azores travel itinerary

10-Day Azores Itinerary: How To Spend 10 Days In The Azores

Posted on Last updated: June 10, 2023

Need help planning your 10-day Azores itinerary? You’ve come to the right place!

When I first agreed to lead a tour in the Azores I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I can positively say that the Azores blew me away, and are one of the most incredible places I’ve ever travelled to.

If you’re thinking of heading over to the Azores, get ready to see magnificent landscapes, taste mouth-watering foods, and do some exciting outdoor activities.

Walking scenic landscapes and swimming in natural pools or piping-hot spring baths are some of the main attractions when visiting the Azores.

There are many activities offered on the islands. Each island has its unique ambience — some of the most popular things to do are trekking, kayaking, golfing, diving, and hiking.

I’m a big fan of hiking and the outdoors. And as an experienced hiker, I advise getting some great outdoor gear before you make your way to the Azores.

I am going to share with you the ultimate way to spend 10 days in the Azores. This guide will cover top hiking spots and share tips on how to have an unforgettable trip in this magical destination!  

• 1 Getting to and around the Azores
• 2 Things to know when travelling around Azores
• 3.1.1 Stay in Angra do Heroismo
• 3.1.2 Hike Monte Brazil
• 3.2.1 Hike in Serreta
• 3.2.2 Swim in the Biscoitos Natural Pools
• 3.2.3 Visit Algar do Carvão
• 3.3.1 Go on a snorkelling boat tour
• 3.3.2 See the Miradouro Serra do Cume Viewpoint
• 3.4.1 Swim in the Simao Dias Natural Pools
• 3.5.1 Do the Caldeira de Santo Cristo hike
• 3.6.1 Visit the coffee plantation
• 3.6.2 Hike in Fajã dos Vimes
• 3.7 Day 7: Ferry to Pico & go whale watching
• 3.8 Day 8: Hike up Mount Pico
• 3.9.1 Hike Cabeco do Canto
• 3.9.2 Visit Peter’s Bar – A famous watering hole
• 3.10.1 See Sete Cidades Lake
• 3.10.2 Hike the Praia-Lagoa do Fogo
• 3.10.3 Bathing in Hot Springs
• 4 4 fun facts about the Azores

Hiking along the rim of a volcano of the Cabeco do Canto hike on Faial Island

Getting to and around the Azores

The Azores comprise of 9 Portuguese islands – Europe’s hidden gems. They are split into three groups.

• The Eastern Group is made up of Sao Miguel island and Santa Maria.
• The Central Group comprised of Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Faial, Pico, and Terceira
• Finally, The Western Group consists of Corvo and Flores.

The Azores are plain sailing to navigate around, by yourself or with friends. The Azores islands are relatively small islands along the North Atlantic ocean.

Unfortunately, public transportation is limited and mostly aimed around Azoreans and their work schedules.

Hiking along the sea in Pico Island

On the islands, I suggest booking your car rental through brokers in advance, before the start of your trip. You will find that traveling around with your own wheels will be the easiest way to get around.

You could also rent a motorhome or campervan. The gorgeous natural landscapes make it one of the coolest places for a Portuguese campervan trip . 

During the high season, there are many flights between islands. Ferry services can be timely, but most go throughout the year.

The best way is to carefully plan your trip before arriving. This allows you to get the best deals when booking your flights, accommodation and gives you the time to compare prices.

One of the hiking trails in Sao Jorge Island

Things to know when travelling around Azores

The Azores are sparsely populated islands, the busiest island being Sao Miguel. Don’t expect an Ibiza-like party scene in the Azores. In essence, the Azores islands are a remote and peaceful place – and the locals are proud of it.

There are, however, small unpretentious bars used mostly as watering holes after a busy day. This means you will still find some low-key places to let your hair down.

And when it comes to the crime rate, it’s very low on these islands so you can relax into your evenings. Portuguese is the official language in the Azores.

The Simao Dias natural pools on Sao Jorge Island

However, English is widely spoken and is now a required language to learn in schools. The currency used is the Euro (€). When trying some of the delicious Azorean islands delicacies – try the alcatra, the famous king dish.

Year-round, the temperature is moderate and ranges between 57°F (13,8°C) and 71°F (21,6°C). However keep in mind that the weather is unreliable, and even on a sunny day there could be a moment of rain.

Some fun outdoor activities popular on the islands :

Canyoning : jumping, climbing and swimming between canyons is a fun adventure. Waterfalls are surrounded by evergreen forests, making it a spectacular experience.

Beautiful views in Sao Jorge Island

Hiking : Doing one of the many hiking trails on the Azores Islands on the islands is undoubtedly a must-do. The most challenging one is hiking Mount Pico. It’s the highest mountain in the whole of Portugal (2,351m high).

Whale Watching: Whale watching tours offer remarkable experiences up close to a vast range of aquatic species.

Paragliding : There is nothing better than getting a bird’s eye view over volcanic craters in Sao Miguel island at Furnas and Sete Cidades.

Views over Angra do Heroismo from Monte Brazil on Terceira Island

Sailing : There are many tour agencies offering sailing tours around the islands.

Kayaking : You can rent a kayak in most of the large lakes in Sao Miguel.

Diving : The Azores offers amazing spots over colourful

Surfing : Portugal is well-known as a hot surfing destination around the world. It comes as no surprise that it holds the World Surf League on Sao Miguel island, in Ribeira Grande.

Floating in the Simao Dias natural pools on Sao Jorge Island

10-days around the best Azores Islands

The Azores are famously known for their stunning backdrops, blue-green hued lakes, and volcanic craters – the land of hydrangeas. Choosing which Azores islands to visit can be overwhelming.

This Azores 10-day itinerary will guide you through the Central and Eastern Islands, giving you the best outdoor activities and must-do activities.

Day 1: Arrive in Terceira

The first day in the Azores should be spent getting a real feel of these magical islands and their surroundings. Get a fun-filled start to your ten-day Azores trip by starting in Terceira.

Angra do Heroismo on Terceira Island

Terceira has its airport and is easy to access from mainland Portugal, other inter-island flights and North America.

Terceira is known as the best party island amongst the Azores islands. The highlight of this town happens downtown in June, where the locals hold a massive street party of Sanjoaninas .

It’s also well known for its beautiful untouched hiking trails, enticed by volcanic landscapes.

| READ MORE: TERCEIRA ISLAND BUCKET LIST |

One of the colourful churches of Angra do Heroismo on Terceira Island

Stay in Angra do Heroismo

The island of Terceira is surrounded by a neat, well-paved road that circles the island and its main points of interest. I recommend staying in Angra do Herosimo, a colourful colonial town.

It’s the capital city of Terceira and the largest. The town centre was dubbed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. You can also go on a guided city walking tour to experience this colourful city and its unique architecture.

If the weather does not permit, there are a lot of galleries and indoor attractions to see in this lovely flavour filled town. Once you arrive and you have a full feel of this super cute town, you should stretch your legs on the Monte Brasil hike.

Click here to book your Angra do Heroismo walking tour!

The beach and harbour of Angra do Heroismo on Terceira Island

Hike Monte Brazil

The Monte Brasil hike is a short circular hike around a natural reserve, the Relvão park. It’s a 7.4km hike with fantastic views over the ocean, the coast and the town.

The Monte Brasil hike is along with the remains of an extinct volcano. It’s covered in a thick, lush forest, filled with blooming brilliant flowers in spring.

The hiking trail leads to the exquisite summit. It’s great to do after a light meal or after some shopping in the town.

Enjoying the view over Angra do Heroismo from the Mount Brazil hike

In Angra do Heroismo I stayed at Casa Flor d’Sal , a lovely independent apartment with a modern kitchen and spacious communal areas.

It’s right in the centre of the Angra do Heroismo historical centre so the perfect location to explore this town! There’s also a free car park just behind the apartment so that you have somewhere you can leave your car.

Click here to see the latest prices and availability at Casa Flor d’Sal!

Sunset just outside our accommodation in the cute streets of Angra do Heroismo on Terceira Island

Day 2: Hike and Swim in The Natural Pools in Terceira

Now that you’re feeling more acquainted with the town and surrounds, you should be ready for the next adventure.

Hike in Serreta

One great way to start your morning off is with a 2h30m hike in Serreta. It’s a circular route around the Natural Reserve of Serra de Santa Bárbara and Mistérios Negros.

This trek offers picturesque scenery surrounded by the woods of Cedars and views of the impressive Pico Gaspar volcano.

Hiking in the Misterios Negros Reserve in Serreta, on Terceira Island

Views over the Natural Reserve of Serra de Santa Bárbara and Mistérios Negros on Terceira Island

We found the trails in the Azores to always be very well marked, and pretty busy with other hikers, but we were also a big group travelling in peak tourist season in August.

If you don’t want to hike alone you can take a guided tour to see the incredible landscapes this island has to offer.

Click here to book your hiking trip to Serreta and Misterios Negros , or check out prices & availability for your chosen date below!

Swim in the Biscoitos Natural Pools

Cool off in the Biscoitos natural pools. Terceira is well-known for its “volcanically made” rocky natural pools – ideal swimming pools. After building an appetite, you can enjoy some lunch at the café and stalls offered around these pools.

As someone who usually travels to beach destinations, rock pools were quite new to me. They reminded me of the fairy pools of Noosa in Australia .

We spent a few hours around lunch chilling on the rock slabs, swimming in the cool water and even diving from some of the bigger rocks!

Enjoying the Biscoitos Natural Pools on Terceira Island

Visit Algar do Carvão

Explore the cradle of the island in a dormant volcanoes chimney – the Algar do Carvão. It’s a unique experience and certainly a highlight in Terceira.

This extinct volcano has a 150-foot, vertical drop from the top to the cave, and then a further 150-foot descent to a lagoon. The Algar do Carvão is an enchanting and thrilling exploration.

The volcanos walls are filled with a surplus of minerals that have been around for thousands of years. Explore the caves by taking an underground caves tour, or visit the crater by yourself.

Click here to book your underground cave tour of Algar do Carvao , or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

Algar do Carvão in Terceira Island

Day 3: Snorkelling trip in Terceira

Terceira island is also known for its array of tropical sea life. What better way to see what the marine life has to offer than by grabbing your snorkels and flippers, and get on a boat tour to the nearby island.

Go on a snorkelling boat tour

We organised our snorkelling trip through the Deep Blue Azores Diving Centre; and they were pretty phenomenal.

You will be provided with snorkelling equipment and will be able to see shipwrecks, a range of bright-coloured fish species and reefs. We also had the opportunity of swimming through caves and canyons and seeing sting rays.

You can also do a whale watching and jeep tour to get the most out of your island experience.

Click here to book your whale watching tour in Terceira , or check out prices & availability in the calendar below!

The view from our boat of the coast and caves where we then snorkelled on Terceira Island

See the Miradouro Serra do Cume Viewpoint

Once your granny fingers have set in from exploring aquatic life, go to the Miradouro Serra do Cume viewpoint. Enjoy a perfect spot to take photos of the town, harbour and bay.

The view overlooks the bay of Praia da Vitória and the “patchwork”. The “patchwork” is famous on Instagram and amazing to see, where the island is divided by walls of volcanic stone.

The bay of Praia da Victoria lies just outside Miradouro Serra do Cume. It’s a popular place to bask in the sun and offers bars and restaurants.

The view from the Miradouro Serra do Cume Viewpoint in Terceira Island

Note : If you’re visiting in the summertime, you can witness the Azorian version of the traditional bullfighting – a Torada. It’s different from the Spanish Corrida – the intention is to have fun with the bull and not to kill him.

Here the bull is controlled and held with a rope by people called the “pastores”, with normal people teasing the bull and running in front of him, trying to get the bull to chase them.

The event takes place throughout August, on a different part of the island every day. If you’re an animal lover, it’s a bit of a strong experience and I wouldn’t recommend it.

However it’s also a very typical Azorian tradition, which you might be interested in if you really want to live everything the Azores have to offer.

Enjoying the view from the Miradouro Serra do Cume Viewpoint in Terceira Island

Day 4: Fly to São Jorge

São Jorge is a tiny island of only 8km in width. It’s known for its unpasteurized cheese, a paradise of fajãs (lava flows), and for being the island of trails.

It offers ravines, lakes, ideal surfing pots and a remarkable vertical coastline formed by the fajãs. When people refer to the Azores as the “ Hawaii of Europe”, it’s usually the green cliffs of São Jorge they have in mind.

To get to São Jorge, you can either fly from Terceira, or go by ferry. Arrive in São Jorge and settle into your chosen accommodation.

To be completely engulfed in nature, I highly suggest staying Fajã dos Vimes. It’s a charming little town with less than 100 people.

Sunset view of Pico from Calheta, on Sao Jorge Island

The villages of Urzelina and Calheta are a bit more populated and offer more, but they won’t give you the same experience. If you stay in Calheta, try out Café Calhetense – they have a delightful dinner option.

In Sao Jorge island we slept in an incredible place called Casas Dos Vimes .

Located in Fajã dos Vimes these apartments had an incredibly local feel, with spacious communal areas, clean and cute bedrooms and huge outdoors areas with barbecue grills where you can have dinner with your friends

Click here to book your stay at Casas Dos Vimes!

Views over Fajã dos Vimes on Sao Jorge Island

Swim in the Simao Dias Natural Pools

Afterward, spend a relaxed rest of your day at the Simao Dias natural pools. The natural swimming pool at Simao Dias is one of the most symbolic bathing areas on the island.

The volcano’s lava flow created it during the solidification and from lava cooling off. The Simao Dias natural pools are one of the most spectacular places I’ve ever seen.

The clear emerald sea water is hidden by the steep dark lava rock cliffs, creates a beautiful contrast and framing. The hike to reach them only takes around 10-15 minutes.

There isn’t much space to lie down and relax or tan, as the rocks are quite jagged and uncomfortable, but it’s a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. You can spend your time there diving and swimming around the rock pools.

Diving in the clear water of the Simao Dias natural pools of Sao Jorge Island

Enjoying the view over the Simao Dias natural pools on Sao Jorge island

Day 5: Hike in Sao Jorge

On day 5 why not start with one of the most truly breathtakingly beautiful hikes in Sao Jorge? The trail takes you to the impressive fajãs (lava flows) on the island.

Do the Caldeira de Santo Cristo hike

One of the top attractions on the Caldeira de Santo Cristo hike is the fajãs. Start your trek from the Caldeira de Santo Cristo and make your way down the mountain to the to Cumbres.

It’s a fairly easy hike as it’s mostly downhill. So while it won’t be too physically challenging it can be tough on the knees so make sure to bring hiking sticks if you think you might need extra support.

Hiking along the Caldeira de Santo Cristo hike on Sao Jorge island

Cliff and sea views during the Caldeira de Santo Cristo hike on Sao Jorge island

The downhill hike also means that there are incredible views all throughout the hike.

You will be hiking along a path surrounded by blue and purple hydrangea flowers, with the majestic cliffs and mountains all around you and the sea infront.

Santo Cristo is a small town, with zero transportation systems.

To get there you would need to walk by foot from the top of the mountain (Serra do Topo or by ATV). It’s a lovely town with charming restaurants that is famous for its natural swimming pools that lead into the ocean.

Hiking along the Caldeira de Santo Cristo hike in Sao Jorge island

The waterfall you can swim in during your hike of Caldeira de Santo Cristo in Sao Jorge island

From Santo Cristo, start your majestic hike towards Fajã dos Cubres, another small town. Along your hike you will come across stunning waterfalls where you can go for a refreshing swim.

The hiking time is only around 3-4 hours, but if you factor in time for swimming and food breaks it can easily become a full day activity.

Since the start and end point of your hike aren’t the same you should organise with your accommodation to pick you up after your hike.

Once you reach the bottom it’s time to hike along the sea!

Day 6: Visit the coffee plantations and hike some more!

On day 6 you will be visiting the only place where coffee is grown in Europe, in Fajã dos Vimes.

Visit the coffee plantation

Start your morning by taking a drive to Cafe Nuns. For any coffee lover, visiting the only coffee plantation in the whole of Europe is quite an achievement.

Here at Cafe Nunes, they grow and roast their coffee – and supply the locals. I recommend trying their espressos to kickstart your day.

Epic views in Sao Jorge Island

Hike in Fajã dos Vimes

While in Fajã dos Vimes, try this linear 1.5 hour hike. The hike travels along the South Coast of the island and ends in Portal.

This hike offers walks through vineyard terraces, dips into the Atlantic waters and possible viewpoints of the Pico Island.

Hiking around Fajã dos Vimes on Sao Jorge Island

Day 7: Ferry to Pico & go whale watching

Pico island is the second-largest island in the Azores. It’s the most volcanic island and boasts incredible landscapes. This island is home to vineyards grown in lava rocks, historic volcanic caves and refreshing tidal pools.

To get to Pico, we opted for the one hour Ferry ride from Sao Jorge Island, Velas to Pico. The Atlantico Line runs throughout the year connecting Pico, Faial and Sao Jorge.

Once arriving on Pico island, we rented a car for flexibility to get around the island. Pico island is considered one of the best areas for whale and dolphin watching.

You can start a tour from Lajes do Pico harbour and start marking off some of the 28 cetacean species swimming around the Azores archipelago.

Most whale watching tours take up to 3 hours and include a briefing about the different species.

Click here to book your whale watching tour in Pico , or check out prices & availability for your chosen date in the calendar below!

A pair of pilot whales, which you can spot when whale watching in the Azores

After a fun-filled day sightseeing and (hopefully) spotting one of nature’s gentle giants, go to the Cella Bar for dinner.

The Cella bar is a famous winery and restaurant, shaped like a wine barrel and offers the most exquisite dinners.

Cella Bar is in Madalena, the capital of Pico Island. This city is rife with fascinating things to do and see, such as natural bathing areas, cetacean sightings and is home to a vineyard declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO .

Click here to book your accommodation in Madalena!

The inside of Cella Bar on Pico Island

Day 8: Hike up Mount Pico

While in Pico, you have to hike up Mount Pico! This is the highest peak in Portugal. It stands 2351 meters above sea level and offers a range of hiking trails.

All climbers, with or without a guide – have to check-in at the starting point, at Casa da Montanha. There you will be given a GPS so that your location is tracked – for safety purposes.

Mount Pico is not to be taken lightly-heartedly; it can be dangerous and has a very steep uphill. It is one of the toughest yet rewarding hikes.

