Great Value

Salgados Golf Course

Albufeira, Algarve · Designed by Pedro de Vasconcelos (1994) · Est. 1994

Salgados is the closest thing the central Algarve has to a links, laid out on flat, open coastal land beside the Salgados lagoon and nature reserve near Albufeira. With no trees to speak of and water in play on the majority of holes — five lakes wind through the layout, and a recent upgrade added a striking island green at the 12th — it is a very different Algarve test: exposed to the sea breeze and defined by accurate iron play over the water.

At par 72 over around 6,100 metres, it is flat and walkable, but the wind and the water make it a genuine challenge, and its position hard against the beach gives lovely coastal light and birdlife from the neighbouring lagoon. It is deservedly popular and offers excellent value for a course so close to the sea.

Set between Albufeira and Armação de Pêra, with hotels right beside the first tee, Salgados is an easy, enjoyable and well-priced round on the coast.

Holes worth knowing

112th (par-3) — the striking island green added in a recent upgrade, all carry over water, the course's new signature.
2The lagoon holes — hard against the Salgados nature reserve and beach, with water, coastal light and birdlife defining the closing stretch.

Highlights

The central Algarve's most links-like course
Water in play on most holes — five lakes
A new island green at the 12th
Beside a beach and nature reserve near Albufeira

Good to know

→Salgados plays like a links: flat, treeless and exposed, so the sea breeze and the five lakes — not length — are the challenge.
→It is right on the beach beside the Salgados lagoon nature reserve — good for birdwatching, and hotels sit beside the first tee.
→Excellent value for a coastal course, and very walkable given the flat terrain — a good option for a relaxed round.
→Albufeira's old town and the resort strip are 10 minutes; Armação de Pêra beach is even closer.
→Faro Airport is about 35 minutes, with the central-Algarve courses of Vilamoura and Vale do Lobo an easy drive east.