Monte Rei North Course: 2026 Access and Booking Update
Monte Rei North is consistently rated Portugal's number one course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature design in the quiet eastern Algarve. The big 2026 story is a major closure for renovation and a planned second Nicklaus course, so here is exactly how access and booking work for visitors this year.
The news: a renovation closure and a second Nicklaus course
The most important update for anyone planning Monte Rei in 2026 is that the North Course is closed for play from 13 April to 14 September 2026 for a deep renovation. The work includes the reconstruction of greens and bunkers, an upgrade to the irrigation system, landscaping, and the restoration of areas affected by recent fires, all aimed at preserving the course that has topped the Portuguese rankings for years.
The second piece of news is bigger still. Monte Rei is developing a future South Course as a second Jack Nicklaus Signature design, which would place it among a tiny group of clubs worldwide with two Nicklaus Signature courses. The design has been completed following a site visit by Nicklaus and his team, with construction set to begin, so the resort is positioning itself as the premier golf destination in southern Europe.
The course itself
The North Course is a Jack Nicklaus Signature design that opened in June 2007, a par 72 of around 7,180 yards from the championship tees. It is laid out across a peaceful inland valley near Tavira, with manicured fairways, generous framing and immaculate conditioning that have made it the benchmark for resort golf in Portugal.
Where the busy western Algarve courses can feel crowded, Monte Rei trades on seclusion and service, with caddies, buggies stocked with refreshments and a level of presentation that golfers consistently rank at the top of the country. The renovation is intended to protect exactly those qualities for the long term.
How to play it in 2026
The key practical point is timing. With the North Course offline from 13 April to 14 September 2026, visitors should plan a round either before mid April or after the reopening in mid September, when the course returns for the autumn season. The resort's villas, apartments, restaurants, spa and other facilities remain open throughout the closure, so a stay is still possible, but golf on site is paused during the works.
When the course is open, the indicative green fee in the 2026 high season is around 190 euros, typically including a shared cart, with different rates outside the mid March to mid November peak. Those figures are indicative and set by the resort, which is investing heavily in the course, so always confirm the current green fee, the reopening date and availability directly before booking. Monte Rei sits inland from Tavira in the eastern Algarve, around 45 minutes from Faro Airport.
Our take
Our take is that Monte Rei remains Portugal's finest resort course and the renovation, while disruptive in 2026, is a sign of an owner determined to keep it there. The prospect of a second Nicklaus Signature course is genuinely exciting and would lift the eastern Algarve into a different league.
For 2026 specifically, the planning is simple. Avoid the 13 April to 14 September closure, aim for the spring before or the autumn after, and pair Monte Rei with Quinta do Lago or the western Algarve courses to fill the rest of the trip while the North Course is offline. Confirm the reopening date before you commit, as renovation timelines can move.
Plan your eastern Algarve golf trip
From a Monte Rei round around the 2026 renovation window to Quinta do Lago and the wider Algarve, tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge builds and costs the trip, with no obligation.
Questions
Is Monte Rei closed in 2026?
The North Course is closed for play from 13 April to 14 September 2026 for a deep renovation, including new greens and bunkers and an irrigation upgrade. The resort's villas, restaurants and other facilities remain open throughout.
Is Monte Rei building a second course?
Yes. Monte Rei is developing a future South Course as a second Jack Nicklaus Signature design. The design is complete following a site visit by Nicklaus and his team, with construction set to begin, which would give the resort two Nicklaus Signature courses.
How much does it cost to play Monte Rei North?
When the course is open, the indicative 2026 high season green fee is around 190 euros, typically including a shared cart, with different rates outside the peak. Rates are set by the resort, so always confirm the current fee and the reopening date directly before booking.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course, season and access details verified June 2026 from club, resort and golf travel sources; conditions and green fees change, so always confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.