Madeira is on the rise & here’s why golfers are taking notice

In November 2025, a team of us went on a trip to find out exactly what golf in Madeira was all about. Over the course of the week, we based ourselves in Funchal and explored not only Madeira’s established golf courses, but also neighbouring Porto Santo and the site of the highly anticipated Faldo-designed Ponta do Pargo.

What quickly became clear is that Madeira is evolving. Although not the first thought on people's mind when booking a Portugal golf holiday, it is attracting a younger travelling golfer and positioning itself as one of Europe’s most exciting golf destinations.

Our trip began with a smooth three hour flight from Heathrow into Funchal. Madeira’s airport has something of a reputation thanks to its short runway and swirling Atlantic winds, but our landing was straightforward and the dramatic coastal approach certainly sets the tone for what’s to come.

Just 20 minutes after touching down, we arrived at our hotel for the week. First impressions were extremely positive, the city felt clean, safe and welcoming with a relaxed atmosphere that immediately makes you feel comfortable. While Funchal is relatively compact and walkable, the island’s steep gradients quickly make themselves known.

With temperatures sitting comfortably in the mid-20s, even in mid-November, it was clear why Madeira has such strong year-round appeal. After checking in and meeting our hosts, the evening was spent settling into the rhythm of the island and taking in the sea views. We explored the local streets and got our first taste of Madeira’s food and hospitality. A promising start to the week ahead.

Day two, our first full day, gave us our first proper taste of golf in Madeira. With a morning round at Palheiro Golf, a course known for its elevation changes and it doesn’t take long to realise a buggy is essential. The fairways are steep, the terrain dramatic and the views simply outstanding.

From several tee boxes, you’re looking straight down over Funchal and out across the Atlantic, creating the feeling that you’re playing golf among the clouds. It’s a layout that rewards strategy and club selection, with uneven lies and shifting winds adding to the challenge. While the conditioning isn’t as sharply defined as some mainland Portuguese venues, the overall experience more than makes up for it.

Signature hole: The par-3 13th hole was a favourite in our group. At only 150-yards it isn't the longest of holes, but the stunning downhill tee shot across a ravine is a very memorable moment in your round.

Bonus fact: The clubhouse at Palheiro Golf has been panoramic views over Funchal Bay and amongst golfers is often cited as one of the best clubhouse outlooks.

The afternoon allowed us to explore more of Funchal, including a cable car ride up into the hills for panoramic views back over the city. The contrast between the bustling marina below and the peaceful, elevated vantage points above really highlights Madeira’s unique landscape.

By the end of the day, one thing was already clear: Madeira offers a style of golf that feels completely different to the Algarve, more dramatic, more varied, and visually unforgettable.

Day three took us beyond Madeira itself, with an early start to catch the 8am ferry across to Porto Santo. The two-hour crossing is well worth it, offering a change of pace and scenery, with the smaller island feeling quieter and more relaxed from the moment you arrive.

Our focus for the day was Porto Santo Golf, and it didn’t take long to see why it’s such a draw for visiting golfers. The front nine provides a fair but forgiving test, easing you into the round, but it’s the back nine where the course truly comes to life. Holes 12, 13 and 14 in particular are standout moments with dramatic cliff-edge tee shots, sweeping Atlantic views and a layout that feels both challenging and unforgettable. The scenery is reminiscent of Pinnacle Point in South Africa, making it one of the most visually striking stretches of golf we experienced all week.

Signature hole: Another great 13th hole, however very different to that of Palheiro. A dramatic tee shot played over a deep gorge towards a cliff-top green with sweeping views of the Atlantic

Bonus fact: Porto Santo Golf was designed by Severiano Ballesteros and features stunning coastal fairways where holes 13 through 15 run along the cliff tops, giving a dramatic sequence not unlike links golf by the sea.

After the round, we had some time to soak in Porto Santo’s relaxed, unhurried pace, a noticeable contrast to the busier feel of Funchal. With its long stretch of golden beach and quieter streets, the island has a calm, almost retreat-like atmosphere that makes it easy to switch off after a memorable round. It also highlighted how Porto Santo could work perfectly as a stay-and-play option for golfers looking to combine great golf with true downtime.

As the afternoon drew to a close, we made our way back to the port to catch the evening ferry to Madeira. The return crossing gave everyone a chance to reflect on the day’s highlights, particularly those dramatic back-nine holes that will stick in the memory for a long time. We arrived back in Funchal tired but buzzing, having experienced what was arguably the most visually spectacular day of golf on the entire trip.

