The Els Club Vilamoura
Vilamoura
The Els Club Vilamoura brings a completely new golf experience to the Algarve, combining the championship pedigree of the former Victoria Course with an extensive redesign by four-time Major winner Ernie Els. Officially opened in July 2025, it became the first Els Club in Europe and introduced a much more exclusive style of golf to Vilamoura.
Although the course occupies the same land as the former Victoria layout, this is far more than a change of name. Ernie Els and his design team substantially reworked the course, creating new holes, changing the strategy throughout the layout and even reversing the routing of the back nine. The result is an 18-hole, par-72 championship course stretching to around 6,700 metres from the back tees.
What we particularly like is the balance between space and strategy. Fairways can appear generous from the tee, but water, sculpted bunkering and carefully chosen angles mean positioning is extremely important. Els has created different routes into many of the greens, allowing confident golfers to take on more aggressive lines while still providing a sensible option when keeping the ball in play matters more than chasing birdies.
Water remains a major part of the landscape and gives several holes their visual character, but the redesign has been shaped around playability as much as tournament challenge. The back tees provide a serious test, while moving forward changes the angles and makes the course considerably more accessible.
The practice facilities were also completely redeveloped as part of the project, creating a high-quality warm-up and training environment before heading onto the course. The clubhouse continues the private-club feel, with a premium golf boutique, concierge services and 261 Bar & Restaurant, giving golfers somewhere suitably relaxed to settle in after the final putt.
Tournament golf has already returned to the property. In summer 2026, The Els Club hosted the inaugural Portugal Invitational on the PGA TOUR Champions, reinforcing the course’s credentials as a modern championship venue.
One important difference from the other Vilamoura courses is that The Els Club is a private, invitation-led club, so access is more restricted than a conventional Algarve green fee and needs to be arranged appropriately in advance.
For golfers wanting to experience the newest chapter of golf in Vilamoura, The Els Club offers something genuinely different. Speak to our Golf Travel Experts at Hashtag Golf Travel and we can help build it into a tailor-made Algarve golf holiday alongside Vilamoura’s other leading courses.
Faro Airport
25km
England’s best golf tour operator 2026 winner
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Time Zone:
GMT+0
Currency:
€ (Euro)
Temperature:
5°C - 35°C
Cost of a Beer:
£4
Cost of a 3-Course Meal:
£30
Hashtag Guide
About The Area
Almancil is one of the Algarve’s best bases for a Portugal golf holiday, especially if your group wants easy access to the famous Golden Triangle without staying directly inside one resort. Sitting inland between Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura, Almancil puts golfers close to some of the Algarve’s most prestigious courses, beaches, restaurants and luxury hotels. Visit Portugal describes the central Algarve area between Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo as one of the region’s most luxurious and best-equipped areas for golf.
For golf, Almancil is perfectly placed. Quinta do Lago offers the South, North and Laranjal courses, while Vale do Lobo is known for its Royal and Ocean courses, including spectacular coastal holes by the Atlantic. Quinta do Lago is around 15 minutes from Faro International Airport, and Vale do Lobo is also less than 30 minutes from Faro and the airport, which makes transfers simple for UK golfers.
Away from the course, Almancil gives you plenty of choice. We would recommend São Lourenço Church for its beautiful azulejo tilework, a beach afternoon at Quinta do Lago or Vale do Lobo, and a walk through the Ria Formosa boardwalks and nature trails. For evenings, Almancil is a great food base, with easy access to stylish resort dining, beach clubs and traditional Algarve restaurants.
Our tip: choose Almancil if your group wants a flexible Algarve golf break with championship golf, short transfers and brilliant dining close by.