Note: Only 200 people are allowed to hike up the mountain around the same time. If you are sure you want to do this hike, I advise you to book a guided tour beforehand – it can get rather busy, especially in summer.

Click here to book your priority entry and guided hike of Pico!

Mount Pico on Pico Island

Otherwise, if you are looking for a great alternative, the Caminos de Santa Luzia is a fantastic hike (and less strenuous).

We were unable to hike up Pico due to adverse weather and wind conditions. We did the Caminos de Santa Luzia and found it great too, however we wish we would have been able to hike this famous mountain!

The Caminos de Santa Luzia is still a very rewarding hike, with the trail passing through lava fields and vineyards, and you can see Pico looming over you in the distance.

Hiking the Caminos de Santa Luzia on Pico Island

Day 9: Day trip to Faial Island

Take a day trip to Faial Island with the Atlantico Line. This island is ideal for sailing, whale-watching and mountain biking.

One of the top attractions on Faial island is in Capelinhos, a volcano that last erupted in 1957. It’s located in the Capelo Peninsular and extended the island by another 3 square kilometres.

Hike Cabeco do Canto

Another stunning hike in the Azores is on Faial Island; the Cabeco do Canto. This hike offers impressive views.

Hiking Cabeco do Canto on Faial Island

In one hike you will walk along the ridge of not one, not two, but three volcanoes!

You start off surrounded by trees and nature until you reach the final volcanic ridge on a cliff on the edge of the sea. Here the landscape changes completely to a barren rocky expanse, which feels very lunar!

Some steps are cut into the path to allow for easier access, whilst other parts of the trail are on muddy ground. It might not be the most challenging hike but it definitely had the most varied views.

The volcano crates and lush green vegetation you’ll see while hiking Cabeco do Canto on Faial Island

Visit Peter’s Bar – A famous watering hole

After a day of exploring and using up those kilojoules, you sure can build a thirst. Visit Peter’s Bar – the most famous sailor’s bar!

Peter’s Bar was formerly a post office. Today, it’s a famous bar where all the sailors stop during their ocean crossings to quench their thirst.

The Cafe is embellished with hundreds of flags donated by the ships crossing over the Atlantic ocean.

Note: Near Pico and Faial island, there is a popular dive spot named ‘Princess Alice seamount’. It’s renowned for its remote location, shipwrecks and significant depth.

Peter’s Bar, the famous sailors bar on Faial Island

Day 10: Back home – or onwards to Sao Miguel Azores?

If you have some time on your schedule before departing home, you should, without a doubt, visit Sao Miguel island . It’s the largest of the islands and is a trip by itself – enough to keep you on the hop for at least a week.

You can get to São Miguel from almost all other island airports by plane, or by boat from Santa Maria and Terceira. Some of the main things you should see in Sao Miguel include:

See Sete Cidades Lake

Its top attraction by far is Sete Cidades Lake (Lagoa das Sete Cidades). The lake near the town of Sete Cidades Azores. It’s a favourite spot for stand-up paddling (SUP), kayaking, horse-riding, paragliding and relaxing at the shore.

You can do a half-day tour to see the Sete Cidades village and lake.

Click here to book your Sete Cidades half day tour!

Seven Cities, photo by Wandering with a Dromomaniac

Hike the Praia-Lagoa do Fogo

São Miguel offers a third (28) of the hiking trails in the Azores. I suggest taking a scenic hike on one of the best hiking trails in the whole of the Azores; the Praia-Lagoa do Fogo.

It’s a circular trail that takes roughly 4 hours. You can take a guided tour to Lagoa do Fogo, an ideal hike offering views of Fogo Lake, which connects to Agua D’Alto Beach on the southern coast of São Miguel.

Click here to book your Lagoa do Fogo guided tour!

Pico de Vara, photo by Wandering with a Dromomaniac

Bathing in Hot Springs

Another popular attraction is taking a bath at some of São Miguel’s naturally heated geothermal hot springs.

Some of the most famous hot springs are in Caldeira Velha, which has a gorgeous jungle backdrop and Ferraria that is typically heated up to 30 degrees.

Try the Furnas hot springs tour at night along with dinner, it will be a lot of fun!

Click here to book your Furnas hot spring tour & dinner!

Terra Nostra Gardens, photo by Wandering with a Dromomaniac

4 fun facts about the Azores

1. The Azores used to be the leading suppliers of oranges to the mainland, Portugal. It was a successful supplier of oranges until disease wiped out the productive crops.

Later, tea and pineapples were introduced. Today, Pineapple has become a part of the Azores cuisines.

2. In San Miguel, two tea plantations offer tasting rooms. Tea leaves were first founded in the 1750s growing fierce in the Azores and later commercialised in the 1870s.

3. The Azores are made up of nine diverse volcanic islands, extending out in the North Atlantic Ocean over 370 miles long.

4. Colourful hydrangea flowers cover the islands. Faial Island, in particular, is known as the “blue island” due to the number of hydrangeas present.

Final thoughts on the Azores Islands

The Azores are well-known for their variety of cetaceans (aquatic mammals), natural landscapes and incredible hikes.

It sits on a pedicle for many whale and dolphin species who choose the Azores Atlantic ocean as part of their migration route.

Visiting the Azores is all about plunging yourself into nature and unwinding. They offer some of the most fascinating island archipelagoes along the Atlantic seaboard.

The islands’ volcanic gestation left unmistakable smears on the island’s landscapes – also seen on the outcome of its vegetation. There are inviting, hot natural pools at every corner of the island.

And these islands offer fantastic experiences for travellers. I travelled to the Azores without any expectations, and was blown away by their natural beauty.

This Azores 10-day itinerary is based on my own trip to the Azores, and I hope you find it useful in planning your own time there! Keep my itinerary on-hand to ensure that you make the most of your travels to this beautiful destination!

Looking for more Portugal travel tips? Check out my other travel guides!

• Sintra day trip – everything you need to know!
• The perfect Lisbon 2-day itinerary
• How to spend 5 days in the Algarve
• 13 beautiful beaches in the Algarve
• Ultimate guide to visiting Benagil Cave
• The best Porto 1-day itinerary

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All you need to know for your first trip to the Azores

Feb 28, 2024 • 9 min read

Read on to get the most of out your first visit to the Azores, the gorgeous “Hawaii of Europe” © EyesTravelling / Shutterstock

When you first look through the airplane window and down at  the Azores , you’ll be left speechless. From this very first glimpse, you’ll understand why many call this Portuguese archipelago the “Hawaii of Europe” and the “Islands of Colors.”

Set in the middle of the Atlantic, halfway between the USA and continental Portugal , the nine major Azores islands – São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores and Corvo – are impossible not to adore.

Expect green fields spotted with free-roaming local cattle (locally referred to as “happy cows”), and lagoons set on the mouth of extinct volcanoes. Thermal pools offer the chance for a hot dip, the warmth coming from deep within the earth, while ultra-fresh ingredients make for a uniquely savory local cuisine.

A trip to the Azores is a must-do vacation, one you’ll never forget. If you’ve never been before, read on – then get planning.

What is the best time to go to the Azores?

The Azores are an all-year-round destination – so your key considerations will be what you want to do, and your budget. The summer brings many visitors from the mainland, who arrive to soak up the scenery or visit relatives, making this the busiest and more expensive season.

The scene is more relaxed and cheaper in the shoulder seasons, while winter can offer challenging weather. Remember that the islands are set in the middle of the ocean and are more exposed to the winter storms that form in the Atlantic – which often affects flights (and your plans!).

Whenever you visit, prepare to face all four seasons in one day. You can wake up with sunshine and warm weather, only to take a hike up a mountain to find plunging temperatures, lashing rain and minimal visibility. Don’t leave without packing a waterproof layer, and have it in your backpack at all times.

In the summer, temperatures range from about 68–79°F (20–26°C), in the shoulder seasons from about 60–71°F (15.5–22°C), and during winter from about 53–64°F (12–18°C). Keep in mind that at different spots on these remote islands temperatures can vary widely.

Is it easy to get to the Azores?

São Miguel is the largest island in the Azores and works as a hub to reach the other eight. The Ponta Delgada airport receives international flights from the United States and Canada as well as a number of other European countries; transatlantic flights also serve Terceira. If you can’t find a nonstop flight, the easiest way to get to the Azores is from Lisbon or Porto , on Portugal’s mainland.

From São Miguel, you can get internal flights with the local airline SATA to every island in the Azores. You can also opt for SATA’s Azores Air Pass , which allows travelers to visit up to three islands at a special rate.

Another way to get around is by ferry:  Atlanticoline serves Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores and Corvo.

Be advised that your plane or boat legs may change, as the departure schedule can be disrupted by air and ocean conditions. Being flexible with your itinerary is a good idea if you plan to visit more than one island in the Azores, especially in wintertime.

How to you get around the Azores? 

Renting a car is the best way to explore these beautiful islands. With so much to see and do, having the freedom to travel at your own pace and visit more off-the-beaten-track locations is essential to making the most of your trip. Plus, renting a car allows you to easily get around the larger islands, such as São Miguel (287 sq miles), Pico (172 sq miles) or Terceira (154 sq miles).

You can even take your rented car on the ferry between some of the islands, including the Pico–Faial–São Jorge triangle. Public buses are also available on all islands except Corvo.

Once you reach your desired destination, get out and explore on foot – for the views in these islands never disappoint. Walk the dirt paths, immerse yourself in nature and be amazed by the sounds of the birds and running waterfalls, and the smell of flowers and wet vegetation.

How much time do I need to visit the Azores?

It all depends on what you want to do. São Miguel is a great option for first-time visitors, with its wide range of activities, landscapes, and great restaurant and accommodation options. Five days should be enough time to get a good taste.

But if you want to get a true sense of the richness of this archipelago, set aside two to three weeks to hop between islands and get to know what truly distinguishes each – and why the archipelago is truly one of the most exceptional destinations in Europe.

Top things to do on the Azores

See how volcanoes have shaped the islands’ landscape and history.

You’ll know you’re atop a cluster of volcanoes when you see the dark-gray stone used in the old buildings, and the black sand on the beaches. When visiting São Miguel, you can even feel the volcanic activity on your skin: the water at iron-rich thermal springs is warmed by heat emanating from the island’s inner depths.

The same heat cooks the traditional cozido dos Açores (Azorean stew) in the Furnas area, where chefs place vegetables and meat in the earth for up to seven hours, where it emerges steaming hot and with a sulfur-y kick. Terceira and São Jorge have natural pools that are carved in stone by the rough Atlantic and simultaneously heated by the volcanic rock.

In Faial, the underwater  Vulcão dos Capelinhos  erupted in the 1950s – an event that caused half the island’s population to flee. An interpretative center near the site of the eruption gives context on the ongoing volcanic activity in and around the Azores.

Hike for days

If you want to immerse yourself in nature and experience the rawness of gorgeous landscapes, you’re in luck. All the islands have hiking trails that bring you deep into their wild heart, revealing lagoons formed inside extinct volcanoes or waterfalls that cascade from the top of the mountains.

On the island of the same name,  Mt Pico  is another must-see place in the Azores. As the highest point in Portugal, it’s a challenging climb. But the unforgettable view from the top on a clear day is well worth the effort.

While in Pico, visit the local vineyards that are part of a landscape that’s been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Gaze out at the ocean as you enjoy a glass of wine – you might spot a pod of playful dolphins or even giant whales.

Combine a whale-watching trip with a visit to a tea factory

Exploring outdoors is far from the only activity in the Azores. On São Miguel, you can join a whale-watching cruise, visit cheese factories, see spiky fruit grow at  pineapple plantations or spend an hour or two at the famous  Gorreana Tea Factory , the oldest (and arguably only) tea plantation in Europe. Staff members offer free tours of the factory and museum, which feature plenty of vintage machinery (some still in use); toast to your visit with a cup at the end of the tour.

My favorite thing to do in the Azores

If your goal is to escape and disconnect from the world, you’ll find that tranquility in the Azorean fajãs , small coastal villages next to large cliffs.

I recommend the difficult-to-access but enchanting Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo in São Jorge. You can get there on foot by following the Caldeira de Santo Cristo Trail , which starts in Serra do Topo. The descent gradually reveals the small town, its houses, the church and the large lagoon stretching near the sea. You can also arrive by quad bike, starting from Fajã dos Cubres; you can pre-arrange a trip with your accommodation. 

Once in Fajã de Santo Cristo, cell phone and internet connections are almost non-existent, leaving no choice but to unplug and slow down. This is the ideal place to relax, catch up on your reading, discover the lagoon by kayak or taste the clams served at O Borges, the oldest restaurant in this location.

How much money do I need in the Azores?

The Azores is a destination for all types of travelers, with everything from five-star hotels to local homestays. You can find lodging, food options and island tours to suit all budgets. Your car rental will likely be your biggest expense, especially if you are traveling in high season; try to plan ahead and make your reservations as soon as possible.

These are the average daily costs you can expect:

• Four-star hotel room for two: from €150
• Dormitory room in a hostel: from €45
• Self-catering apartment: from €100
• Car rental: from €35 per day for a small car
• Furnas stew for two: €30
• Beer: €1.50
• Entrance to hot springs: €8

Remember to interact with nature safely

Exploring the various volcanic craters and lagoons hidden in the islands’ interiors is one of the best experiences you can have in the Azores. Keep in mind that these extraordinary natural ecosystems should be approached with great care.

Respect the local landscape by visiting in a way that doesn’t disturb the animals or damage any plants; the easiest way to do this is by sticking to marked trails. Many are there to protect vegetation and prevent soil erosion, but also for your safety, as they avoid unstable or slippery ground.

Also, as much as the lagoons seem like the perfect opportunity for a cooling dip, most are unsuitable for bathing or swimming for safety reasons. Always follow the safety signs displayed at each lagoon.

Finally, be aware that weather conditions can change from one moment to the next, especially in higher areas. Check the forecast before venturing out on a long trail to ensure you’re not caught in a precarious position mid-hike.

What to pack when visiting the Azores

Given the variable weather and outdoor-adventure possibilities in the Azores, we recommend bringing a light rain jacket, a breathable fleece layer you can take on and off on the go, and waterproof trekking boots and poles. You’ll want a good backpack to carry all this with you as you get out and about in this magical archipelago.

This article was first published Jun 4, 2019 and updated Feb 28, 2024.

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5 Day Azores Itinerary: 26 Top Things to Do in São Miguel Island [Plus Map]

Floating 1,400 kilometres west of the Iberian Peninsula, São Miguel island is the jewel in the crown of the Azorean archipelago. This comprehensive 5-day guide show you the top things to do in São Miguel island plus where to say, where to eat, and when to go. Plus loads of bonus travel tips.

From thousands of years old bubbling geysers, to flower-lined winding roads, hikes spiraling around dormant volcanoes, and natural thermal pools scattered throughout the island, São Miguel island is a dream. Which is why I’ve prepared a comprehensive Azores travel guide!

If you’re not familiar with the Azores or need more convincing, check out my post on  why the Azores is Europe’s best-kept secret.

São Miguel Island

São Miguel island is the largest island in the Azores, measuring 62.1 km in length and 15.8 km at its maximum width. This means that depending on which roads you take, you can see both the north and south side of the island at the same time!

São Miguel island is also home to the Azores largest city and its capital: Ponta Delgada. The best part? Today, only 5-10% of the island is built-up, leaving the rest to nature. Excited yet?

With such a relatively small area to cover, basing yourself in Ponta Delgada and setting out on day trips around São Miguel is the best way to see everything the island has to offer.

During my five days in São Miguel, I divided the island up into five pockets which I used as my itinerary for each day. This worked so well for me and managing my time during the trip that I wanted to share it with you.

Whilst there is so much that can be done, seen, and explored in São Miguel island, my complete and ultimate itinerary ensures that you will see and experience the best of the island.

I’ve covered everything including accommodation, car rental, where to eat and how to manage your days around the temperamental Azorean weather.

Five Things You Should Know

Before we jump in, here are five important things you should know about this itinerary to São Miguel.

• If you’re visiting São Miguel for the first time, this guide is for you! This guide assumes you have no prior knowledge of the island and its incredible beauty. Boy, are you in for a surprise!
• You’ll need a car to get around. I recommend hiring a car here as there is little to no public transport. Plus, having a car will give you the freedom to start and end your days on your terms.   Compare the best car rental prices here.
• I’ve tried to find a balance between quality and quantity. That being said, how often do you get to go to the Azores? For some, this might be a once-off experience and you want to see as much as possible. The best part of this itinerary is that you can adjust it to suit your needs and personal preferences. For each daily bucket list, each location is no more than 30 minutes from the next, which gives you total flexibility should you prefer to linger a bit longer at any location.
• It allows for last-minute itinerary changes. Something I wasn’t prepared for was how quickly the weather changes in the Azores. When the heavens open up and clouds roll in, some of the best viewpoints are…well, invisible! My advice? Keep track of the weather constantly and check the conditions of the locations before you go. You can either the  SpotAzores website or app. It’s a total game changer! Luckily, the size of the island allows you to zigzag around in case you need to chase good weather. To give you an idea, getting from the east to west coast will take no longer than 90 minutes.
• Keep a towel handy. There are lots of thermal pools and beaches on this itinerary so make sure you come prepared. Bring an old swimsuit, I’ll tell you why later. Just take my word for it.

So, without further ado, here are the top things to do in São Miguel island.

Looking for something in particular? Use these links to jump around.

Included in this guide to São Miguel

• Map of São Miguel Itinerary
• Day 1 itinerary
• Day 2 itinerary
• Day 3 itinerary
• Day 4 itinerary
• Day 5 itinerary

Getting to the Azores

Where to stay in são miguel, são miguel flight and hotels packages, map of são miguel island itinerary.

Want to know where you’ll be going? Take a look at the detailed map below.

Tip: For a larger view of the map, click on the icon in the top right corner.

Click on this interactive map and see where this itinerary will take you. I’ve created this map using Google Maps which you can save and use as you travel around the island.

The coloured pins represent different pockets of the island to explore each day. Click on any pin for more information. Day 1 – Purple pins Day 2 – Green pins Day 3 – Turquoise pins Day 4 – Yellow pins Day 5 – Pink pins

Day 1 Itinerary – Purple pins

Saving the best till last isn’t always the smartest idea, at least not in the Azores.

