The Algarve's westernmost course against its most scenic resort course near Lagos: Santo António from €57 or Palmares from €138. Here's how they compare if you are staying in the far west.
If you are staying in the far west of the Algarve, around Lagos, Salema or Sagres, two courses keep coming up: Santo António, the westernmost course in the Algarve, and Palmares, above Meia Praia beach. They are about 30 minutes apart by car and very different in price and style. Here is how to choose.
Santo António: the Algarve's westernmost course
Santo António Golf, formerly known as Parque da Floresta, was designed by Pepe Gancedo and opened in 1987. It runs over the hills behind the fishing village of Salema, near Budens. It is par 71 and 5,712 metres from the white tees, and the club describes it as a mixture of heath and parkland.
Its signature hole is the short par-3 5th. The par-5 9th, the hardest hole on the card, finishes with a steep uphill third shot over a ravine. On the way home, the 15th plays over a lake and water comes into play on the 16th and 17th. The terrain is hilly, so the club recommends a buggy.
Santo António is one of the best-value 18-hole rounds in the Algarve. Its official 2026 rates are €57 for most of the year and €68 from March to May and in September and October. Twilight rounds from 1:30pm are €35 (current Santo António green fees). The club doesn't publish a handicap limit, so bring your certificate and check when you book.
Palmares: 27 holes above the beach
Palmares, on the far side of Lagos, opened in 1975. Robert Trent Jones Jr. redesigned it in 2011, creating 27 holes in three nines: Alvor and Lagos are parkland and lakes, and Praia is links golf by the sea. The club says 90% of its tee boxes have ocean views, and in October 2026 the course was finishing improvements that include wider fairways and more short grass around the greens.
It costs a lot more. Green fees on the club's online booking start at €138 and reach €183 in spring and early autumn, with a winter rate including a shared buggy that was €105 when we checked (current Palmares green fees).
Which one should you play?
Choose Santo António if you are staying around Salema, Burgau or Sagres, want a relaxed round, or are playing several days and watching the budget. At €57 it costs well under half of Palmares. Choose Palmares if you want one memorable round with sea views and links golf by the beach, and don't mind paying for it. Staying in Lagos itself, Palmares is closer at about 15 minutes, against around 25 minutes to Santo António.
Where to stay
At Santo António, the resort's own villas are listed on Booking.com as Quinta da Floresta - Santo António Villas, Golf & Spa, where they score 7.9. At Palmares, the five-star Palmares Beach House Hotel scores 8.9. Lagos, between the two, has the widest choice of hotels.
This is the most remote corner of the Algarve: Santo António is more than 100 km from Faro Airport by road. A hire car makes the most sense for exploring the far west, or you can book a private transfer to your hotel.
Want to compare more courses nearby? Open the course comparator, read Palmares vs Boavista, or see our Vila do Bispo and Lagos golf course pages.
