West Cliffs Ocean and Golf Resort

West Cliffs, etched into the dramatic coastline of Portugal's Silver Coast near Vau, is where Atlantic drama meets modern links design. This undulating terrain, with its native vegetation clinging to the bluffs, delivers a raw and unforgettable golf experience that rewards creativity and resilience. The openness can be deceiving, often playing wider than they appear to the eye, but stray shots find the wild fescue and demanding lies. Designed by Cynthia Dye, niece of Pete Dye, West Cliffs opened in 2017 and immediately set a new standard for golf in Portugal. While relatively young, the course has quickly established itself as a must-play destination for golfers seeking both stunning scenery and a challenging test. The routing weaves cleverly through the dunes, with several holes playing directly along the cliff edge, showcasing the ocean at every turn. West Cliffs is known within golfing circles for its exhilarating par-3s, where club selection is influenced as much by the swirling winds as by the distance to the green. The signature 8th, for example, requires a bold carry over a chasm to a tightly guarded green perched precariously above the crashing waves.