Madeira is the emerging golf destination you need to experience

We all know how popular Portugal is among travelling golfers, but what about its remote island of Madeira?

Perched in the mid-Atlantic, miles off the coast of Morocco and 600 miles southwest of Lisbon, it’s not widely known for its golf courses. The common perception is that it’s a winter retreat for the elderly, known for its steep climbs among volcanic slopes.

All that is changing. Firstly, it is no longer a destination solely for retirees. The capital, Funchal, these days is buzzing with bars and restaurants filled with young people and families. It has shaken off its fusty image and is emerging as one of Europe’s city-break hotspots.

Golf is also undergoing a quiet revolution. Already named World’s Best Emerging Golf Destination for the second consecutive year in 2025, it could be on the cusp of becoming a must-visit, stay-and-play island for travelling golfers, casting aside its role as somewhere to play when visiting primarily for other reasons.

In 2025, the Regional Government announced ambitious plans to transform Madeira into a true golf destination, with new courses and extensions to existing facilities.

Currently there are three golf venues - two on the main island and one on the offshore island of Porto Santo.

Palheiro Golf

(Image Credit: James Hogg)

Set within the beautiful 200-year-old Palheiro Estate, perched 1,600 feet above Funchal and 20 minutes’ drive away, lies this privately owned course running through pine forest surrounded by Madeira’s magical flora.

Cabell B. Robinson was commissioned by the owners, the Blandy family, to design the layout, which opened for play in 1993.

In keeping with much of the island, it’s hilly and dotted with volcanic rocks, and the views are stunning.

The first hole gives players an immediate impression of what they are up against. It’s a short par four with a fairway running sharply uphill and sloping from right to left.

Many holes have similar characteristics, so club selection is important.

There is some respite from the hilly terrain in the middle of the course.

The most memorable hole is the par-three 13th, where players face a daunting shot over a ravine to what appears to be a minute green, with steep slopes to the right populated by spiky succulents and tall agapanthus. A par here is worth talking about on the fabulous clubhouse terrace, which affords marvellous views of Funchal below.

The 18th is a superb par five with a blind tee shot to a generous fairway, offering the chance of reaching the green in two.

I last played the course in 2012 and wasn’t impressed by its condition, but it has improved beyond recognition, with excellent all-round maintenance and pure-rolling greens.

Clube de Golf Santo da Serra

Another club with fabulous views is this 27-hole venue designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.

It’s situated 2,300ft above sea level near the island’s southeast coast, so when the sun is shining it’s a jaw-dropping location.

Historically home to the Madeira Open, it’s a sought-after golfing attraction, with the Machico and Desertas loops favoured for an 18-hole round.

We started on the Machico course, named after the surrounding region and its bay, famed as the place where Portuguese explorers landed on the then-uninhabited island in 1419.

The loop runs through native pines, eucalyptus and mimosa trees, meaning straight down the middle is the order of the day.

After a reasonably straightforward opener, the course begins to show its teeth with some longish carries off the tee and perilous doglegs hugging the clifftops.

The fourth, a most scenic par three with stunning mountain and valley views, hangs on the very edge of the course, with distant views of the Atlantic coastline so spectacular it has quite rightly established itself as a selfie hole.

Desertas is named after the group of three uninhabited volcanic islands lying 25km off Madeira’s coast. On a clear day they can be seen, along with another island, Porto Santo.

Similar to the opening nine, this loop again runs through rolling woodland, producing some tight tee shots, while its finishing stretch provides a real test at the end of a memorable round.

The course is owned by the Regional Government and has been run by the club under a 30-year concession. The Government has big plans for its future, following significant improvements in recent years.

In 2015, it installed a new €2.5m irrigation system, added championship tees and improved practice areas and buggy storage.

Porto Santo Golfe

Golf enthusiasts shouldn’t think twice about visiting this neighbouring island to play golf and explore its surroundings, despite the need for a ferry or flight from Madeira.

The 18-hole course was designed by Seve Ballesteros on the site of a former US military base course. There is a separate nine-hole pitch-and-putt course too.

It’s the classic tale of a course of two halves - the first nine is pretty flat, with wide fairways tempting you to give it everything from the tee. The primary hazards are numerous water features.

Across the way, the 10th tee sets you up for a rollercoaster experience which will stay with you forever.

It starts with a testing par five played over a stream before turning back to a fabulous risk-and-reward short par four from an elevated tee. Big hitters will go for the green here, despite water nudging greenwards from the left.

There follows a long uphill par five which gives little away about what follows. Holes 13, 14 and 15 are up there among the most dramatic trios encountered anywhere.

After golf, I can highly recommend a jeep tour of the island, which, as well as having a huge golden beach, boasts incredible geological features and a stunning interior.

Future developments

As mentioned, the Regional Government plans to make Madeira a year-round golfing destination to rival its cousins in mainland Portugal by building new courses and enhancing existing ones. The aim is to encourage private investment around the courses, away from established tourist areas, and attract high-spending visitors.

Already under construction is a Sir Nick Faldo-designed 18-hole course at Ponta do Pargo on the western tip, due to open in 2027. Envisaged as the island’s flagship golf destination, it is being funded by the Regional Government with plans to market a private operating concession. It would be accompanied by two hotels and residential developments through private investment if plans come to fruition. 

There are also plans for nine additional holes at Santo da Serra, further expansion at Porto Santo and, at an early planning stage, a proposed new 18-hole course at Faial on the north coast.

The Madeira Golf Passport offers multi-round packages at Palheiro and Santo da Serra, with a separate option incorporating Porto Santo. It has just been revamped to offer even more into the future. You can visit https://madeiragolfpassport.com/ to find out more.

Madeira is a special place to visit

This sub tropical island is a fascinating place to visit for all kinds of leisure pursuits and interest.

The focal point is Funchal, a short drive from the airport. Packed with interest it has scores of restaurants ranging from the traditional Madeiran Jaket near the market hall, to the Michelin-selected Gazebo. Most of the hotels are situated around Funchal and the Funchal Lido area. including the well-situated Vila Baleira Funchal

Our travel partner Golfbreaks offers holidays to Madeira. You should visit https://www.golfbreaks.com/en-gb/holidays/madeira/ for the latest deals.