Tee times across
the Central Algarve.
Vilamoura sits in the densest concentration of championship courses in continental Europe — five within a five-minute drive of the villa, another six within twenty. A good concierge saves you a small fortune on rack-rate green fees and, more importantly, actually gets you on Old Course at the tee time you want.
Preferential rates, no markup on green fees. You pay the same or less than the resort's own website.
Concierge tee-time booking, not a middleman markup
Every resort in the Central Algarve has its own online booking page and rack rate. If you book direct at rack rate, you'll pay full price and take whatever tee time is left. A good concierge does two things you can't easily do yourself: they hold pre-block tee times at each resort, and they have contract green-fee rates that beat rack for most day and season combinations.
The saving isn't dramatic on any one round — €15 to €40 typically. Over a four-round golf week for a group of eight, it adds up to a nice dinner at the marina.
Courses covered
- 01Dom Pedro Old Course — the 1969 Frank Pennink classic, the one everyone wants to play
- 02Dom Pedro Victoria — Arnold Palmer, host of the Portugal Masters
- 03Dom Pedro Pinhal & Millennium — the two shorter, more forgiving Vilamoura resort courses
- 04Dom Pedro Laguna — links-style, water on 14 holes
- 05Quinta do Lago (North, South, Laranjal) — 15 minutes east
- 06Vale do Lobo (Royal, Ocean) — 20 minutes east, home of the cliff-top 16th
- 07Monte Rei North Course — Jack Nicklaus signature, 45 minutes east, ranked #1 in Portugal
- 08Amendoeira (Faldo, O'Connor Jnr) — 30 minutes north-west
Direct with the concierge
Send the concierge your preferred courses, dates, group size and any fixed constraints (e.g. must-play Old Course on the Wednesday, prefer morning tees). They come back with a schedule and quote within 24 hours. Payment is direct to the concierge or to each club, depending on the resort. We take no commission on green fees or lessons.
The concierge also handles the boring bits — arranging buggies, confirming dress code, sorting rental clubs and specifying left-handed sets where needed. If a group member drops out last minute, they'll try to fill the fourth ball.
Why Vilamoura is a golf base
Vilamoura was built around golf in the late 1960s and the five Dom Pedro courses are all walking distance from Marina-facing villas. Add Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo — twenty minutes east — and you have twelve championship courses inside a small radius. It's the highest concentration in mainland Europe, which is why the European Tour keeps coming back (Portugal Masters at Victoria every October).
For serious golfers, the pilgrimage course is Monte Rei — Nicklaus signature design, ranked #1 in Portugal every year since it opened. Worth the 45-minute drive east. Add it in as the "big round" of the week.
Common questions
How far in advance should tee times be booked?+
Old Course and San Lorenzo need 4–6 weeks in high season. Victoria, Pinhal and Millennium are usually bookable 1–2 weeks out. Off-peak (November–February) you can often get on any course the day before. Ryder Cup week (October) is impossible without months of notice.
How much does a round cost in Vilamoura?+
Rack-rate green fees: €130–€220 depending on course and season. Concierge rates typically save 10–25% off rack, plus buggy included on many bookings. Multi-round packs and stay-and-play deals are cheaper still — worth flagging if you're playing 3+ rounds in a week.
Can you organise buggies, caddies and clubs?+
Yes. Buggies are usually bookable with the tee time. Caddies (walking or forecaddies) require 48h notice at most clubs. Rental clubs — Callaway, TaylorMade or PING sets — are available at every resort; specify left/right hand and men/women/junior.
What about lessons or a golf professional?+
Every resort has a teaching pro and academy. One-hour lessons run €65–€110 depending on the pro. For groups or corporate outings we can arrange a dedicated pro for a full day, video swing analysis included.