Why 2027 is the Year to Golf in Spain & Portugal

Yes. Iberia is one of Europe’s strongest golf regions in any year, but 2027 comes with specific reasons to go: the DP World Tour returns to Portugal with the Open de Portugal at Oitavos Dunes, Spain’s Ryder Cup countdown is under way, and Europe’s new border systems mean it pays to plan early. Portugal offers the better value at the top end. Spain has the deeper roster of tour-level venues, but its marquee rounds cost considerably more. Most golfers get the best trip by combining both Spain and Portugal.

Key takeaways

▪️ Open de Portugal 2027: 13–16 May at Oitavos Dunes, Cascais, the first DP World Tour event in Portugal since the 2022 Portugal Masters.

▪️ Ryder Cup link: Valderrama hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup; Camiral (formerly PGA Catalunya) hosted in 2031.

▪️ Indicative 2026 green fees: about €120–320 at Portugal’s leading courses; about €250–700 at Spain’s top tier.

▪️ From Australia: there are no nonstop flights to Spain or Portugal, so plan for a connection.

▪️ Entry rules: the EU’s EES border system is live; ETIAS is not yet in operation and has no confirmed start date.

Why 2027? Four concrete reasons

The Open de Portugal returns to the DP World Tour

The Open de Portugal Cascais-Lisboa is back on the DP World Tour at Oitavos Dunes Links Golf in Cascais from 13 to 16 May 2027. It is the first DP World Tour event in Portugal since the Portugal Masters in 2022, and the tournament has a three-year commitment to the tour (2027–2029). For visitors it is a rare chance to watch tour professionals on a Portuguese links and play the same course in the same season. It also means Cascais will be busy in May, so accommodation and tee times need booking early.

Spain’s Ryder Cup countdown

Spain has hosted the Ryder Cup once, at Real Club Valderrama in 1997. It returns in 2031 at Camiral on the Costa Brava, which will make Spain the first continental European country to host the event twice. Camiral’s Stadium course is the former PGA Catalunya, so if you have seen the old name, it is the same course. Its profile is likely to keep rising between now and 2031.

Courses with proven credentials

Portugal placed five resorts in Golf World’s 2025 Top 100 World Resorts: Quinta do Lago (22nd), Vilamoura (26th), Praia D’El Rey (32nd), Oitavos Dunes (84th) and Monte Rei (99th). In March 2026, Praia D’El Rey was named Portugal’s top-ranked resort and tenth in Europe in the Leading Courses European rankings, which are based on verified golfer reviews. In Spain, Top100GolfCourses.com ranks Valderrama No. 1, with Real Club Sotogrande, La Reserva and Finca Cortesin in its Top 15 and Camiral’s Stadium course in the top four.

New entry rules to plan around

The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational across the Schengen area since 10 April 2026. Non-EU visitors, including Australians, have fingerprints and a facial image recorded at first entry, and some airports have reported long queues, so allow generous connection times. ETIAS, the separate online travel authorisation, is not yet in operation. The EU removed its “last quarter of 2026” target in July 2026, no start date is confirmed, and reports point to 2027, followed by a six-month transition period. Australians do not need to apply for anything yet. When it opens, apply only through the official EU site; the fee has been reported as €20.

Spain or Portugal? At a glance

Portugal

▪️ Best known for: Atlantic links and coastal resort golf

▪️ Signature courses: Oitavos Dunes, Monte Rei, West Cliffs, Praia D’El Rey, Quinta do Lago South

▪️ Indicative top-tier green fee (2026): About €120–320

▪️ Main golf regions: Algarve, Lisbon Coast, Silver Coast, Comporta

▪️ Visitor access: Mostly open to visitors

▪️ Best for: Value, scenery, links golf

Spain

▪️ Best known for: Tour-level parkland, Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup venues

▪️ Signature courses: Valderrama, Real Club Sotogrande, Finca Cortesin, La Reserva, Camiral Stadium

▪️ Indicative top-tier green fee (2026): About €250–700

▪️ Main golf regions: Costa del Sol and Sotogrande, Costa Brava, Madrid, Mallorca

▪️ Visitor access: Several members’ clubs with limited visitor windows

▪️ Best for: Prestige rounds and tournament history

Portugal: the best golf regions

Algarve

The Algarve is Portugal’s best-known golf coast and has the strongest resort infrastructure. Quinta do Lago South (indicative €145–185) and San Lorenzo sit in the central “golden triangle”, and Vilamoura’s Old Course is a long-standing classic. In the eastern Algarve, Monte Rei’s Jack Nicklaus-designed North Course is routinely ranked Portugal’s finest and is its most expensive round, at roughly €250–320 with a buggy included. Best for: first-time Portugal visitors, couples and mixed groups.

Lisbon Coast (Cascais and Sintra)

Oitavos Dunes, designed by Arthur Hills (opened 2001, par 71), is routed through the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park with ocean views from elevated dunes. It is the venue for the 2027 Open de Portugal, with indicative fees of €125–145. Penha Longa’s Atlantic Course, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design, makes a strong second round. Best for: golfers who want links golf close to Lisbon’s restaurants and culture.

