Golf in Albufeira, Algarve: a second home for the whole family

08 Oct 2026 | Live Well

In Albufeira, a morning round, a long lunch by the pool and a barefoot walk along the shore can all belong to the same unhurried day. For the golf-curious achiever, someone who loves the game without needing it to be everything, the question is not whether to own a second home in the Algarve. It is which way of living suits you best. This guide explores the golf properties in Albufeira (and around) that stand out for families: what defines each one, and what to weigh before you decide.

 

Why Albufeira works for golf-loving families


Albufeira sits on the Algarve's central coast, which makes it a natural base. It is close enough to Faro to arrive and unwind on the same day, and central enough to reach courses to the east and west without long journeys. Faro Airport is roughly a 40-minute drive away.

For families, variety matters. Teenagers want energy, younger children want pools and sand, and parents want a round of golf followed by genuine rest. The best golf properties in Albufeira bring all three together.

 

Herdade dos Salgados: links golf, a nature reserve and the Atlantic


To the west of Albufeira, near Guia, Herdade dos Salgados is a place on this coast where golf, beach and protected nature sit side by side.

The course. Salgados Golf Course is an 18-hole, par-72 layout that opened in 1994, designed by Pedro de Vasconcelos and Robert Muir-Graves. Surrounded by water, it’s laid out within a protected wildlife reserve where numerous lakes provide habitat for endangered bird species. The terrain is mostly flat, but reaching the greens calls for precise technique and an accurate drive. It’s a course that rewards thought over power, engaging for improving players and experienced golfers alike.

The setting. Next door, the Salgados Lagoon Nature Reserve is home to flamingos in their natural habitat. It is the kind of detail children remember long after the holiday ends.

The residences. At the heart of Herdade dos Salgados, The Westin Salgados Beach Resort, Algarve brings branded living to this landscape. It sits just steps from Salgados Beach, with direct beach access and lush gardens. The Westin Residences comprise 42 fully furnished homes with two- and three-bedroom layouts, generous balconies, excellent sunlight and underground parking, with interiors ranging from 99 m² to 153 m². Owners enjoy reception and concierge services, round-the-clock privacy and maintenance, six pools, children's amenities, restaurants, landscaped gardens, lounge areas, a WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Centre, a Heavenly® Spa and planned RunWESTIN™ routes.

Best for: families who want golf, beach and nature on their doorstep, with the ease of a fully serviced home.



 

Pine Cliffs: clifftop golf and resort living


East of Albufeira's centre, near Olhos de Água, Pine Cliffs Resort is one of the area's long-established addresses.

The course. This is a compact experience rather than a championship one. The nine-hole course was designed by Martin Hawtree in a pinewood setting, with tree-lined fairways running alongside the Atlantic. Its signature moment is a par 3 whose championship tee, known as the Devil's Parlour, sits above a ravine and demands a 197-metre carry over the cliffs to a deep, narrow green.

The resort. Owners live within a resort that includes six tennis and padel courts, 15 restaurants and bars, shops, an award-winning spa, three gyms and 24-hour security.

The properties. Pine Cliffs Residence is a collection of apartments by The Luxury Collection, a short walk from the golf course.

Best for: families who value a large, lively resort ecosystem, with golf as one pleasure among many.

 

Balaia Golf Village: relaxed and family-focused


Also on Albufeira's eastern side, Balaia Golf Village is a mature, garden-rich resort with an approachable feel.

The golf. A nine-hole course, a driving range and a golf school make it an easy place for beginners and children to discover the game.

Family life. The resort has six outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a kids' club and a playground, and it lies within walking distance of Maria Luísa Beach.

Best for: families looking for a relaxed, sociable introduction to Algarve golf living.

 

Just beyond Albufeira: Amendoeira Golf Resort


For the more dedicated golfer, it pays to look a few kilometres inland. Near Silves, Amendoeira Golf Resort is home to two 18-hole championship courses: the Faldo Course, designed by Sir Nick Faldo, and the O'Connor Jnr. Course, designed by Christy O'Connor Jnr. A floodlit nine-hole Academy par-3 course adds a gentler option for younger or newer players. The resort offers a mix of modern apartments and villas.

Best for: families led by a committed golfer who is happy to trade beachfront living for countryside space and championship golf.

 

How to choose: the questions that matter


All of these places offer golf in the sun. The real differences lie elsewhere.

How central is golf to your second home? Eighteen holes on your doorstep, a nine-hole round before breakfast, or two championship courses to alternate between. Consider how often you will play, and how often your family will join you.

Beach, cliff or countryside? Stepping onto the sand, gazing out from the clifftops or waking in a green valley, each creates a very different daily rhythm.

How much do you want to manage yourself? Fully furnished, serviced residences with concierge and maintenance offer a very different ownership experience from a property you furnish and look after from abroad.

Who is coming with you? Children's facilities, pools, spa access and fitness spaces all shape how the whole family spends its days.



 

Discover The Westin Residences in the Algarve


Picture it. The Atlantic from your balcony. Flamingos on the lagoon. Eighteen holes beside your front door, and a beach that begins where the dunes end. This is where mornings start with a run, afternoons belong to the fairway, and evenings ask nothing of you at all. Fully furnished, beautifully serviced and made for families who want to play well, rest deeply and return feeling more like themselves, The Westin Residences at Herdade dos Salgados are waiting. Your horizon starts here.



Book your private visit to the show residence and discover The Westin Residences in the Algarve.
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