For sports lovers worldwide, Madeira may immediately spring to mind as the birthplace and childhood home of one of Portugal’s most famous modern exports – five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo. The islands’ main airport near Funchal is named after the record-breaking star and the mere mention of the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend will likely spawn many a conversation between locals and tourists reliving some of his most famous footballing moments.
Many of Ronaldo’s family still live in the area where he grew up in the suburbs of the main island’s capital, Funchal. But it is in another sport that Madeira has been making headlines over the last few years, with golfers from all over Europe and beyond flocking to this idyllic Portuguese archipelago to take advantage of its three breathtaking golf courses and everything
