Vale Do Lobo (20 minutes from Faro Airport).

Vale do Lobo is home to two challenging and beautiful golf courses – The Royal and The Ocean – which have previously hosted the European PGA Tour event - The Portuguese Open. Based on original concepts by the legendary late Sir Henry Cotton and re-developed by respected American Golf Architect Rocky Roquemore, the Royal and the Ocean test a golfer´s game like few courses can.

The Royal Golf Course has rolling fairways set amidst pine trees and beautiful lakes surrounded by wild flowers. Its features include the almost island green of the 9th and the famous 16th, with cliff-top carryover – one of the most celebrated golfing images in the world, which has become the veritable symbol of golf in the Algarve. The tee shot on the 16th on the Royal Course is one of the most challenging shots in the world. The Royal Course was designed by top American golf architect Rocky Roquemore, based on original drawings made by Sir Henry Cotton.

The Ocean Golf Course features undulating fairways which run alongside nature reserve, before leading gently down to the shores of the Atlantic. Its emblematic holes are two challenging and spectacular Par 4s, the 11th and the 14th – which treat golfers to some of the most spectacular views in the Algarve - and the Par 3 15th, which runs alongside the beach. The Ocean Course is composed of two of the original 9-hole golf courses designed by Sir Henry Cotton, which were opened in 1968 and 1972. His plans for the merged course became reality in 1995.

With the versatility to cater for sports enthusiasts, spa lovers, gourmands and sun worshippers, and with a selection of accommodation to suit all requirements - from simple apartments to luxury villas with pool and garden, all fully equipped and serviced daily by a personal maid – Vale do Lobo is many holiday destinations in one and a perfect place for families. Its almost year-round sun and proximity to Faro airport make it eternally attractive and easy to get to. Vale do Lobo calls itself the best golf, beach and spa resort in Europe and it is very hard to dispute otherwise.

The Algarve’s first holiday development, it was founded in 1962 and has now grown into an outstanding resort to play golf, relax, dine well and enjoy the superb facilities within the grounds. Along with the two sensational golf courses is a David Lloyd tennis centre, a wonderful sports and health club offering the best in leisure amenities not to mention the array of beach sports available. The luxury accommodation is of the highest level and offers you anything from a one bedroom apartment to detached five bedroom villas. In addition, beside the beach in the heart of the resort you’ll find the Praça - a cosmopolitan mix of shops, bars and restaurants.