The idyllic island destination of Madeira is once again preparing to welcome golfers from Europe and beyond for another unique winter season on the award-winning archipelago.
Thousands of players each year flock to Madeira to experience the destination’s three golf courses, vibrant culture and spectacular cuisine while basking in a pleasant subtropical climate that – with winter temperatures rarely averaging below 17°C – is ideal for golf.
As autumn marches on, Madeira and its 250,000-strong population are looking ahead to the November opening of the Funchal Christmas Market, where festive delights and local crafts hail the start of the winter celebrations. The start of December will see the turning on of the Christmas lights switch on in Madeira’s capital, marking the official beginning of the holiday season.
The archipelago’s Christmas traditions centre on Funchal, including “Missa do Galo” – a midnight mass celebrated on Christmas Eve. Madeiran homes are filled with ornaments made from traditional materials such as straw and leaves; The sounds of Janeiras – traditional seasonal songs akin to Christmas carols – fill the streets thanks to groups who serenade residents in exchange for treats.
After the big day itself, guests can soak in the “Christmas in Funchal” choir festival at various churches throughout the archipelago, before New Year’s celebrations take over and Madeira welcomes in 2026.
Madeira will also hope for further success at the 2025 World Travel Awards, particularly in the category of ‘World’s Leading Island Destination’ – which the archipelago won for a staggering tenth consecutive year in 2024 at a gala ceremony hosted in Funchal’s own Savoy Palace Hotel.
Sara Marote, executive director at the Madeira Promotion Bureau, said: “Winter is always a special time in Madeira; our vibrant culture and local spirit is never stronger than in the weeks around Christmas.
“Many people also pick Madeira for their winter golf escape, because the weather here is ideal for golf all through the year, and we expect the end of this year to be no different as we head into 2026.”
In the world of golf, Madeira is known for its trio of venues, each of which offer a different experience for golfers: Palheiro Golf, designed by renowned architect Cabell B. Robinson; Robert Trent Jones’ 27-hole masterpiece Clube de Golf Santo da Serra; and Porto Santo Golfe, one of the most iconic designs by five-time Major winner Seve Ballesteros.
A new layout, designed by legendary golfer Sir Nick Faldo, is set to open in 2026 at Ponta do Pargo on the westernmost point of Madeira’s main island.
Golfers visiting over winter can take advantage of the Madeira Golf Passport, which includes three rounds of golf at either Clube de Golf Santo da Serra or Palheiro Golf from just €280 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 https://madeiraeverythingyouareinto.visitmadeira.com/