the past 20 yea