Visiting Sete Cidades requires good weather otherwise you risk seeing very little. That’s why I recommend that on your first day, you aim to visit the western part of the island. That way, if the weather isn’t in your favour you can easily try again the following day.

Sete Cidades

Chances are that if you Googled the Azores, you most likely saw a picture of the Sete Cidades. It’s the postcard of the island and quite possibly the Azores.

Sete Cidades literally means, ‘seven cities’ and is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal. The views over Sete Cidades and its lakes are nothing short of impressive and awe-inspiring.

Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lake of the Seven Cities)

At its centre, there are two lakes, one green and the other blue which are separated by a bridge.

According to legend, the lakes were formed from the tears of a shepherd and a princess who shared a forbidden love because of their different social status. They say that the last time they met, their tears formed the lakes. The tears of the blue-eyed shepherd formed the blue lake while the those of green-eyed princess created the green lake.

The less romantic version explains the colour difference is due to the fact that the surrounding vegetation causes the light to reflect differently.

Either way, it’s still an impressive sight!

Lagoa das Sete Cidades can be enjoyed from numerous vantage points, each offering a new and wonderful perspective.

Miradouro da Vista Do Rei (Viewpoint Of The King)

Appropriately translating to, Viewpoint Of The King, this may be the first glimpse you’ll see if Sete Cidades. Not a bad introduction! The best part of the Sete Cidades is that it can be enjoyed in different ways, including taking any one of the hiking trails.

There is also an elevated dirt road, which is quite narrow at some points, which spirals around the lake. You can both walk or drive along this road whilst enjoying the different perspectives over the lakes.

Miradouro da Boca do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth Viewpoint)

Take a moment here and try to comprehend how old this land is. This volcanic crater is 22,000 years old!

Tips on Getting to Boca do Inferno Viewpoint

• Blink and you’ll miss the entrance! Whether you’re coming from Vista do Rei or from Ponta Delgada (South East) the entrance looks like more a concealed driveway. Avoid taking any turnoffs that will take you down to the Sete Cidades village. Look out for a blue sign indicating a stop 100 metres ahead.
• Depending on how early you get there, some cars may already be parked outside making the entrance more obvious. It’s here you’ll see the Lagoa Do Canário sign. Turn down the dirt road and park your car.
• At this point there are a lot of tall trees, continue on foot for less than five minutes until you see the stairs.
• From here, it’s just 5 minutes away from the viewpoint.

Tips on Visiting Boca do Inferno

• Time: Allow 1-2 hours to wander around, get some great photos, and savour the moment.
• Price:  Both entrance and parking are free!
• Pro Tip #1: For awesome moody shots come here just before the sunset. Note that the gates close at 4pm on weekdays and at 7pm on weekends.
• Pro Tip #2: This place gets busy! So, go early. When I went it was at the end of the season and I arrived as soon as the gates opened at 8:30. I literally had 10 minutes alone before other people started arriving. By the time I left at 10am, cars were parked all the way out back onto the main road.
• Pro Tip #3: Remember to check the weather. Suns out, guns out. When the sun shines here, the landscape comes alive with vibrant colours.

After enjoying the views from above, head down towards the lovely quaint village of Sete Cidades. Along the way, you’ll pass over the bridge that separates the blue and green lakes. Stop here and say hi to the birdlife on the banks before continuing into town.

Fancy a bike ride or kayaking in the lake? In town, you’ll find a few hire shops. Not a bad way to pass the afternoon.

Not to be missed in town is the lovely village Church of Saint Nicholas (Igreja de São Nicolau) . The beautiful tree-lined promenade leading to the entrance is worth stopping by for.

Ponta da Ferraria

Put on your swimsuit, it’s time to relax in Ponta da Ferraria geothermal spring.

Not only is the location itself unique, sitting at the base of a giant lava rock cliff, but the spring opens up to the ocean creating a wonderful mix of hot and cold water that dances around your body.

Also located here are housed thermal baths with an outdoor swimming pool and restaurant. Visit Termas da Ferraria for more information.

Tips on Visiting Ponta da Ferraria

• Time: Allow 2 hours to bathe then relax at the kiosk with a beer in hand.
• Price: Entrance and parking are free!
• Pro Tip: Go at low tide to avoid be scalded. Ouch!

The cherry on the sundae is ending your day at Mosteiros.

Mosteiros is a civil parish which saw its first settlers around 1480. The name Mosteiros, means monastery in Portuguese and refers to the nearby islets, the largest of which is shaped like a church.

Come here an hour or so before sunset. Cosy up either on the beach or head around to the rocks on the right and watch the water crash over the boulders. Soon enough the sky will turn electric purple bringing this magical day to an end.

Day 2 Itinerary – Green pins

Today, we’re exploring the east and southeastern parts of the island.

The Nordeste and Pedreira districts are some of the wildest and most remote parts of São Miguel island. The sea cliffs are stand tall and steep, the vegetation is thicker and more vibrant, and the roads are more sinuous. Everything in this area is worth stopping your car for.

Ponta da Madrugada Lookout

Start your day early and head east! Watching the sunrise from the famous Ponta da Madrugada (literally means, Dawn Point) is a must! The drive coastal drive here alone is truly one of the most beautiful roads I’ve ever driven on.

Bring some breakfast, sit at any of the picnic tables and enjoy the sunrise over the vast blue Atlantic ocean.

Arnel Lighthouse

Take a slight detour north and visit the beautiful octagonal cylindrical lighthouse, Faro do Arnel. This was the first lighthouse built in the Azores used by ships arriving from mainland Portugal.

There is a wonderful spiral road leading to the lighthouse, but the best view of both the lighthouse and the road is from Miradouro da Vista dos Barcos (Viewpoint of the boats). Keep an eye out for road signs indicating the lookout on your right-hand side.

Tips on Getting to Arnel Lighthouse

• Pro tip: Once arrived, I strongly recommend parking the car and continuing on foot. The spiral road down is 35º. Don’t risk stranding your rental car on the return trip.

Ponta do Sossego Viewpoint

Lagoa das Furnas

Sitting in Furnas Valley, home to dozens of thermal springs, fumaroles and geysers, is Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas Lagoon). This lagoon is one of the three main lagoons in São Miguel.

The valley is in fact a volcanic crater which has been dormant since 1630, when the last eruption occurred.

Capela de Nossa Senhora das Vitórias

Also worth visiting here is the Capela de Nossa Senhora das Vitórias dedicated to Our Lady of the Victories. This funerary chapel was built by José do Canto, a gentleman-farmer of São Miguel, after his beloved wife passed away from a terminal illness. When José eventually died, he was buried alongside his wife, fullfulling his wishes.

There is a lovely view of the lagoon and the chapel from a jetty as you approach the chapel.

With a complicated 100,000 year history, the central caldera of the Furnas Volcano is a naturally explosive trachyte structure composed of two main calderas, that through formation, collapse and explosion have marked the natural history of the massif.

Caldeiras das Furnas and Fumaroles from Lagoa das Furnas

On the opposite end of the lagoon are the Caldeiras hot springs where the famous local dish Cozido das Furnas (Furnas stew) is prepared and transported to location restaurants.

A path navigates around the holes of boiling water and geysers where the stew is cooked.

While the dish itself might not be your best meal of the trip, it is, nonetheless worth trying. I mean, how often do you eat a meal cooked by Mother Nature herself?

Where to Eat Furnas Stew (Cozido das Furnas)

Each day several restaurants located in Furnas village send their stews to be cooked in the Caldeiras. The two most noteworthy are Tony’s and the restaurant at  Terra Nostra Garden Hotel.  Eating at Terra Nostra Garden Hotel also gets you complimentary access to Terra Nostra park and the thermal pool.

Furnas Village

Head to the main village and see how the locals live alongside thirty springs and geysers each with different temperatures and chemical compositions. These range from warm iron-rich streams to mineral-rich warm and cold water. The air here is literally filled with sulphur.

Owing to a population of several thousand people who live within and around its caldera, Furnas is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the archipelago. The first recorded eruption occurred in 1440, just after early settlers started populating the coasts of São Miguel.

Terra Nostra Park

Covering 12 hectares, Terra Nostra Park is one of the most beautiful gardens in Europe boasting lush vegetation, over 2,000 different trees, peaceful promenades, lilypad-covered ponds, and a huge thermal pool.

Bathing in the ferrous orange thermal pool at Terra Nostra Park is one of the island’s postcard experiences. Full of essential minerals, the thermal spring heats the water to 35 – 40 degrees Celsius (95 – 140F).

  A post shared by Michele • The Intrepid Guide✈︎ (@intrepidguide) on Dec 17, 2017 at 7:57am PST

Tips on Visiting Terra Nostra Park

• Duration: Allow at least 1 hour to explore the gardens then half an hour to relax in the thermal pool.
• Price: 8 euros, includes access to the park thermal pool and showers.
• Pro tip #1: Don’t wear your favourite swimsuit though, the minerals will leave your whites looking a little orange. Wear something old and dark.
• Pro tip #2:  Go here on a cloudy or gloomy day. Save that sunshine for visiting places at higher altitude. Plus, having a hot bath feels so much better when it’s cold.

Poça da D. Beija Thermal Spa (Optional)

While the thermal experience is similar at Poça Dona Beija, swimming in those at Parque Terra Nostra is more of a novelty because of the orange water. Unless you really love your thermal experience, there’s no need to do both.

Poça da D. Beija offers a more authentic experience with it’s complex of newly refurbished five outdoor pools at various temperatures. Since they’re open till 11pm daily, why not stay for a romantic evening dip.

Tips on Visiting Poça da D. Beija Thermal Springs

• Duration: Anything from 1 hour
• Price: Entrance fee is 4 euros in Poça Dona Beija

Day 3 Itinerary – Blue pins

Lagoa do fogo.

One of the most beautiful yet difficult to see places on the island is Lagoa do Fogo. Literally translating to ‘Fire lake’, only on my third visit did the clouds part to reveal this impressive lake.

Lagoa do Fogo sits in a crater with a maximum depth of 30 metres. This is the island’s highest lagoon (sitting 575 metres) and the second biggest.

Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo (Lookout)

If you reach the lookout and find the area drowning in cloud or fog, allow 15 minutes or so for it to pass (fingers crossed) it’s amazing how quickly the weather changes up there.

View from Pico da Barrosa

Once you arrive at Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo, take the path down to the beach. After thirty minutes you’ll reach the unspoiled shoreline.

Tips for Visiting Lagoa do Fogo

• Duration: Anything from 1 hour, allow more time if heading down to the beach
• Price: Free 🙂
• Pro tip 1: Check the weather ahead of time. Having said that, even on a sunny day there can still be lots of cloud cover. Be patient and wait a little before leaving. You may need to return another day.
• Pro tip 2:  Since this is a Natural Reserve it’s important to be as respectful as possible. Don’t leave any rubbish/trash behind or go swimming if you’re wearing sunscreen.
• Pro tip 3: Located higher up overlooking Lagoa do Fogo is Pico da Barrosa.  Weather permitting, you’ll be able to see both the north and south coastlines of the island. Pretty cool!

Caldeira Velha

Located a few minutes down the road on the north slope of the Fogo Volcano is Caldeira Velha, a scenic nature preserve featuring lush vegetation, a waterfall, and hot springs. I love this place because it’s not located near a town and the towering trees make you feel like you’re at one with nature.

Located in Caldeira Velha is a park are two stone-walled naturally heated pools. Both surrounded by lush vegetation, the smaller one is 38º while the largest is 21º.

Tips for Visiting Caldeira Velha

• Duration:  You can’t rush relaxing. You’ll need anywhere between 1.5-3 hours to really it enjoy it. Price: The entrance is 2 Euros (as per 2017).
• Pro tip #1: Same rules apply regarding your swimsuit. Wear something old and dark to reduce the signs of orange stains thanks to the mineral-rich water.
• Pro tip #2: There are lockers, changing rooms and showers, but be prepared for the cold water. It’s invigorating to say the least.

Salto do Cabrito

Salto do Cabrito, literally meaning ‘Kid’s Jumping’, has a 40 metre high waterfall. Next to the base of the water is a circular pedestrian route that sits high up amongst the thick foliage.

Miradouro de Santa Iria

Located in a ravine above the sea, the Santa Iria lookout offers a superb view over Santa Iria Bay and the northern coastline of the island.

This viewpoint is very close to the main road and has a small car park both near the main road and down the short road leading to the viewpoint.

Itinerary Day 4 – Yellow pins

Starting in the north-east of São Miguel island, begin your day at Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park before making your way down to the picturesque islet of Vila Franca on the south coast.

Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park

With flowing streams and three large cascading waterfalls, Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park is not to be missed.

It’s an idyllic spot for hikers to walk along rock-cut paths that wind through the mountains. The rainforest trails invite you to explore the lush landscape with endless photo opportunities along the way.

Gorreana Tea Plantation

This family-owned business has been operating since 1883. There is a museum with free tastings, but this place is best experienced outside amongst the plantation itself where there is a magnificent view overlooking the Atlantic ocean.

Tips for Visiting Gorreana Tea

• Duration: 1 hour is enough to go through the premises and sip on a cup of tea.
• Price: Free
• Pro tip: Whether you enjoy tea, the process of making it or not, the views alone are worth the visit. If you do, there are free tea tastings inside.

Vila Franca Islet

Vila Franca do Campo was once the capital of the Azores but lost its status after it had been almost completely destroyed by a massive earthquake in 1522. From then on the capital of São Miguel was transferred to Ponta Delgada.

Sitting opposite the town of Vila Franca do Campo is the beautiful islet formed as a result of a crater of an ancient submerged volcano. At approximately 300 metres in length, this is the smallest islet I’ve ever seen!

It’s enclosed bay makes it the ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling. During the summer months, the islet can be reached by a regular boat connection from the Vila Franca marina. Get your tickets online.

Tips for Visiting Vila Franca Islet

• Duration: Allow yourself at least 3 hours here.
• Price: 5 Euros
• Pro tip #1: During high tide the small beach is complete covered, grab a spot in the concrete area instead to avoid being washed out.
• Pro tip #2: Please be respectful of the island and leave nothing behind but footprints.

Our Lady of Peace Chapel

High up on the hills overlooking Vila Franca and the Atlantic ocean is Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz, a stunning 16th-century chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Peace.  According to the legend, this chapel was built after the apparition of Virgin Mary to a shepherd, in a cave.

Day 5 Itinerary – Pink pins

Swimming with dolphins and whale-watching (from ponta delgada).

What could be better than spending the morning with Atlantic Spotted dolphins and Humpback and Sperm whales?

For two hours I swam with dolphins and observed these playful creatures in their natural environment. There were literally hundreds of them! Jump in and enjoy watching these majestic mammals, play, feed, and poop. (Look out for those white trails. Haha) You’ll definitely want to capture this once in a lifetime experience.

I went out with Picos de Aventura , who were amazing. The customer service was great and the two guides on board were patient, professional, and super passionate about their work and the wellbeing of the marine life.

Picos de Aventura offer diving trips, whale watching, and swimming with dolphins and gear hire. I love my whales but this time I wanted to see the action underwater so opted for the swimming trip. 

The Azores attract many species of cetaceans which makes heading out in the ocean a must-do activity. If you can, plan your trip between April and June for the best whale watching. For dolphins, I saw plenty of them in September. They were also still running whale watching trips.

• Book a whale and dolphins watching expedition in São Miguel here
• Book your swimming with the dolphin’s tour here

Tips for Swimming with Dolphins in São Miguel

• Duration: The trip last 3 hours, this includes the time it takes to reach the dolphins and return to shore on the RIB boat.
• Price: Tours start from 75 Euros for a 3-hour trip.
• Pro tip #1: If you suffer from lower back problems or are pregnant, do not go on this trip. The RIB boat ride is pretty intense.
• Pro tip #2:  Take sea sickness tablets. If you’re not accustomed to swimming in the open ocean, chances are you feel nauseous. At least 3 others on the tour did. Come prepared.
• Pro tip #3:  The water is very choppy. If you’re not a confident swimmer, speak with the guides to advise you if this is right for you. I honestly struggled the first few stops we made, then I learned to relax and avoid wasting my energy on swimming too much.

Tips for Whale-Watching in São Miguel

• Duration: The trip last 3 hours
• Price: Tours start from 55 Euros
• Pro tip #1:  Whale watching is big business and many tour companies break certain laws in order to get their boats as close as possible to the whales and boasts being the best tour. They are actually breaking the law when they do this. Both safety and ethical regulations are in place to protect the well-being on the whales so make sure you go out with a trusted company, such as Picos de Aventura .
• Tours depart morning, early afternoon, and evening from both Ponta Delgada and Vila Franca marinas.
• Tours book out quickly so secure your spot at least a few ahead of the tour.

Ponta Delgada

  A post shared by Michele • The Intrepid Guide✈︎ (@intrepidguide) on Oct 19, 2017 at 10:54am PDT

With all of the island’s treasures now under your belt, it’s time to explore the Azores capital city, Ponta Delgada.

I’ve written a dedicated post to all the sights of Ponta Delgada, but here are a few highlights.

• Portas da Cidade (City Gates)
• Parish Church of São Sebastião
• Campo de São Francisco
• São Bras Forte (Open 10am – 6pm, Closed Saturday & Sunday)
• António Borges Botanical Garden (Open everyday 9am – 8:30pm)
• A. Arruda Pineapple Plantation (Open everyday 9am – 8pm )
• Hermitage of the Mother of God – End your day here at sunset for best view over Ponta Delgada.

António Borges Botanical Garden

Ponta Delgada is a relatively small so you can cover a lot of ground just on foot. Allow 1-2 hours each at the São Bras Forte, António Borges Botanical Garden, and A. Arruda Pineapple Plantation.

For more information about Ponta Delgada, use my complete guide to the city here.

Where to Eat in Ponta Delgada

Bacalhau, Portuguese for cod, is considered to be an iconic dish of Portugal. My Portuguese boyfriend enjoyed this salted cod with vegetable dish at Calçada do Cais in Ponta Delgada.

Running parallel with the seafront Rua dos Mercadores is one of the main thoroughfares. Here you’ll find some of the island’s best restaurants including Calçada do Cais, and further north, A Tasca .

Other highly recommended restaurants include Adega Regional ,  Rotas da Ilha Verde (vegetarian-friendly) ,  Boca de Cena (seafood),  Casa Do Bife O Galego (steakhouse),  Restaurant Sao Pedro (seafood).

