The north of Portugal is about to take centre stage. From May 6–8, 2025, the elegant Vidago Palace Golf Course will host the Super Bock Ladies Open, a LET Access Series event featuring some of the most promising players in women’s golf. But the real headliner might just be the host venue itself.

Tucked away in the Trás-os-Montes region, one of Portugal’s best-kept secrets, Vidago Palace offers a unique blend of championship golf, Belle Époque grandeur, and natural tranquillity. It’s the kind of place where the sport is only part of the story, and where every corner of the estate is designed to elevate your experience.

Whether you’re following the tournament or planning your next upscale getaway, Vidago Palace golf holidays deliver far beyond the scorecard.

A Royal Retreat, Reinvented for Golf Travellers

First opened in 1910 as a royal spa retreat, Vidago Palace Hotel has been carefully restored to combine timeless elegance with modern five-star comfort. Today it stands as one of Portugal’s most iconic resort properties, and a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World.

Guests can enjoy:

• 70 beautifully styled rooms and suites

• Expansive grounds with thermal springs and forested trails

• Fine dining options and a curated wine cellar

• Full-service spa with hydrotherapy suites and wellness treatments

Championship Golf Worth Travelling For

The Vidago Palace Golf Course, redesigned by Cameron & Powell, is a par-72 course built to USGA standards, combining technical variety with striking natural beauty. Elevated tees, tree-lined fairways, and intelligent bunkering offer both challenge and reward for visiting players.

The Super Bock Ladies Open will bring 126 players to compete over 54 holes, with a cut after 36. As part of the LET Access Series, it places Vidago firmly on the map as a world-class venue, not just for professionals, but for discerning golf holidaymakers looking for something beyond the mainstream.

👉 Play at Vidago Palace Golf Course

Wellness, Wine, and Northern Portuguese Warmth

What sets Vidago Palace apart isn’t just its architecture or accolades, it’s the balance between sporting excellence and sensory retreat. The on-site spa features both indoor and outdoor thermal pools, mineral water treatments, and serene forest views.

Off the fairways, guests can explore nearby wineries, discover local culinary traditions, or take scenic walks through the mountains and valleys that define this peaceful corner of the country. It’s a destination that invites you to slow down and savour, not just your round, but your entire stay.

Why This Event and This Place Deserve a Spot on Your 2025 Golf Calendar

The arrival of the Super Bock Ladies Open at Vidago Palace isn’t just a date on the tour calendar, it’s a sign that Portugal’s lesser-known regions are stepping confidently into the spotlight. This is a destination that combines world-class competition with world-class care.

Whether you’re attending the event, planning a luxury golf break, or simply looking for a destination with soul, Vidago Palace delivers something rare: a holiday where everything, pace, place, and purpose, feels just right.

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Setúbal Golf Holidays – A Rising Star Near Lisbon

When it comes to golf in Portugal, the Algarve usually takes centre stage, and rightly so. But for travellers looking to mix championship-level golf with rich cultural immersion and quieter coastal charm, Setúbal is quickly becoming one to watch.

Located just 40 minutes south of Lisbon, Setúbal offers a refreshing alternative to more established golf regions. With its combination of scenic layouts, boutique resorts, and authentic Portuguese flavour, it’s no surprise that the area is gaining attention as an emerging destination for Portugal golf holidays in 2025.

Whether you’re planning a long weekend or a full golf holiday near Lisbon, Setúbal blends accessibility, quality golf, and an experience that goes well beyond the scorecard.

What Makes Setúbal a Standout for Golf Travellers?

It’s not just one course or resort that’s putting Setúbal on the map, it’s the diversity of options, the value, and the sense of discovery that golfers increasingly seek.

Troia Golf

Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., Troia is a championship-level course set on a narrow peninsula between the Atlantic and the Sado Estuary. It’s visually stunning and technically demanding, a proper test that rewards creative shot-making.

