
Pestana Course
Gramacho - Pestana Golf & Resort
About this course
The Gramacho course at Pestana Golf & Resort opened in 1991 as part of the Algarve's expansion of golf facilities during that era. Designed by British architect Ronald Fream, the layout occupies rolling terrain inland from Carvoeiro, positioned among the region's characteristic low hills and valleys. The course sits approximately three kilometers from the coast, offering occasional distant views toward the Atlantic while maintaining a more sheltered, inland character than many of the Algarve's clifftop layouts. The routing works through natural elevation changes and makes use of the property's existing topography, with fairways that move through stands of olive, almond, and carob trees. Water features appear on several holes, and the design incorporates strategic bunkering that rewards accurate placement over pure distance. The par-72 layout measures around 6,000 meters from the back tees and presents a variety of hole lengths and configurations, with doglegs and elevation shifts creating visual interest throughout the round. Gramacho operates alongside the Pinta course within the Pestana resort complex, which includes hotel accommodations and serves both resort guests and visiting golfers touring the Algarve. The course attracts a mix of European visitors and local players, particularly during the region's mild winter months when northern European golfers seek playable conditions. The layout is generally considered more forgiving than some of the Algarve's championship-caliber courses, making it accessible to mid-handicap players while still offering enough variety to maintain interest for more experienced golfers.
Quick facts
- Location
- Carvoeiro, Algarve, PT
- Access
- Public
- Year built
- 1991
- Holes
- 18
- Par
- 72
- Difficulty
- 72.7/132
Getting there
Most visitors arrive through Faro International Airport (FAO), the Algarve's primary gateway, positioned roughly forty minutes east along the A22 motorway before turning inland toward Carvoeiro's dramatic limestone coastline. The drive west traces the region's gentle contours - golden plains giving way to terracotta-roofed villages and sudden glimpses of the Atlantic - before descending into the resort enclave where Gramacho sits tucked among the cliffs and pine groves above the sea. For those seeking discretion, private aviation can be arranged into Portimão Airfield, trimming the final approach to mere minutes and preserving the unhurried rhythm that defines this corner of southern Portugal.
FAQ
Common questions about Pestana
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Yes. Pestana is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Pestana is 72.
The slope rating at Pestana is 132.
Pestana is a 18-hole course.



