Portugal's number one course, and barely a tour bus in sight.
Eastern Algarve golf holidays
Monte Rei, near Tavira, is the only Jack Nicklaus Signature course in Portugal and has topped the national rankings for years, yet the eastern Algarve stays unhurried: the salt pans and lagoon channels of the Ria Formosa, the twin Quinta da Ria and Quinta de Cima layouts, and old Tavira's cobbles a short drive from your room at the AP Maria Nova Lounge. Quieter than the west, and all the better for it.
★★★★★4.9 from real golfers
· 5 courses · from £255pp (≈ €285) (≈ $335) (≈ CA$475) (≈ AU$475) (≈ NZ$585) (≈ CHF 265) · ATOL-protected where flights are added
The Eastern Algarve is the Algarve before the crowds found it — a stretch of saltmarsh, fishing towns and umbrella-pine fairways east of Faro, anchored by the handsome riverside town of Tavira and the border country around Castro Marim. The golf here is unhurried and characterful, from the championship pedigree of Monte Rei to the value and warmth of Benamor. It is a corner for golfers who want their round followed by grilled fish, a glass of local wine and a town square rather than a strip.
We have arranged Portugal golf since 1981. Every itinerary is hand-built and hand-priced around your dates, your group and the courses you want to play.
Why play golf in Eastern Algarve
A genuine flagship: Monte Rei Golf & Country Club near Tavira, the Jack Nicklaus Signature layout that consistently ranks among Portugal's finest.
Real variety in a compact area — links-influenced, parkland and resort styles within a short drive of one another.
Quinta da Ria & Cima Golf Club gives you two contrasting 18s on one estate, framed by the Ria Formosa lagoon.
Quieter tee sheets and a more relaxed pace than the busy central and western Algarve.
A coastline of authentic towns — Tavira, Cabanas, Castro Marim — so the off-course days are as good as the golf.
The courses you’ll play
The headline act is Monte Rei Golf & Country Club, the Nicklaus Signature course whose conditioning and presentation set the standard for the region. For a two-course estate, Quinta da Ria & Cima Golf Club pairs the lagoon-edged Ria with the more elevated, undulating Cima, giving real shot variety across a single visit.
Inland and full of character, Benamor Golf Club near Tavira rewards thoughtful play with rolling, scenic holes and excellent value. Closer to the Spanish border, Castro Marim Golf and Country Club offers wide, open layouts with long views over the Guadiana. Together these four make an ideal compact rota — we hand-pick the order and tee times to suit your group.
Where you’ll stay
Tavira is the natural base, and we know its hotels well. AP Maria Nova Lounge and Vila Gale Tavira sit close to the old town and the river, while the adults-focused AP Cabanas Beach & Nature Hotel at Tavira places you beside the Ria Formosa and its island beaches.
Towards the border, Praia Verde Boutique Hotel at Castro Marim is a refined coastal choice among the pines, handy for Castro Marim and Quinta do Vale golf. Whether you want a town-centre lounge hotel or a quiet beach retreat, we match the property to your group and the courses on your schedule.
Best time to play golf in Eastern Algarve
Spring and autumn are the sweet spots for the Eastern Algarve. From March to May the fairways are green, the wildflowers are out and the temperatures are ideal for 18 holes followed by a long lunch. September into November brings warm, settled days and noticeably quieter courses once the summer holidaymakers have left.
Summers are hot and reliable but better suited to early or late tee times. Winters here are mild and pleasant rather than tropical — comfortable for golf on many days, but cooler and quieter, so this is not a winter-sun destination in the way the Canaries or Morocco are. We will steer your dates to the conditions you want.
A sense of Eastern Algarve
History & heritage
Tavira is one of the most graceful towns on the whole Algarve coast — a Roman bridge over the Gilao, a hillside castle, and a skyline of church towers and distinctive four-sided "tesouro" rooftops. Its layered history runs from Roman and Moorish rule to the Age of Discoveries, when it was a key Atlantic port.
Eastwards, Castro Marim is guarded by a medieval fortress looking across the Guadiana to Spain, with the great salt pans of the nature reserve stretching below. This is a quieter, more lived-in Algarve, where the culture is in the everyday — the markets, the tiled facades and the slow rhythm of riverside towns.
Food & wine
The Eastern Algarve eats from the sea and the saltmarsh. Tavira and Cabanas are known for outstanding fish and shellfish — grilled sardines and sea bass, clams cooked cataplana-style, octopus, and the prized local tuna landed along this coast. The Ria Formosa is famous for its oysters and clams, often the freshest you will find anywhere in Portugal.