Essential Azores Travel Information

Getting to the Azores is easier than you might think. You can hop on a boat or catch a plane.  Direct flights depart from the USA, Canada, UK, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Portugal, France, Germany, and Finland.

SATA / Azores Airlines offer the most routes with other operators such as TAP Portugal, Primera, TUI, Germania, Ryanair, and Delta offering regular flights to the Azores. My advice would be to fly from Porto, Lisbon or London where tickets are considerably cheaper. Compare deals and book your flight here.

The gateway to the Azores is located in Ponta Delgada with most flights connecting here.

Pro Tip: In some cases, you may be eligible to get a FREE inter-island connecting flight. Find out more here 

Heading to Portugal? Download my free Portuguese Travel Phrase guide here.

Where to Stay in the Azores

Booking.com offers a lot of accommodation options in the Azores, from charming guesthouses to typical houses surrounded by nature. To make your life easier, I’ve put together a list of the best-reviewed hotels, guesthouses, and villas in the Azores.

If you are coming to the Azores, chances are you’ll most likely be at least spending a few days on the largest island, São Miguel.

VIP Executive Azores Hotel

For the week I was there, I stayed at 4-star VIP Executive Azores Hotel . This is the largest hotel on the island and includes all the comforts of home. There is an excellent gym, an interior swimming pool, squash court, bar, free covered private parking, a beauty salon with hairdresser, and Wireless Internet service. With a great view of the town and ocean and surrounding landscape, VIP Executive Azores is a 10-minute walk into town.

For an alternative accommodation option, I would recommend renting out an apartment or room through Airbnb. Cute Airbnb options are popping up all over the island so you’ll find some really beautiful places at very affordable prices.  Airbnb has numerous options from as low as US$36 per night.

If it’s your first time using Airbnb get US$65 OFF here or get £50 OFF your first stay here , when you sign up using my unique reader referral links.

Otherwise, check out these top-rated hotels!

Need more options? No problem. Here is a list of pre-selected hotels, villas, and guesthouses in São Miguel with excellent ratings . The list only includes rooms with wifi and top reviews, so you can’t go wrong!

Azores Getaways  offer great prices on flight and hotel packages to the Azores. There are packages starting from 320 USD for 7 nights accommodation with return flights to London.

I recommend using Azores Getaways if you:

• Are travelling from Europe or the United States.
• Want to visit the best spots but don’t much to do all the research
• Want someone else to book and organise everything for you

Browse their offers and packages here.

Alternatively, use this itinerary and book it all yourself. I always use  Skyscanner to book flights and Booking.com for finding accommodation .

Visiting Portugal? Brush up on the local language with my free Portuguese travel phrase guide.

Got more time? Take a day trip!

• Ponta Delgada Walking Tour
• Swim with Dolphins in the Azores
• Fogo Lake Quad Bike Full-Day Small-Group Tour with Lunch
• Azores Canyoning and Thermal Baths Tour
• Half-Day Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour
• Whale and dolphins watching expedition in São Miguel
• Furnas Volcano and Lake Full-Day Tour with Lunch
• Pico do Ferro Trail Hike and Light Yoga on São Miguel Island
• Plus loads more here …

Don’t miss these Portugal travel guides

11 reasons why you should visit the azores in portugal, top 10 things to do in ponta delgada (the jewel of the azores).

• 34 Best Things to do in Madeira, Portugal (The Ultimate Guide)
• 12 Awesome Things to do in Funchal, Madeira (Includes Travel Tips & Top-Rated Tours)
• 20 TOP Things to do in Porto Santo Island // A Perfect Day Trip from Madeira

Like it? Pin it for later!

Sources Visit Azores | Wikipedia |  Geeky Explorer

Over to you!

Do you have a question about visiting the Azores or São Miguel island? Ask me below! Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

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Michele creates language learning guides and courses for travel. What separates her from other instructors is her ability to explain complex grammar in a no-nonsense, straightforward manner using her unique 80/20 method. Get her free guide 9 reasons you’re not fluent…YET & how to fix it! Planning a trip? Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today!

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Top 10 things to do in ponta delgada..., 11 reasons why you should visit the azores..., 27 comments.

Michele, thank you for this detailed guide. I was starting to wonder how I would plan a trip to San Miguel and if I should even try until I found this article. I now feel confident and so excited to go for it. I’m curious about what I should know about money there. What percentage can an American expect to be able to use a credit card there versus needing euros in currency to pay for things in restaurants, gas stations, and entrance fees?

Hi Mary, thank you so much for your lovely feedback 🙂 Most of the time, say 80-90% of the time I used my card. On the odd occasion, I needed cash so it’s definitely a good idea to carry some as a backup. Hope this helps 🙂

Michele, thank you for the amazing guide and tips. Me and my girlfriend spent 4 days on São Miguel and it has been the best trip in our lives. It is the hidden gem of Europe, indeed. All of the things you wrote here came out true, about the weather, getting up earlier to avoid crowds, using old swimming suit at thermal pools, staying a little bit more at Lagoa do Fogo miradouro to catch the glimpse of it, and just driving around and enjoying the very nature… It is truly magical, and I am happy to have experienced it all, thanks to you! It has been two months since our trip, I keep thinking about it every day and want to come back. Do you ever feel the same? Cheers! 🙂

Thank you so much for your feedback, Mirko. I’m so glad to hear my guide helped you and that you had a wonderful time. São Miguel definitely left a lasting impression on me too. So many wonderful memories and experiences to cherish for many years to come 🙂

Very useful and easy to read guide, thanks a lot!

My pleasure. Thank you, Angeles 🙂

Did you visit Ribeira Grande? And can you tell a little about language. I plan on learning some Portuguese but is English widely spoken? Thanks in advance.

Hi Carole, yes I did visit Ribeira Grande and I would definitely recommend you continue to learn Portuguese. It’s invaluable. English is spoken but it’s not something you can always rely on here. Good on you for taking it up though. Here is my Portuguese travel phrase guide which you may find useful 🙂 Have a wonderful trip!

You guide and tips are amazing, I’m happy to have stumbled here! I’m leaving for Azores in 3 weeks and cannot wait to explore and feel the beauty of San Miguel and Terceira!

Do you know what time usually the businesses (like the tea plantation, parks etc) closes in the summer months? I’ll be diving almost everyday until 1:30pm, and would love to still do other activities and checking things out in this guide. Just wonder if I should be aware of the business hours there.

Many thanks again!!

Hi Linh, my pleasure. I’m so happy to hear you find it helpful. You will have plenty of time to see a lot of places as they will close late. The Gorreana plantation closes at 7 pm everyday so you’ll have plenty of time. Miradouro de Santa Iria, Lagoa do Fogo don’t close as they are located next to the road. Caldeira Velha closes just after sunset, around 9 pm. Entry to Boca do inferno closes at 7 pm. Hope this helps 🙂

Hi Michele,

I’ve been here at Ponta Delgada for a while and i just wanna say MASSIVE THANKS for your guide – I’ve used it extensively and the tips are god sent, thank you so much again! The scenic drives have got to be the most beautiful I’ve ever seen in my life. wow!

Hi Linh, oh that’s amazing. I’m so happy my guide has helped you and that you’re having a wonderful time. You’re right, the scenic drives are one of the best things about the island. Enjoy the rest of your trip 🙂 Michele

Great article! I’ve started my research of Sao Miguel and so glad I stumbled upon this article. Is the picture of Franco Islet with a drone or from Our Lady of Peace? I would be going in November so no going to the Islet but would love a neat pic of it! With the weather being spotty I think it only makes sense to use Ponta Delgada as the base in case you need to switch up days due to weather.

Hi Valori, I used a drone to take this shot. You can see the islet from Our Lady of Peace but you will need a super zoom lens for this close up 🙂 Good luck and I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Your photos look gorgeous! Love the depth of your content and how useful your site is and how a good chunk of it is about learning language!

Hey Trang, thank you so much 🙂 I put a lot of work into my posts. So glad you’re enjoying it 🙂

Aww thank you so much Trang. I love learning and teaching which is what The Intrepid Guide is all about 🙂

love this blog! So i’m planning a trip also to azores islands, want to squeeze in also flores island. My question for Sao Miguel, did you stay in one hotel and everyday drive from the hotel to the pin points? Or did you drive to one area stay in a hotel there and then next pin points and stay in that area in a hotel?

Hi Sarit, I’m happy to hear this post has helped you 🙂 Yes, the best part of the Azores (and Sao Miguel) is that you can stay anywhere on the island and travel around. I stayed in Ponta Delgada for its centrality and convenience. Hope this helps 🙂

Some pics were loading slow but most of the ones I saw are spectacular! I’d love to make it here someday, thanks for the info!

This is so helpful! We are planning to be in Sao Miguel for 3 – 3.5 days. I am wondering if any if you think any of these day itineraries could be done in a half day?

Day 1 & 2 seem to be full days on their own. I am wondering if your Day 3 & 4 could be combined in some way as they are close together on the map. And with that, what would you recommend eliminating from those two days in order to do it all in one day? We will skip the whale watching and plan to stay in Ponta Delgada so can fit in some of those sites as well.

Thank you!!

Thanks Blair, I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed this guide. Day 3 and 4 could potentially be combined if you start your day early and be on the road by 8:30-9am. For it to work you would need to skip something Gorreana Tea Plantation (if you’re not a big tea fan) and going out to Vila Franca Islet. You can still see it from the shoreline from the Our Lady of Peace Chapel. I hope this helps 🙂

Hi Michelle, a great blog and an inspiring post. I’ve just added Sao Miguel to my to do list! Brava e complimenti!

Ciao Ciara! Grazie mille 🙂 Oh, I’m thrilled you’ve added Sao Miguel to your list. Please let me know if you have any questions when you start planning. 🙂

Thanks Michele. This is an amazing guide. I’ll be sure to use it when going to Sao Miguel.

My pleasure! thanks so much, Basil. I know you’ll have a great time! Any questions, let me know 🙂

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The azores islands itinerary.

The Azores islands are a stunningly beautiful and diverse archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. They are part of Portugal, even though they aren’t really that close to Portugal. I feel like they are sort of the Hawaii of Europe, but with fewer tourists and more rain.

You may have heard of Madeira , another amazing island that is part of Portugal, but the Azores are their lesser-known cousin.

I’ll be totally honest, I didn’t actually know they existed until about 2 years ago. But ever since I saw pictures of these amazing islands, I knew it was somewhere I needed to go! This year is our 15 th wedding anniversary. Since our first child was born on our 2 nd anniversary, we’ve never really done anything much for our anniversaries. But the last few years have been sort of stressful and we promised ourselves an epic vacation for our anniversary gift to ourselves this year.

So when we started thinking about where we wanted to go, I immediately thought of the Azores! I’m happy to report that it was the best decision ever. We were both totally blown away by the islands’ beauty, the kindness of the people, the history, and the amazing food!

The Azores islands offer all the beauty of tropical islands, but also has the old European flare that I absolutely love!

I had an amazing response to these islands on Instagram , and many people, like myself, had never heard of these islands. But they deserve to have the spotlight on them, because the Azores is an awesome destination and has something for everyone!

I wanted to share our itinerary here with you so you can see what we did and how much we were able to see in just a short week.

Here’s a video of our trip highlights. Such a dream come true!

Azores Islands Packages

If you’re looking to go to the Azores, but don’t want the hassle of booking your airfare, accommodation, car rental, or tours,  AND you want to save money, then Azores Getaways has some seriously amazing packages and deals! I honestly think they are the best bang for your buck. Their prices really can’t be beat for a package tour. 

Their deals start as low as $499/person . That includes airfare, hotel, and car! Insane! And they often occasionally have sales on top of that, so keep an eye out! Click here for a list of the Azores Getaways itineraries and deals.

This Sao Miguel Island package looks amazing! 

Azores Islands Weather

Let’s talk about the weather in the Azores. The Azores definitely has seasons, but they are much milder than you’ll find in other parts of Europe.

How cold does it get in the Azores Islands?

Well, not that cold. Even in the dead of winter, the coldest it gets at night is in the low 50s (11-12 celcius) and it’s in the mid 60s (17/18 celcius) during the day. The summer temperatures are even nicer at around low 60s (17/18 celcius)  at night and mid 70s (24/26 celcius) during the day. 

So with the weather only fluctuating about 20 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, it’s a very mild climate. However, it does rain a lot! I mean look at these pictures! All that green, all those flowers, and all those lakes? How do you think they get like that?  Rain! It rained almost every day we were in the Azores Islands in July, but there was never a crazy downpour and the light sprinkle wasn’t too cold. We found that it mostly rained in the afternoon, so it’s best to get up early and prepare for some rain later in the day. 

What is the best month to visit the Azores?

This is a tough question to answer because I think the Azores would honestly be lovely year-round, but I think visiting Sao Miguel especially in the summer is quite magical because of the hydrangea bloom! If you’ve seen any pictures of the Azores islands before, particularly Sao Miguel, you’ll see massive hydrangea blooms everywhere! These gorgeous flowers, that are actually an invasive species brought over from Japan, cover the island during the summer months, turning it into a colorful island of blues, pinks, and purples. The blossoms differ in color due to the content of the soil. 

The hydrangeas blooms between June and September. This is also when the weather will be warmest. We were in the Azores islands in the middle of July and it did not feel crowded or touristy at all. The tour companies all seemed happy to have us there and were grateful for the tourism. 

That being said, they did say that tourism is really slow there in the winter. So if you are really crowd averse, or want to save some money, It might be a good idea to visit in the off-season or at least shoulder season.

 The Azores Islands Itinerary

Day 1 – sao miguel island.

We flew to the Azores Islands from New York JFK on Delta. The Azores Portugal has 2 direct flights from the US. One on Azores Airlines from Boston and one from New York on Delta. It was a quick flight, just under 5 hours and felt like flying across the US. It’s probably the shortest flight to Europe that you can take, along with Iceland.

We flew to Ponta Delgada, which is the main town of Sao Miguel island, the largest islands in the archipelago. I didn’t think I’d really like Ponta Delgada, just like I don’t really like Honolulu (the Hawaii comparisons continue), but I really loved it. The city is old, built in the 1600s and is freckled with old churches all over the city. The sidewalks in Ponta Delgada are beautiful and really showcase how these islands use the resources around them in their lives. They are made from lava stone and marble, both of which are abundant on the islands. The black and white streets and buildings are really unique and lovely.

We arrived around 7am, picked up our rental car and went straight to Ponta Delgada while we waited for check in time for our hotel.

Morning – Ponta Delgada

Here is what we did with our morning in Ponta Delgada:

• Climb the bell tower
• Explore the ancient churches
• Visit the fort
• Shop at the market for fresh fruit and vegetables
• Shop for cheese and bread at Rei do Queijos

After spending the morning in Ponta Delgada, we headed to our hotel in Furnas, which is about 30 minutes from the city and a beautiful drive. If you visit during the summer months, you’ll be able to witness the mind-blowing hydrangea bloom!

Afternoon – Furnas

We checked into our hotel in Furnas. We stayed at the Furnas Boutique Hotel, which was absolutely amazing and has its very own thermal pools, spa, saunas, and therapeutic showers. This hotel felt like such a treat and the location to everything in Furnas was perfect. If you stay here you’ll also have access to the amazing A Terra restaurant, which has an amazing included breakfast, and also great food for lunch and dinner. You can book the Furnas Boutique Hotel or just eat at the amazing restaurant!

We wandered around the small town of Furnas, where you can watch the locals cook cozido and corn in the caldeiras, which are steaming and boiling water holes! It’s really quite something to see! There are even water spouts coming out of the mountains where you can drink the pure water. I passed on that one, but Paul tried the sparkling mineral water. He said it was really bubbly. So crazy!

We tried corn cooked in the caldeiras and bought some fresh homemade bolos levedos, which is one of our favorite things to eat in the Azores !

After working up an appetite by walking around the caldeiras, we stopped into one of the local restaurants for some cozido that was cooked right there! It’s like a meat and vegetable stew that you have to try while you’re in the Azores.

Evening – Lago das Furnas

After dinner we drove over to Lago das Furnas, which is one of the three main lakes on Sao Miguel island. The lake is absolutely gorgeous and so tranquil, especially at sunset. There are more caldeiras here and you can also rent kayaks and paddle boats. We opted to just take a stroll around the lake over to the beautiful  Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias  church along the shore. It was commissioned by a wealthy land owner on Sao Miguel when his wife passed away from a terminal illness.

Then we headed back to the Furnas Boutique Hotel and took advantage of the awesome thermal pools. I especially loved the hot and cold plunge pools. They also have an outdoor thermal pool and an indoor thermal pool. I got some noodles and floated in that one for about an hour. It was honestly the most relaxing thing I can remember doing since before becoming a mom 13 years ago haha! I’d go back to this place just for the pools.

Day 2 – Eastern Sao Miguel

Morning – terra nostra gardens.

On the morning of day 2, we explored the beautiful Terra Nostra Gardens . I could have stayed here all day, but we spent about 3 hours! There are also hot springs here, but we opted not to swim since we were checking out of our hotel, and also because we had our own private pools back at the hotel.

Also the water here is very brown because of the high iron content. I don’t recommend wearing a light colored swimsuit here! The gardens are stunning and only cost 8 Euros to enter and to swim if you want! If you eat at the Terra Nostra Restaurant or stay at the Terra Nostra Hotel , which looked amazing (I know because we accidentally went into the lobby looking for the garden entrance), then you can wander the gardens and swim for free.

Afternoon – Explore Eastern Sao Miguel

Exploring the Mountains and Forests of Sao Miguel

We spent the afternoon just driving around the eastern side of the island. We drove through tiny farm towns along the coast, taking in the views of the Atlantic Ocean and the cows that get to enjoy that view every day. We opted to take the tranquil route through the mountains of eastern Sao Miguel and were not disappointed. Did you know that the Azores Portugal have their own redwoods? The sequoias were brought there hundreds of years ago and now cover the mountains of Sao Miguel. They are used for lumber all over the island.

Velha Hot Springs

We honestly didn’t do too much planning for this trip. Actually Paul planned the whole trip, which was super impressive, and he did a great job. But we didn’t want to have our days too planned out. We like to be surprised occasionally and Velha Hot Springs were a total surprise to us! We passed by this on our way to Lagoa do Fogo and had to stop and check it out.

