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.

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.

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Having visited several times and in various places myself, I can also confirm the above statement. It’s one of the most pleasant countries I have been to.

Best places in Portugal

Porto

Although it’s usual to start with the capital, I’ll begin with Porto. Many consider it one of the most atmospheric cities in Europe.

Located along the Douro River, this city is the center of Portuguese wines. When visiting Porto, don’t miss the Vila Nova de Gaia district, where wine bars and cellars line up one after another!

The Ribeira district captures the essence of Porto’s past. Its alleys hide many bars and cafés, transforming into a lively area at night.

And of course, the Lello bookstore is a must-visit! Not familiar with the name? Then you might not know the Harry Potter series. Hogwarts’ staircase was modeled after the stairs in this bookstore.

Porto attractions

Lisbon

Perhaps this capital city should be the first stop. The city is crisscrossed by charming, old-school trams that have become a tourist attraction, with their unique design becoming a symbol of Lisbon.

In the city’s famous districts (Alfama, Bairro Alto, Baixa), immerse yourself in the narrow, atmospheric streets, where numerous bars, restaurants, and cafés evoke the true Portuguese spirit.

Lisbon is permeated with the era of great maritime discoveries. The memory of these times can be seen in many places, which have become popular tourist destinations.

Lisbon attractions

Madeira

There is an island between the Azores and Canary Islands that is a mix of a jungle and a botanical garden.

For those who love active relaxation and hiking, Madeira is the perfect terrain. The outstanding routes are the levadas, where you can hike along lengthy water channels.

Wonderful vegetation, quaint villages, and beautiful viewpoints await those who choose this island!

Madeira attractions, hikes

Óbidos

This town near the capital is famous for its city walls and castle, which were originally built by the Moors in the 8th century.

The city walls were severely damaged in the earthquake of 1775, but fortunately, they were beautifully restored in the mid-20th century. You can walk along the high city walls.

Óbidos was the town of the Portuguese queens until 1833, being the personal property of the queens. Therefore, it was given special attention.

For chocolate lovers, the best time to visit is during spring. The International Chocolate Festival here is one of the largest of its kind in the world.

Azores

There is an archipelago between Europe and America, which I think many people would like to visit. Often referred to as Europe’s Hawaii, it’s not an exaggeration to call it a paradise for nature lovers.

Each of the nine islands in the area offers something new. On one, you can find fantastic crater lakes, or calderas, on another, high green cliffs with cascading waterfalls. There are also volcanic caves, climbable volcanic mountains, and volcanic lava beaches.

In short, for those who want to explore a wild, beautiful landscape, the Azores are a perfect choice!

Azores attractions

Praia da Falesia

And while we’re in the Algarve region, we cannot miss out on a popular and fantastic beach, which rightly ranks among Europe’s most beautiful coastlines.

The beach between Albufeira and Quarteira is popular not just for its sand and turquoise water. Behind the beach, red cliffs rise, at the foot of which we can enjoy relaxation.

Lagos

One of the most beautiful cities in Portugal’s popular holiday region, the Algarve.

Lagos was the main starting point for Portuguese exploratory voyages in the 15th century. This is why the city’s promenade is called the Avenue of the Discoverers.

The city center is situated around a lagoon where you can stroll beside beautiful yachts. The city has a long, sandy beach, one of the most beautiful in Portugal.

However, its most famous part is not this, but Ponta da Piedade. It consists of several rock formations with caves. There’s a beautiful view of the ocean from above.

Sintra

West of Lisbon, there is a town famous for its colorful palace.

The palace, once the summer residence of the Portuguese kings, sits atop a hill offering fantastic views. The castle is seen in many colors, as each tower and balcony is painted differently.

Fortunately, it’s easily accessible by train from Lisbon, making it an unmissable attraction!

Évora

Located to the east of Lisbon, this city has a history spanning about 2000 years. It was a favorite residence of the Portuguese kings until the Spanish occupation.

Several architectural styles are noticeable throughout the city, easily discovered while walking around. It became a significant settlement during Roman times and later fell into the hands of the Moors. Évora’s historical quarter is part of UNESCO’s cultural world heritage.

Many consider the city and the Alentejo region to be the most beautiful part of Portugal.

Coimbra

If you’re traveling by train between Porto and Lisbon, it’s worth stopping for a few hours in this wonderful small town.

In the old town, on a hill, rises Portugal’s first university. The building, in Manueline style, was originally the palace of King John III. The university’s library (Biblioteca Joanina) is a popular attraction, with beautiful rooms to explore.

Immerse yourself in the hilly neighborhood of the old town, where charming little alleys hide great restaurants and bars.

Aveiro

Also found on the Lisbon-Porto railway line, this city is considered by many to be the most beautiful coastal town.

It’s not without reason that it’s called the Venice of Portugal. Although it might be a bit of an exaggeration, the canals, bridges, and boating do lend a certain similarity.

The city is great for a few hours of exploration, where you can also observe the famous Portuguese tiles, the azulejos, on the houses.

Braga

Located northeast of Porto, this city is home to nearly 300 churches, earning it the nickname „the Portuguese Rome„.

Its most famous church is the Bom Jesus Cathedral, a few kilometers from the city, which has been part of the cultural world heritage since 2019. In the city center, the Sé is the most imposing, with the Manueline style being the most prominent.

In addition, the city’s numerous historic streets and the remarkable Raio Palace all contribute to Braga’s unique atmosphere.

Mafra

This small town northwest of Lisbon is renowned for its magnificent palace, placing it among the most beautiful places.

The Mafra National Palace, a baroque building complex, served as a royal residence, monastery, and basilica. The palace and monastery boast a vast library, holding more than 36,000 volumes.

The town’s surroundings are also stunning, with the nearby Tapada Nacional de Mafra serving as a nature reserve, an ideal spot for excursions.

Sortelha

This village near the Spanish border is among Portugal’s best-preserved medieval settlements.

Medieval walls surround the village, situated on a hilltop, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Sortelha’s most distinctive feature is its well-preserved stone houses and narrow, winding streets.

Amarante

To the west of Porto, one can find a truly charming small town.

The town lies along the Tâmega River, famous for its picturesque beauty and bridges. Amarante is best known for the Church of Saint Gonçalo, with its exceptionally beautiful interior.

Additionally, it is a center for wine and gastronomy tourism, especially famous for its Vinho Verde wine, made from native Portuguese grapes, offering an authentic tasting experience.

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