There is an archipelago between Europe and America that I think many would like to reach. The Azores is one of the most beautiful natural attractions!
The archipelago was formed as a result of volcanic activity, so most of the coast is rocky, offering great views of the ocean. It is 1500 km away from Lisbon and about 3900 km from North America.
The easiest access from Europe is from Porto, Lisbon and London. There are two main airports, Ponta Delgada and Terceira.
Table of Contents
Sao Miguel
As I wrote above, this is the closest island to Europe and perhaps the most popular. In terms of size and shape, it is very similar to Lake Balaton. It is often called the green island because of the vegetation covering the mountains and volcanic craters.
Ponta Delgada
The capital can actually be explored in half a day. Charming cobblestone streets, parks, cafes, medieval churches color the downtown. It is noticeable that the color of most buildings is white.
The city’s symbol, the Sao Miguel Sebastiao Cathedral, near the city gate, is definitely worth highlighting.
Near the shore, close to the harbor, stands the Sao Bras fortress, which served as protection against pirates centuries ago.
Sete Cidades
The caldera lakes in the western part were formed after the collapse of a former volcanic peak.
The lake consists of two parts, a smaller green-water part and a larger blue-water part, connected by a bridge. According to local legends, the two differently colored lakes were formed from the tears of two lovers, a princess and a shepherd, who were separated by fate.
The view from the Vista do Rei (King’s Viewpoint) is the best, from where you can see two lakes and the ocean behind.
Furnas
Near the eastern settlement, there are many geysers. A local specialty is that an Azorean dish, cozido (stew), is cooked in pots placed in the geyser holes.
In the town, there is the Terra Nostra park, where you can bathe in a dark-colored lake. This is due to the high iron content, and the water is comfortably warm, over 35 degrees Celsius.
Farol do Arnel
On the eastern coast lies the oldest lighthouse in the Azores, built in 1876.
To reach the tower, you must descend a steep and winding road, which is an adventure in itself. The white-painted tower with a red dome, built on the seaside cliffs, offers a wonderful view of the ocean.
It is open on Wednesday afternoons.
Whale and Dolphin Watching Tours
Since the archipelago is right on the migration route, you are almost certain to see whales.
Although these tours are not cheap, the experience is definitely worth it. Before departure, the guide gives a brief presentation on the different types of dolphins and whales.
Arruda Pineapple Plantation
This family farm in Europe is unique, where pineapples grow all year round.
In the greenhouses, you can see the entire cultivation process from planting to harvest, including the care of the plants and the ripening of the fruits. The pineapples are known for their rich taste and sweet aroma, distinguishing them from pineapples grown in other parts of the world.
In the plantation store, you can buy a variety of pineapple products.
Chá Gorreana Tea Plantation
This is Europe’s only tea plantation and largest tea factory.
You can walk through the terraced plantations, see the harvesting, and processing. In the factory, you can view the old machines still in use, which dry, sort, and package the tea leaves.
In addition, you can taste various types of teas, such as green tea and oolong tea. There is a small shop on-site where you can buy freshly processed tea and other souvenirs.
Vila Franco do Campo Island
A short boat ride from the town on the southern side takes you to a marine volcano crater, where you can swim or dive in a beautiful lagoon.
In the following, I will present the other 8 islands in pictures and a few sentences.
Terceira
The 2nd most visited island, although it does not have as many attractions as Sao Miguel. Bullfighting is a big tradition on the island.
The center of the island is Angra do Heroismo, a wonderful Renaissance city, part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The old town reflects Portuguese, American, and Brazilian influences.
The island is famous for its caves, among which Algar do Carvao is the most well-known. It is a lava cave, with fantastic formations created from volcanic activity.
Near Biscoitos village, volcanic lava has created swimming pools in which you can swim in pleasant water. Something similar can be found in Tenerife.
The Serra do Cume viewpoint is not to be missed. From there, you can see a huge area divided into rectangular parcels, with the ocean in the background.
Santa Maria
The southernmost member of the eastern archipelago, therefore it is warmer here. Its best beach is Formosa Beach, a small but very beautiful seaside area.
