I have been lucky enough to get to Portugal several times over the past few years and I love every trip. The golf is great, the food and wine outstanding and the general hospitality and “feel” of the country is second to none. What I have never been able to fit in is a stop in the Azores, those amazing volcanic islands a couple of hours offshore from the mainland. That is, until this trip – finally, my chance to visit a spot I have always wanted to see.
Safe to say, I was not only not disappointed, I was blown away. The scenery, the food, the people – it is just an amazing place, and the golf was good also!
Safe to say, I was not only not disappointed, I was blown away. The scenery, the food, the people – it is just an amazing place, and the golf was good also!
After a short overnight flight (it was only 4 or so hours), I was in the Azores on Sao Miguel Island and on my way to the wonderful hospitality and 2 VERY distinct nines at Batalha Golf. A fun and challenging round of golf, the course is tight and hilly on course C to start (nice way to step off the plane!) and then a bit flatter with a bit more room - but no less challenging - for the back nine on course A (course B was closed for maintenance). Very good conditioning, excellent greens and a challenge for all handicaps - and the black sand traps are eye (and ball) catching. A well spent morning!!!
Afternoon started to show the other reason to come to the Azores - wonderful views at every turn, beautiful small towns, amazing seafood and world class accommodations. I stayed at the Octant Furnas, a 55-room boutique hotel. The Octant Furnas features well appointed rooms, amazing customer service, dining and to top it off, a full spa with naturally sourced thermal pools that ease all your aches and pains.
Nice start to my second day on Sao Miguel with 18 holes at Furnas Golf Club. A top 20 course in Portugal, the course has a great mix of holes that force a lot of decisions. The only bad part? You didn’t know you needed to make a decision unless you’re playing with a member or have played it before. A couple of great shots (by my standard) turned out to be not so great! That aside, a wonderful course, amazing green complexes and bunkering, and a good time to be had by all. Tour operator tip (obviously not a pro tip!!) - keep an eye on the wind direction, it was constantly changing!
Amazing rest of the day also with stops at Ribeira dos Caldeirões and those amazing waterfalls, Caldeira Velha for a thermal soak, Lagoa do Fogo (lagoon of fire) for spectacular views, an Azorean pineapple farm, dinner at A Tasca (so good, thanks to my daughter for the recommendation from her visit last summer!!), a loss at the casino and a late night drink at Whale Bar overlooking the harbor in the Octant Ponta Delgada. A long day but so worth it.
 | The Octant Ponta Delgada is modern, spacious, has an amazing spa and, of course, the great top floor bar overlooking the harbour. Conveniently located close to all the action, this is the place to stay in Ponta Delgada - and you do want to stay in Ponta Delgada. |
My last day on Sao Miguel was supposed to be a whale watching day but waves precluded that so I was able to spend the day wandering and exploring Punta Delgada. It happened to be Carnival Weekend and, on the Friday, all the schools hold the junior version of the parade that I was lucky enough to stumble upon. It was quite the event and everyone was having such a good time. More amazing seafood for lunch, a walk to try and work off some of the calories, and then off to the airport to get over to Lisbon to meet my friends for a golf adventure on the mainland.
Is Sao Miguel worth a stop on the way to or from mainland Portugal – Absolutely!!!
I see this as a brilliant add on to a Portuguese golf adventure. Often called the Hawaii of the Atlantic, this is a wonderful place to visit.
- Several airlines will offer “free” stops on the way to or from Lisbon (by free, they mean no extra charge for the flight vs direct – you do, of course, need to pay for your stay on the Island).
- Just 2 or 3 nights there and you can explore most of the island.
- The food, not only the seafood by also the meat – cows are everywhere on this island, is outstanding. Be sure to try Cozido Furnas when you are in Furnas, basically meats and vegetable cooked in clay pots buried in the ground and cooked with the natural thermal heat – a local treat!
- The golf is good, however there is so much more with the scenery, outdoor adventures, hiking and biking, the ocean for sports, swimming, fishing, and the thermal pools.
I see this as a brilliant add on to a Portuguese golf adventure. Often called the Hawaii of the Atlantic, this is a wonderful place to visit.
After a short 2-hour flight to Lisbon, I met my friends for another chance to play the great courses of the Praia D’el Rey area (West Cliffs, Royal Obidos and Praia D’el Rey), Quinta Do Peru, my favourite course in all of Portugal Comporta Dunas and one new course, PGA Aroeira One.
Recently renovated, Aroeira One is sure to become a go to course in the Lisbon area. A short 35min drive from the city center, Aroeira One is a tree lined gem that will challenge everyone however also be very playable for all players. Despite all the trees, they have taken the time to clear all the underbrush so it is very clear under all those branches (they are in the process of putting bark / mulch down) so losing a ball takes as much effort as getting a good score! The course is still growing in after the renovation but you can see the great design, and I look forward to getting back in late May when it has had some time to grow in even more. I’ll update everyone after that visit and I expect it will be nothing but great news.
Other than PGA, all the other courses were repeats for me so no updates other than I want to mention how well Dunas is growing in. Ever since it opened in 2023, it has been a great course; however, the fescue fairways have really grown in well and are tight and fast. The greens are up to speed and the course is ready to take its place as the number 1 course in Portugal – keep an eye on those rankings.
Of note, Dunas will soon be joined by its new sister course, Torre. I will be there in May for a preview round and expect I will have exciting news about that course (and some great pictures) to share with everyone.
Other new finds on this visit:
A great new food tour through the Alfama District (the old town) in Lisbon that really gives a nice little bit of history about the City and a whole lot of great food and wine – a definite must do and out new go to food tour reco for clients.
A great new food tour through the Alfama District (the old town) in Lisbon that really gives a nice little bit of history about the City and a whole lot of great food and wine – a definite must do and out new go to food tour reco for clients.
3 new amazing restaurants that must be tried:
- Marisqueira Mirandum – Located in Peniche, this tiny restaurant serves the freshest of seafood and is just 20mins from the Marriott Praia D’el Rey.
- Cervejaria Ramiro – located in central Lisbon, this place is famous as an Anthony Bourdain destination but the food and atmosphere make it a must visit and not just a famous stop.
- Frade dos Mares – another new find in Lisbon, traditional Portuguese food with a flair is on the menu and this small, hard to find, gem is well worth visiting (and you might even see a marriage proposal like we did when we were there)
Overall, an amazing trip to Portugal and I hope we can get you over there soon to enjoy one of the best golf trips you will ever have.
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