Monte Rei Golf & Country Club sits in the eastern Algarve, away from the busier resort towns and surrounded by rolling hills, olive groves and open countryside. The centrepiece is the Jack Nicklaus Signature North Course, widely regarded as one of the best in Portugal. It’s a challenging but fair layout, with generous fairways, well-protected greens and plenty of elevation changes. Ocean views appear on several holes, especially on the back nine.

The course is immaculate year-round, with slick greens and excellent conditioning throughout. It rewards good strategy rather than brute force, making it enjoyable for confident mid- to low-handicap golfers while still playable for higher handicaps with sensible tee selection.

Accommodation comes in the form of spacious villas and apartments rather than a traditional hotel, giving the resort a relaxed, residential feel. On-site dining includes the Michelin-starred Vistas Rui Silvestre, plus more casual options for post-round meals and drinks. Monte Rei is around 45 minutes from Faro Airport and close to the Spanish border, making it easy to combine golf with visits to Tavira, Vila Real de Santo António or Seville. It’s a quieter, more polished Algarve experience focused firmly on golf quality.