The appetite to play golf in Madeira continues to grow in the UK and Europe with the Portuguese archipelago reporting an increase of more than ten per cent in the number of international rounds played in 2025.
Boosted by an increase in the number of direct flights, the idyllic island destination was more popular than ever with continental golfers last year with the amount of international green fees booked rising by 10.2 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024 figures.
Madeira performed particularly well in its four biggest overseas markets with the number of players visiting from Scandinavia, Germany, the UK and France all increasing. The islands’ three golf courses – Palheiro Golf, Clube de Golf Santo da Serra and Porto Santo Golfe – proved particularly popular with German golfers with green-fee numbers up by 14 per cent, closely followed by the Nordic market (12 per cent rise) and players from the UK (nine per cent increase).
There were encouraging figures to report closer to home as well as golf, with the number of rounds by members at the three Madeira courses rising by 2.5 per cent and the amount of non-member rounds played up by an impressive 14.9 per cent.
Named as the ‘World’s Leading Island Destination’ for the 11th year in a row at the 2025 World Travel Awards, Madeira‘s impressive golf and lifestyle offering combined with a temperate climate make it the perfect year-round location for a golf break.
And Madeira is set to enhance its reputation as one of Europe’s fastest growing golf destinations after recently confirming plans to open 36 new holes in the archipelago.
The holiday island is already set to welcome a fourth golf venue when an 18-hole championship course designed by six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo opens at Ponta do Pargo in 2027. But, in addition to that, the Madeira government has unveiled plans to create two new nine-hole courses at Clube de Golf Santo da Serra and Porto Santo Golfe.
“The growth we are seeing in international rounds reflects the growing appeal of Madeira as a premium golf destination,” said Sara Marote, executive director of Madeira Promotion Bureau. “With new developments including the forthcoming championship course designed by Sir Nick Faldo and additional holes planned across the islands, we are confident Madeira will continue to attract even more golfers from across the UK and Europe in the years ahead.”
Located approximately 1,000km from the European mainland – and just 500km from the African continent – Madeira enjoys an amazingly mild climate, ranging from 25°c in the summer to 17°c in the winter.
The best way for travelling golfers to experience the idyllic islands is with the Madeira Golf Passport, which includes three rounds of golf at either Clube de Golf Santo da Serra or Palheiro Golf from just €290 per person. The passport – which includes free transfers between course and hotel – can be upgraded to include additional rounds and a day at Porto Santo Golfe.
For more information on Madeira visit Everything you’re into. – Visit Madeira