Quinta do Peru Golf & Country Club

Set against the backdrop of the Arrábida Mountains, this course is known for its pristine condition and balanced layout. It’s a local favourite and frequently ranked among Portugal’s top inland courses.

Montado Hotel & Golf Resort

A more relaxed option, Montado offers a resort-style experience with a layout known for its unique 18th-hole island green. It’s a popular base for those wanting easy access to both golf and nearby wine estates.

👉 Explore golf courses in the Setúbal region

Golf Near Lisbon Without the Crowds

One of Setúbal’s key advantages is its proximity to Lisbon. A short drive from the capital’s airport lands you in a region that feels worlds away, less touristy, more local, and ideal for those seeking a laid-back golf break in Portugal.

Add to that the region’s wine culture, seafood restaurants, and quiet beaches, and you’ve got more than just a golf trip, you’ve got a full-bodied travel experience.

When to Go, What to Expect

Setúbal shares much of the same climate as Lisbon and the Algarve, with warm, dry conditions from March to October, and fewer crowds outside of peak summer. Spring and autumn are especially appealing for golf, with perfect temperatures and ideal course conditions.

Accommodation options range from rural wine lodges to modern beachfront hotels, often at more competitive prices than in Portugal’s major resorts.

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A Word to the Curious Golfer

Setúbal won’t stay under the radar for long. For golfers who like to stay ahead of the curve, it offers that sweet spot between quality and authenticity, serious courses without the crowds, culture without the cliché.

If you’ve already ticked the Algarve and Cascais off your list, this is where your next Portugal golf holiday should take you.

What’s New on the Water in Albufeira?

Golf may be the main reason you’re heading to the Algarve, but it’s certainly not the only way to enjoy the region. This time of year, the coastline comes alive again with everything that makes spring in Albufeira special: blue skies, warm breezes, and new experiences on and off the water.

Among the highlights? AlgarExperience, a leading watersports and leisure company based in Albufeira Marina, has just rolled out its April 2025 lineup, and it’s packed with scenic cruises, coastal dining, and close encounters with the Algarve’s natural beauty.

From dolphin-watching to hidden beach barbecues, AlgarExperience brings together comfort, flavour, and sea air in ways that pair perfectly with a golf holiday in the Algarve.

Beach Barbecues Are Back – From 3 April

A favourite among visitors and locals alike, the Beach Barbecue experience returns on 3 April. The trip combines a scenic cruise along the Algarve coast, including a stop at the world-famous Benagil caves, with an exclusive barbecue lunch on a secluded beach.

Expect an open bar, curated tasting menu, and a full afternoon of barefoot luxury.

Dolphin Watching and Benagil Caves – Relaunch of the Belize III

After a major upgrade to the Belize III vessel, the popular Dolphins and Benagil Caves tour is back in full swing. It’s a chance to spot dolphins in their natural habitat while exploring some of the most iconic rock formations in southern Europe.

It’s not just a boat trip, it’s a chance to see the Algarve from a completely different angle.

New Experience: Benagil & Coast – Aboard the “Unwind” Catamaran

For those after something a little more refined, AlgarExperience has launched a new version of its Benagil and coastal tour, this time aboard the Unwind, a sleek and comfortable catamaran offering a more spacious, relaxed atmosphere.

What sets this experience apart is the onboard tasting menu. Included in every tour (at no extra cost), guests can choose from:

• Sabores do Algarve: A trio of regional sweets with Algarve liqueurs

• Regional Wine Tasting

• Port Wine & Chocolate

• Iced Teas with Almond Biscuits

• Sea & Flavour: Algarve-style tinned seafood tasting

A perfect pairing with a relaxing day off the course.

Planning a Golf Holiday in Albufeira?

Albufeira isn’t just about nightlife, it’s also a base for exploring some of the Algarve’s best golf courses, including Salgados, Pine Cliffs, and the Vilamoura collection just up the road.

If you’re staying in the region this spring or summer, these new experiences from AlgarExperience offer the perfect way to round out your trip with a taste of the sea.

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