These are beautiful natural hot springs set in the jungle. There is even a waterfall. It’s a must see in Sao Miguel! There are four separate pools at different temperatures. We started in the coldest one with the waterfall then moved down to the warmer ones. There are bathrooms and changing rooms with lockers here (wish we would have known this before we changed awkwardly in our car (we forgot we aren’t teenagers anymore). We didn’t bring towels, but there was a vendor outside selling towels for 5 Euros. Entrance to the hot springs was 8 Euros to swim and 5 Euros to walk in and look. Totally worth it, even if you only walk around. So pretty here!

Lago do Fogo

This was a stunning stop on our way back into Ponta Delgada. It’s an easy lookout stop, but you can also hike into the lake. That’s the only way to get there. The hike looked intense, but I imagine you’d have the lake to yourself if you make it down.

Evening – Ponta Delgada

We headed back to the city and spent the night in Hotel Azor which was also amazing! There was a rooftop pool where we enjoyed sunset views of the city. We ordered virgin pina coladas (so good) and room service, which was really good and just what we needed after a long day of exploring. Our room at the Azor was massive, like over 1,000 square feet with a huge living room, huge bedroom, and two bathrooms. We had one of the corner suites that had a huge balcony with gorgeous city views.

Day 3- West Sao Miguel

Breakfast – We ate breakfast at the Azor, who is owned by the same company as the Furnas Boutique Hotel, which meant they also had the same amazing breakfast! Seriously bacon and Pastela de Nata for breakfast…does life get any better than this?

ATV Tour with ANC Azores Adventures

We checked out of the Azor (goodbye beautiful room) and headed to ANC Azores Adventures for a day full of fun and exploring the west side of Sao Miguel island. We traded in our rental car from ANC for an ATV buggy! This was the perfect ride for exploring many of the farm roads and back roads of the island.

The morning started out a little wet and chilly, but we still had some beautiful views and were able to see so much of the island. Our guide Ruben was with us the whole time and guided us through the lesser-known parts of his island. He was born and raised here and even took us to his hometown, where we met some of his friends. It was a great local experience. He answered all of my many many questions about the island, and learning from him what life is like here was an amazing experience.

Paul drove the whole time and loved all the off-roading. The buggy handled the crazy dirt roads much better than a rental car would have and allowed us to see views and sites that we wouldn’t have been able to see on our own. I highly recommend taking a full-day tour with them. It was a splurge for us, but totally worth it.

After exploring the west side of Sao Miguel, we headed back to the Azor, where our bags were being held. We relaxed in the lobby for about an hour before heading to the airport. Taxi rides to and from the airport are 10 Euros.

Evening – Fly to Terceira

We took an evening flight to the island of Terceira island. You can fly inter-island in the Azores on SATA Airlines. The airline was great and the planes were nice and the flights all went smoothly. You can check bags for free on SATA and you’ll want to because normal carry-on bags won’t fit in the small overhead compartments on the tiny planes.

We arrived in Terceira around 9pm, picked up our rental car. We checked into our hotel, the Cruceiro, which was located in the island’s main town of Angra do Heroismo. The hotel was really nice, and probably one of the nicest on the island. The rooms were really nice and spacious with great bathrooms and beautiful décor. Its located right downtown and walkable to most things you’ll want to see in Angra.

It’s great if you love nightlife, or if you’re there during any festivals. We just happen to be on the island during a big music festival and also during the “White Party” where everyone wears white and parties until 4 am. So, it’s great if you’re not into sleeping! Ha! We just rolled with it and decided to stay out late and party with the locals.

We even went and bought white clothes so we could fit in. I kept asking what the purpose of the celebration was for, but the only response I got was “for fun!” And it was definitely fun. Bands play in the streets, shops are open late, vendors sell ice cream, coffee, and of course cheese!

Day 4 – Terceira Island

We took the whole day and explored Terceira island. There was so much more to explore on this tiny island than I ever thought possible! Terceira is considered the “cultural center” of the Azores, and the island definitely had an older feel to it.

Visit Old Churches and Ancient Frescoes in São Sebastião

We visited the town Sao Sabastiao where we visited a church that had frescoes dating back to the 1600s! It was amazing to see how long they’ve lasted. We also ate at a restaurant that was recommended to us by a local called Os Moihnos. The restaurant is set in an old millhouse and was so unique. We tried the Altasca, which is a braised meat, that was so tender and delicious.

We drove around the island counter clockwise, exploring a huge volcano that you can go inside of, more caldeiras, lakes, and lava tubes that we explored with hardhats! The island is so different from Sao Miguel, but just as beautiful.

Must-see Sites in Terceira :

• Explore Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira’s main city
• Relax at Duque da Terceira Garden
• Go to the beach at Prainha da Praia da Vitória
• See the view from Miradouro do Facho
• Catch another view from Serra do Cume
• Hike Monte Brasil
• Visit old churces and ancient frescoes in São Sebastião
• Go inside the Algar do Carvão lava tube
• Visit the Ponta das Contendas Lighthouse

After our long day of exploring the beautiful Terceira, we crashed back at the hotel and fell asleep to the music of the bands playing 90s music outside our window. How romantic!

Day 5 – Fly to Faial

We got up early on day 5 and took some photos around the lovely town of Angra do Heroismo then headed out to the airport for our final island in the Azores.

We landed in Faial and took a taxi to the main town of Horta where we met our guide, Rui, who owns the Blue Tuk tour company. It poured during the first hour of our tour, but Rui was prepared with big rain coats and blankets for us. It was actually quite romantic and it was nice for both of us to just snuggle up in the back of the comfortable tuk tuk and not have to drive.

We got to visit a cheese factory, where Rui is also the graphic designer, and get a private tour and sample some cheese. This ended up being our favorite cheese, and apparently it’s even sold in the US. I’m on the hunt for it now. It’s the Do Morro cheese company. Seriously so good!

 I would say out of all the islands we visited, Faial felt the most natural to me, with lots of open space, and not a ton of people. The most stunning place we visited in Faial was Vulcain dos Capelinhos, a volcano that erupted in 1957, destroying hundreds of farms, and triggering a miss migration of Azoreans from the islands and into the US, Canada, and Brazil.

But seeing the new land that was created by the volcano was pretty amazing! You can hike to the top of the cliff for incredible views. It was VERY windy when we hiked up, and I was terrified, but the hike was worth it!

Faial is also covered with natural pools where you can swim on nice weather days. Just watch out for the Portuguese Man of War, which are very dangerous, and very painful if you get stung! Since Faial had just experienced a storm, there was a huge influx of them.

We came back into Horta where we took the Tuk Tuk up to Mote da Guia, which offered amazIng views of the town. I wish we had more time to visit the Whaling Musuem. It looked really interesting Whaling used to be one of the biggest industries in the Azores Islands until around the 1980s.

Rui was a great guide and I learned so much about the history and culture of Faial from him. We loved exploring this tiny island and if I were to go back, I would take the ferry and go visit Pico and Sao Jeroge which you can see from Faial.

Evening – Fly back to Sao Miguel

We just had a quick day trip to Faial, but honestly we did cover most of the island, even with some rain. I’d love to come back and just relax here and take the kids to the natural ocean pools.  We flew back to Sao Miguel and checked into the Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico

Day 6 – Ponta Delgada Chill Day

The hotel was nice with a great location across the street from the marina. We had planned to do a whale watching tour the following day, so this is why we stayed here, however, the weather was bad the next day, so we couldn’t go whale watching. We were bummed, but honestly, it was amazing just to have a day with nothing scheduled to just relax.

We walked back to the market, bought more fresh fruits and veggies, cheese, and bread, and just snacked in the hotel room while watching Stranger Things…I know, we are so exciting, but after 15 years of marriage what do you expect! We snuggled in the hotel and went out when the rain broke to wander downtown. We tried out some Azorean street hot dogs, malasadas, churros, and gelato. We grabbed an Azorean burger, which is pretty much my new favorite food. Read my Azores food guide for more info on this!

For dinner, we ate at the most amazing restaurant, Tasquinha Vieira. It was a great way to end our trip. We flew back to New York in the morning (after a delay and a few complications involving me accidentally changing our flight to the following day…thanks for fixing that one for me Delta).

Honestly, this trip was exactly what we both needed. We were able to explore and be adventurous while also enjoying some luxury and relaxation with some good old togetherness.

We were able to really thoroughly explore three islands in such a short amount of time.

I loved our trip together and we kept saying we need to bring the kids back! I can’t wait to explore the rest of the islands in the Azores.

I would repeat this trip in a heartbeat and luckily, you can copy this exact trip. If you need any help planning your trip, please get in touch! I’d love to live through your trip until I can make it back myself!

Wanderlust Crew

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Azores Travel Guide (2024): Portugal’s Far Off Islands

I just spent a summer visiting the Azores Islands, a far-off autonomous archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, where life is simple and the living is easy.

While technically part of Portugal, these islands are starkly different from continental Europe and relatively unknown within the travel community.

Scattered across the Atlantic, the Azores have been isolated from the world (and each other) for centuries, which has led to each island developing its own unique culture among its beautiful natural surroundings.

So where are the Azores? And how did I hear about them?

The nine islands are divided into three separate groups. The eastern islands are  Sao Miguel  and  Santa Maria ; the central group consists of  Terceira ,  Graciosa ,  Sao Jorge ,  Pico,  and  Faial ; and the western islands of  Flores  and  Corvo  are the most remote of the islands.

My father was born on Terceira, the third largest island of the Azores, and my grandparents, and their grandparents, and so forth, were born on Terceira too.

Here’s the deal: there is hardly any (useful) information on traveling the Azores on the internet. That’s why I put together the most complete and comprehensive Azores travel guide.

Below I will break down each island’s highlights and some of the top places to visit on each island. Later in this guide, I will cover how to travel around, what to eat, where to stay, and more.

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There is a section on the cost of visiting the Azores, where I’ll dish the deets on how to travel the Azores affordably.

It is becoming more affordable to visit the Azores because of budget airline routes, but the Azores do not have an infrastructure for backpackers like the rest of Western Europe.

Keep reading this Azores travel guide to learn everything you need to know about the 9 islands, including 4 epic Azores travel itineraries, travel tips, budget costs, information on hiking the Azores, top things to do, and so much more!

Let’s dive right in…

Where to Go Traveling in the Azores

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As I mentioned above, the Azores archipelago is made up of 9 distinct islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. They are separated into three groups, the western, middle, and eastern.

I’ll be covering five of the islands in this Azores backpacking guide in detail – Sao Miguel, Terceira, Flores, Corvo, and Sao Jorge – I haven’t been to Santa Maria, Graciosa, or Faial, so those will only be covered briefly.

Sao Miguel is the biggest island and home of the capital of the Azores. Most travelers visit Sao Miguel for its diversity and city life, though “city life” is relative here.

Terceira is less known for its nature and more for its unique culture. That said, there are also a lot of beautiful places here to visit on Terceira too!

Pico , the second biggest island, is known for its towering volcano, which you can summit.  Flores is one of the most remote Azores islands and the nature lover’s paradise.

I will also cover the other islands, Faial , Corvo , Santa Maria , Sao Jorge , and Graciosa, just not in as much detail.

Each island offers up its own unique attractions, culture, and traditions, though you can be sure to hike, swim in the ocean, and eat fresh seafood on any given one.

Head to Sao Miguel and explore the streets of Ponta Delgada and dip in one of the many, many thermal hot springs.

Hike amongst the beautiful jagged hills and waterfalls of Flores. Indulge in Terceira’s  festas after taking a dip in one of the ocean swimming pools. Hike around the fajas of Sao Jorge, and eat their famous cheese washed down with coffee from Europe’s only coffee plantation.

Take a stroll on the edge of a caldera on Corvo. Hike to the Azore’s tallest point, a dormant volcano on the island of Pico.

Go deep sea fishing, diving, and eat the fresh catch of the day for dinner. Dive with manta rays off the coast of Santa Maria. Go whale watching and swim with wild dolphins on an island in the Atlantic.

No matter what you like to do, a visit to the Azores has something exquisite for every traveler. Whether you love trekking, swimming, diving, or eating and drinking to your heart’s content, there is something on offer for every traveler in the Azores.

Now, let’s take a look at some of the best Azores itineraries and backpacking routes that I have assembled below…

If you look up “Azores itinerary,” most searches will populate with pretty much only  Sao Miguel itineraries . This is because Sao Miguel, the largest Azores island, is easily the most visited one.

As diverse and incredible as Sao Miguel is, I think it is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to visiting the Azores.

My first itinerary is a Sao Miguel itinerary, but I have also included a few more Azores itineraries that cover other islands too, depending on your interests and timeframe.

5 Day Azores Itinerary #1: Taste of the Azores

5 Days in the Azores: Sao Miguel

If you only have less than a week to visit the Azores, then I would actually recommend sticking to Sao Miguel  island because there is a ton to do here that will keep you busy for a week; moreover, it is home to the most accessible airport, meaning you’ll spend less time in transit and more time enjoying your Azores backpacking trip.

With 5 days in Sao Miguel, you can visit a few thermal hot springs, take a tour of the pineapple and tea plantations – I’ll explain later! – go whale watching, chill on the beach, scuba dive, hike around volcanic craters, and indulge in the Azores food scene!

That’s a lot to do, I know. I’ll discuss Sao Miguel in more detail in the island breakdown section below, but in terms of planning a Sao Miguel itinerary, keep in mind it takes about 4 hours to drive around the island without stopping.

I recommend spending 2 nights in Ponta Delgada . From Ponta Delgada, you can take day trips to  Sete Ciudades  to hike around the lake, visit the beach town  Mosteiros on the west side where you can bathe in a hot spring in the ocean, and visit Vila Franca .

Most whale watching tours leave from Ponta Delgada or Vila Franca.

I recommend passing through Vila Franca on your third day in Sao Miguel. Plan a half-day boat trip to the Islet Franca do Campo . Afterward, you can check into your accommodation on the east side of Sao Miguel and explore the towns and nature around there.

Furnas deserves at least a day of exploration, as there are many awesome hot springs to be soaked in. Ribeira Grande has some nice beaches and is close to other attractions, like two tea plantations – Europe’s only two – and Lagoa Fogo , pinned in the middle of the map above.

This will easily keep you busy for 5 days, though if you have a week, you can do even more. You can check out a longer Sao Miguel itinerary here.

7-Day Azores Itinerary: San Miguel + 1 Azores Island

With a few extra days, you can add an island to your Azores trip. I suggest either Pico or Terceira . For the sake of simplicity, I’ll describe what a Sao Miguel + Terceira itinerary would look like below. I’ll discuss Pico in the third itinerary.

7 days in the Azores: Visit 2 Islands

With a week to visit the Azores, I suggest exploring 2 islands. As mentioned above, São Miguel is the largest island, but adding another island, will give you a different perspective of the Azores.

The next two biggest islands are  Pico and  Terceira and it will be easiest to book an open-jaw flight itinerary between 2-3 of these islands.

Terceira , shown in the map above, is incredibly unique for its summer-long cultural festivals and bull runs, which I’ll discuss later.

If you are interested in learning more about Azorean culture, I highly recommend visiting Terceira, which holds a special place in my heart.

The main tourist town of Angra do Heroismo is utterly charming and unsurprisingly a UNESCO Heritage Site as well as the island’s university town.

I recommend spending three days on Terceira, but more if you can.

Spend a night or two in Angra do Heroismo, and another night on the north side of the island.  Praia de Victoria will be the next biggest “city” with more options for accommodation and restaurants.

Having lived on Terceira for over a month, I visited every swimming hole on the island, and each has its own vibe. The island doesn’t have natural sand, so while there are a couple man-made beaches, each coastal village in Terceira has instead built a swimming hole to easily access the ocean from the rocky shores.

I’ll cover what to do on Terceira in the “places to visit in the Azores” section below.

10-Day Azores Itinerary #3: Hiking the Azores

10 Days on the Azores: Pico, Sao Jorge, Flores, and Corvo

If you enjoy hiking and connecting with nature then this is the Azores itinerary for you.

Pico will be the easiest island to fly into from mainland Europe. This island is most famous for Mount Pico, a 2,351-meter dormant volcano, which you can summit to catch 360-degree views of the Atlantic and nearby islands, Faial and Sao Jorge.

While it’s not by any means amongst the tallest in the world,  Mount Pico  can be deceptively difficult to conquer, so it is best to be in moderate shape at a minimum.

After spending 3-4 days on Pico – hiking, whale watching, and sipping on wine – catch an internal flight to the westernmost island chain.

You can ferry to the island of  Sao Jorge  too. I haven’t been to this island, but I have heard the scenery and hiking is incredible.

With more time, allot at least 5 days to Flores if you are an avid hiker and naturalist, trust me! Otherwise, about 4 days (with a side trip to Corvo Island) will be enough to get a feel of the island.

Debatedly the most beautiful, or at least the most dramatic island, Flores is also one of my favorite islands in the Azores.

On Flores, you can hike around the entire island, or conquer it in sections. The hiking here is no walk in the park, as the elevation changes frequently due to the jagged mountains.

Spend your time hiking, whale watching, swimming, and exploring the island; make sure to set aside at least one day to visit the nearby and most western island, Corvo . Here you can walk on the edge of the Caldera.

Keep in mind, you will have to fly back to Pico (or even Terceira or Sao Miguel) for an international flight home.

14-Day Azores Itinerary: #4: Azores Highlights

2 weeks on the Azores: The Best of the Islands

With at least 2 weeks to visit the Azores, you can potentially visit 5 islands and really get a taste for everything the Azores have to offer.

I suggest starting with Sao Miguel and following my advice in itinerary #1. After 4-5 days on Sao Miguel, it’s time to explore Terceira and then the three triangle islands: Faial , Pico , and Sao Jorge.

Two weeks is the minimum to visit all 5 of these islands, with a few more days you will be able to relax more often. Luckily, travel times between islands are quite short (unless your flight is delayed, which is quite common).

Terceira is best known for its festivities. If you are visiting the Azores in the summer, try to be in Terceira for the festivals at  Angra do Heroismo  in June, or Praia de Victoria in August. All of the smaller towns host bull runs and a festival at one point or another, so there is always something going on.

