Santo da Serra
Robert Trent Jones Sr rebuilt Santo da Serra in 1991 on a high volcanic plateau above Madeira's east coast, 27 holes of mountain parkland that fall away to vast views of the Atlantic and the Desertas islands. The championship loop plays to a par 72 of about 6,826 yards and has hosted the Madeira Islands Open for decades.
Photo: Santo da Serra Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Golf arrived at Santo da Serra in 1937, but the course as it plays today is the work of Robert Trent Jones Sr, who laid out a bold new 27 holes here in 1991 around 700 meters above sea level. The three nines, Machico, Desertas and Serras, tumble across a plateau of eucalyptus and hydrangea, with the long downhill opener plunging toward an ocean horizon that ranks among the most dramatic first views in European golf.
The Machico and Desertas nines form the championship eighteen that has welcomed the Madeira Islands Open since the early 1990s, a par 72 that rewards the player who can hold a line in the hill country breeze. It is target golf at altitude, the ball flying far in the thin air and the greens quick and well defended. Pair it with the clifftop Palheiro course nearby and Madeira makes a genuine winter golf escape.
Santo da Serra at a glance
- Opened
- 1991
- Designer
- Robert Trent Jones Sr
- Type
- Mountain parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,826 yds
- Green fee
- From about €95
Designer, layout and championship par verified June 2026 from Clube de Golf Santo da Serra and leading course databases. Robert Trent Jones Sr delivered the present 27 holes in 1991, the Serras nine following in 1998; the Machico and Desertas nines make the par 72 championship course of about 6,826 yards. Visitor green fees were from around €95 in the 2026 season, with twilight and multi round rates available. Rates change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Santo da Serra is defined by elevation and exposure. The opening hole on the Machico nine drops sharply away from the clubhouse toward a green set against the sea and the silhouette of the Desertas islands, a downhill par 4 that has become the signature image of golf in Madeira.
From there the round works across the plateau, the eucalyptus avenues framing each fairway and the prevailing breeze swinging through the gaps in the hills. Robert Trent Jones Sr built generous landing areas but defended the greens with water and deep bunkering, so positioning off the tee matters more than raw length, even with the thin mountain air carrying the ball.
The Desertas nine completes the championship eighteen with a run of holes that play around lakes and through stands of mature trees, the greens firm and fast. It is a course that asks for control of trajectory and a cool head in the wind, and it gives back views and a sense of theater that few European courses can match.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members and visitors; tee times open to the public with a current handicap, booked through the golf shop or a Madeira golf operator |
| Green fee | From about €95 in the 2026 season for the 18 hole championship course, with twilight and multi round rates (indicative) |
| Booking | Reserve ahead in the winter high season and around the Madeira Islands Open; buggies are recommended on the hilly terrain |
| On the day | Mountain weather changes fast at altitude; bring a layer and wind protection even on a warm coastal day |
| Getting there | Santo Antonio da Serra, about 25 minutes from Funchal and 15 minutes from Madeira Airport in the island's east |
| Best months | Year round golf; spring and autumn bring the most settled conditions, winter a mild escape from northern Europe |
Access arrangements and indicative fees verified June 2026; policies and prices change by season, so always confirm directly with the golf shop or your trip planner before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves in or around Funchal, Madeira's lively capital, where the hotels, the seafront promenade and the restaurants of the old town are a short drive from both island courses. A Funchal base puts Santo da Serra and Palheiro within easy reach.
For a quieter stay closer to the first tee, the hills around Santo Antonio da Serra and the east coast resorts offer calm and cool mountain air. Madeira is an ideal place to build a two course winter break, pairing the mountain golf at Santo da Serra with the clifftop Palheiro and the island's gardens, levadas and food.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Santo da Serra.
Build a Madeira golf trip
We book the Santo da Serra tee times, pair them with Palheiro and the best of the island and arrange the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Santo da Serra questions
Who designed Santo da Serra and when did it open?
The present course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr and opened in 1991, replacing an original 1937 layout. A third nine, the Serras course, was added in 1998 to complete 27 holes.
What is the par and length of Santo da Serra?
The championship course, formed by the Machico and Desertas nines, is a par 72 of about 6,826 yards, played around 700 meters above sea level on Madeira's east coast.
Can visitors play Santo da Serra?
Yes. Santo da Serra welcomes visitors with a current handicap. Tee times are booked through the golf shop or a Madeira golf operator, and green fees were from about 95 euros in the 2026 season.
What tournament does Santo da Serra host?
Santo da Serra has hosted the Madeira Islands Open, a European Tour and Challenge Tour event, for much of its modern history, played on the Machico and Desertas championship loop.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.