Ask a well-travelled golfer whether Spain or Portugal makes the better golf holiday and you will rarely get a straight answer. Both have earned their reputations. They share the same warm light and the same long playing season, but they run to different rhythms: Portugal tight and golf-obsessed,
Ask a well-travelled golfer whether Spain or Portugal makes the better golf holiday and you will rarely get a straight answer. Both have earned their reputations. They share the same warm light and the same long playing season, but they run to different rhythms: Portugal tight and golf-obsessed, Spain broad, varied and full of distractions in the best sense of the word.
What follows is an honest comparison, not a pitch. We have been arranging hand-built golf trips to both since 1981, and the right answer depends on your group and the week you have in mind. Here is where the two genuinely differ.
The golf and the courses
Portugal’s strongest card is concentration. The Algarve squeezes a remarkable number of championship courses into a short run of coastline, so you drive less and play more. Mature parkland at the Penina Golf Course near Portimao sits within easy reach of the resort courses around Vilamoura, with the quieter golf of Quinta da Ria and Cima Golf Club near Tavira further east. Near Lisbon, Oitavos Dunes at Quinta da Marinha is a destination course in its own right, sandy and links-influenced.
Spain answers with range. The Costa del Sol runs from the exposed, links-style holes at Alcaidesa to the modern test at Fairmont La Hacienda, all in the orbit of Sotogrande. One caution on Alcaidesa: it is a lovely course on a calm morning and a wholly different proposition when the Levante blows through the Strait. Inland Andalusia has serious golf of its own, and from
Season, weather and when to go
Both countries offer more playable days than almost anywhere else in Europe, but the calendar matters. The Algarve and the Costa del Sol are at their best from February to May, when the fairways are green, the temperatures are kind and the courses peak before the summer heat arrives. Autumn repeats the trick. For a classic spring golf week the Algarve is about as dependable as Europe gets, though its popularity shows in spring tee sheets and prices, so book early or settle for the shoulder weeks.
Spain’s advantage is deep winter. The Canaries stay reliably warm through December and January, and mainland Almeria, the driest corner of Spain, holds its own too. Our usual answer for a winter mainland week is Hotel Valle del Este on the Vera coast, from
Where our specialists would stay in Spain
Atmosphere and sense of place
Beyond the golf, the two countries feel different to spend a week in. Portugal is relaxed and unhurried, and the Algarve in particular has an easy, golf-first culture where the day turns comfortably around the round. Madeira and the elegant coast near Quinta da Marinha add a more refined, scenic note for those who want it.
Spain gives you more contrast within one trip. On the Costa Brava we would pair Hotel Terraverda at Emporda Golf, from
Which suits which golfer or group
A rough guide. Portugal is the natural pick for a dedicated golf group wanting maximum rounds and minimum fuss, especially over a long weekend or a week in the Algarve where everything sits close together. It flatters mixed abilities too. Spain rewards golfers who travel for the whole experience, couples who want golf and culture in equal measure, and anyone chasing reliable winter sun. For a mixed-ability society week on the mainland, our first recommendation would be Villaitana Resort Golf in Benidorm, which starts at
None of this is rigid, which is exactly why arranging the trip with a specialist beats booking a fixed package. We hand-build every itinerary around your dates, your courses and your pace, from a focused Algarve week to a five-star stay at La Finca Resort near Alicante, with prices from
Our specialists’ favourite stays in Spain
What our golfers say
4.997 reviews
If you are going to play golf, there's nothing better than playing in the sunshine so my wife and I had an item on our bucket list to take a month driving around the Iberian peninsula playing golf, staying at good hotels and eating well! …
We recently used Golf planet Holidays for our annual golf trip to Spain, I can honestly say that the service provided was second to none, an absolutely first class experience.. well done the team at Golf planet holidays..
What a golf break here costs by month, Spain
| 0.82 | 0.86 | 0.96 | 1.01 | 1.01 | 1.00 | 1.12 | 1.20 | 1.07 | 1.00 | 0.90 | 0.81 |
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to play golf in Spain and Portugal?
Spring, from February to May, is the sweet spot for both: warm, dry and quieter than high summer. Autumn, through September and October, is equally lovely as the heat softens. For winter golf, Spain has the advantage thanks to the Canary Islands, where Gran Canaria stays warm and playable year-round. We advise on the right window for your handicap, your tolerance for heat and the courses you most want to play.
Are the courses suitable for higher-handicap and beginner golfers?
Yes, both countries offer a spread that welcomes every level. The Algarve’s resort courses, including the parkland Penina Golf Course at Portimao, are forgiving and generous off the tee, while Quinta da Ria and Cima Golf Club near Tavira reward steady play over heroics. In Spain, the open, links-style fairways around Alcaidesa suit improvers. We build the rota so the golf flatters your group rather than punishing it.
How do you protect my money when I book a hand-built golf trip?
Golf Planet Holidays has arranged golf travel since 1981, and your peace of mind is built in. We are ATOL Protected on any trip including flights, and your money is held securely in trust with the PTS until the day you travel, so it is never at risk. You are dealing with a specialist, not a call centre, from first conversation to final putt.
Can I combine golf with non-golfing days, beach or culture?
Absolutely, and this is where hand-built earns its keep. In Spain we can weave in Barcelona’s culture from a base such as the Petit Palace Opera Garden Hotel, or beach days in Marbella between rounds. In Portugal, Funchal’s gardens on Madeira or the old-town charm of Carvoeiro balance the golf beautifully. We design each day around the whole party, players and non-players alike.
Come and play with us
Wherever you're travelling from, you're welcome on a Golf Planet hosted tour — a small group, a host with you from the first tee to the last, and every round, transfer and dinner taken care of. You just bring the clubs.