After the drama and spectacle of Porto Santo, day four brought us back to Madeira for what many of us would later agree was the best all-round golf experience of the trip, Santa da Serra. Set high in the hills on the eastern side of the island, the drive alone gives you a sense of how elevated the course is, with sweeping views over the coastline and even down towards the airport.

Ranked the best course in Madeira for 2025 according to Top 100 Courses, Santa da Serra is made up of three distinct nines, each offering a slightly different feel, but all maintained to an excellent standard. From the first tee, the conditioning stood out immediately, well-defined fairways, lush rough and greens that were among the best we experienced all week. The front nine is particularly memorable for its views, with several tee shots framed by the Atlantic in the distance, but the strength of Santa da Serra is its balance; it’s challenging without being punishing and rewards good strategy as much as execution.

The cooler temperatures and occasional cloud cover added to the atmosphere, reinforcing Madeira’s reputation for experiencing “four seasons in one day,” yet the conditions remained ideal for golf. With its combination of scenery, playability and conditioning, Santa da Serra delivered the most complete golfing experience of the trip and is a course we would confidently recommend as a must-play for anyone visiting Madeira.

Signature hole: A classic risk-and-reward par-5 the 3rd hole on the Machico nine has dramatic ocean views and a chance to go for eagle if conditions allow.

Bonus fact: Situated high above the bay of Machico, Santa da Serra’s 27 holes are carved into volcanic terrain and surrounded by natural lakes and lush greenery, creating a setting that feels like a true botanical garden on the fairway.

After the round, we headed back towards Funchal, with the evening spent enjoying some of the city’s restaurants and reflecting on how varied the golf on the island had already proven to be, and with one more day of exploring still to come.

Our final day in Madeira was reserved for something slightly different, a visit to the site of the new Faldo-designed course at Ponta do Pargo before heading back to the airport. While the course isn’t due to open until late 2026 or early 2027, seeing it in person gave us a real sense of the ambition behind the project.

Set on Madeira’s dramatic western cliffs, the land alone is breathtaking. Deep chasms, rugged coastline and expansive Atlantic views create a setting that feels purpose-built for world-class golf.

The routing is already visible, and shapes up to be one of Nick Faldo's best layouts, with fairways and greens shaped into the landscape you can see the scale of what’s being created. It’s clear this won’t just be another addition to the island, it has genuine potential to elevate Madeira into conversations around Europe’s elite golf destinations, with aspirations of breaking into the World Top 100.

Madeira feels like a destination at exactly the right moment in its journey. It already offers dramatic, memorable golf across Palheiro, Porto Santo and Santa da Serra, backed by a reliable year-round climate, strong hospitality and a vibrant base in Funchal. Yet there’s also a clear sense of momentum and growing demand.

The upcoming Faldo-designed Ponta do Pargo has the potential to elevate Madeira even further, but even without it, the island delivers something genuinely different to mainland Portugal. It’s scenic, varied and just a little more adventurous, the kind of place that leaves a lasting impression.

For golfers looking to experience somewhere before it fully hits the mainstream, Madeira’s rise is well underway and now might be the perfect time to take notice.

• Pre-book transfers: Madeira’s roads are steep, narrow and in some places reach gradients of 30–35%. Unless you’re confident driving in mountainous terrain, organised transfers to the golf courses are a far easier and more relaxing option.
• Always take a buggy: Courses like Palheiro and Santa da Serra involve significant elevation changes. A buggy isn’t just a luxury, it’s highly recommended to fully enjoy the round.
• Pack for four seasons in one day: Madeira’s weather is mild year-round, but it can change quickly. Even in warm temperatures, bring a light waterproof and an extra layer, especially for elevated courses.
• Build in time to explore Funchal: The city is compact but hilly, so allow more time than you think to get around. The cable car, botanical gardens and local restaurants are well worth factoring into your itinerary.

Q: Is Madeira good for a golf holiday? A: Yes, Madeira offers dramatic cliff-edge courses, year-round mild weather and a relaxed atmosphere. With three established courses and a new Faldo design on the way.

Q: When is the best time to play golf in Madeira? Madeira enjoys a mild climate year-round. Temperatures rarely drop below 10–12°C in winter or exceed 30°C in summer, making it an excellent option for winter sun golf as well as shoulder-season trips.

Q: How long does it take to fly to Madeira from the UK? A: Flights from London take approximately 3 hours, making Madeira an accessible island golf destination for short breaks or longer stays.

Q: Do I need a buggy in Madeira? A: At most courses, particularly Palheiro and Santa da Serra, a buggy is highly recommended due to steep elevation changes and undulating terrain.