Eleven minutes apart in the eastern Algarve: Benamor, a short course among old olive and cork trees laid out from Henry Cotton's plans, against Quinta da Ria inside the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Here's how they compare.
If you are staying in or around Tavira, two of the most practical rounds are Benamor, just outside town, and Quinta da Ria, near Vila Nova de Cacela. They are about 11 minutes apart by car. Benamor is the shorter, better-value course. Quinta da Ria has the bigger views and a resort on site. Here is how they compare.
Benamor: short, scenic and good value
The family that owns the Benamor estate asked Sir Henry Cotton to draw up a course in 1986. Cotton died the following year, and the course was completed from his plans by architect Howard Swan, opening in the spring of 2000. Benamor is par 71 and only 5,456 metres, one of the shorter 18-hole courses in the Algarve.
The club describes the land as undulating rather than hilly, with mountain views to the north and the Atlantic to the south. Fairways run between centuries-old olive, cork, carob, fig and almond trees, with water and bunkers in play. You need a handicap certificate (maximum 28 for men and 36 for ladies). Men play from the yellow tees and ladies from the red.
Benamor's internet rates are €66 in low season (December, January and June to August), €95 in mid-season and €103 in high season (mid-September to November and mid-February to mid-May). Afternoon tee times in low season drop to €59 (current Benamor green fees). There is a driving range with mats and a grass tee, plus chipping and putting greens.
Quinta da Ria: golf inside the Ria Formosa Natural Park
Quinta da Ria was designed by Rocky Roquemore and opened in March 2002, inside the Ria Formosa Natural Park, with views over the Atlantic and Cacela Velha beach. It is par 72 and 6,053 metres from the white tees, about 600 metres longer than Benamor. It is laid with bentgrass throughout, and has hosted events including the Portugal Algarve Seniors Open in 2005 and the Portugal Algarve Ladies Open in 2008.
Quinta da Ria asks for a handicap certificate, with a limit of 36 for both men and ladies. Green fees on the club's online booking started at about €100 when we checked, rising to around €150 at peak (current Quinta da Ria green fees). Its winter offers include a buggy. The practice facilities are excellent, with a 300-metre driving range and a nine-hole pitch-and-putt academy course.
One thing to check before a summer trip: according to the resort on site, Quinta da Ria opens only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from early July to the end of August.
Which one should you play?
Choose Benamor if you want good value, a manageable length and a quieter round among old trees. It is a sensible pick for higher handicappers and anyone staying in Tavira itself. Choose Quinta da Ria for the setting and the full resort experience, especially if you are staying on site or want excellent practice facilities. If you have two days in the east, play one each day, since they are so close.
Where to stay
Benamor has no hotel on site, but Tavira is only about 13 minutes away. Quinta da Ria has the all-inclusive Robinson Quinta da Ria, which scores 8.4 on Booking.com, within walking distance of both Quinta da Ria and its sister course, Quinta de Cima.
Benamor is about 50 km from Faro Airport by road and Quinta da Ria a little further. A pre-booked transfer gets you there with your clubs if you are not hiring a car.
Want to compare the sister courses too? Read Quinta da Ria vs Quinta de Cima, open the course comparator, or see every course in the east on our Tavira golf courses page.
