Vale do Lobo is arguably the most well-known golfing resort in the world, thanks to its two championship golf courses, stunning location on the coast of the North Atlantic Ocean and more. It sits just 20 minutes from Faro International Airport as well, making it the perfect destination for foreign travellers. 

The golf courses at Vale do Lobo are sublime. 36 holes of incredible golf, with stunning views. Sir Henry Cotton was the man to draw out the original designs, with the Ocean Course being an amalgamation of the two 9-hole courses that set out Vale do Lobo at the very start. 

He also drew out what became the Royal Course, with Rocky Roquemore using those designs to set out the course in the late 1990s. The Ocean Course’s 16th hole is one of the most photographed golf holes in the world, thanks to its location, with the par-3 sitting on the edge of the cliff face, as golfers hit over the ravine to find the green.

The Vale do Lobo Golf Academy also offers equipment, tuition and coaching for golfers looking to improve their games, and afterwards, they can go and relax in the Royal Spa. Treatments, massages and much more are on offer at the Royal Spa, with the aim for guests to relax and unwind during their time there.

In terms of accommodation, Vale do Lobo has one of the larger choices on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list, as the accommodation is strewn all over the resort, with the two golf courses working their way round the properties. From one-bedroom apartments and townhouses, right the way up to three- and four-bedroom properties, guests of all natures will find what they are looking for in a stay at Vale do Lobo.

 

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Vale do Lobo is the proud home of two championship courses - the Royal Course and the Ocean Course. Sir Henry Cotton designed both courses, but only saw the Ocean Course constructed. Rocky Roquemore then took on Cotton’s drawings to create the Royal Course, which was inaugurated in 1997.

The resort achieved its championship status in 2002, when Vale do Lobo was the host of the Open de Portugal on the DP World Tour. Carl Pettersson was the victor, with fellow Swede Freddie Jacobson taking the title a year later.

The Ocean Course at Vale do Lobo is actually an amalgamation of the two original 9-hole golf courses on the property. These two courses were designed by Sir Henry Cotton, and initially opened individually in 1968 and 1972 before being put together to create the Ocean Course 18-hole lay-out.

Water makes an appearance at several holes on the course There is a lake between the fairway and the green on the 3rd hole, meaning the approach to the green has to fly all the way there. The 6th hole also features a large lake which runs down the entirety of the right side of the hole. The hole is dog-leg right around the lake, with the green being surrounded on two sides by water. 

The course has two signature par-4s, which both come on the back nine. They are the 11th and 14th holes, both of which play towards the beach and the Atlantic Ocean, while the par-3 15th plays with the beach running alongside it.

The Royal Golf Course was designed by top American golf architect Rocky Roquemore, based on the original drawings of Sir Henry Cotton. Recognised as one of Portugal’s most prestigious golf courses, its features include the almost island green of the 9th and the famous 16th, with cliff-top carryover – one of the most photographed holes in Europe.

The 16th is without doubt, the showstopper on the Royal Course. With the drop down to the beach and the Atlantic Ocean on the left, golfers must play over a ravine to find the green. Anything to the left of the green is gone, so keep it on the straight and narrow. Though that is no mean feat, considering this par-3 is more than 245 yards from the back tees.

The Vale do Lobo Golf Academy features first-class practice facilities. There is a netted area and a grass short-game practice area with bunkers. There is also a challenging putting green situated next to the clubhouse. 

All of these facilities can be used by golfers who want to warm up prior to a round on one of the two championship courses, or as instruction areas for beginners, coached by the qualified team of golf professionals.

The Royal Spa at the Vale do Lobo is a top notch wellness facility, which has been inspired by the salt mines of Loule in the Algarve. It is the local source of rock salt, which is renowned for its properties when it comes to health.

Water is the key of the Royal Spa at Vale do Lobo, with cascades and crystal glass walls as part of the interior design. There are a range of hydrotherapies, including salt baths, a Vichy shower, and hydromassages and steam therapies. 

There are eight treatment rooms at the Royal Spa, with an extensive range of treatments and massages on offer for guests at Vale do Lobo. There are also two bungalows in the garden of the property to allow guests to immerse themselves in the natural surroundings. 

There is a huge range of accommodation on offer at the Vale do Lobo resort, with properties strung out across the entire venue. The two golf courses wind their way through the accommodation, which has been carefully curated by the Vale do Lobo team, with the promise of a perfect holiday experience.

First up in the portfolio at Vale do Lobo are the apartments. There are Studios, as well as one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments on offer. All of the apartments have their own balcony, wherever they are in the resort, while a certain number of these apartments also have their own private pools. Some of the two-bedrooms on offer come with their own jacuzzi.

The range of townhouses at the Vale do Lobo resort is sensational, with one-, two- and three-bedroom townhouses on offer. Like the apartments, these are strung out all over the resort, with some close to the beach, while others are further north and on the edge of the golf course. There are also a range of three- and four-bedroom villas for a more private stay, each with their own private garden and pool.

Where is Vale do Lobo located?
Vale do Lobo is one of several resorts in the Algarve region, and it is situated just a short drive from the city of Faro. The resort has its own beach, with amazing views out onto the North Atlantic Ocean.

What is the nearest airport to Vale do Lobo?
Vale do Lobo is located just 15 miles from the nearest airport, which is Faro International Airport. The airport serves the region of the Algarve and operates daily flights to the majority of European countries, including several flights per day to the United Kingdom.

What golf facilities does Vale do Lobo offer?
The Vale do Lobo Golf Academy has a netted area for players to practice their shots, while the short game area is fully grassed to allow golfers to practice their short game skills, including bunker play in the practice bunker. There is also a practice putting green by the clubhouse. 

Does Vale do Lobo offer golf lessons?
The team of qualified professionals at the Vale do Lobo Golf Academy offer coaching and tuition for all abilities. From long game to short game, the team can help beginners learn the fundamentals, to experienced golfers aiming to fine tune their games. 

What are the green fees at Vale do Lobo?
The price of a green fee on both the Royal and Ocean Courses remains the same throughout the year thanks to the glorious climate of the region. Visitors will pay €190 to play, while guests of the Vale do Lobo resort get discounted rates, paying just €135.

Vale do Lobo is the ideal location to spend quality time with family and friends, thanks to the huge choice of activities, events and facilities available in the resort. Throughout the year guests of all ages can choose to spend time in the various different areas of Vale do Lobo, from relaxing on the beach and by the pool, to enjoying the restaurants and live music in the Praça or spending time on the courts and the courses. There is also a children's playground available in the Tennis Valley.

What accommodation is on offer at Vale do Lobo?
There is a plentiful range of accommodation at Vale do Lobo, with apartments, townhouses and villas dotted all over the property, as the golf courses wind their way through them. Each of the accommodation options available are elegant designed with comfort and luxury at the forefront. Ranging from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom villas, there is a place to stay for all guests.

What other resorts are nearby?
The part of the Algarve that Vale do Lobo is situated in is inundated with golf resorts, some of which are on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list. Quinta do Lago and San Lorenzo sit just to the east of Vale do Lobo, while the Dom Pedro resort and Vila Sol are to the west.

 

Book your trip to Vale do Lobo with Golfbreaks now.

Visit Vale do Lobo’s website here.

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.