Monte Rei Golf & Country Club (North Course): Review, Green Fees and What to Expect in 2027

Monte Rei Golf & Country Club is a golf estate and resort in the eastern Algarve, Portugal, built around the North Course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature design that opened in 2007. It is a par 72 of about 7,180 yards and has long been ranked among the best courses in Portugal. After a six-month renovation, the North Course reopened in September 2026, which makes 2027 the first full season on the refreshed layout. Monte Rei is also a highlight of the CGE Golf Spain & Portugal Tour 2027.

Key takeaways

▪️ Designer and opening: Jack Nicklaus Signature design, opened June 2007.

▪️ Course facts: par 72, about 7,180 yards, course rating 75.5 and slope 141 from the longest tees, with water in play on 11 holes.

▪️ 2026 renovation: closed April to September 2026; greens, bunkers, irrigation, cart paths and practice facilities were upgraded.

▪️ Indicative green fee: roughly €190–320 in 2026 depending on the source and season; confirm current rates after the reopening.

▪️ Location: Vila Nova de Cacela, eastern Algarve, about 45 minutes from Faro Airport and close to the Spanish border.

Monte Rei at a glance

▪️ Full name: Monte Rei Golf & Country Club (North Course)

▪️ Designer: Jack Nicklaus (Nicklaus Design, Signature course)

▪️ Opened: June 2007

▪️ Holes and par: 18 holes, par 72

▪️ Length: About 7,180 yards from the championship tees; four tee sets, from about 5,300 yards

▪️ Rating and slope: 75.5 / 141 from the longest tees

▪️ Character: Hilly parkland layout with water in play on 11 holes

▪️ Location: Vila Nova de Cacela, eastern Algarve (municipality of Vila Real de Santo António)

▪️ Distance: About 45 minutes from Faro Airport; about 19 km from Ayamonte, Spain

▪️ Estate size: More than 1,000 acres

▪️ Visitors: Welcome on weekdays and weekends

▪️ Stay and Play: On-site Monte Rei Golf Villas and Clubhouse Residences

▪️ Status: Reopened September 2026 after a six-month renovation

What changed in the 2026 renovation

The North Course closed in April 2026 and reopened in September 2026. The club’s greenkeeping team carried out the work alongside Nicklaus Design, and it covered:

▪️ reconstruction of the greens

▪️ upgraded bunkers

▪️ improved irrigation and pump stations

▪️ refurbished cart paths

▪️ enlarged tees on numerous holes and extensive clearing work across the property

▪️ upgraded practice facilities, including the practice tee and training technology, plus quieter and more sustainable maintenance equipment

The course’s operator, Details, described the aim as renewing the course rather than reinventing it, and Nicklaus Design reported that the character of the original design was preserved.

Why it matters for 2027. Most online reviews of Monte Rei describe the course before the renovation, so older comments on greens and conditioning no longer tell the full story. 2027 is the first full season on the renovated layout, which makes it a good time to see the changes first-hand.

The resort has also announced a new phase of investment, including a 100-room Nobu hotel, a signature restaurant and branded residences. No opening dates were confirmed in the reports we reviewed.

The course: what to expect

Design. The North Course is a hilly parkland layout in the foothills of the Serra do Caldeirão, with wide fairways, lakes and elevated tees. Water comes into play on 11 of the 18 holes. From the longest tees the test is serious (course rating 75.5, slope 141), but four tee sets, from about 5,300 to 7,180 yards, let mixed-ability groups play the same course comfortably.

Pace. Course guides describe a calm round, helped by widely spaced tee times.

Who it suits. Low handicappers who want a demanding test from the back tees, and mid and high handicappers who play the forward tees and enjoy the scenery and conditioning.

Rankings and credentials

▪️ Golf World ranked Monte Rei Portugal’s No. 1 course in 2022 and the 14th best course in continental Europe in 2025.

