Palheiro Golf
Palheiro is the garden golf of Funchal, a Cabell Robinson par 72 laid out within the historic Palheiro Estate high above Madeira's capital and opened in 1993. Set at around 500 meters, it threads through pines, camellias and estate gardens with the bay of Funchal and the Atlantic spread out far below.
Photo: Palheiro Golf via Google.
The verdict
Palheiro sits in the hills above Funchal on the grounds of the old Palheiro Estate, long famous for its gardens, and the course shares that sense of cultivation. The American architect Cabell Robinson, a Robert Trent Jones protege with a long European resume, routed the par 72 through mature pine and flowering shrubs when it opened in 1993, and the planting and the views are as much a part of the round as the golf.
At around 500 meters above the city the elevation gives nearly every hole a backdrop, the bay of Funchal and the ocean falling away beneath the fairways. With the five star Casa Velha do Palheiro on the estate, it is the most polished and convenient golf on Madeira and a natural anchor for a trip based in Funchal. See our best of Portugal ranking and the golf in Portugal guide.
Palheiro at a glance
- Course opened
- 1993
- Designer
- Cabell B. Robinson
- Type
- Upland parkland
- Par
- 72
- Holes
- 18
- Yardage
- About 6,086 m
Designer, opening year and layout verified June 2026 from Palheiro, Visit Madeira and Madeira golf sources. Palheiro Golf, designed by Cabell B. Robinson, opened in 1993 within the Palheiro Estate above Funchal as an 18 hole par 72 of about 6,086 meters at around 500 meters elevation. Green fees are an indicative 2026 guide from around 100 euros for an 18 hole round, with buggy, twilight and golf pass rates varying. Rates vary by season; always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The front nine sets out through the estate parkland, tree lined and intimate, where mature pines and the famous Palheiro plantings frame the corridors and demand a placed tee shot more than a long one. It is golf in a garden, sheltered and green, with the scent of the hillside on the air.
The course then opens up toward the edge of the plateau, where the land tilts toward the coast and the views take over. Holes that run along or down the slope give that classic Madeira sensation of playing into open sky, with Funchal, its harbor and the Atlantic laid out far below the fairway.
Robinson used the gradients with restraint, so the round is testing without being punishing, a par 72 that suits a wide range of golfers. The blend of sheltered garden holes and high, view filled stretches is what makes Palheiro the most rounded golf experience on the island.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort and members course open to visiting golfers year round; trip bookings and hotel guests welcome |
| Green fee | An indicative 2026 guide from around 100 euros for an 18 hole round, with buggy, twilight and golf pass rates varying |
| Booking | Reserve online, through the estate or with your trip planner; a buggy helps on the hilly upland terrain |
| On the day | Tree lined parkland giving way to open clifftop views; cooler upland air; standard golf dress code with collared shirts |
| Getting there | In the hills above Funchal, about 15 minutes from the city and 25 km from Madeira airport |
| Best months | Pleasant year round; spring and autumn are most settled, with the upland weather changing quickly |
Fees and access verified June 2026; the indicative green fees reflect 2026 pricing and vary by season, so always confirm the current rate and tee availability directly before booking. Book a tee time through our trip desk.
Where to stay nearby
On the estate itself, the five star Casa Velha do Palheiro, a Relais and Chateaux country house hotel, puts you a few minutes from the first tee in old world comfort. Down the hill, Funchal offers the full range of the island's hotels, restaurants and gardens, with the famous cable car, market and seafront a short drive away.
For a fuller Madeira golf trip, pair Palheiro with the championship altitude golf at Santo da Serra above Machico and the seaside links of Porto Santo on the neighboring island.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts around Funchal.
Build a Madeira golf trip
We book the tee times at Palheiro, set you up around Funchal and build the rest of a Madeira golf week around your golf. Tell us roughly when and who is traveling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Palheiro questions
Who designed Palheiro and when did it open?
Palheiro Golf was designed by the American architect Cabell B. Robinson and opened in 1993, set within the historic Palheiro Estate high above Funchal on Madeira.
What is special about Palheiro Golf?
It sits at around 500 meters above Funchal, so almost every hole offers a view down to the bay and the Atlantic. The par 72 winds through the gardens, pines and camellias of the Palheiro Estate, mixing tree lined holes with open clifftop views.
Is Palheiro open to visiting golfers?
Yes. Palheiro is a resort and members course open to visitors year round, alongside the five star Casa Velha do Palheiro hotel. Reserve a tee time online, through the estate or with your trip planner; a buggy helps on the hilly terrain.
What are green fees at Palheiro?
Green fees are an indicative 2026 guide from around 100 euros for an 18 hole round, with buggy, twilight and golf pass rates varying. Always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year and layout verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.