To finish, the region's salt — fleur de sel harvested in the Castro Marim pans — flavours much of what arrives at the table. Pair it all with crisp Portuguese whites and the country's expressive reds, and round off with a glass of medronho, the local firewater. We can book the tables that locals keep to themselves.
Beyond the fairways
There is plenty here for non-golfers and rest days alike. Tavira's island beaches, reached by a short ferry across the Ria Formosa, are among the finest in the Algarve — long, clean sand backed by dunes. The Ria itself is a paradise for birdwatching, with flamingos over the salt pans and gentle boat trips through the lagoon.
Explore the old town's churches and castle, browse the markets, or drive the short distance to Vila Real de Santo Antonio on the Guadiana, with Spain just across the river. It is an easy region for slow days — a beach in the morning, a town square in the afternoon.
Getting around & exploring
A hire car is the most practical way to enjoy the Eastern Algarve. The courses are spread between Tavira, Castro Marim and the border, and a car lets you link tee times, beaches and dinners on your own schedule. The roads are excellent and distances are short — most of the golf sits within a comfortable drive of Tavira.
For groups who would rather not drive, we arrange private transfers and chauffeured days, so you can play, lunch and explore without anyone losing a round to the wheel. Tell us your party and pace, and we will build the ground arrangements to fit.
Getting there
The gateway is Faro Airport, an easy drive of roughly 35 to 50 minutes east to Tavira and the Eastern Algarve courses. It is one of the best-connected airports in southern Europe, with frequent links from across the UK and Ireland.
Flights are not included in our packages — Golf Planet Holidays is a ground-only operator — but we can arrange them for you as a separate, ATOL-protected add-on, or you are welcome to book your own and we will handle everything on the ground from the moment you land.
Good to know
Trade credentials: we hold ATOL (for flights only), PTS and IATA — we are not an ABTA member.
Ground-only: your itinerary covers hotels, golf and transfers; flights are a separate ATOL-protected add-on if you want us to arrange them.
Currency: Portugal uses the euro.
Climate: spring and autumn are best; summers hot; winters mild but cooler and quieter — not a winter-sun resort.
Base: Tavira is the ideal hub for Monte Rei, Quinta da Ria & Cima, Benamor and Castro Marim.
Getting about: a hire car is recommended; private transfers available on request.
Every itinerary is hand-built and hand-priced around your dates, your group and the courses you want to play.
Great trip to Tavira with Golf Planet. Stayed at AP Capanas resort which was very good and close to the golf courses we were playing. Simon and the team arranged everything for our golf trip, from airport pick ups and transportation to and from the golf…
Frequently asked questions
Golf holidays in Eastern Algarve — answers to the questions our golfers ask most.
How much does a golf holiday in Portugal cost?
Golf holidays in Portugal start from £205 (≈ €235) (≈ $265) (≈ CA$375) (≈ AU$385) (≈ NZ$465) (≈ CHF 215) pp with Golf Planet Holidays. That is a tailor-made ground package, and the final price depends on your hotel, the courses you play and the season.
Which region of Portugal is best for golfers?
The Algarve is Portugal's most popular golf region and home to the highest concentration of top courses — Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, Vilamoura and Monte Rei are all within an hour of Faro Airport. The Lisbon Coast is growing rapidly in popularity with outstanding courses including Oitavos Dunes, Aroeira and Royal Obidos, plus easy access to Lisbon city. Madeira suits those wanting dramatic scenery and a quieter atmosphere. We'll help you choose based on your preferred courses, budget and travel dates.
Do I need a hire car in Portugal?
For most Algarve golf holidays, a hire car is optional rather than essential. Many resorts — particularly in Vilamoura and Vale do Lobo — have golf courses and facilities on-site or within walking distance. We include private transfers from Faro Airport to your hotel in all packages, and can arrange inter-course transfers as needed. That said, a hire car gives you the freedom to explore the Algarve's beaches, villages and restaurants at your own pace — we're happy to recommend the best approach for your group.
When is the best time to play golf in Portugal?
Spring and autumn, roughly March to May and September to November, are best, and the Algarve's mild winters make it a year-round escape.
How many golf courses are there in Portugal?
We feature 44 courses and 54 resorts across Portugal including Quinta do Vale and Ribagolfe. Your specialist matches the courses to your group's standard and budget.
Is there plenty for non-golfers to do in Portugal?
Portugal offers non-golfers a wonderful range of experiences. The Algarve has superb Atlantic beaches, historic Moorish towns like Tavira, excellent seafood restaurants and water sports. Lisbon — accessible from the Lisbon Coast courses — is one of Europe's most captivating cities, with world-class museums, vibrant food markets and stunning architecture. The Sintra palaces, Évora's Roman ruins and the Douro Valley wine region are all within reach. Portugal consistently ranks among Europe's favourite holiday destinations for very good reason.
