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This select beachfront is patronized by guests staying at the nearby Vale do Lobo resort and is always a hive of activity. There are some excellent barcafés close at hand.

This hugely popular tract of sand is characterized by the colourful fishing boats stationed at one end – indeed, Praia dos Barcos is also known as “Fisherman’s Beach”. Right in front of the town’s old quarter, the beach is reached through a tunnel next to the tourist information office.

Bordering the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, this par 72 layout affords the distraction of some spectacular ocean views. Amid olive and carob trees, some of the man-made lakes have now become home to many species of waterfowl. Elsewhere, greens skirt a vineyard and an orange grove.

This par 72 championship course lying within the vast estate of the same name has hosted the Portuguese Open on several occasions. The undulating layout favours long hitters, but strategic bunkering, the odd water hazard and large, contoured greens provide challenge aplenty.

Quinta do Lago, a championship course, has hosted the Portuguese Open several times. It is especially notable for four excellent par 5 holes.

A rolling terrain abundant with pine envelopes this par 72 layout. The highlight is the infamous 16th, where a powerful and accurate swing is needed to carry a set of precipitous cliffs before the green. But the signature hole is the 9th, with its spectacular, semi-island green.

The warm waters off the Algarve provide a natural arena for all type of sailing craft, from dinghy to schooner.

An inspiring coastal course that features several links holes skirting the beach, Salgados has the largest number of water hazards to be found on any Algarve course – a frightening fourteen! An additional threat is the spirited winds that whip up off the sea.