Sao Jorge is pretty underrated as well. It’s known for its majestic cliffs and some of the most beautiful landscapes on the Azores. This island is also the best cheese producer – though all islands produce good cheese. I would plan for 3 days in Sao Jorge.

While I haven’t been to Faial , I have heard that the volcanic landscape is nice and the villages are quaint and charming. It’s a rather small island, and you only need 2 days to properly explore it.

If you are pressed for time, this would be the first island I would remove from this Azores itinerary. Another option is to head to Flores instead.

Finally, end your trip with 3-4 days on Pico , ending your vacation with an epic hike to the top of Mount Pico and some wine tasting to top off your vacation.

You can also end your trip in Terceira, and visit Pico, Faial, and Sao Jorge beforehand. Check flight and ferry schedules to customize this itinerary!

The Azores are a truly unique place to visit for backpackers and families alike. By visiting the Azores, you can experience their unprecedented culture and incredibly lush nature, all a stone’s throw away from the beautiful ocean.

That said, you don’t travel to the Azores to lay on sandy beaches. (There are sandy beaches, but they are man-made. The only island with natural sand is Santa Maria , the most eastern island in the archipelago.)

On the other hand, the Azores have pretty epic swimming holes that allow you to dip in the sea and bask in the sun, plenty of rolling hills to hike and volcanic activity to explore. What is more, each island is known as a certain color.

Sao Miguel , for example, is the Green Island because of its vast meadows and green hills;  Terceira  is the Lilac Island, due to its prolific wisteria and lilac vegetation found around the island.

Santa Maria  is the Yellow Island due to the predominance shrub-like lower land and coastal vegetation in the summer.  Graciosa  is the White Island because of its white colored rocks;  São Jorge  is the Brown Island due to the brown rocks at Rosais Islet and Point.

Pico  is the Grey Island for its extensive volcanic rock coast and lack of vegetation up high on Mount Pico’s mountain slopes.  Faial  is the Blue Island for its blue hydrangeas that line roads and pastures, and also because of its sea-related activities.

Flores  is the Pink Island for its lush azaleas and pink sunsets among Rocha dos Bordões. And finally,  Corvo  is the Black Island, due to its black stone walls and the fact that it is viewed as a minute “black point” on the horizon from Flores.

Each island offers up something distinctly different for travelers and backpackers, and I’m not just talking about the colors.

Let us take a look at the islands that make visiting the Azores so awesome…

The largest and most populated island is also the most visited of the islands. That’s not to say Sao Miguel is the best Azores Island, but alongside Terceira, it is definitely is the most convenient to travel to as far as international flights and infrastructure go.

Sao Miguel is known for its rolling green hills, volcanic crater lakes, and hot springs. While most of the island is quite rural,  Ponta Delgada,  the capital of the Azores, is the largest city among the archipelago.

This is where you will have access to most accommodation and food. If you do not rent a car when visiting Sao Miguel, I highly recommend staying here.

In terms of nature, the highlights are definitely Sete Cidades , Fogo Lake , and the hot springs around  Furnas . I definitely recommend hiking or biking around Sete Cidades and hiking to  Vista do Rei.

You can get some great inspiration for hiking and lakes to visit here .

Backpacking Ponta Delgada

As the largest city in the isles, Ponta Delgada is where most of the young, Azorean people and university students live. The city itself reminded me of the coastal town Malaga in Spain. This is where you’ll find some of the best restaurants and nightlife on the Azores, but it’s still not a big city.

If you want conveniences – or do not plan on renting a car, which you should – then I recommend staying in Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel.

Otherwise, use Ponta Delgada as a base to visit some of the highlights in the west, like  Sete Cidades,  Mosteiros,  and even Vila Franca  from where you can plan a boat trip to the Islet Franca do Campo.

Backpacking Furnas

This quaint and charming cobblestoned town is located in the valley of a volcano. This is one of my favorite places to stay in Sao Miguel, due to its proximity to the best natural hotsprings in the Azores. I would spend at least one night in Furnas to fully explore and soak in the hotsprings.

Be sure to visit the Furnas (pictured below) where locals bake a stew,  colzido das Furnas , in the hot ground for five hours!

Terra Nostra Hotel is home to one of the hotsprings, a large single pool; you can pay for day use if you are not staying here. Another worthwhile hotspring is  Poça da Dona Beija , which hosts 5 natural thermal baths.

Backpacking Ribeira Grande

The next biggest city on Sao Miguel Island is Ribeira Grande on the north coast. Here you’ll find both surf and tea plantations – no we’re not in Sri Lanka.

This town is more quaint than Ponta Delgada, and also close to some of the best beaches on Sao Miguel, including Santa Barabra Beach.

Plan to visit one of the two organic tea plantations – Tea Porto Formoso or Gorreana – to taste the local goods! These are the only tea plantations in all of Europe.

From Ribeira Grande, you also have access to visit the stunning  Lagoa do Fogo  – a blue and green lake in a crater – by 30 minute hike. You can picnic on its empty white, sandy beaches wink at me from the shore.

I found that Terceira is home to some of the most friendly and festive people in the Azores. While not necessarily known for its nature – like Flores or Sao Miguel is – you should definitely visit Terceira for the culture and festivities.

In the summertime, each village and city hosts a local festa (festival) with food, music, and friends.

Most villages host a community potluck with all the local delicacies: beef, pork, lapas  and seafood ,  cheese, wines, and liquors. Other events include parades, theatrical performances, folktales and songs, and fireworks that go late into the night. Each town also hosts a local bull run, usually spanning over 2-3 days.

The Terceira bull runs are unlike any other bullfight event in the world. For one, the bulls are not killed nor injured, but anyone can participate and run from the bulls, usually with a little liquid courage, and sometimes it is actually the people that get seriously injured or even killed.

I was hesitant to attend the bull runs for ethical reasons, but they’re a part of Terceira’s unique culture and as I later learned, the bulls are treated more like sports stars than circus animals. Every bull has its statistics and reputation that it builds over the years, and many locals follow their favorite bulls around the island like a sports team. I wrote about the Terceira bull runs  here .

The biggest festas take place in the biggest cities: Angra do Heroismo in June and Praia do Victoria in August.

The closest city to the Terceira airport is  Praia do Victoria , which is a quaint town with a large sandy beach. You’ll find locals lounging in the sand and playing volleyball and football on any given summer day.

If you drive clockwise around the island, you’ll pass through many villages and towns with their own swimming holes, and about 15 minutes from Praia you can drive to the top of Serra do Cuma for the best view of Terceira.

Furnas do Enxofre and Algar do Carvão  are probably the most impressive sites on Terceira, as you get to an explore an extinct volcano!

Algar do Carvão is one of the only places in the world where you can actually go  inside a volcano. They built a staircase inside the lava tube, so you can enter without having to canyoneer.

Furnas do Enxofre is a geothermal site about 15 minutes from Algar. You can buy a ticket for one or both of entrances at the main visitors center.

When I talked to locals, they mentioned there are dozens of other volcanic caves on the island that can be visited with a guide. If you are feeling adventurous, seek out a canyoneering guide and go on an adventure!

Eventually, you’ll reach the main and largest city on Terceira, Angra do Heroismo , which is a UNESCO World Cultural Site. This is the best place to grab food and do some shopping on Terceira too.

From Angra, you can continue driving clockwise around the island or cut inland into the hills. The best hikes on the island are  Rocha da Chambre and the trails on the northern side. I am personally a fan of hiking around Agua de Alva as you get to check out the cliffs.

Cuatro Ribeiras  on the north side of the island is home to one of my favorite swimming holes on the island, so don’t miss it! There is also a café to grab a bite to eat.

Biscuoitos  is nearby and has the biggest and most facilitated swimming holes, and therefore is the most touristic one. It’s actually really cool but incredibly crowded in the summertime.

Backpacking Angra Do Heroismo

As a UNESCO World Cultural Site, this city is one of the top places to visit in Terceira, and the main reason most tourists visit the island.

I think Angra is the best city to base yourself as a tourist too because it has the most options for accommodation, plenty of restaurants and an actual bar scene (albeit it is small).

The best things to do in Angra is to simply walk around and admire the colorful houses and cathedrals. You’ll find plenty of restaurants and little shops around the main town. I highly recommend Tasca dos Tios for the fresh catch of the day!

There is a local beach that is actually one of my favorite places to lounge in Terceira. While man-made, the sand is soft and the bay area is easy to swim in. You are also nearby a large green hill called  Monte Brazil ; you can walk or drive up to the top for sunrise.

As the biggest city in Terceira, you can also arrange your ferry tickets, whale watching tours, and more in Angra.

Backpacking Praia da Vitoria

Terceira is a decently sized island, so if you plan to visit for a few days, it’ll make sense to split up your time between the south and north sides of the island.

Moreover, this is the city closest to the airport and the biggest after Angra; therefore, this is one of the best places to stay in Terceira to explore some of the central and northern parts of the island.

By day, the town is pretty quiet, and there isn’t much going on, but by evening many of the seaside restaurants/bars come alive. Because Praia is so close to the American Naval Base, you also get quite a few stationed Americans hanging out around here. It’s nothing wild, but it is a fun area to have a couple drinks after a day of swimming and sightseeing.

Praia also has a dive shop, kayak rentals, and tour agencies, so you can arrange activities from here.

If you are visiting the Azores in August, book your accommodation for Praia months in advance. As I mentioned above, Praia hosts a huge 10-14 day festival in August.

Kind of like a fair, everyone gets together under the big tarped tents to eat, drink, and be merry. Some of Terceira’s biggest events and bull runs take place at this festival, so don’t miss it if you’re around.

Pico is the second largest island of the Azores, and most tourists visit Pico specifically to hike to the top of  Mount Pico.  At about 2350 m altitude, it’s the highest point of Portugal.

If you are visiting some of the greener islands, like Sao Miguel or Flores, Pico will provide a completely different, albeit less touristy experience, as much of the island is dominated by Mount Pico on its western half.

If you can’t tell already, the best thing to do in Pico is to climb Mount Pico itself, though do not underestimate this hike as it takes around 7-8 hours to complete, and you are basically starting from sea level! The terrain can be quite steep, so pack  trekking poles !

You’ll need a full day to hike to the top of Mount Pico, and it’s nice to have a bit of wiggle room in case the weather acts up, so I recommend spending around 3-4 days in Pico.

Besides its volcano, Pico is also known for its wineries and vineyards, and whale watching.

Next to the airport, you’ll find the Pico unique vineyards, known as  currais,  now a  World Heritage Site . From my understanding, Pico’s vines grow on the black basalt rock, and the volcanic soil and nearby ocean air give the wine a distinctive taste only found in Pico.

Definitely make sure to visit the vineyards and learn about the Azores’ wine culture at the Wine Museum as well as explore the nearby villages and walking trails through the pastures and forests.

I went  whale watching  on Sao Miguel, but I’ve heard Pico is even better. Pico used to be the base of much of the Azores’ gruesome whale hunting industry, but thankfully, this industry has been forbidden and Pico and the Azores have turned a new leaf. Today, you can visit a museum dedicated to whalers and go on an eco-responsible whale watching tour.

Another awesome thing to do on Pico is visit  Gruta das Torres,  the largest lave tube in Portugal! Similar to the cave tours on Terceira, you descend into a large cavern/lava tube, though this one doesn’t allow artificial lights inside, and is really dark so you’ll need flashlights.

You can also hire a guide and descend into some of the smaller caves around the island for a more Indiana Jones-like experience.

The best places to stay in Pico are either  Madalena  or  São Roque,  though you can stay in a remote town for a more traditional or romantic stay.

Madalena is conveniently located near the vineyards, where you can also organize tours and tastings!

One of the smallest islands in the Azores, São Jorge  is actually one of the least visited ones too, yet supposedly incredibly diverse.

Famous for its cliffs, green scenery, lakes, and coastline split up by small plains formed by lava flows called  fajãs , Sao Jorge has a lot going for it.

I haven’t been to Sao Jorge, but I know its  fajes  (also found on Flores) are plateaus with large elevation drops down to the shore, many of which are home to tiny towns, which is what makes this island so beautiful and dramatic.

Apart from the natural scenery, Sao Jorge is also famous for its raw (unpasteurized) cheese –  Queijo de São Jorge . You can find if on other islands, so make sure you try it!

Sao Jorge also has the only coffee plantation in Europe. Family owned and operated it’s quite small, and I was unable to track down the beans on the other islands, which I found quite odd.

I’ve also read Sao Jorge has some of the best surfing in the Azores.

As for where to stay, Sao Jorge doesn’t have as many facilities as the other islands, but the main port town of Velas is going to have the most options for accommodation and restaurants.

Flores is easily one of my favorite island in the Azores, if not my ultimate favorite. The entire island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, with dozens of waterfalls, lakes, mountains, and rock formations.

If you are an adventurous and outdoorsy traveler, then make sure to visit  Flores.

Hiking around Flores is definitely one of the main highlights. You can find all the trail information at this site; there are signs, maps, and well-marked trails on the island as well.

I highly recommend hiking to/from Faja Grande to  Lajedo on the northern side of Flores, as this part of the island is only accessible by foot (not car). Keep in mind it’s a point-to-point hike, so you’ll want to have some type of transportation pick-up at the end so you don’t have to hike all the way back.

Poço da Alagoinha  is another highlight, and probably one of my favorite places to visit in the Azores. There are tons of waterfalls falling from the sky among lush green mountains and rock formations. The trail is relatively short, but extremely slippery when wet, and Flores is pretty much always wet as it rains almost daily.

I also recommend driving around the island and checking out the small villages, crater lakes, and “Rocha dos Bordoes,” a peculiar rock that shoots up out of nowhere.

My family and I went on a tour with Experience OC and had an absolute blast. The owner, Armando, is so professional and helpful, and I highly recommend using this company for driving tours, hiking, boating tours, etc. especially if you are not renting a car.

Aside from driving and hiking around Flores, there are plenty of other adventurous and relaxing things to do. For one, you should simply wander around the beautiful town of Faja Grande and taking in the waterfalls.

Do as the locals do and swim and fish in the nearby ocean.

Another great thing to do is go canyoneering. With so many running rivers and waterfalls, it’s easy to see why this is the best place to go canyoneering in the Azores. We went with West Canyon and I highly recommend them for their responsible, fun, and professional guides.

If you have canyoneering experience, you can hire one of their guides to scale some much higher (think 100 meters plus) waterfalls!

Finally, make sure to take a day (or overnight) trip over to the island of Corvos . I’ll cover Corvos below.

In terms of towns, there are 4 main towns on each side of the island. Santa Cruz das Flores is the main town by the airport where many tourism companies are located.

The main (and I believe only) supermarket on Flores is in this town too, though be prepared to see practically no fresh produce. It seems like the only way to get a lot of veggies is to track down whoever grows them on the island.

On that note, you don’t visit Flores for the food; aside of the fresh seafood, Flores was the least culinary of the islands I visited.

Ponta Delgada (not to be confused with the capital on Sao Miguel) is a quaint town that is good for basing yourself near the northern activities. It’s located in the Santa Cruz municipality.

Lajas das Flores is the southern town, which I didn’t make it to, but there seem to be some good restaurants here.  Lajedo  is the northern coastal town that is small and quiet, mostly home to farmers. It’s worth driving over here though.

Faja Grande is the most beautiful, as it is surrounded by ocean and waterfalls. Much of the middle of the island doesn’t have any facilities but plenty of pastures and crater lakes to explore.

The smallest and most western island in the archipelago, Corvo makes for a great day or overnight trip from Flores, as you can ferry there in about an hour.

As the smallest island, you can walk around the entire island in a day, which is pretty incredible since the entire island is a caldera and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. (A caldera is when the roof of a magma chamber collapses to form a large crater. Other famous ones include Crater Lake in the US. Pretty epic that the whole island is one.)

Make sure to visit the Caldeirão (crater).

With only 300 inhabitants and one town, finding a place to stay will be pretty straightforward. You also do not need to rent a car on Corvo, but there are bikes for rent if you want one.

I haven’t been to Faial, Santa Maria, or Graciosa, nor do I know anyone who has, so these islands will be covered briefly with information I obtained from the Azores Tourism Board’s help!

Faial is best known for the town Horta, a hub for many sailors and maritime travelers in between Africa, the Americas, and Europe. Other things to do on Faial include the  Capelinhos and  Lagoa da Caldeira.

Now, from what I have heard, Graciosa  doesn’t have that much to do and is least known for its nature out of all of the Azores Islands, but is quite off the beaten path and as authentic as the Azores get.

Here you’ll still see many farmers in the pastures and horses roaming the streets (though this is a sight you can catch on most of the islands too). The best thing to do on Graciosa is bathe in the therapeutic hot springs of  Carapacho.

One of the least visited islands is Santa Maria , which has quite a different geological terrain and climate. While most of the other islands experience cloudy and rainy weather year round, Santa Maria is much sunnier, and home to the only natural sand beaches.

This also means Santa Maria is the brownest and driest of the islands. Moreover, Santa Maria is closest to some of the best diving spots in the Azores, including  Gruta Azul , which I’ll cover in our scuba diving section below.

The Azores off the Beaten Path

Frankly, if you are visiting the Azores you are already off the beaten path, though I predict these islands will not stay off the tourist trail for much longer!

If you really want to get off the beaten path, consider visiting the Azores’ lesser visited islands, namely Faial, Santa Maria, and Graciosa listed above. Sao Jorge also doesn’t get nearly as many visitors as its nearby neighbors and is supposedly really beautiful.

Another great way to get out into nature and away from the crowds is to strap on your hiking boots and hit the trails. While I haven’t been to all of the islands yet, I would argue Flores is the best island for hiking, though Picos and Sao Jorge trail behind in a close second and third.

Though Sao Miguel is the most popular island, it’s the biggest island too. Once you get away from the hot spring resorts and main cities, you can hike, bike, and explore at your leisure. The east side of the island is far less traveled than the west.

For getting off the beaten path in the Azores, you’ll need the right gear. To get your adventure fire lit, check out my article regarding why you should always travel with a tent .

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

1 . Go on a Whale Watching Tour

The Azores are one of the best places to go whale watching in the world! Almost a third of the world’s 92 cetacean species, 27 in all, are found in the Azores. Go at the right time and you may be lucky enough to see a sperm whale or blue whale too.

Whale watching tours are successful because they use  vigias , or lookouts, where people on high land watch for whales and communicate with the captains below. These whale watching operations have helped old whale hunters make a living by saving whales instead of killing them.

