Located in the picturesque foothills of the Eastern Algarve, Monte Rei is an exclusive golf destination and the perfect stop on an Algarve golf tour. The club offers an 18-hole championship course, the North Course, a must-play on any Portugal golf vacation.
This course is rated as the best golf course in Portugal by Golf Digest and ranks highly on several World Top 100 rankings. Off the course, the facilities here are exceptional, with two restaurants, practice facilities, and a clubhouse.
As a famed Jack Nicklaus signature course, the North Course’s conditioning is immaculate, delivering a world-class golf experience year-round. A highlight of the layout is the continual elevation changes that result in a clear definition to each hole, with little visibility of adjoining fairways.
The Monte Rei Golf & Country Club is due to start construction on a second course, another 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature course. Once complete, the South Course will add the Monte Rei golf resort in Portugal to an exclusive list of destinations with two Jack Nicklaus Signature Courses.
Monte Rei Golf and Country Club sits apart from the busier resort towns of the western Algarve, and that seclusion is central to its appeal. Set within a private estate of over 1,000 acres between the Serra do Caldeirão mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, the club offers a calm, unhurried experience that larger golf destinations rarely match.
The clubhouse, styled after traditional Portuguese architecture with cooling interiors, fountains, and landscaped courtyards, sets a tone that is refined without being pretentious. For anyone putting together a Portugal golf holiday, Monte Rei is the Algarve at its most exclusive, and consistently ranks among the best golf courses in Europe.
Accommodation options include linked Villas, which are incredibly well-appointed, with a pool and gym. Alternatively, if you’re not staying on-resort, we recommend including a superb Tapas lunch, available as an option with your green fee.
Set in a nature reserve east of Faro, close to the Spanish border, Monte Rei is only a 40-minute transfer to Quinta do Lago and Vale Do Lobo, proving the perfect addition to an Algarve golf tour.
The North Course is a par-72, 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature layout stretching to around 7,180 yards. What sets it apart from comparable courses is how naturally it sits within the terrain, threading through ancient olive groves, cork oak woodland, and native wildgrass rather than imposing a design on the land.
Water comes into play on eleven of the eighteen holes, complemented by sculpted bunkering that is both strategically demanding and visually striking. Continual elevation changes across the property mean adjoining fairways are rarely visible from one another, giving each hole a satisfying sense of isolation. The layout rewards positioning and angle over raw distance, with a driveable short par-4 among the standout risk-reward moments.
The Algarve is the coastal region of southern Portugal, best known for its beautiful, dramatic Atlantic coastline and year-round climate.
Courses make the most of postcard views of beaches, cliffs, coves, and crystal-clear water, creating unforgettable golfing moments.
Monte Rei welcomes non-member visitors throughout the year. Green fees range from approximately $180 to $300 depending on the season. A valid handicap certificate is required, with recommended limits of 24 for men and 32 for women. Collared polo shirts, tailored shorts or trousers, and soft-spiked footwear are mandatory on the course. Metal spikes are banned across the entire property.
Monte Rei is approximately 50 minutes from Faro Airport (FAO), close to the town of Tavira in the eastern Algarve. Most visitors arrange a hire car or private transfer through the resort. For those deciding between the Algarve and Lisbon as a base, the Algarve vs Lisbon comparison is a useful starting point.
Monte Rei’s eastern position makes it a natural anchor for a wider golf in Portugal trip, with several strong options within an hour’s drive:
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Monte Rei Golf & Country Club; Monte Rei
Monte Rei Golf & Country Club, Sesmarias, Apartado 118, 8901-907 Vila Nova de Cacela, Algarve, Portugal
North Course opened 2007
Upscale golf estate with year round play; tee times available most days.
North Course – 18 holes, par 72; Jack Nicklaus Signature course set in rolling countryside in the Eastern Algarve with wide fairways, lakes and elevated tees; future South Course is under development.
Luxury villas and residences, clubhouse with fine dining, practice range and short game areas and planned hotel development.
Regularly ranked as the number one course in Portugal and among Europe’s top resort courses.
Quinta da Ria, Quinta de Cima and other Eastern Algarve courses; easily combined with Vilamoura and Vale do Lobo.
Accommodations and breakfast are included at Monte Rei with all Premier Golf tours.
The nearest airport to Monte Rei is Faro Airport (FAO) which is 40 miles away, or you can transfer from Lisbon (LIS) in 3hrs.
There is only a single golf course available at Monte Rei, however, it is considered to be Portugal’s number one course and it can also be combined with other courses in an Algarve tour.
You can customize your golf tour itinerary at Monte Rei with Premier Golf and the team will be happy to offer any suggestions or recommendations to make your trip as memorable as possible.
