Parque da Floresta Golf Leisure Resort

Parque da Floresta occupies rolling terrain in the western Algarve, roughly eight kilometers inland from Lagos and the Atlantic coastline. Spanish architect Pepe Gancedo designed the original layout in 1987, with British architect Jonathan Gaunt later contributing modifications and refinements. The course sits within a resort development that includes residential villas and holiday accommodations, typical of Algarve golf properties from this era. The routing moves through gentle valleys and low hills covered with umbrella pines, cork oaks, and Mediterranean scrub. Gancedo's design philosophy emphasized strategic bunkering and green complexes that reward accurate approach play, while the relatively modest elevation changes create natural variety without requiring excessive walking. Water features appear on several holes, and the layout generally favors positioning over pure length. The fairways are generous enough for mid-handicap resort play, but greenside defenses and occasional forced carries provide challenge for better players. The western Algarve region offers a quieter alternative to the more developed central corridor around Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago. Parque da Floresta serves primarily as a resort course, accessible to visitors staying on the property or playing as day guests. The climate allows year-round golf, with the cooler months from November through March often providing the most comfortable conditions. The course represents a mid-tier option in the Algarve's extensive golf inventory, appealing to those seeking a relaxed round in a wooded, residential setting rather than dramatic clifftop or links-style terrain.