Golf

Taste Tavira > Annick shows you around

Category: Golf

A Scenic Day on the Greens: Golf at Castro Marim or Quinta do Vale

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For those staying in Tavira and already familiar with nearby gems like Monte Rei, Benamor, or Quinta da Ria/ de Cima, there’s still more to explore beyond the immediate surroundings. Around 20–25 minutes east by car, close to the Spanish border, lie two less-traveled yet rewarding courses: Castro Marim Golfe & Country Club and Quinta do Vale Golf Resort.

Nestled in the hills overlooking the Guadiana River, Castro Marim Golfe offers a 27-hole experience divided into three distinct nine-hole loops — Grouse, Atlantic, and Guadiana. With panoramic views stretching from the mountains to the coast, this course blends natural Algarve beauty with smart course design. The rolling fairways, pine trees, and occasional wildlife sightings make it as much a nature outing as a golf day.

Nearby, Quinta do Vale delivers a very different but equally thrilling challenge. Designed by the legendary Seve Ballesteros, this championship course makes full use of the dramatic terrain. With its signature layout — six par-3s, six par-4s, and six par-5s — and strategic water hazards, Quinta do Vale is a great test for golfers who enjoy risk-reward play and bold course architecture.

Both clubs are ideal for a day trip from Taste Tavira. You can enjoy a scenic drive, an unhurried round, and lunch or drinks on a terrace with sweeping views of the river or mountains. While less frequented than Tavira’s local courses, these two offer a peaceful atmosphere and an authentic eastern Algarve experience.

If you’re planning a longer stay and looking to explore beyond the beaten path, Castro Marim and Quinta do Vale provide the perfect excuse to combine golf with a bit of regional discovery.

Monte Rei – Luxury Golf at Its Finest

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If you’re looking for one of the most exclusive golf experiences in Portugal, Monte Rei Golf & Country Club delivers in every way. Located in the hills near Vila Nova de Cacela, about 15 minutes from Tavira, Monte Rei is home to a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course that consistently ranks among the best in Europe.

From the moment you arrive, Monte Rei feels different. The service is five-star, the setting is peaceful and expansive, and the course itself is pristine. The par-72 layout winds through rolling terrain with dramatic elevation changes, carefully placed bunkers, and immaculately maintained greens and fairways. Every hole is framed like a painting—with distant mountain views or glimpses of the sea.

Monte Rei isn’t just beautiful—it’s also a serious test of golf. With no two holes alike, players need to think strategically on every shot. But even if your score doesn’t shine, the experience of playing in such a refined and quiet setting is reward enough.

After your round, make time for a meal at Vistas Rui Silvestre, the resort’s Michelin-starred restaurant. With stunning views across the countryside and Atlantic, the menu offers a refined take on Portuguese cuisine, blending local ingredients with international flair. For a more casual bite, the Grill and Veranda restaurants also offer excellent service and quality in a relaxed setting. Whether you’re there for golf or gastronomy, Monte Rei is a destination to remember.

Benamor Golf – Relaxed Rounds near Tavira

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Just a few minutes from Tavira, Benamor Golf is a welcoming 18-hole course nestled between the sea and the hills. Designed by the legendary Sir Henry Cotton, this par-71 layout offers a charming mix of gentle fairways, olive trees, and distant views of the Atlantic. It’s a course that appeals to all levels—from beginners to seasoned golfers looking for a laid-back round.

Benamor is known for its friendly atmosphere and walkable design. The course isn’t overly long, but it still provides strategic challenges with its doglegs, water hazards, and small, sloping greens. Accuracy is more important than power here, and local breezes can add an extra layer of difficulty.

The clubhouse is warm and relaxed, with a restaurant offering regional dishes and a terrace overlooking the 18th green. There’s also a driving range, short game area, and pro shop—making it easy to warm up or take a lesson.

For golfers based in Tavira or nearby, Benamor is a great local option: well-maintained, scenic, and never too crowded. It’s especially popular with winter visitors and expat residents who return again and again for its charm and playability.

Quinta de Cima – Championship Golf Returns Fall 2025

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Nestled beside its sister course, Quinta da Ria, Quinta de Cima is renowned as one of the Algarve’s premier championship layouts. Designed by Rocky Roquemore, this par-72 course stretches over 6,586 meters, featuring wide fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and a meandering creek that challenges players across several holes.

In 2025, Quinta de Cima underwent significant maintenance, including the replanting of its fairways with new grass varieties to enhance playability and aesthetics. The course was closed for maintenance from May 26 to September 14, 2025, during which the academy course and short game areas were also closed. The driving range and practice putting greens remained open during this period.

As the course reopens in mid-September 2025, golfers can look forward to improved playing conditions that preserve the course’s natural beauty. The landscape, adorned with centuries-old olive and carob trees, remains untouched by real estate development, offering a pure golfing experience amidst the serene backdrop of the Ria Formosa Natural Park.

Quinta de Cima has previously hosted several prestigious tournaments, including the PGA EuroPro Tour and the European Seniors Tour Qualifying School. With its blend of challenging design and natural charm, the course is set to welcome golfers back for an exceptional playing experience autumn 2025