Monte Rei Golf & Country Club – A Golfer’s Paradise
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What we say
As a golf enthusiast, there are certain courses you hear about, read about, and dream of playing. Monte Rei Golf & Country Club, in the Eastern Algarve of Portugal, is one of those places. It’s a name synonymous with luxury, impeccable service, and a Jack Nicklaus-designed course that consistently ranks as the best in the country. Having had the privilege of experiencing it firsthand in June 2025, this is one of the only golf courses where I didn’t play well, yet I wanted to continue playing after 18 holes due to the nature of the venue.
The experience at Monte Rei starts long before you even set foot on the first tee box. The journey itself, winding through the rolling hills of the Algarve countryside, builds a sense of anticipation. Even in our small hire car, we knew that we were approaching something special, but the true scale of it only becomes apparent as you pull into the resort’s grand entrance. From the moment the hot car doors open, you are treated to a premium guest service that I have not experienced before in Portugal. Attentive staff are there to greet you, seamlessly handling your golf bags and directing you to the clubhouse. There’s no fumbling for parking spots or lugging heavy clubs, and as we visited in June, the venue was relatively empty. The process is so smooth and effortless that it sets a tone of relaxation and pampering for the entire day, with a glass of cold water or even an iced coffee ready to set you off before you hit the range. The clubhouse, a magnificent building with traditional Portuguese architecture, immediately captures your attention. It feels like a high-end country estate rather than a commercial golf facility, and the views from the terrace are breathtaking. We sat here sipping our cold drinks, excited for the journey ahead.
Hospitality is the backbone of the Monte Rei experience. Every single member of staff, from the caddie master to the servers in the restaurant, operates with a genuine warmth and a focus on detail that is rarely seen in Europe. You’re made to feel not just a tee time on a schedule; I almost felt like a tour player in the way I was dealt with! If only they knew. Before your round, you’re escorted to the practice facilities, which are an experience in themselves. The driving range, with its perfectly stacked pyramids of balls and immaculate grass hitting areas, feels more like a playing field than a practice area. The short game area is equally impressive, giving you the space to hone every part of your game, something I failed to do before the 1st tee. Everything is geared towards ensuring you are ready to play your best golf. Buggies, equipped with state-of-the-art GPS systems, are included with your green fee and come stocked with water and tees. The small touches, like the refreshing towel offered on a hot day or the friendly chat from the on-course staff, make the entire day feel personal and exclusive. You get the distinct feeling that they are there to make your day perfect, and they succeed on every level.
The facilities at Monte Rei extend far beyond the golf course itself, solidifying its reputation as a world-class country club. The clubhouse is the heart of this feeling, housing not only a well-appointed pro shop but also several dining options. The Grill offers a more relaxed, informal setting for a pre-round breakfast or a post-round drink on the terrace, with those incredible views as your backdrop. This was where we based ourselves pre- and post-round. For a more formal, high-end experience, the Michelin-starred Vistas Rui Silvestre restaurant offers a gourmet experience that we glanced at on our departure, jealous of the guests delving in to exquisite food. The resort also boasts luxury accommodations, including villas and apartments, each designed with a blend of traditional Portuguese comfort.
Of course, the main event is the golf course itself, a Jack Nicklaus Signature design that is nothing short of a masterpiece. Each hole is a distinct and memorable challenge, seamlessly moulded into the natural landscape. One of the course’s most celebrated features is the way each hole is secluded from the others, which does take a while to get used to, but makes the course more memorable hole-by hole. You rarely see another group, which enhances the feeling of having the entire course to yourself. It’s a testament to Nicklaus’s genius that he was able to create such a varied and visually stunning layout. I usually forget holes after a few months, but with Monte Rei, every hole felt like it had its own story to share. The course is characterised by wide, forgiving fairways, but the challenge lies in the strategic bunkering, dramatic elevation changes, and, most notably, the ever-present water hazards that come into play on nearly a dozen holes. This was why the course was so enjoyable to play. You have to think, stay attentive, and stay hydrated! Any lapse in concentration will lead to a wayward 2nd shot that will put you in a challenging spot.
The signature holes at Monte Rei are what truly set the course apart. The 3rd hole, a downhill par-4, is an early standout. It demands an accurate tee shot to a fairway that drops dramatically, followed by a precise approach to a green guarded on three sides by water. Yes, I dipped my ball in there. It’s a hole that asks a question from the moment you step on the tee and rewards a thoughtful, well-executed shot. The 13th is arguably the most photographed and talked about hole on the course. This downhill par-4 offers a stunning view of a shimmering lake protecting the green. The tee shot needs to be placed carefully to avoid the fairway bunkers, setting up a short but incredibly intimidating approach shot to a shallow, undulating green. It’s a hole where a par feels like a birdie. The grand finale is the 18th, a long par-5 that provides a thrilling finish. Water lines the left side of the fairway and continues all the way to the green, daring the long hitter to go for it in two. Once again, yes, I went in the water! I have found other courses, designed by Nick Faldo and other architects, so challenging that it’s not an enjoyable experience. My score will not be disclosed on this review, which is all you need to know. But, I’d return tomorrow if I had the chance.
