Estela Golf Club
Estela Golf course sits on the Minho coast north of Porto, near Póvoa de Varzim, where three kilometres of natural sand dunes run straight into the Atlantic. Founded in 1987 by a group of northern Portuguese industrialists determined to bring golf to a region that had none, it was designed by the Portuguese architect Duarte Sotto-Mayor, who trained under Robert Trent Jones. It's one of the country's genuine links courses, not just a coastal course borrowing the name.
The wind decides everything here. Narrow fairways run through the dunes with barely a fairway bunker in sight, because the dunes themselves do the work. The par-4 6th is the signature hole, a tee shot over a pond to a fairway that climbs the hillside, an old windmill standing behind the green. Two lakes add further bite, and greens that run fast and true reward anyone who can flight the ball low under the breeze. Estela has hosted the Portuguese Open and the Atlantic Open Vinho Verde, among other national and European events.
The clubhouse looks out over the course and the ocean, with a restaurant, driving range and golf academy alongside. A handicap certificate is required to play. For golfers who want proper Scottish-style links golf without leaving Portugal, and don't mind the weather doing some of the talking, Estela is one of the country's real tests.
Reception: Everyday from 7:45am to 8:00pm
Golf Clubs: Full Sets
Club House: With Restaurant and Snack bar
With driving range
With an Academy
Trolleys: Manual
Without locker room
Pro Shop: Everyday from 7:45am to 8:00pm
Golf Lessons: Resident professionals
Buggies: Without GPS
With putting green
Juniors: Up to 16 years oldEstela Golf Club - latest comments and reviews
Ariejan Tulen
2026-06-09
Beautiful golf course, but playing conditions can vary enormously depending on the wind! It can even happen on 18 holes that you play two different courses because the wind changes in strength or direction!
Carlo Crozzoli
2026-06-01
Beautifully maintain ned, very challenging and speedy round.
Rui de Matos Machado
2026-05-30
????
Kevin Prideaux de Lacy
2026-04-10
A truly wonderful links course
ALAN COOPER
2025-10-15
Lovely course with some very nice views
Looking forward to playing it again
Gert Velsberg
2025-10-11
Great links course, lot of fun in the wind and fog????
andrew gray
2025-10-04
A class golf course. Great set up with good practice facilities and an excellent buffet lunch and clubhouse. They are also opening up or have just opened up a new hotel close by which could be handy for visiting parties.
gilbert UHL
2025-09-27
all was perfekt, teetimes, golf set,
gilbert UHL
2025-09-24
All was perfect, .... thanks
Michel Clerc
2025-08-09
Very nice place.
the course is very technical but really fun!
the welcome is very friendly
Richard Henry
2025-07-30
Great experience. Website was easy to navigate and easy to pay with credit card. Communication was excellent to confirm dates and tee times picked. 5??
Michael Frank
2025-07-23
Fun seaside links course- could’ve easily been Scotland except for the perfect weather….greens were incredible….another great tricky quirky old school course…not much clubhouse but staff very nice…lots of locals not many tourists…
Tecnicals
*Flat -
*Undulated - fairways
*Exposed - right next to the sea
*Water hazards - a few water hazard , but none near the greens
*Links Course -
*Signature Hole - the 6th par 4 , with a tee shot over small pond and a fairway winding up the hillside. Behind the green a impressive windmill
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