Madeira Golf Holidays
Two scenic mountain courses above Funchal, a Seve Ballesteros design on Porto Santo, and a springlike climate almost every day of the year. Madeira is golf with a view, on one of the Atlantic's most dramatic islands.
Photo: Palheiro Golf via Google.
Who this trip suits
A Madeira golf holiday is the scenic, year round alternative to the Portuguese mainland. The island sits in the Atlantic off the African coast, blessed with a mild, springlike climate that makes golf comfortable in every season, and its courses are spread high in the hills with long views over Funchal and the sea. It suits a couple or a small group who want golf with character and scenery rather than a flat resort strip, and who like a destination that rewards the days off the course as much as the rounds.
Funchal is the natural base, an elegant, walkable city of gardens, the famous Reid's tradition of afternoon tea, fine wine and a buzzing harbor. From there the two island courses are a short drive into the hills, and the third, on the golden island of Porto Santo, is a memorable day trip by ferry or a short hop by plane. We build the week around the golf and the island, and arrange the transfers, the hotel and the tee times. For the wider region see our Madeira hub and Portugal guide.
The courses to build it around
| Course | Designer and note | Indicative green fee |
|---|---|---|
| Palheiro Golf | Cabell Robinson, 1993, par 72, above Funchal | From about 90 EUR |
| Santo da Serra | Robert Trent Jones Sr, 27 holes, Madeira Island Open host | From about 92 EUR |
| Porto Santo Golfe | Seve Ballesteros, cliffs and links, Porto Santo island | From about 75 EUR |
Designers, opening year and indicative green fees verified June 2026 from the courses and recognized Madeira sources. Palheiro is a Cabell Robinson design from 1993, Santo da Serra a Robert Trent Jones Sr layout that hosts the Madeira Island Open, and Porto Santo a Seve Ballesteros design. Always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
A sample week
Day 1, arrive into Funchal
Fly into Madeira, transfer to a Funchal hotel, an evening stroll along the harbor and dinner in the old town.
Day 2, Palheiro Golf
The opening round on the Cabell Robinson course high on the Palheiro estate, with views over the bay through pine and subtropical planting.
Day 3, the island and a free day
A day off the course: the cable car to Monte, the levada walks, the botanical gardens or a tasting of Madeira wine.
Day 4, Santo da Serra
The 27 hole Robert Trent Jones Sr course that hosts the island's European Tour event, dramatic and high in the hills above Machico.
Day 5, Porto Santo day trip
The ferry or a short flight to Porto Santo for the Seve Ballesteros course along the cliffs, with time on the famous golden beach.
Day 6, free morning and fly home
A relaxed last morning in Funchal, perhaps the market or afternoon tea, before the transfer to the airport.
Indicative package range
| Trip level | Per head, indicative | What it tends to include |
|---|---|---|
| Value | From about 1,200 to 1,700 EUR | Four star Funchal hotel, three rounds and transfers. |
| Premium | About 1,900 to 2,500 EUR | Five star hotel, both island courses plus Porto Santo, buggies and a driver. |
| Luxury | About 3,000 EUR and up | Reid's Palace or top suites, the full course card and the best of the island. |
Best time to book. Madeira plays year round thanks to its mild Atlantic climate, with spring and autumn the sweet spots and winter a popular escape from colder northern Europe. The mountain courses can catch cloud and a passing shower at altitude, so pack a layer whenever you go and reserve tee times in the busy winter window. For the full hand built trip, send the brief below or compare with Portugal golf holidays.
Plan a Madeira golf holiday
Tell us roughly when, how many are travelling and the courses you want, and one concierge costs the whole trip to the head, arranges the Porto Santo day and replies within one working day, with no obligation.
Frequently asked
Why is Madeira good for a golf holiday?
Madeira offers a mild, springlike climate almost year round, two scenic mountain courses above Funchal and a Seve Ballesteros design on the neighbouring island of Porto Santo, all wrapped in some of the most dramatic island scenery in the Atlantic. The golf sits high above the sea with long views, Funchal is an elegant, walkable base, and the wider island rewards the non golf days. It suits a couple or a small group who want golf with character and scenery.
Which courses should a Madeira golf holiday include?
Build around Palheiro Golf, the Cabell Robinson design that opened in 1993 high on the Palheiro estate above Funchal, and Santo da Serra, the Robert Trent Jones Sr 27 hole course that hosts the Madeira Island Open. For a memorable extra day, take the ferry or a short flight to Porto Santo and play the Seve Ballesteros designed course along the cliffs. Three distinct, scenic layouts make a full week.
How much does a golf holiday in Madeira cost in 2026?
Madeira is good value for a scenic destination. Indicative 2026 green fees run from around 90 EUR for 18 holes at Palheiro and about 92 EUR at Santo da Serra, with Porto Santo similar, and a week with a Funchal hotel, three or four rounds and transfers typically lands from around 1,200 to 2,500 EUR per head excluding flights. Rates change, so always confirm directly before booking.
When is the best time to play golf in Madeira?
Madeira is a year round destination thanks to its mild Atlantic climate, with comfortable golf in every season. Spring and autumn are the sweet spots for warm, settled weather, while winter is a popular escape from colder northern Europe. The mountain courses can catch cloud and a passing shower at altitude, so pack a layer whenever you go and reserve tee times in the busy winter window.
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. Course facts and indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.