Monte Rei Golf Club is not just the best course in Portugal; it is a contender for one of the best golfing experiences in Europe. From the moment of arrival, through the immaculate facilities and course design, to the impeccable hospitality, every aspect is crafted for perfection. It’s a place where the love of the game is elevated and tested in the most luxurious destination I’ve visited in Europe. Monte Rei is a must-play for any golfer who appreciates a world-class challenge wrapped in an unforgettable experience.
Click here to find out where Monte Rei ranks in Golf World's Top 100 Courses Europe
This par 72 Championship course measuring 6567m from the Tournament tees is a truly unique design; with water coming into play on eleven of the eighteen holes, the course features an enjoyable series of eight par-4s, five par-3s and five par-5s in a challenging and distinctive layout.
The course presentation is highly individual, each hole a design gem blending effortlessly into this natural canvas, from its ingenious shape and sculptured bunkers, to the impressive presentation and attention to detail making ever hole as remarkable as the next; fairways and greens are bordered by several lakes, indigenous plants, native grasses and trees adding drama to the landscape, and providing golfers with unforgettable moments to cherish in this unique and tranquil golf environment.
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Course Summary
- Costs
- TG Rating
- Players Rating
- Address Sitio do Pocinho, Sesmarias, Apartado 118 8901-907 , Vila Nova De Cacela
- Tel 351 281 950 950
- Website http://golf.monte-rei.com/
Course Information
| Course | 72 par |
| Course Style | - |
| Green Fees | €190 inc Buggy, Course Guide, water and Pitch Repairer |
| Course Length | 7,247 yards (6,627 metres) |
| Holes | 18 |
| Difficulty | Hard 0-10 |
| Course Membership | - |
Course Features
- Course has: Bar
- Course has: Buggy Hire
- Course has: Driving Range
- Course has: Practice Green
- Course has: Pro Shop
- Course has: Restaurant
- Course has: Trolley Hire
- Course does not have: Dress Code
- Course has: Club Hire
- Course has: Handicap
Your Reviews
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Simply the best!
We played this course in Feb 2011 on strong recommendations from discerning golfers. Absolutely fabulous golf course, hotel and service. Each hole is discrete from one another and set in beautiful terrain, with lots of features and superb greens. From the tee, each hole looked superb, and the condition and attention to detail was faultless. They really look after you from start to finish and they add a lot of nice touches:medal with your name etched on, club cleaning, free water in buggy and on course etc etc. Not cheap at 300 euros for two, inc buggy (essential) but still very good value for money. I love the PGA Catalunya Stadium course, La Reserva and San Lorenzo but Monte Rei tops them all, whilst Valderrama just isn't in the same league. Best course I've ever played.Play it, you won't regret it!
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top notch
Best course I,ve ever played and I have Valderama ,K club,Kingbarns etc on my c.v. The welcome is to be experienced to be believed and the course has a stunning layout in fantastic condition. There is great variety throughout the course, and a couple of holes in particular are just awesome. Only drawback is the price, but perfection doesn't come cheap
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best course ever
Havin played a lot of courses in portugal this is by far the best from the welcome u recieve wen u arrive to the wow factor of the course brilliant !!!
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awesome
I have recently had the pleasure of playing this course, what can I say but AWESOME well worth a visit.Everything is top draw as they say, unfortunatley it was blowing a bit but it could not detract from the experience, that was had.The peace and tranquility was second to none,I hope it remains as pleasurable in future years as I would willingly play it again.Will it become a European Venue difficult to say as there would be a lot of walking,at the moment buggies are mandatory.
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Stunning
I had the pleasure of playing Monte Rei last week and was an absolute delight. From being treated like the pros to the very best facilities it was nice to play without being rushed around, each hole was in its own valley in the rolling hills above the algarve.Buggies are compolsury but hey, sit back and enjoy.This was a once in a lifetime opportunity.Would I play again YES. But nothing can really compare really with the Old Course.
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The best course in the Algarve, by far
The is the best course in the Algarve (as you would expect for its price!). Whilst it doesn't have some of the views of its more illustrious neighbours or their heritage, it more than makes up for it in the sheer quality of the course. It is a golf course that makes you think and plot your way around. No 2 holes are the same with excellent use of elavated tees and greens. The holes look beautiful from the tees and you get the feeling that each hole is an 'event'. The course is in perfect condition and you are made to feel like a VIP guest the moment you step out of your car. This is golf how it should be; peaceful, challenging and great fun.
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Set to be Europe's best
I have now played Monte Rei and have to say it is an amzing course. There was still a bit of building work going on when I played but it is still an awesome place to play golf. The welcome is second to none and the clubhouse is mightily impressive. Staff are ultra attentive and the course itself it spectacular in places already. Give it a couple of years and Monte will be the best course in Europe. They're developing another course there too which the director said would be more undulating, with lots of playing across valleys...
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Can't wait to play
I'm going to play this afetr reading the reviews in Todays Golfer. It sounds like Jack has designed his best course to date here and if the hype is right and it is the best new course in Europe it should be an experience never to forget. I'll post a review as soon as I've played it. Anyone out there already been?