▪️ Golf World’s 2025 Top 100 World Resorts placed Monte Rei 99th, alongside Quinta do Lago (22nd), Vilamoura (26th), Praia D’El Rey (32nd) and Oitavos Dunes (84th).

▪️ On Leading Courses, golfer reviews give Monte Rei 8.8 out of 10 from 423 reviews. Hospitality is the highest sub-score (9.1) and value for money the lowest (8.2). Maintenance scored 8.4 across reviews that mostly predate the renovation.

Rankings vary by publisher and year. In March 2026, for example, Leading Courses named Praia D’El Rey Portugal’s top-ranked resort. Monte Rei is widely regarded as one of the country’s best courses, but “Portugal’s best” is a reputation rather than a settled fact

Facilities and where to stay

The estate covers more than 1,000 acres and includes the clubhouse, a restaurant (8.7 out of 10 on Leading Courses) and practice facilities that were upgraded in the 2026 works. You can stay on site at Monte Rei Golf Villas or the five-star Monte Rei Clubhouse Residences, which makes stay-and-play simple. Guests also rate the hospitality highly, with a sub-score of 9.1 out of 10.

Getting there

Monte Rei is in Vila Nova de Cacela, in the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António, about 45 minutes by car from Faro Airport. It is about 19 km from Ayamonte in Spain, so it sits naturally between an Algarve leg and an Andalusia leg of a Spain and Portugal trip.

Monte Rei on the CGE Golf Spain & Portugal Tour 2027

Monte Rei is a highlight of the CGE Golf Spain & Portugal Tour 2027. [CGE Golf to insert: tour dates, number of nights and rounds, accommodation, group size, price and inclusions.] The round adds a contrast to the tour: a parkland course set in the Algarve foothills, alongside Portugal’s Atlantic links such as Oitavos Dunes and Spain’s tour-level venues. Because 2027 is the first full season since the reopening, and the Open de Portugal (13–16 May) will draw demand to the Lisbon coast, planning early gives the best choice of dates.

Frequently asked questions about Monte Rei

Who designed Monte Rei?

Jack Nicklaus designed the North Course as a Nicklaus Signature course. It opened in June 2007.

Is Monte Rei open after the renovation?

Yes. The North Course closed in April 2026 for a six-month renovation and reopened in September 2026.

How much does it cost to play Monte Rei?

Indicative 2026 figures run from about €190 to €320 depending on the source, season and whether a buggy is included. Confirm current rates, as the course has just reopened.

Is Monte Rei the best course in Portugal?

It has been ranked Portugal’s No. 1 course (Golf World, 2022) and is consistently rated among the country’s best, but rankings vary by publisher and year.

Is there a second Monte Rei course?

Not yet. A second Nicklaus course (South) has been planned, but the club currently has one course, the North Course.

How far is Monte Rei from Faro Airport and from Spain?

About 45 minutes by car from Faro Airport, and about 19 km from Ayamonte in Spain.

Can I stay at Monte Rei?

Yes. On-site options include Monte Rei Golf Villas and the Monte Rei Clubhouse Residences, and the resort has announced plans for a Nobu hotel and branded residences.

What is the best time to play Monte Rei?

Course guides cite October to May as the Algarve’s prime golf season, with dependable winter sun. Summers are hotter.

Play Monte Rei with CGE Golf

CGE Golf builds tailored itineraries for golfers travelling from Australia and beyond, including courses, accommodation and private transfers. Monte Rei is part of the CGE Golf Spain & Portugal Tour 2027, and it can also be added to a custom Algarve trip.

👉 Register interest in the CGE Golf Spain & Portugal Tour 2027 → Get dates, itinerary and inclusions as soon as they are confirmed.

👉 Request a custom Algarve golf itinerary with Monte Rei → Tell us your dates, group size and other must-play courses.

👉 Talk to the CGE Golf team → Questions about the course, timing or travelling from Australia? Ask us.