Golf in the Algarve: legends are coming to Vilamoura in 2026, and where to play with Pestana

From 31 July to 2 August, Vilamoura hosts the Portugal Invitational, the first PGA Tour Champions tournament ever played on European soil and the first individual stroke play event sanctioned by the PGA TOUR to take place in Portugal.

For anyone who follows the sport, this is a historic moment: some of the greatest names of all time, from the World Golf Hall of Fame to the legends of the senior circuit, will be playing just minutes away from some of the country’s finest beaches. But the Algarve doesn’t need a tournament to be one of Europe’s top golf destinations. It is one all year round, with sunshine, a mild climate and dozens of courses within easy reach of each other.

This article explains what the Portugal Invitational is and what it’s like to experience, then walks through Pestana Group’s golf offering: six courses across two regions of the country and the hotels where you can pair clubs, sea and rest in one trip. For the full picture, it’s worth having our guide to golf across two regions of Portugal close to hand.

Why is 2026 a historic year for golf in Portugal?

The Portugal Invitational launches in 2026 and marks the PGA Tour Champions‘ debut in Europe. The tournament takes place from 31 July to 2 August at The Els Club Vilamoura, the course designed by Ernie Els, with a field of 78 players and a prize money of three million dollars. It’s the first time the circuit that brings together golf’s legends has been held outside North America in this format.

Among the first confirmed names are Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie, both members of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Open Championship winner Justin Leonard and Stewart Cink, the most recent Charles Schwab Cup champion. The full list of participants continues to be announced by the organisers throughout the season.

Portugal Invitational 2026, at a glance

Where: The Els Club Vilamoura, in the Algarve, around 25 minutes from Faro Airport. 

When: 31 July to 2 August 2026. 

Circuit: PGA Tour Champions, in Europe for the first time, with 78 players and a total prize fund of three million dollars. 

Note: the tournament is independent of Pestana Group. It takes place, however, in Vilamoura, where Pestana has its own resort and golf course, Pestana Vila Sol.

Where is the event and what’s it like to play golf in Vilamoura?

Vilamoura, in the municipality of Loulé, is one of Europe’s most respected golf destinations, with five courses, a marina known across the continent and a concentration of options that few places can match. The Portugal Invitational takes place at The Els Club. To plan a visit around the event, Visit Algarve brings together beaches, restaurants and activities.

Also in Vilamoura, Pestana Group has its own resort and course: Pestana Vila Sol Golf, with 27 holes across three nine-hole loops, allowing for a different combination each time you play. It’s the most natural way to experience the tournament’s home territory, with green fee and accommodation in the same place.

What are Pestana Group’s golf courses in the Algarve?

Pestana Group manages five courses in the Algarve, spread across three areas – Vilamoura, Carvoeiro and Alvor/Portimão – making it easy to play several in a single stay. The table below summarises each course and where to stay nearby.

Carvoeiro: Gramacho and Vale da Pinta

Carvoeiro is home to two of the group’s best-known courses: Pestana Gramacho (18 holes, around 6,107 metres) and Pestana Vale da Pinta (18 holes, around 6,127 metres), sitting side by side. For a stay within easy reach, Pestana Carvoeiro Golf – AL and the Pestana Gramacho Residences  are the closest options, with the beach and the fishing village right there.

Alvor, Portimão and Silves: sea views and a slower pace

To the west, Pestana Alto (18 holes, around 5,432 metres) is a classic in the Alvor area, with the sea almost always in view. It’s the natural base for guests staying at Pestana Dom João II or another hotel in Alvor, where, as we’ve written before, all hotels lead to the beach. Further inland, near the historic city of Silves, the Pestana Silves (18 holes, around 5,592 metres) rounds off the offer in a more relaxed style – great for warming up your game.

And outside the Algarve? Pestana golf in Greater Lisbon

The second region in the Pestana golf ecosystem is Greater Lisbon. Between Cascais and Sintra sits the Pestana Beloura (18 holes, around 5,716 metres), a course designed by architect Rocky Roquemore, ideal for anyone who wants to combine golf and city in one short break. Nearby, the Pestana Sintra Golf and Pestana Cascais make natural bases, with the Sintra hills and the coastal sea just minutes away.

Where to stay for a golf break in the Algarve?

A good golf trip starts with choosing where to sleep. In the Algarve, Pestana Group hotels and resorts cover the main playing areas, from the tee to the sea:

• Vilamoura, close to the action: the Pestana Vila Sol, with its own 27-hole course, so you can play and stay in the same resort.
• Carvoeiro, between two courses: the Pestana Carvoeiro Golf – AL and the Pestana Gramacho Residences, a short walk from Gramacho and Vale da Pinta.
• Alvor and surroundings: the Pestana Alvor Praia, a classic right on the seafront, and the Pestana Dom João II, close to the Alto course.
• One more beach resort: the Pestana Viking, a solid Algarve base for those mixing golf, family time, and days by the sea.

Golf at the Algarve’s pace

In 2026, the golf world will be looking at Vilamoura – but the truth is, the Algarve is played year-round. Pick your area, match the course to your hotel, and let the sun take care of the rest. Browse the options on the Algarve destination page at Pestana, plan your trip with our Algarve road trip and find more inspiration for the rest of your itinerary on Visit Portugal.