Palheiro Golf Review (Madeira)

Palheiro Golf is the marquee golf venue on the island of Madeira. Designed by Cabell Robinson and integrated into the Palheiro Estate (a historic British-developed garden estate above Funchal), it offers one of Europe’s most distinctive subtropical golf experiences.

Course at a Glance

• Architect: Cabell Robinson
• Holes: 18, par 72
• Style: Mountain subtropical
• Location: Funchal area, Madeira island
• Distance from Funchal Airport (FNC): 25 minutes

What Makes Palheiro Special

The course descends through subtropical gardens with spectacular Atlantic views over Funchal and the Madeira coastline. Few European courses offer this combination of mountain setting, ocean views and subtropical vegetation. The Palheiro Estate itself was developed by British landscapers in the Victorian era — adding historical depth to the golf experience.

The wider Casa Velha do Palheiro heritage hotel (member of Relais & Châteaux) sits within the estate, making this a complete short-break destination. Visitors typically combine 1-2 rounds with hiking levadas, garden visits and Funchal city time.

For the Visiting Golfer

Palheiro works best as:

• The flagship round of any Madeira golf trip
• Part of a Funchal-based golf + nature itinerary
• A short-break destination with on-site heritage accommodation

Practical notes: book 1-2 weeks ahead. Madeira weather is reliably mild — most days are playable. Pair with a Santo da Serra round for a 2-course Madeira mini-trip.

Related Pages

• Madeira Golf Guide
• Top 15 Best Golf Courses in Portugal