There are three golf venues in the Madeira archipelago: Palheiro Golf and Clube de Golf Santo da Serra on Madeira Island, plus Porto Santo Golfe on neighbouring Porto Santo. Together, they offer two distinctly different Madeira rounds and one compelling island-extension course, rather than a long list of near-identical resort layouts. In this updated guide: compare every course, understand the difference between Santo da Serra’s 27 holes and Porto Santo’s 18-hole championship course, check currently published green-fee prices, and decide how to travel from Funchal with or without your own clubs.
The short answer: three golf courses across two islands
For visitors asking how many golf courses are there in Madeira, the practical answer is three: Palheiro Golf, Santo da Serra Golf Club e Porto Santo Golfe. Madeira Island has the first two, while Porto Santo has the third. The regional tourism board lists Palheiro as an 18-hole course, Santo da Serra as a 27-hole club, and Porto Santo as an 18-hole course designed by Severiano Ballesteros.
That distinction matters when planning a golf break. Santo da Serra’s 27 holes are arranged as three nine-hole courses, allowing the club to create different 18-hole combinations. Porto Santo also has a separate nine-hole par-3 circuit, but its main championship layout is 18 holes. It is therefore best to think of Madeira as a compact three-course destination with genuine variety, rather than as an island where you can play a different full-size course every day for a week.
| Course | Localização | Main layout | Best for | Published visitor price | Getting there from Funchal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palheiro Golf | São Gonçalo, above Funchal | 18 holes, par 72 | Scenic hillside golf and a convenient Funchal stay | €130 day ticket; premium clubs €55; buggy €50 | Taxi, hire car or pre-arranged hotel/course transfer |
| Clube de Golf Santo da Serra | Santo António da Serra, east Madeira | 27 holes in three nine-hole loops | The broadest choice of 18-hole combinations | Check directly with the club when reserving | Hire car, taxi or pre-booked transfer recommended |
| Porto Santo Golfe | Porto Santo Island | 18 holes plus 9-hole par-3 course | A longer island break and dramatic coastal holes | €140 for 18 holes; buggy €60; par-3 course €40 | Flight or ferry from Madeira, then a pre-booked transfer or car |
Palheiro Golf: the best choice for golfers staying in Funchal
Palheiro Golf is the most straightforward full round for visitors based in Funchal. It sits around 500 metres above sea level on the Palheiro Nature Estate, looking down towards the city and Atlantic, with maritime pines, botanical planting, ridges and valleys shaping the experience. The Cabell B. Robinson design is an 18-hole, par-72 course: attractive, polished and far from flat.
This is the sensible first booking if you have limited time, are travelling with non-golfers, or want a round that combines naturally with Funchal sightseeing. The estate is also close to Palheiro Gardens, making the area particularly appealing for couples who do not want the day to revolve entirely around golf.
Palheiro publishes a standard day ticket of €130. Premium hire clubs cost €55 for 18 holes, a buggy costs €50, and a manual trolley costs €9 per day. The club also advertises a weekly unlimited-golf rate, although it is worth confirming availability and any conditions directly before building a holiday around it.
For transport, a hire car or taxi is the simplest option. Some partner hotels have special rates and a courtesy-bus arrangement, but this is not a general public shuttle, so do not assume your Funchal hotel provides it. Book an early tee time if you want to leave the afternoon free for the old town, a coastal walk or dinner in the city.
Santo da Serra: Madeira’s most flexible championship test
Santo da Serra is Madeira’s largest golf facility, with 27 holes created by Robert Trent Jones Sr. The Machico, Desertas and Serras loops are set in lush, elevated countryside above Machico Bay. The Machico and Desertas courses are the combinations most associated with the former Madeira Island Open, while Serras is described by the club as slightly flatter but still demanding.
Choose Santo da Serra if you value variety, want to play more than once without repeating exactly the same 18 holes, or prefer a traditional club atmosphere over an estate-style Funchal round. It is also an excellent option for mixed-ability groups: four tee options at every hole help the club accommodate different standards of player. Expect a greener, cooler-feeling setting than central Funchal, particularly when cloud settles over the uplands.