I don’t usually take tours, but I highly recommend taking a whale watching tour as well as a day tour on Flores. I really enjoyed my tour with  Experience OC . Not only did I discover places I wouldn’t have otherwise, but I learned a lot about Flores’ history from the guide.

2. Swim in the Ocean

So this might be an obvious thing to do in the Azores, but it is definitely worth mentioning. The man-made swimming holes around the islands are pretty awesome.

While free diving we would regularly see tons of fish, jellyfish, and octopuses too.

3. Bask in the Hot Springs on Sao Miguel

The Azores lie on the European, American and African tectonic plates, which give them an interesting position for geothermal activity.

Sao Miguel is the most geothermically active, and the has hot springs you can soak in around the town of  Furnas.

I definitely recommend  Poça Dona Beija for its 5 open-air pools at different temperatures among a lush garden.  Terra Nostra  is a single large pool on its luxurious hotel grounds. Stay at this hotel if you can afford it!

You can visit also visit the  fumaroles – where people actually cook food in the natural heat from the earth!

4. Summit Mount Pico

No trip to Pico is really complete with a summit to Portugal’s highest point! This strenuous day hike is one of the best things to do on the Azores.

5. Indulge in the fresh food

Interestingly, the islands are extremely self-sufficient in terms of production, even making their own alcohol, tobacco, and dairy as a part of traditional life. While this is slowly changing, the Azores are still quite traditional.

Most islands grow their own produce, raise their own livestock, which is sold all over mainland Portugal, and of course, catch fresh seafood. From what I gathered, the fisheries here are sustainable and small-scale.

I will cover more on Azores food in the food section , but just know that food in the Azores is a very important cornerstone of their culture and you would be a fool not to experience it.

6. Take a Hike

The hiking on the Azores is nothing short of breathtaking (sometimes, literally). I’ll list the best hikes on the Azores in the hiking section, but know that the best islands for hiking are Flores, Sao Miguel, Sao Jorge, and Pico.

7. Party on Terceira

Now, when I say party, I’m not talking about hedonistic parties like Ibiza or Mykonos. The parties on Terceira are not about boozy nightclubs; rather, each of the villages and cities throws a multi-day cultural festival surrounding food and drink, music, dancing, parades, and, of course, the bull runs.

Now I am usually the last person to recommend attending a bullfight – not my scene – but the traditional bull runs on Terceira are totally different from anywhere else on the world and a cornerstone of the island’s culture.

For one, the bulls are not hurt, let alone killed, just sort of teased to get them moving. It’s the participating locals who from the bulls that are much more likely to get hurt.

8. Visit Angra do Heroismo

This colorful city in Terceira is a UNESCO heritage site and well worth a visit, especially if you coincide your trip with Angra’s week-long June festival as part of the parties I talked about in #7.

9. Explore some volcanos

As volcanic islands, there are plenty of calderas, craters, and even extinct volcanos to explore. The most dramatic caldera is definitely found on Corvo, which is basically just one big caldera in itself.

You can also explore extinct volcanos and lava tubes on a few of the islands. On Terceira, we visited one of the few places in the world where you can just walk into a lava tube.

10. Go Canyoneering

There are endless amounts of water sports to play in the Azores, including diving, surfing, and swimming, but don’t forget to go inland too! One of the most fun things to do on a few of the islands is go canyoneering!

Flores is home to a river and probably hundreds of waterfalls, so this is one of the best islands for said sport, alongside Sao Jorge.

We went canyoning in Flores with West Canyon and it was really fun! They have 3-hour guided trips for beginners, but if you have canyoneering experience, you can arrange for a more intense trip. Also consider other awesome adventures, like horse back riding, mountain biking, spelunking, and kayaking!

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

The Azores is beginning to build an infrastructure for tourism, though this wasn’t always the case. In fact, when I was visiting Flores, my guide told me that the first hotel wasn’t even built until the 1970s! (And that was only because of the French Naval Base.)

Things are changing, however, and you can find a range of accommodation types throughout the islands. As I’ve mentioned before, the larger islands have the best infrastructure for a variety of budgets and styles.

Every island has some type of hotel or guest house accommodation, often ran by a family. This is, in my opinion, the best way to visit the Azores.

If you are on a tight budget consider the backpacker hostels in the cities and camping elsewhere. Because there isn’t much competition, hostels aren’t as affordable as the mainland, and dorm beds can cost around $30 a night.

If you are truly on a backpacker budget, then I suggest camping, which is welcomed in the Azores and a fantastic way to get closer to nature. I mean, what’s not to love about free beach front accommodation?

On Terceira, I noticed that it was free to camp at the swimming holes in designated areas. While you’ll need to bring your own supplies, there is often a café at the swimming holes and a local market within walking distance. Other campsites on other islands may require around 10 euro per person.

You won’t find much information about Azores campsites online, but I assure you there are campsites in the Azores. You can also buy affordable camping gear on the islands if you need it, though we always recommend traveling with your own if you can!

Best Places to Stay in the Azores

Below are some awesome travel tips for visiting the Azores. Later, I will discuss the costs for traveling in this dreamy archipelago.

Books to Read on the Azores

Unfortunately, there aren’t many books set in the Azores. (If you know of any, let me know in the comments!) That being said, you can still read some amazing books set in Portugal to inspire you to visit this country.

The Alchemist  – Yes, this world-famous modern classic was actually originally written in Portuguese, so why not read the Alchemist whilst visiting Portugal?

Madeira (Walk and Eat)  – Heading to the island of Madeira too? This is a great book for those who like to hike and then have a bite to eat! Guide to local walks and food.

Alentejo Blue – A collection of short stories taking place in a village in Alentejo. Mostly centered around a young girl.

The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis – Dr. Ricardo Reis returns to Lisbon in the midst of fascism and impending civil war.

Portugal is already very safe to visit ; the Azores may be even be safer. In fact, it just might be one of the safest destinations in the world. You won’t have to worry about theft or crime here, but we always recommend using your street smarts and keeping valuables safe.

The biggest dangers to worry about are the natural hazards. Strong currents, riptides, and intense rainstorms can pose a threat if you are not prepared.

When engaging in outdoor activities, know the risks of what you are doing and have an exit plan. If you are unfit or inexperienced, hire a guide/local. That said, none of the hiking in the Azores is extremely wild or intense.

For more wild hikes, check out our guide to the best hikes in Madeira Island .

I strongly recommend traveling with a headlamp whilst visiting the Azores (or anywhere really – every backpacker should have a good headtorch!), especially if you’re camping. Check out my post for a breakdown of the best value  headlamps  to take backpacking.

Travel Insurance for the Azores

Traveling without insurance would be risky so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure.

I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. They’re easy to use, professional and relatively affordable. They may also let you buy or extend a policy once you’ve started your trip and are already abroad which is super handy.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

When visiting the Azores, you should prepare for all weather. It can be chilly and cloudy in the middle of summer, and sunny and warm in the middle of winter. I recommend packing a couple layers and a rain jacket, hiking shoes, and a couple swim suits.

On every adventure, there are six things I never go traveling without:

Travel Security Belt

This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.

Microfiber Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must.

‘Monopoly Deal’

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

For plenty more inspiration on what to pack, check out my full  backpacking packing list.

Why Should You Travel with a Water Bottle?

Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful!

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller .

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

Best Time to Visit the Azores

Most locals will say that you can experience four seasons in one day (which is sort of false since it doesn’t snow) but you get what they mean. Basically, no matter what time of the year it is, you can get rain, fog, clouds, and sun.

That said, you are more likely to have warm and sunny days in the summer and cold and rainy days in the winter. Moreover, the summer days are much longer, and the sun sets around 9 pm.

Thanks to its location in the middle of the ocean, the weather can be drastically different simply depending on which side of the island you are on, as clouds can get trapped behind mountains.

My first two weeks in the Azores were mostly clouds and rain… and it was June! If that was my whole vacation, well, that would have been my entire experience on the Azores! The rest of the summer was, however, mostly hot!

Locals have told me that the summers seem to start later nowadays, as do the winters, so consider this when booking your trip.

Of course, summers are the most visited and expensive time to visit the Azores. Still, this is when the festivities, sun, and parties are happening too! If you are visiting during a holiday (like Terceira in August) consider booking a bit more in advance.

Always pack sunscreen  and  a rain jacket!

Since we are discussing an island chain, your only way of getting to the Azores internationally is by flight.

Flying into the Azores has become much more accessible and cheaper in recent years, especially since Ryanair and Easyjet started to serve direct flights from various European cities including London, Munich, Lisbon, and Porto.

There are also may direct flights from the US and Canada since many Azoreans have immigrated to certain pockets of this continent. Boston, Oakland, New York, Toronto, and Montreal all serve direct flights to the Azores.

Entry Requirements for the Azores

Since this is an autonomous part of Portugal, the entry requirements are the same as they are for Portugal.

Portugal is part of the Schengen Zone, which is a trans-European pact enabling visa-free travel between participating nations. The Schengen agreement is an extremely convenient means of entry for those backpacking Europe .

Those who reside in the Schengen Zone need only an EU ID card to enter a neighboring country. All other world nations require a passport.

Most non-EU nations can qualify for a 90-day visa that is valid in any participating European nation. There are always exceptions though, so be sure to check the official website before you start backpacking in Europe.

See here for a list of all European nations in the Schengen Zone. Remember that not every nation in Europe is a part of this agreement.

How to get around the Azores

Traveling between islands is fairly easy and self-explanatory. You can travel either by flight or ferry, though which method is best will depend on which islands you are traveling between.

If you are traveling within a group of islands (western, middle, or eastern) then the ferry is almost always best. Island hopping is easy between the central islands – Faial, Sao Jorge, Terceira, and Pico.

If the islands are relatively close (like under 2 hours) then I highly recommend using the ferry system, as flights tend to be delayed – more on this later.

You can also ferry between larger groups, like Sao Miguel to Terceira, but the travel time can be around 5+ hours. These ferries only operate in the summer. You can find more schedule information at  Atlantico Line , which is the only company operating on these routes.

Flights are also easy, as the airports are small and all of the inner island flights are serviced by SATA. The unfortunate problem is that SATA flights are notoriously late as they only have a few aircrafts in the fleet flying between the islands.

In my experience, afternoon and evening flights are pretty much guaranteed to be delayed, so try to book a morning flight for inner-island flights (and out of the country too).

Getting around the Azores is easiest and most enjoyable if you have your own car as public transportation is infrequent and taxis can be expensive. With your own car, scooter, or even bicycle, you have the freedom to explore the islands at your leisure.

Unfortunately, car rentals are not exactly cheap for solo travelers, so if you can’t split the costs, consider renting a bike or scooter! It’s better for the environment anyway 🙂

Renting a Car in the Azores

As I mentioned above, renting a car at some point on your Azores adventure will give you the freedom to roam. There is nothing better than moving around at your own pace.

You can  sort your car rental here in just a few minutes. Booking in advance is the best way to ensure you score the lowest price and your choice of vehicle. Often, you can find the best car rental prices when you pick up the rental from the airport. Make sure you cover your rental car with a RentalCover.com policy . It covers your car against any common damages such as tires, windscreens, theft, and more at a fraction of the price you would pay at the rental desk.

Hitchhiking in the Azores

I did hitchhike a couple times in the Azores, mostly to get back to my car. Locals are friendly and will help out a friendly face if needed, but keep in mind that much of these islands is quite rural, so it may take a while to get a ride in some places.

Onwards Travel From the Azores

The Azores are an isolated archipelago, so I doubt you arrived here by accident, but if you are traveling onwards the most logical step would be to visit mainland Portugal!  Though the same country, mainland Portugal is a completely different place and well worth visiting.

You may be surprised to learn that the Azores are actually closer to the US than Europe. A lot of Azorean citizens have emigrated to the States and Canada, mostly settling in Azorean communities in Boston, Rhode Island, Central California, and Toronto.

You can get a direct flight to Boston, Oakland (just a stone’s throw from San Francisco), Toronto, or Montreal.

Visiting the Azores on a budget isn’t necessarily easy. You have to actively and strategically track how and where you spend your money. Nevertheless, you should be able to visit the Azores without spending hundreds of dollars everyday.

The Azores do not exactly cater to backpackers, as this is not a party destination and aside from the cities there aren’t many hostels. Moreover, public transportation isn’t all that reliable, so you’ll want your own wheels.

Your biggest expenses will be your car rental and accommodation, so visiting the Azores on a budget is best as a couple, or with friends or family, as touristic facilities run on the higher end.

That said, the Azores food and drink are much more affordable than mainland Europe or other Western nations. Beers are around 1 euro at a bar and you can get the fresh catch of the day for around 10 euro.

A reasonable daily budget for backpackers is between $7 0- $100/day . Some days, you can spend less if you are camping or trekking since food is so cheap. If you decide to only visit 1-2 islands and mostly camp, then you can definitely visit for less.

With a budget of $100 a day, you can rent a car, eat well, stay in a hostel or guesthouse with another person, and have a couple beers each evening.

Your costs can really add up if you are trying to visit a bunch of islands in a couple weeks, as ferries and internal flights are  not cheap.

If barebones backpacking is your style, you could easily travel in the Azores whilst spending around $30-40 on most days (including accommodation), but this doesn’t including travel to/from the islands.

Below I have broken down the average daily travel costs you can expect on an Azores backpacking budget.

Daily Costs in the Azores

Dorm bed in a hostel:  $30 – 50 (Welcome to Hawaii!)

Small basic room for two:  $50-100+

Airbnb room/entire apartment : $40+

Camping:  Free – $10

Average small car rental per day : $30+

10 Minute Taxi:  $7

1 tank scuba dive (for certified divers) : $80+

4 Hour Guided Tour with Driver: $60

Lunch at sit down restaurant:  $10+

Bottle of wine at the market:  $2-4

Beer at a bar:  $1+

Espresso  at a cafe : $1+

Breakfast at café:  $5

Seafood Dinner:  $15-25

Azores Budget Travel Hacks

The lion’s share of your budget for visiting the Azores will be spent between lodging and transportation. Below are my tips on how to avoid these expenses.

1) Camp : With plenty of awesome beaches and lush mountains, there are some great places to camp on the Azores. Traveling with a tent is the best way to save money on the Azores, as some sites are free. Otherwise, they’re $10 a head, at most.

2) Cook your own food:  Travel with a  portable backpacking stove , or book accommodation with a kitchen, and cook your own food to save some serious cash whilst backpacking the Azores. If you are on a tight budget, cooking is the best way to do it. You can get fresh produce, seafood, meat, and cheese at any of the local markets. I highly recommend it!

3) Do Free Things:  The ocean is absolutely free and a great place to spend your time while visiting the Azores! Hiking is another free thing to do!

4) Drink locally:  You can get a local beer, wine, or liquor for around 1-2 euro a drink, whether you’re at the store or a bar. A bottle of wine is under 5 euro at the market. Don’t bother getting anything imported if you are on a budget.

5) Eat Locally:  You can eat cheaply (and extremely well) by shopping locally. Hit the food trucks at all the  festas and events for 2 euro sandwiches.

6) Rent a bicycle or scooter: Traveling alone? Rent two wheels instead of four to save money.

Volunteering in the Azores

Long term travel is awesome. Giving back is awesome too. For backpackers looking to travel long-term on a budget in the Azores  whilst making a real impact on local communities, look no further than  World Packers . World Packers is an excellent platform  connecting travelers with meaningful volunteer positions throughout the world .

In exchange for a few hours of work each day, your room and board are covered.

Backpackers can spend long periods of time volunteering in an awesome place without spending any money. Meaningful life and travel experiences are rooted in stepping out of your comfort zone and into the world of a purposeful project.

World Packers opens the doors for work opportunities in hostels, homestays, NGOs and eco-projects around the world. Broke Backpacker readers get a special discount of $10 – just use this discount code  BROKEBACKPACKER and membership is discounted from $39 a year to $29.

Worldpackers: connecting travellers with  meaningful travel experiences.

Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.

Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!

Food in the Azores

One of the main reasons to visit the Azores is for the food, truly. For one, you are visiting a chain of isles, where the seafood is as fresh as it can be.

The volcanic soil also means that produce is quite good. Plus, before the tourism industry was a viable source of income, most locals were farmers (and still are).

There are many local customs, dishes, and foods to try in the Azores; I have listed a few below:

Fish:  There are so many types of fish available, depending on the day and season. I always recommend asking the restaurant or market for their fresh catch and advice. I felt good knowing most fish is still caught traditionally and sustainably.

Lapas (limpets):  The is the most famous shellfish in the Azores, a local delicacy. They are usually are served grilled with garlic, butter, pepper and a bit of lemon, though traditionally they are eaten raw. This is becoming rarer though.

Ananás (pineapple):  São Miguel island actually grows an organic pineapple. It’s expensive but really tasty.

Pão do Pico : typical bread from Pico island.

Alcatra:  a famous dish from Terceira island that’s a lot like pot roast; beef is slow-cooked with red wine, onions, garlic, allspice, and black peppercorns. This dish originally was cooked and preserved in lard (before refrigeration) and the woman of the household would prepare it for her family during the festivals when they would be out all week.

Soups and Stews: And speaking of Alcatra, soups and stews are very famous here too, anything from green cabbage soup to octopus, beef, or fish stew.

Cheese: Each island produces cheese, and some of the best in Portugal, for that matter. Sao Jorge is the most famous for its unpasteurized cheese –  Queijo de São Jorge .

Vinho (wine) : Many families and locals make their own wine, so you can find it just about anywhere, though it is Pico that is most famous for their wine, due to their unusual vineyards that grow on lava rocks.

Tea:  The only tea plantations in Europe are in Ribeira Grande on São Miguel,  Chá Gorreana  and  Chá Porto Formoso .

Best Festivals in the Azores

As a predominantly Catholic society, many of the holidays and festivals on the Azores are religious in nature. Holidays like Easter/Holy Week and Christmas, for example, are very important celebrations. The Azores also celebrates New Year’s on January 1st and National Portugal Day on June 10th.

One festival I didn’t experience but read about is called Holy Ghost Festival, which is celebrated several weeks following Easter celebrated with Sweet Bread, dancing, and parades.

Sao Miguel’s largest religious festival is the Festival of the Christ of Miracles, which takes place just after Easter. A statue of Christ is paraded through the street and other festivities take place in Ponta Delgada’s streets.

