More golfers from across northern Europe are turning to the holiday destination of Madeira to spend the winter enjoying their favourite pastime.
Golf tour operators from across the UK and the continent have reported increased interest from players eager to head to the Portuguese islands for a long-term stay-and-play break over the coming months.
Madeira’s growing reputation for offering a safe and secure environment to play golf has been reflected in the recent rise in long stay winter enquiries.
To support the new type of customer, Discover Madeira – the consumer-facing brand of the Madeira Promotion Bureau – has launched a new unlimited golf passport incorporating golf at two of the island’s top venues, Santo da Serra and Palheiro Golf– with packages from €56 per person per day, including accommodation.
Discover Madeira has produced four short films showcasing the suitability of the islands for a stay-and-play golfing break following the Covid-19 pandemic as part of its “Madeira Safe to Discover” campaign.
And golfers seeking a lengthy stay can choose from a range of self-catering accommodation at Palheiro Village, which is adjacent to Palheiro Golf and features a wide variety of apartments and villas, with prices starting from €56 per person per day for a one-bedroom apartment, based on two people sharing for a minimum two-month stay and including unlimited golf both at Palheiro Golf and Santo da Serra.
Madeira and her islands have taken every step to ensure the safety of every resident and visitor since the Covid lockdown was lifted. Discover Madeira has worked tirelessly with the local and Portuguese authorities to make the islands a safe destination for holidaymakers to return to, as well as working closely with SGS, the world leader in certification, to ensure good practices for the prevention and control of Covid-19 and other possible infections.
Hotels, restaurants, bars, golf clubs and other tourist activities across the islands have also adopted the ‘Clean and Safe’ stamp, created by VisitPortugal, which distinguishes tourist activities which are compliant with certain hygiene and cleaning requirements.
Madeira is home to three golf courses , with Santo da Serra and Palheiro Golf located on the mainland, and Porto Santo Golf located on the nearby island of Porto Santo.
Located approximately 1,000km from the European mainland – and just 500km from the African continent – Madeira enjoys a mild climate, ranging from 25°c in the summer to 17°c in the winter, with very mild average temperatures and moderate humidity, making it the perfect year-round destination for a golf break.