Silver Coast (Óbidos)

About an hour north of Lisbon, Praia D’El Rey (Cabell Robinson, opened 1997) and West Cliffs (Cynthia Dye) share one Marriott resort. West Cliffs is a modern link set high above the Atlantic; Praia D’El Rey blends links and parkland holes across dunes and pines. Best for: golfers who want two quality courses without changing hotels.

Comporta

South of Lisbon, Comporta is a quieter beach and rice-field destination where newer links golf, such as Terras da Comporta, is emerging. It suits longer trips that mix golf with relaxation.

Spain: the best golf regions

Costa del Sol and Sotogrande

This is the heart of Spanish tour golf. Real Club Valderrama (Robert Trent Jones Sr.) hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup and is ranked No. 1 in Spain. It is also the hardest tee time to get and the most expensive round: visitors are admitted in limited numbers by prior arrangement, usually on weekdays, with a mandatory forecaddie, and indicative 2026 fees across sources run from roughly €500 to €700. Close by are Real Club Sotogrande (Robert Trent Jones Sr., 1964, a recent host of the DP World Tour’s Andalucía Masters, with limited visitor play from about €250), La Reserva (Cabell Robinson, 2003, about €109–262 by season) and Finca Cortesin, host of the 2023 Solheim Cup (roughly €250–460 by season). Best for: golfers who want tournament-grade venues in a compact area.

Costa Brava and Catalonia

Camiral’s Stadium course (Neil Coles and Angel Gallardo, 1999, par 72) sits in pine forest near Girona and is known for the water carry at the par-4 12th. It is the 2031 Ryder Cup venue, with indicative fees from around €125 depending on season. Best for: golfers pairing Barcelona and Girona with a Ryder Cup venue.

Madrid, Mallorca and the north

Mallorca’s Son Gual is ranked No. 2 in Spain by Leading Courses, and Madrid and Spain’s northern coast add further variety for longer or repeat trips.

Best time to go

Spring and autumn are peak seasons, and summer rates are lower. April to June and September to October offer the best balance of comfortable temperatures and full tee sheets. July and August can be very hot, particularly inland, so book early tee times. Winter golf is possible on the southern coasts with lower rates but a higher chance of rain. If you are targeting the Open de Portugal on 13–16 May, expect Cascais to be at its busiest and check course availability around the tournament dates.

Getting there from Australia

There are no nonstop flights from Australia to Spain or Portugal. Qantas flies nonstop from Perth to London, Paris and Rome (roughly 16.5 to 17.5 hours), after which Lisbon, Faro, Madrid or Málaga is a short onward flight. Gulf carriers connect through Doha or Dubai; third-party estimates put Perth to Madrid via Doha at around 22 hours and Brisbane to Lisbon at around 26 to 29 hours. Qantas has also announced Sydney–London nonstop flights from late 2027; confirm the schedule with the airline. Whichever route you choose, build in a rest day before your first round, and see our International Golf Travel Packing Guide for how to fly with clubs.

Planning tips for groups

▪️ Start with dates. Spring and autumn fill first, and May 2027 will be busy around Cascais.

▪️ Arrange members’ clubs early. Valderrama, Real Club Sotogrande and similar clubs offer limited visitor windows.

▪️ Fly between countries. Combining Portugal and Spain is easiest with a short flight rather than a long drive.

▪️ Match courses to handicaps. Mixed groups do best when each course offers several tee options.

▪️ Plan for non-golfers. The Douro Valley, Alentejo, Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Jerez wine regions, historic cities and beaches keep partners busy.

▪️ Allow time at the border. EES registration can add time on arrival.

Frequently asked questions

When and where is the 2027 Open de Portugal?

It was played 13–16 May 2027 at Oitavos Dunes Links Golf in Cascais. It returns to the DP World Tour as part of a three-year commitment running from 2027 to 2029.

Can visitors play Valderrama?

Yes, but only in limited numbers by prior arrangement, usually on weekdays. Indicative 2026 fees run from roughly €500 to €700 plus a mandatory forecaddie, so it is worth arranging early.

Is PGA Catalunya the same as Camiral?

Yes. The Stadium course formerly known as PGA Catalunya is now part of Camiral, the host of the 2031 Ryder Cup. Some websites still use the old name.

How much does golf cost in Spain and Portugal?

Indicative 2026 green fees run from about €120 to €320 at Portugal’s leading courses and about €250 to €700 at Spain’s top tier. Resort courses elsewhere are cheaper. Request a quote for full package pricing.

What is the best time of year?

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are the most popular. Summer is cheaper but hot.

Do Australians need a visa or ETIAS for Spain and Portugal?

No visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. ETIAS is not yet in operation as of autumn 2026, but the EES biometric registration applies at first entry. Check official EU sources before you travel.

Should I choose Spain or Portugal first?

Choose Portugal if you want value and Atlantic links scenery, and Spain if you want tournament-venue prestige. For 10 nights or more, combining both works well

Plan your Spain and Portugal golf trip with CGE Golf

Whether you are planning a mates’ trip, a couples’ getaway or a society tour, CGE Golf builds tailored itineraries that match your goals, pace and budget, including courses, accommodation and private transfers.

👉 Request a 2027 Spain & Portugal itinerary → Tell us your dates, group size and must-play courses.

👉 Plan a group or golf society trip → Coordinated tee times, accommodation and transfers for larger groups.

👉 Talk to the CGE Golf team → Questions about courses, timing or travelling from Australia? Ask us.