Eastern Algarve
Headlined by Portugal’s No.1-ranked course, which is
b ac ke d up by some of Eu rop e’s mos t u nder rate d venues
Tell people you are turning right rather than
left out of Faro airport and many golfers will
assume your Sat Nav is playing up. But in fact
heading East rather than the customary West
offers up a slightly different array of riches.
For golfers who are seeking a more
peaceful experience away from the big names
and the bright lights, the Eastern Algarve is
absolutely perfect.
Of course Monte Rei is the star attraction,
ranked as the finest in Portugal and closing in
on the top 10 of the whole continent.
This Jack Nicklaus signature is
immaculately manicured, as peaceful as golf
gets, and a fantastic challenge. It is one of the
great modern courses in Europe and building
a golf break itinerary around it ensures you
play one somewhere you will be boasting
about forever.
There are pristine practice facilities here as
well as fine dining in the handsome
clubhouse that overlooks the hills surrounding
this vast, tranquil complex. It is by no means
the East’s only atraction though.
At the Quinta da Ria complex there are two
excellent and contrasting courses and a
superb, neat hotel. The da Ria course is an
aesthetic dream, with several holes routed
along the sandy beach and most with a view
of the sea. Its sister course da Cima is a
splendid technical design, a strong test of
anyone’s game among mature woodland.
This is secretly one of the very finest resorts
in continental Europe.
Benamor, which is located just a few
kilometres east of the wonderful, ancient city
of Tavira, was completed in the spring of- From the foothills of Barrocal, you will
enjoy some of the best mountain and sea
views the Algarve as to offer.
But perhaps Benamor’s key advantage are
the peaceful surroundings of a construction-
free resort. It opens with a lovely hole which
finishes with an acute dog-leg and a green
guarded by two bunkers. Water dominates the
opening to the back nine, with hazards
waiting to snap up anything loose on either
side of the fairway. The closing stretch sees
three of the course’s longest holes paired with
a delightful short hole.
Castro Marim has three loops of nine – the
Atlantic, the Guadiana and the Grouse – at
this luxury development. With great views the
course was designed with lakes, undulating
fairways and elevated greens. Opened in 2001
and designed by Briton Terry Murray, it boasts
fast and true greens, several of them elevated
and protected by bunkers, inviting elevated
tees and fairways carved out of canyons.
Quinta do Vale sees the legacy of the late,
great Seve Ballesteros live on. It features a
symmetrical layout of six par 5s, six par 4s
and six par 3s. Sitting in a peaceful natural
valley it is neatly integrated in the landscape
with a luxurious view over the Guadiana River.FOCUS ON THE ALGARVE
BenamorWHEN YOU’RE THERE...
Why not head to Tavira to enjoy a taste of
the Algarve in third gear? Enjoy traditional
Portuguese food and wine in one of the
country’s most picturesque and pleasant
towns. A delightful experience.