Its most beautiful natural wonder is the Cascata do Aveiro waterfall, which plunges more than 100 meters into the depths.
Graciosa
This island is famous for its red-roofed windmills and star-shaped sweets (Queijadas da Graciosa). Another interesting feature is that the houses are uniformly whitewashed.
Furna do Enxofre is a volcanic cave located in the middle of a caldera. You can descend 183 steps to a depth of 37 meters, at the bottom of which a sulfuric lake bubbles.
Sao Jorge
The characteristic of the island is that the lava flowing out of the volcano solidified on the seashore, creating flat shores at the foot of the mountains. These areas are called fajas. Small villages have settled on these, each with a brilliant atmosphere.
Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo is one of the most popular, which is mostly a paradise for surfers and hikers.
In Faja dos Vimes village, you will find Europe’s only coffee plantation, operated by a local family. Although it’s not a large area, it’s worth visiting and tasting the fresh coffee in their café.
While wandering the island, you may notice the many cows. Consequently, the island is also famous for its cheese. Almost every restaurant offers a cheese appetizer.
Pico
In the former chimney of volcanoes here, lakes have also been formed. The still active volcano, Pico Alto, beautifully dominates the island.
Many come here to climb Pico. There is only one starting point for the summit, from the Casa da Montanha center, which is located at 1230 meters above sea level. From there, you need to reach the 2351-meter-high peak by walking 7.6 km. Before starting, they give you a GPS to track your journey. The tour costs 15 € (as of 2024). You might have to wait at the start because the number of participants is limited. Information can be found here!
Besides Pico, the other main attraction is the Gruta das Torres lava cave. This is Portugal’s largest natural formation of its kind, stretching 5150 meters. It can only be visited on a guided tour and you must register in advance via the email or phone number found on this page.
There is also a famous wine region here, where the vineyards are separated by basalt walls. The view from the Moinho do Frade windmill over the plantations is the best.
Faial
Of all the islands, Faial is the most active volcanic island. The best example of this is the Capelinhos peninsula, which is one of the youngest land areas.
The peninsula was formed in 1957 by a volcanic eruption, creating this 2 square meter area. It is now a popular excursion destination, with an underground visitor center and an old lighthouse.
Flores
Perhaps the most beautiful island in terms of nature (the island’s name translates to ‘flower’), it’s a pity that it is also the furthest away. Since it lies on the American tectonic plate, volcanic activity shaped the island.
Its two most famous crater lakes are Caldeira Comprida and Caldeira Negra. Its highest point is Morro Alto, at 914 meters. It has two main towns: one is Santa Cruz, which is the center, and the other is Lajes.
Perhaps the most beautiful phenomena of the island are the waterfalls. One of the most spectacular is near Faja Grande, where about 20 waterfalls cascade side by side into the depths from the strikingly green rock face.
Corvo
The smallest island, hence there are relatively few attractions. It can be reached by boat from Flores Island or by plane from Ponta Delgada. There is one settlement on the island, Villa do Corvo in the southern tip, with about 500 inhabitants.
Its real attraction is the more than 1 km diameter volcanic crater. Smaller lakes are located inside it, accessible by hiking trails. The sea of grass and hydrangea bushes provide a splendid view.
Azores weather
It’s important to note that it’s not primarily an ideal location for beach holidays, as the Atlantic Ocean exerts a cooling effect in summer (and a warming effect in winter). It’s mainly for those who love nature and active rest, and they will find it here indeed!
Because of the above, the weather is variable and different on each island. Generally, the best time is from April to October. Rain is not uncommon, it can start at any time, but the amount is not significant during this period. However, even in summer, it’s not very hot, with temperatures above 30°C almost unknown. In winter, the weather is mild, around 15°C, and it doesn’t usually drop below 10°C at night.
For these reasons, as I’ve already written: you shouldn’t come here for the beach! In summer, the water temperature is 21-23°C, which many find unpleasant.
For those truly mesmerized by nature, the winning weeks start from mid-May, as that’s when the widely acclaimed hydrangeas bloom.