The club is in Santo António da Serra, in the east of Madeira. A hire car gives you the greatest flexibility, especially if you want to stop at viewpoints or explore Machico afterwards; see our guide to Madeira’s viewpoints for ideas. Taxis and pre-arranged private transfers are the more relaxed choice if everyone in the group is playing.
Santo da Serra’s current public website focuses on tee-time enquiries rather than displaying a simple visitor rate card. Ask for the green fee, buggy availability, hire clubs and any handicap requirements when reserving, rather than relying on old package prices found elsewhere online.
Porto Santo Golfe: worth adding for the Ballesteros design
Porto Santo Golfe is the reason keen golfers should consider extending their Madeira holiday by at least one night. Designed by Severiano Ballesteros and opened in 2004, the 18-hole course crosses Porto Santo from the south side towards the island’s basalt cliffs in the north. The southern section uses lakes and demands controlled, accurate golf; the northern holes bring the dramatic cliff-top setting that makes the course memorable.
The club also has a nine-hole par-3 course, driving range, clubhouse, shop, changing rooms and restaurant/bar. Its published tariff lists an 18-hole green fee at €140, a nine-hole green fee at €90 and the par-3 course at €40. A buggy is €60 for 18 holes, while manual and electric trolleys are also available.
From Funchal, you can reach Porto Santo by a short inter-island flight or by the Lobo Marinho ferry. Visit Madeira gives a flight time of about 15 minutes and a ferry journey of around two and a half hours; allow additional time for port procedures and transfers at both ends. The ferry operator sells golf-inclusive day-cruise packages, but an overnight stay is usually more enjoyable: it leaves room for a proper warm-up, an unhurried round and time on Porto Santo’s long sandy beach.
Booking, dress code, club hire and transport: practical planning
Book tee times before confirming your hotel if golf is the main purpose of the trip, particularly for autumn, winter and spring dates. Madeira can be played throughout the year, but wind, rain and low cloud can affect conditions at the higher courses, while ferry operations are naturally more weather-sensitive than a round at Palheiro.
For dress, take conventional smart golf clothing: a collared shirt, tailored shorts or trousers, golf socks and proper golf shoes. Avoid treating the course like a beach activity, even on warm days. Each club can apply its own rules, so confirm the current dress code, soft-spike policy and handicap expectations when booking.
If you are travelling light, Palheiro is the easiest course to price in advance because it publishes premium club hire. Porto Santo’s current public tariff clearly lists buggies and trolleys, but not a full visitor club-set rental price; contact the club ahead of time if you need one. At Santo da Serra, arrange hire equipment directly with reservations rather than assuming sets will be available on the day.
- Book the course, then the transport: tee-time availability should determine whether you choose a Funchal-only trip or add Porto Santo.
- Take layers to Santo da Serra: its elevated position can feel considerably cooler and damper than Funchal.
- Do not underestimate Palheiro’s slopes: a buggy can be a worthwhile comfort choice, especially in humid weather.
- Allow an overnight stay for Porto Santo: it is far more relaxed than trying to fit ferry crossings and 18 holes into one tightly timed day.
- Confirm hire clubs in writing: this is essential during busy periods and saves carrying a full set unnecessarily.
- Build in a non-golf day: Madeira rewards time away from the fairways, whether on a levada walk or at the coast.
Perguntas frequentes
How many golf courses are there in Madeira?
There are three golf venues in the Madeira archipelago: Palheiro Golf and Santo da Serra on Madeira Island, plus Porto Santo Golfe on Porto Santo Island.
Which Madeira golf course is closest to Funchal?
Palheiro Golf is the most convenient option for visitors staying in Funchal. It is above the city in São Gonçalo, while Santo da Serra is farther east and Porto Santo requires an inter-island journey.
Is Porto Santo Golf an 18-hole or 27-hole course?
The main Porto Santo Golfe course is an 18-hole championship layout. It also has a separate nine-hole par-3 course, which is useful for practice, beginners or a shorter golf session.
Do I need to bring my own golf clubs to Madeira?
No, but reserve in advance if you need hire clubs. Palheiro publishes premium-club rental, while availability and prices at Santo da Serra and Porto Santo should be confirmed directly with the clubs when booking.
Facts and prices verified in October 2026. Continue planning with our guides to Madeira Airport parking, Madeira’s longest beaches e restaurant reservations in Madeira.
