Blessed with world-class golf, an idyllic climate and numerous
five-star lifestyle experiences in a safe and secure environment, Madeira is one of Europe’s standout new golf destinations.
As well as a collection of stunning, yet different, golfing layouts – designed by Cabell B Robinson, Robert Trent Jones Snr and the late Severiano Ballesteros – Madeira boasts an array of glorious coastal vistas; outstanding gastronomy and wines; endless sandy beaches; excellent water sports; world-renowned gardens and parks; and a lively and historic capital, Funchal.
Madeira was named as Europe’s leading island destination at the 2021 World Travel Awards for the eighth year in a row. Also known as ‘the islands of eternal spring’, Madeira has a population of only 260,000.
On the same latitude as Morocco, the Atlantic archipelago has a sub-tropical climate, a rich volcanic soil and a unique eco-system. It is one of the only places on the planet where banana trees grow next to vineyards.
In 1999 the archipelago was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and five areas have been declared nature reserves. The Madeira Nature Reserve covers a substantial two-thirds of the main island.
Golfers from the UK and across northern Europe have headed to Madeira in increasing numbers in recent years.
Explore a vast array of landscapes
The island’s natural world is incredibly diverse. Above the coastline are high, rainforest-covered mountains, lush and rich in native species such as the near-extinct La Gomera laurel tree and the eerily beautiful (and curiously named) stinkwood, which can grow to 130ft in height. Higher still, above the treeline, you’ll find a more rugged beauty, with rocky and herbaceous pastures filled with pretty flowering heathers and, occasionally, native blueberries.
New flight routes make Madeira more accessible in 2022
The popularity of Madeira as a holiday destination for European golfers is set to soar even further this year with the launch of five new flight routes to the sunshine island – from Ireland, France, Belgium and Italy.
The islands will be more accessible than ever to golfers from this spring following Ryanair’s announcement that they will be operating new flights to Madeira’s capital Funchal from five airports: Dublin, Paris Beauvais and Marseille in France, Brussels Charleroi and Milan-Bergamo.
The twice-weekly services are part of a new schedule revealed by the low-cost airline. Adding capacity to already serviced cities such as Manchester, London Stansted and Nuremberg, Ryanair’s introduction of 10 routes will connect Madeira with mainland Portugal and six other European countries, helping to strengthen the archipelago’s position as one of the continent’s leading tourism destinations.
