The Santo da Serra Golf Club overlooks the bay of Machico, the location where the island discoverers boarded the island.
The original course, built in 1937, was redesigned in 1991 by the renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., who crafted a spectacular and completely new 27-hole course amidst some of the most beautiful natural scenery.
Holes 3 and 4 of the Machico course are the hallmark, becoming memorable for those who play here.
Book a Tee Time at Santo da Serra Golf Club Madeira
The Machico and Desertas courses are the ones played by professionals in the Madeira Islands Open, which is part of the PGA European Tour. The Serras course is a pleasant alternative featuring lakes, mountain views, and flat terrain.
Each hole offers four tee options, allowing players to choose the level of difficulty they prefer, whether a more relaxed game or a challenge at a professional level.
Awards
Santo da Serra has earned consistent recognition from the global golf community:
- 2025 – Portugal’s Best Golf Course (Players’ Choice Category) – Golfamore Awards(voted by over 100,000 European golfers)
- 2025 – World’s Best Par 3 Hole (4th hole, Machico course) – World Golf Awards
- 2024 – World’s Best Par 3 Hole (4th hole, Machico course) – World Golf Awards
- 2024 – World’s Best Sustainable Water Capture Course System – World Golf Awards
- 2019 – World’s Best Emerging Golf Destination – World Golf Awards
Santo da Serra Golf Courses
The Machico Course at Golf Club Santo da Serra is a standout for its dramatic coastal scenery and challenging layout. Holes 3 and 4 are perched over 2,200 feet above the Atlantic, with sweeping views across Machico Bay that make them among the most photographed holes in Portuguese golf.
The course is demanding and rewarding in equal measure, with coastal exposure and elevation changes that keep every round engaging. This is the course that hosts the Madeira Islands Open, and the quality shows throughout.
The Desertas Course, part of the championship setup at Golf Club Santo da Serra, offers golfers a mix of challenging terrain and stunning natural beauty. This course is known for its elevation changes and the memorable par-five 2nd hole, which presents a significant drop towards a lake-guarded fairway. Varied terrain and elevation make it a strong complement to the Machico Course, and playing both in the same visit is a popular choice for serious golfers.
The Serras Course at Golf Club Santo da Serra provides a tranquil golfing experience, ideal for players of all skill levels. Set inland, this course is surrounded by lush, mountainous scenery, offering a peaceful environment with wide fairways and a variety of hole designs. The Serras Course is perfect for those seeking a more relaxed round, while still enjoying the challenge and natural beauty that characterise all courses at Santo da Serra.
Meeting Point
Clube de Golf Santo da Serra – Santo António da Serra, 9200-152 Machico
Extras
Green Fees:
9 holes: €95
18 holes: €145
Buggy
9 holes: €50
18 holes: €60
Rental Clubs
Taylormade: €65
Trolley
9 / 18 holes: €15
The above rates may be changed without any previous warning
