Porto Santo Golfe
Porto Santo Golfe is Seve Ballesteros's golf course on the sunny golden island near Madeira, a par 72 he laid out by the Atlantic and opened in 2004. Two holes run right along the cliff tops above the ocean, the rest sweep across the open, treeless island in an exposed, links like style well suited to the wind.
Photo: Porto Santo Golfe via Google.
The verdict
Porto Santo is the smaller, flatter, sunnier neighbor of Madeira, famous for a nine kilometer golden beach, and its golf course carries a famous name. Seve Ballesteros designed the par 72 that opened in 2004, and it is unlike anything on the main island, treeless and open to the sky, with the wind off the Atlantic a constant presence across the holes.
The signature is the pair of holes that run along the cliff tops above the ocean, as dramatic a stretch of coastal golf as Portugal offers, and the contrast with the more inland holes gives the round real shape. For golfers staying on Madeira it makes a memorable day trip by ferry or plane, and for a sun and golf escape in its own right it is a genuine find. See our best of Portugal ranking and the golf in Portugal guide.
Porto Santo at a glance
- Course opened
- 2004
- Designer
- Seve Ballesteros
- Type
- Clifftop and links style
- Par
- 72
- Holes
- 18 plus pitch and putt
- Yardage
- About 7,041 yards
Designer, opening year and layout verified June 2026 from Porto Santo Golfe, Visit Madeira and Madeira golf sources. Porto Santo Golfe, designed by Seve Ballesteros, opened in 2004 as an 18 hole par 72 of about 7,041 yards with a nine hole pitch and putt, two holes running along the cliff tops above the Atlantic. Green fees are an indicative 2026 guide from around 101 euros for an 18 hole round, with ferry and stay combinations often cheaper. Rates vary by season; always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The two clifftop holes are why golfers make the crossing. Routed right at the edge of the land with the Atlantic crashing below, they are the kind of holes you photograph as much as play, exposed to the full force of the sea wind and unforgettable on a clear day.
Away from the cliffs the course rolls across the open island, where the lack of trees and the firm, sandy ground give it a links character even though it is not a true links. With nothing to block the wind, club selection swings hard from one round to the next, and the player who flights the ball and putts well on the large greens scores best.
It is a stout test from the back tees at over seven thousand yards, but the multiple tees and the holiday setting make it enjoyable for all levels. The nine hole pitch and putt alongside is a relaxed way to round out a day, and the island's sunshine record means the weather is usually on your side.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Open to visiting golfers year round; resort and day trip golfers from Madeira welcome |
| Green fee | An indicative 2026 guide from around 101 euros for an 18 hole round, with ferry and stay combinations often cheaper |
| Booking | Reserve online, through the club or with your trip planner; a buggy helps cover the open layout, and the pitch and putt is bookable too |
| On the day | Exposed, treeless and wind affected; bring wind protection; standard golf dress code with collared shirts |
| Getting there | On Porto Santo island, a short flight from Funchal or a ferry of a little over two hours from Madeira |
| Best months | Sunny much of the year; spring through autumn are warmest, with the wind a year round factor |
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
Porto Santo's main town, Vila Baleira, and the resorts strung along the famous golden beach sit a few minutes from the course, so a stay on the island puts the golf, the sand and the laid back pace all within reach. Many golfers instead base in Funchal on Madeira and make the crossing for a day or two.
For a fuller Madeira golf trip, pair Porto Santo with the championship altitude golf at Santo da Serra and the garden course at Palheiro above Funchal.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts on Porto Santo and around Funchal.
Build a Madeira golf trip
We book the tee times at Porto Santo, arrange the crossing from Madeira 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.
Porto Santo questions
Who designed Porto Santo Golfe and when did it open?
Porto Santo Golfe was designed by the Spanish five time major winner Seve Ballesteros and opened in 2004 on the island of Porto Santo, a short hop from Madeira.
What is special about Porto Santo Golfe?
Two of its holes run dramatically along the cliff tops above the Atlantic, while the rest play across the open, treeless island in an exposed, links like style. It is a par 72 of about 7,041 yards on the famously sunny golden island, paired with a nine hole pitch and putt.
How do you get to Porto Santo?
Porto Santo is reached by a short flight from Funchal or by the daily ferry from Madeira, which takes a little over two hours. The course is a few minutes from the island's town and its long golden beach.
What are green fees at Porto Santo Golfe?
Green fees are an indicative 2026 guide from around 101 euros for an 18 hole round, with ferry and stay combinations often cheaper. Always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
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.