Aroeira – Discover your perfect golf getaway in the stunning city of Lisbon

It’s a good predicament to have, but one of the problems with playing golf in Portugal is that there are so many great courses to choose from, writes Rory Anderson. 

From an assortment of outstanding venues in the world-famous Algarve to the plethora of quality courses scattered in and around its capital Lisbon, there really is something for everyone.

I suppose this is one of the reasons why I’d never visited Aroeira Golf Resort until recently. During my previous life where I spent 12 years filming golf content for a golf tour operator, I was always aware of Aroeira and its reputation, but for one reason or another, I just never had the opportunity to visit.

Watch Rory's video review here, and scroll below to read more about both Aroeira Pines Classic and Aroeira Challenge...

I suppose this is one of the reasons why I’d never visited Aroeira Golf Resort until recently. During my previous life where I spent 12 years filming golf content for a golf tour operator, I was always aware of Aroeira and its reputation, but for one reason or another, I just never had the opportunity to visit.

Where is Aroeira Golf Resort?

You’re not christened as ‘The Wentworth of Lisbon’ for nothing, though (a nickname that it was given by golfers visiting in the 1970s), so it was with an equal amount of excitement and intrigue that I packed my bags and clubs and headed to the airport, bound for the Costa Azul region to the south of Lisbon.

A 30-minute drive from the Portuguese capital (doable by transfers, rental car or the amazingly cheap Uber cabs in the Lisbon area) Aroeira Golf Resort is a two-time host of the Portuguese Open and, nestled amid natural pine forest, features two 18-hole championship layouts – Aroeira Pines Classic and Aroeira Challenge.

I’d heard good things about both layouts prior to my visit but I don’t think even I was prepared for the quality of the challenge that awaited me. Both courses are seriously good and, importantly in these days of rising prices, offer some of the best-value golf not just in Portugal but across the whole of Europe. Being a lover of heathland golf, I immediately felt at home and the courses are as close to that style that you’ll find in Portugal in my experience.

Aroeira Pines Classic, Aroeira Challenge: Key Facts

Designed by Frank Pennink and meandering through tall avenues of pine forest and surrounded by wildlife and nature, Aroeira Pines Classic – which opened in 1972 – plays to 6,650 yards and demands accuracy and placement off the tee if you’re to score well. One of the interesting things about this course is that it has no fairway bunkers, but such is the challenge of lots of the tee shots here, I actually didn’t even notice this feature until mid-way through the back nine!

Aroeira Challenge, which opened in 2000, was designed by Donald Steel and is the ideal complement to its older sibling. Measuring more than 7,000 yards from the back tees, the course bares its teeth with water in play on nine holes and large, undulating greens providing a true test to golfers. There are fairway bunkers here too, so it’s very much a case of Challenge by name, challenge by nature on this course.

Which is the better golf course - Aroeira Pines Classic or Aroeira Challenge?

Although the Pines Classic is generally rated higher in industry rankings – it was the venue for the Portuguese Open in 1996 and 1997 – my personal favourite of the two courses was Aroeira Challenge. It’s definitely got the potential to be more difficult, because there’s a lot more water to negotiate, as well as far more fairway bunkers, so you need your ‘A’ game to score well. Either way across the 36 holes at Aroeira, there’s a lot of fun to be had.

Both courses are testing and playable in equal measure, and the good news is that the golf experience is set to be improved even further this year with both layouts earmarked to receive significant investment over the coming months from new owners, with upgrades being made to the bunkers, tees, greens, irrigation system and landscaping. I can’t wait to see how good these courses can become, because they’re already so enjoyable and I just think they’re ready to be taken to the next level.

What is the best place to stay at Aroeira?

When it comes to accommodation at Aroeira, the magnificent Aroeira Lisbon Hotel is situated just two minutes from the golf courses and is the ideal base for a golf trip in this part of the country.

It’s not just the location that makes it so good. The rooms are superbly well-equipped, stylish and comfortable, and the food served in the restaurant is exceptional - much better than you might expect from a four-star hotel. In fact, it's hard to understand why this isn't a five-star hotel.

The Aroeira Lisbon Hotel makes Aroeira a true stay and play option for golfers heading to Portugal, and with Lisbon just 30 minutes away, combining golf with some culture in the city that was named as ‘Europe's Leading City Destination’ at the 2024 World Travel Awards, is very much on the cards.

I've never really been much of a city boy myself, but I must say I've loved every minute that I've spent in Lisbon, which tells a story in itself.

Where else can I go after I've played at Aroeira?

Size-wise, it's not a massive city in the grand scheme of things, so it's a great place to explore on foot (or by tram if you can't manage the hills), and for golfers, whose main focus will obviously be golf, it's a great option to fill your time away from the fairways, let's say after a morning round of golf.

The food scene in Lisbon is, in general, fantastic and you're never too far from a top-class meal but, having enjoyed an al fresco meal at Can the Can on the Praça do Comércio, I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys seafood. The location is amazing, with great views of the square and the Tagus estuary, and the food was to die for with garum (a fermented fish sauce) being served alongside each dish, which really elevates the flavour of the food.

Aroeira Golf Resort: Verdict

Ultimately, if you're looking for a super-convenient stay-and-play golf resort near Lisbon where you can easily add a bit of city life to your itinerary, Aroeira ticks all of the boxes. With the investment that is being made, it is set to be at the forefront of Portuguese golf for years to come and I can’t wait to go back.

• Aroeira Challenge Review

• Aroeira Pines Classic Review