ORIZONTE

Because of its environment which is particularly attractive to many golfers, Lisbon is very popular destination and is home to some of the finest, internationally recognised courses. With Lisbon airport just six minutes away from the city, this makes Lisbon a very convenient go to for golf professionals, especially the Orizonte courses. Near Portugal’s capital city, they offer unforgettable experiences for all golfers.

Just south of Lisbon and each with their own unique characteristics, Orizonte showcases five well-established courses which are situated in the natural beauty of the Costa Azul region.

Two much visited courses are in the Aroeira Golf resort where a stay at the Aroeira Lisbon Hotel Sea & Golf Hotel is a must. One of the region’s newest hotels, it is only thirty minutes from the city. Located right in the heart of one of the most exclusive golf resorts, Aroeira Lisbon Hotel brings together the best of both worlds, the cosmopolitan charm of the capital, with the total immersion of a place surrounded by sea, nature and the fairways of two exceptional golf courses; the Aroeira Pine Classic and the Aroeira Challenge.

The hotel has sixty-six double rooms and two large suites which are all designed to create inviting and relaxing environments which are in total harmony with the green of the surrounding pine trees. A light lunch at the Aoreira clubhouse is a perfect start before you tee off at the challenging Aroeira Pines Classic 1. Set in a protected pine forest very close to the beaches of costa da Caparica, Aroeira is a unique estate which, apart from the two golf courses, is also home to a host of impressive mansions. Benefitting from a micro-climate which allows golf to be played all year round Aroeira was affectionately christened the ‘Wentworth of Lisbon’ by the UK press.

Opened in 1973, the 18-hole Aroeira Pines Classic championship course was designed by Architect Frank Pennick and is considered by experts as one of the best courses in Europe. It is on the list of the “100 best European courses” by Golf World magazine, as well as the Aroeira Challenge course. The course was the venue for the Portuguese Open in 1996 and 1997 and, in addition to staging several Ladies’ European Tour events, has hosted numerous prestigious national and international tournaments.

Played through tall avenues of pine forest and surrounded by wildlife and nature, the golf course plays to 6,650 yards and demands accuracy in placement of the tee in order to maximise opportunities to hit the target greens in regulation.

After a relaxing day on the golf course treat yourself to a few drinks at the clubhouse before transferring back to your hotel to enjoy dinner at the Aroeria Lisbon Hotel’s Inpar fine dining restaurant. Known as a gastronomic hotspot which is not only one of the best restaurants in the region, it’s also the destination of choice for true wine lovers.

After breakfast, transfer to the Aroeira Challenge 11, the other course at the resort. Opened in 2000, designed by Donald Steel and built to exacting European Tour recommendations with future high competitions in mind, Aroeira compliments its older sister well. Visitors can enjoy the distinct tranquil and serene Aroeira environment but will discover a course that possesses a few thrills and spills along the way.

At more than 7,000 yards from the back tees and with eighteen large, undulating greens skirting five large lakes, the tees on each hole allow the course to be played by all types of players. It has hosted several years of the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School and several editions of the Portuguese Ladies Opens.

2km away from Aoreira Lisbon is the Fonte da Telha beach where you can enjoy a relaxing break from golf. Here you can stop off for lunch in the Fonte da Telha restaurant before transferring to the Pestana CR7 hotel in Lisbon for your night’s stay.

Constructed in a fully renovated, historic building in downtown Lisbon, the prestigious World Travel Awards 2022 award winning Pestana CR7 Lisboa Hotel in the heart of the city offers absolute digital comfort, with sophisticated rooms and personalized services, in an urban environment designed for the lifestyle of champions. This lifestyle hotel is born from a collaboration between Christiano Ronaldo and the Pestana Hotel Group and is an ideal location for sight-seeing in Lisbon which is one of Europe’s most sought after destinations. Located in the upmarket and historic district of Baixa Pombalina and less than a minute on foot from the main tram lines, the shopping area of Chiado and the nightlife of Cais do Sodré are all within walking distance.

You can experience an unforgettable evening out in Lisbon by enjoying a few drinks at Bar Pestana CR7 before heading out to dinner at Lisboa à Noite. One of the capital’s most talked about restaurants and located in one of the entrances of the Bairro Alto which in the past were the old stables of the Counts of this typical neighbourhood and where you can still find a secular well of water and the original Pombaline arches. The menu is full of delicacies of Portuguese inspiration that exalts a demanding palate, especially when accompanied by some of the best and rarest Portuguese wines. ribagolfe@orizontegolf.com | orizontegolf.com

After breakfast at the Pestana CR7, transfer to Ribagolfe Oaks, another of Orizonte’s courses which was designed by former Ryder Cup player, Michael King, in collaboration with European Tour Design. A shorter course than Ribagolfe Lakes with wider fairways and landing areas, this 6,200m course, Par 72, was thought to be used primarily by club players as it’s less demanding than Ribagolfe Lakes. The greens are quite large and moderately contoured but still prove to be a challenge if you are to score well here. Water obstacles come into play on holes 6 and 13, which adds freshness and comfort to a golf journey between friends. Other obstacles are small valleys that threaten exits on Par 3 holes.

Both Ribagolfe courses are set in a magnificent forest of cork trees where you can find an undulating route along the entire course, providing fantastic views of the holes surrounded by valleys and lakes. Lunch can be taken at the Ribagolfe clubhouse which is set on the edge of the golf course where traditional Portuguese dishes are served.