If it’s golf in Lisbon you’re looking for, the spectacular Penha Longa Resort has been a popular choice since opening in 1992. Located in a protected National Park just a short drive from the popular beach town of Cascais and the scenic fairytale town of Sintra, this golf resort offers one of the best courses in Portugal.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, players here will find tree-lined fairways across 27 holes, with the 18-hole Atlantic Championship course the headline act.
Attesting to the exceptional conditions and challenging layout, Penha Longa Resort has hosted the Portugal Open on the European Challenge Tour several times, most recently in 2010. For those seeking a unique golf vacation in Portugal, Penha Longa has many iconic features, such as an ancient Roman aqueduct.
Unlike some of its coastal neighbors, Penha Longa golf resort is nestled into a hillside, offering secluded and peaceful rounds with spectacular views across the southern Sintra mountains. After a day of play, guests can relax at one of Lisbon’s best places to stay or explore quaint villages and nearby beaches.
Penha Longa takes its name from the Portuguese for “Long Rock,” a reference to the massive granite monolith visible across the estate, around which local folklore has built centuries of legend. The resort itself is the only hotel within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, spread across 545 acres of protected hillside between the Sintra mountains and the Atlantic coast. Its history stretches back to 1355, when a monastery was founded on the site for the Jerónimos Order.
Over the following centuries it became a summer retreat for Portuguese royalty, a palace was built in the grounds, and the complex survived floods, earthquakes, and the passage of time before eventually becoming one of Portugal’s most celebrated golf resorts under the Ritz-Carlton banner. Few places in European golf carry quite this depth of history.
The 5* Ritz Carlton Hotel at Penha Longa Resort is an exceptional and striking property that offers all the luxuries you would expect from such an elite establishment. The abundant facilities include pools, a spa, and fine eateries, including two Michelin-starred restaurants. Our pick is MIDORI, a Japanese sushi spot, offering a refined Asian twist on Portugal’s most popular produce.
Ensure you experience magical Sintra during your stay. The nearby hilltop town, famed for its palaces of former monarchy, is a picture-perfect setting and one of Portugal’s most loved destinations.
In nearby Cascais, dine at O Pescador, a perennial favorite for Premier Golf clients when visiting the area, a quintessentially Portuguese restaurant serving the best fish in town.
The flagship layout is a par-72, 18-hole course stretching to around 6,313 yards, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and opened in 1992. Rather than a straightforward parkland layout, the course uses the considerable elevation of the Sintra hills to create something more demanding and dramatic. The opening and closing holes snake through a wooded valley of tall pines, oaks, and eucalyptus, while the middle stretch of the round pushes out onto exposed hillsides where the Atlantic crosswinds become a constant factor. Jones’ intention was to design a course where a bogey feels well-earned and a par requires genuine precision.
The par-5 6th is the course’s signature hole, where the green is framed by a medieval arched wall and castle tower with a lake running along the approach. The par-3 15th demands a 155-metre carry over water, usually played into the prevailing wind. Unlike many courses in Europe, there isn’t a single weak hole on the Atlântico and the layout rewards return visits as players begin to understand where position matters most.
The 9-hole Mosteiro (Monastery) Course opened in 1995, also designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., and winds through the most historic parts of the estate. Tighter fairways, blind tee shots, and smaller well-defended greens make it a genuine strategic challenge rather than a warm-up act, with water hazards in play across several holes. It pairs naturally with the Atlantic Championship to create a full day’s golf in an extraordinary setting.
Non-member visitors are welcome on both courses. Green fees reach around $160 for the Atlantic Championship, with the Mosteiro Course priced lower. Advance booking is strongly recommended given high demand. Strict traditional golf attire is required on both courses and within the practice facilities.
Penha Longa sits in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, around 10 minutes from Sintra town centre. Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) is 30 to 35 minutes away by car via the motorway, making this one of the most accessible courses on a Lisbon golf tour. Private transfers and hire car are both practical options, and regular trains run from Lisbon to Sintra for those without a vehicle. For those still deciding between a Lisbon base and the Algarve for a wider trip, the Algarve vs Lisbon comparison covers the key differences well.
Portugal’s capital city is a cultural and historical hub set along the Atlantic Ocean coast. From its golf courses and vast green spaces to the bars and beaches that adorn the coastline, Portugal’s capital provides the ideal location for a golf vacation.
Penha Longa sits at the heart of one of the strongest golf regions in Portugal, with several outstanding options nearby:
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Penha Longa Resort; Penha Longa Golf
Penha Longa Resort, Estrada da Lagoa Azul, Linhó, 2714-511 Sintra, Portugal
Atlantic Course opened early 1990s
Resort and golf course operate year round with tee times daily.
Atlantic Course – 18 holes, par 72; Robert Trent Jones Jr design in the Sintra hills with elevated tees, tree lined fairways and views to the Atlantic.
Additional nine hole Monastery loop is available for shorter rounds.
Ritz-Carlton managed hotel, spa, restaurants, practice facilities and proximity to Sintra and Cascais attractions.
Atlantic Course has hosted the Portuguese Open and is often rated among Portugal’s top courses.
Oitavos Dunes, Quinta da Marinha, Estoril and Lisbon region courses.
The most major golf tournament hosted at the Penha Longa is the Portugal Open, which it has hosted on multiple occasions. The Penha Longa tests a variety of golfing skills and provides a thrilling time for even highly experienced golfers.
The Ritz-Carlton Penha Longa Resort has 196 luxury rooms and suites for guests.
You can book a golf trip to Penha Longa with Premier Golf and the team will be happy to offer any recommendations or suggestions to help make your trip as memorable as possible.
Penha Longa’s most famous golf course is the Atlantic Championship, which offers 18 holes, and the other available course Monastery is also noted for its challenging hills and seaside views.