Santa Maria hosts the Azores’ music festival, Praia Formosa in late August. While visiting the Azores, I saw flyers for this festival all over the islands, and it seems to be a big deal.

Sao Jorge  hosts the Cultural Week of Velas in the first week of July, where there are concerts, a bullfight, and celebrations.

The island Faial is best as a rest stop for many sailors in between the Americas, Europe, and Africa, so it should come as no surprise that they host a festival called “ The Week of the Sea ” to celebrate their history through cultural events and music.

Last but certainly not least, Terceira is known as the “festival” island, so basically there are festivities taking place all over the island all summer long.

The biggest and most famous events are in Angra do Heroismo in June and Praia da Vitoria in August that span over more than a week each. They include parades and marches, folklore, lots of food and drink, bull runs, and dancing.

Hiking in the Azores

As volcanic, diverse islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, it may come as no surprise that the hiking in the Azores is absolutely superb! Each island has at least a few beautiful hikes to enjoy, though not all are created equal.

Azores hiking trails are well maintained and marked, and there are options for every fitness level.

Terceira is the flattest island, so the hikes here are less dramatic. That’s not to say they are extremely easy or boring, but this is the easiest island to hike on for your average Joe.

Sao Miguel has tons of hikes to its many crater lakes. But if you are visiting the Azores for hiking and nature, the best islands are without a doubt Flores and Sao Jorge because of their dramatic  fajés,  vertical coastlines, lush mountains, and scenery. Both islands are considered entire Biospheres.

And of course, you can’t forget the hiking on Pico. Make sure to summit Mount Pico on your trip!

One of the things that I love about trekking is that it is almost always free. If you want to enjoy some of the Azores’ treasures, all you need are your own two feet.

Best Hikes in the Azores

Lagoa Furnas on Sao Miguel  – Takes you around Furnas Lake in 6.3 miles for views of the lagoon and crater. One of the most beautiful places in Sao Miguel.

Sete Ciudades on Sao Miguel:  13-mile hike around multiple green and blue lakes and the towns. This is probably the most visited place in Sao Miguel.

The Great Route in Flores: Not for the faint of heart, you can circumnavigate the entire island of Flores. For more information, check out this site . There are four campsites in Flores, and two of them have hot water. You can also stay in guesthouses in the towns.

Faja Grande to Lajedo in Flores:  One of the best day hikes, and a section of the Great Route. This part of the island is inaccessible by car, so make sure to hike it! Moderate to strenuous and can get muddy.

Poço da Alagoinha in Flores: A short, moderate hike to a lagoon where dozens of waterfalls drop from lush green mountains and rock formations. The trail is relatively short, but  extremely  slippery when wet. You cannot swim in the lagoon.

Agualva trail  in Terceira:  Easy hike with excellent cliff views.

Misterios Negros in Terceira:  Moderate hike that shows you what Terceira  used to look like before invasive plants and farmland. This area is protected to preserve the indigenous plant species.

Summit Mount Pico:  Most likely, when you think of hiking the Azores, you imagine  Mount Pico , specifically. This is the highest point in all of Portugal and I have only heard great things about this strenuous albeit rewarding hike.

Great Route of Sao Jorge :  Similar to Flores, this island is composed of a sheer-sided ridge, lush vegetation, and dramatic fajés. To take on the best of the island, tackle this 42km beast of a hike.

Hike the Caldera on Corvo: A moderate, circular route around Corvo allows you to access Corvo’s collapse crater and take in some breathtaking views. You begin and end this trail near the viewpoint of Caldeirao.

Diving in the Azores

While the Azores do not have reefs like South East Asia or Mexico , the diving in the Azores holds another special charm: its whales and large pelagic life.

If you are a freediver, spearfisher, or advance scuba diver, you can really find some unique dives and big, big fish.

Moreover, there is some cave diving in the Azores too. This isn’t your typical colorful reef diving, but the water visibility is great and there are some dive sites worth coming here for. More notably, you can dive with devil rays, manta rays, blue sharks, and even whales in the Azores.

Keep in mind that diving in the Azores isn’t quite as accessible as other islands.

Best Azores Dive Sites

Rosais Reef (São Jorge Island)  – 3 miles from São Jorge Island is Rosais Reef. Best variety of marine life here. Terceirense Shipwreck (Graciosa Island)  – A shipwreck dive resting at 20 meters. Diving in Seamounts  – Visibility of more than 30 meters and devil rays are common. Second World War Shipwreck (São Miguel Island)  – Shipwreck from one of the largest military operations in world history – Operation Overlord. 

Whale Watching in the Azores

As I mentioned in the  top things to do in the Azores  section, whale watching in the Azores is world-class. 27 cetaceans are found among the Azores.

The best time to go whale watching is late spring, simply because of the sheer variety of whales and dolphins in the area. This is also when blue whales and sperm whales are migrating through the Azores.

What is more, the whale watching tours are very successful because they use  vigias , which are people on high land look-outs watching for whales below. I have heard Pico has some of the best whale watching along with Sao Miguel.

While on Sao Miguel, we went whale watching with  Terra Azul  and they were incredibly friendly, professional, and kind. They prioritize the safety of their customers and the wildlife too.

Canyoneering in the Azores

If you are visiting the Azores, don’t forget to go inland! On certain islands, tour outfitters will take you spelunking, caving, and kayaking, and last but not least, canyoneering.

It’s possible to tackle world-class canyoning on the islands of Flores, Sao Miguel, and Santa Maria.

We went canyoning on Flores with  West Canyon.  They are extremely professional, helpful, and friendly. The gear is solid too.

They lead 3-hour guided trips for beginners, but if you have canyoneering experience you can arrange a more advance full-day trip down 100-meter waterfalls; just call ahead and prepare to pay a bit more!

Make Money Online Whilst Visiting the Azores

Traveling in the Azores or Portugal long-term? Keen to make some cash when you are not exploring the city?

Teaching English online is a great way to earn a consistent income—from anywhere in the world with a good internet connection.

Depending on your qualifications (or your motivation to obtain qualifications like a TEFL certificate) you can teach English remotely from your laptop, save some cash for your next adventure, and make a positive impact on the world by improving another person’s language skills! It’s a win-win! Check out this detailed article for everything you need to know to start teaching English online .

In addition to giving you the qualifications to teach English online, TEFL courses open up a huge range of opportunities and you can find teaching work all over the world. To find out more about TEFL courses and how you can teach English around the world, read my in-depth report on teaching English abroad .

Broke Backpacker readers get a 50% discount on TEFL courses with MyTEFL (simply enter the code PACK50), to find out more, please read my in-depth report on teaching English abroad.

Whether you are keen to teach English online or looking to take your teaching game a step further by finding a job teaching English in a foreign country, getting your TEFL certificate is absolutely a step in the right direction.

Being a Responsible Backpacker in the Azores

Reduce your plastic footprint: Perhaps the best thing you can do for our planet is to make sure you do NOT add to the plastic problem all over the world.

Go to Portugal and have the time of your life, do the things you’ve dreamed of but be respectful along the way. Traveling the world makes you an ambassador for your country , which is awesome. We can make a positive impact on people when we travel and get rid of any ugly stereotypes that may be associated with your country…

Check out our post on how to be a responsible backpacker.

I hope you enjoyed my Azores travel guide, which covers everything you need to know about Portugal’s capital: top things to do, which neighborhoods to check out, where to stay, and more!

Ana Pereira

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Thanks a lot for the big effort putting this! Very informative!! 🙂

Hi Ana. I have enjoyed reading your information about The Azores so much. I visited Sao Miguel 6 years ago and as soon as the world opens again I’ll enjoy visiting some of the other islands. I ‘ll turn 70 soon and in fairly good shape. I have traveled to many places in the world after I retired 10 years ago. I usually travel alone and low budget, so I was happy to read that camping could be a possibility. I couldn’t find many official campsites on maps, but you wrote that it’s possible to camp some places at ocean pools etc. I prefer to spend money on car rent instead of hotels etc. I am addicted to traveling and have had a hard time staying at home in northern Denmark for 14 months now. I am looking forward to the Covid 19 vaccine which I hopefully shall get in April/ May. On my last trip I went to southern Thailand island hopping in Jan 2020. A top experience. Once again thank you for your very detailed information. Ingelise Frier, Denmark

Hello! I am very interested in traveling to the Azores, my family is also native to the islands, specifically Faial. I am looking to travel for 3 weeks to a month and found your guide extremely informative! I will definitely use your advice and be camping as much as possible and I will make sure to hike all of the trails I can. I was wondering how I might fare traveling by myself and only being able to speak English. I took a Brazilian Portuguese class in college but was told the dialects are very different, not to mention I didn’t retain very much. Also, I was debating on traveling next August or April. Which month do you think would have better weather for camping, and wouldn’t be too crowded with tourists. Thank you for any help!

Hello Dylan! Anyone in the tourism or hospitality industry will know English 🙂 Some locals might not, but you’ll be able to get around okay! There are also a lot of people who immigrated from the Azores to the US/Canada back on the islands all summer who will know Portuguese and English. Younger people tend to know more English as well!

Usually, I would recommend not to travel to Europe in high season (August) if you can help it but the Azores are a special case. While August will be more expensive, there will also be much more going on and the weather will be hot but perfect for the beach. Plus, not all the ferries run in April and certain places may feel pretty dead and shut down. Just be sure to book ahead in August!

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The ultimate Azores travel guide + itinerary

Written by Sam Van den Haute aka CheckOutSam

The Azores are nine gorgeous islands in the south of Europe. They belong to the same archipelago, but that doesn’t mean that they all look the same. They couldn’t be any more different! This has a lot to do with the age of every island. The youngest island (Pico) is ‘only’ three hundred thousand years old, while the oldest island (Santa Maria) is almost eight million years old. I did a round trip though the Azores and visited four islands. In this travel guide for the Azores, I tell you everything about how you can plan a vacation to the Azores yourself, what you definitely should do and see, where the best restaurants are and a lot more.

Hi, I'm Sam , the blogger behind CheckOutSam !

What will you read in this blog?

Cheap flight tickets to the Azores

From Canada, the US or Europe you can fly to the Azores in only a couple of hours.

If you need help in finding the cheapest tickets to this paradise destination, then I recommend reading my article on ‘ how to find the cheapest flights ’. I pretty much always find cheap tickets with SkyScanner.net . If you’re a bit flexible, you can often save a lot of money.

Flights between the islands are best booked through SATA airlines . I’ll talk about these flights more in the rest of this article.

Ponta Delgada airport.

Excursions in the Azores

If you rented a car in the Azores, you an arrange pretty much everything on your own. But if you’re scared to drive through the narrow steets, then it’s of course also an option to book excursions.

Activities like whale watching or canyoning always need a tour operator. For these activities I do recommend to book tickets in advance, because availability is often limited and these tours are often fully booked for a few days in advance.

Websites that I like for booking tours are:

• GetYourGuide

So much fun!

The landscapes of the Azores are stunning!

Driving a car in the Azores or public transportation?

I personally recommend to rent a car in the Azores. This way you’ll get to your destination a lot faster and you also don’t need to keep the bus schedule in mind. There are busses on almost every island (and they are comfortable as well), but personally I think the area they serve is a bit too limited to really travel around the islands without missing out on things.

Renting a car in the Azores

Renting a car in the Azores can be quite expensive, but I still think it’s a must. There’s so much to see on all of these islands and the public transportation can’t bring you to all the magical things to do. On the less touristy islands it’s often even harder to get to the most beautiful or interesting sights.

On the four islands that I visited, I rented my cars at Let’s Rent-a-Car , Autatlantis Rent-a-Car en Ilha Verde Rent-a-Car . They often were cheaper than the bigger rental companies and, good to know, they almost never had any waiting lines to pick up the car.

Renting a car on the bigger islands (São Miguel, Pico and Terceira) costs about €160 to €300 per week. On the smaller en less frequently visited islands you’ll pay more. On Faial a week would cost about €350. But to be honest you’ll only need one full day to discover this island, and that would cost you about €90 with Ilha Verde Rent-a-Car.

To compare prices, it might be a good idea to check prices on RentCars . But don’t forget that these websites don’t always include all car rental companies. So, definitely compare prices with Let’s Rent-a-Car , Autatlantis en Ilha-verde Rent-a-Car .

Another tip if you rent a car: Don’t rent a big car. The streets are very small, especially when you’re driving through villages or cities. Even with small cars it can already be hard to drive here! Therefore it’s also not such a bad idea to take an all-in insurance…

A rental car will take you to places where you otherwise can never go!

Public transportation

There is public transport on all of the islands, but only on the most visited islands it’s also good (São Miguel, Terceira and Pico). On these islands you’ll have quite a few buses that can drop you off at the most spectacular places, but don’t forget that these buses are very irregular. Because of this, I would really recommend to rent a car. This way you can plan more easily what to visit, how long you can stay somewhere and with a car you’ll not miss anything of all the beautiful things to see and/or activities than can be done. A lot of restaurants (and some nice hotels) aren’t located close to bus stations either.

On the smaller islands, bus connections are rather bad. Sometimes there is only one bus per day… So there, a car is definitely not a bad idea!

Don’t you want to rent a car? Then maybe think of a bike. But make sure that you’re in the best shape of your life, because the hills and mountains in the Azores are definitely a challenge!

Public transport is comfortable, but often inadequate to get around.

Island hopping with the plane and boat

The different islands are located relatively far apart. If you want to hop from island to island, you often need to take the plane. Sometimes, a boat is an easier or cheaper alternative.

Plane: SATA airlines

To fly from island to island, you can count on SATA airlines (this is the same company as Azores Airlines). This is the official airline company of the Azores. These planes fly from / to each of the islands within the Azores, but also to / from Lisbon, Porto, Faro and Madeira and some of the bigger cities in Europe, Canada and the United States.

Normally, you need to be at the airport two hours in advance, but for these short flights that really isn’t necessary. Being there an hour in advance really is enough.

A flight between the islands costs between €80 and €100 per person. A flight from the Portugese mailand to the Azores costs between €80 and €250.

Would you like to get an overview of all the flights per month, to see the cheapest days to fly? Then make use of SkyScanner . Don’t you really know how this website works? Then make sure to read this article on how to get the cheapest possible flights as well.

The view from the airplanes are often quite magical too!

Boat: Atlânticoline

Some islands are located a lot closer to each other, and are thus more easily accessible with a ferry boat. This is the case for five of the islands: Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Flores and Corvo.

The Atlânticoline has four connections. During the high season (3 May to 29 September) you can use the yellow line that sails in between the islands (with the exception of Corvo). There is also a green, blue and pink line which you can use the whole year round.

The costs of ferry boats are different from route to route, so it’s better to check their website to check out the cost of a ticket. On it you can also check the time schedules and connections.

Don’t forget that there also are special rates for families and groups. Another handy extra, is the tourist card (Azores 4 you +) where you can hop on the boat four times to whatever island you want, for €130 (or €65 for kids). If you plan to visit multiple islands, this will definitely be the cheapest option.

There are different boats. Some only take passengers with them, others also take cars on board.

Round trip in the Azores: my itinerary for 14 days

If you want to plan out your itinerary for the Azores, you of course need to make a couple of choices. Visiting all islands during your holidays is bit too much.

Most of the impressive sights can be found on São Miguel, so you don’t necessarily need to visit the other islands. I myself visited four islands of the Azores. If you also want to do some island hopping on the Azores, then I’ll gladly tell you how I went about:

The Azores are volcanic islands, so visiting a volcanic cave (Pico – Gruta das Torres) is also a must-do!

Day 1: Arriving in Ponta Delgada (São Miguel)

On the first day, I wouldn’t plan too much, because once you start to discover the island it’s pretty hard to stop. Trust me! I chose the beautiful Caloura Hotel Resort (four stars, starting at €80 per night) as my hotel. It’s located about thirty minutes from the airport. This resort lies in a very calm neighborhood, serves a great breakfast and has great staff, but most of all… The views you get from your hotel room in this hotel are amazing! Enjoy the swimming pool or enjoy a delicious cocktail on the panoramic terrace. My individual round trip through the Azores definitely couldn’t have started any better!

The view from the Caloura hotel resort isn’t so bad, don’t you think so too?

And the room. Also not unimportant!

Day 2 to 5: São Miguel

Go and discover the whole island! There is a lot to see, but everything is quite easy to reach and if you plan everything a bit logical, nothing is located very far from each other. I propose to visit a certain part of the island every day. That way, you don’t need to drive around unnecessary and you can enjoy all the sights and activities on the island in a relaxed manner.

My favorite places in São Miguel were: Boca do Infero, Caldeira das Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo and the beautiful tea plantations. Another must-do is a whale safari. I was very happy with the tour I booked with Terra Azul ( here you can read more about the whale watching tour I did with them). Also check out the photos and more ideas on what to do on São Miguel island in this blog post .

The Boca do Inferno. My favorite place in São Miguel.

Day 5 to 7: Terceira

With SATA airlines you can take a very early flight from São Miguel to Terceira (in 2018 I booked one at 07:10 AM). I found that very useful, because this way you get an extra day on Terceira.

Terceira has far less incredible sights than São Miguel, but I still recommend spending at least two or three days here. So that you have enough time to enjoy the super cozy Angra do Heroísmo or be amazed by the Algar do Carvão. Another recommendation is the village ‘Biscoitos’. Here you’ll find a beautiful coastline that is intertwined with black lava rock. Would you like to discover more sights (and photos) in Terceira and the other islands? Then make sure to also read this article .

I recommend to book an accommodation near Angra do Heroísmo. From here you have good roads to the most beautiful parts of the island and here you’ll also find the best (and most cozy) restaurants, bars and cafes.

The beautiful Angra do Heroísmo in Terceira.

Day 7 to 10: Pico

If you want to fly from Terceira to Pico, you can also count on an early flight with SATA airlines. Try to sit on the left side of the propeller plane if you want to see the impressive Montanha do Pico from up high.

I stayed at the Aldeia da Fonte hotel . On this domain on the south coast of the island are a dozen fully furnished holiday homes that are equipped with everything that is needed for an enjoyable holiday. Although it looks a bit like some sort of holiday park, this is definitely a hotel. Your bed is made up daily, and in the morning you can always enjoy a breakfast. The main reason for staying here is definitely the beautiful view. The houses are right next to the coastline, and if you walk around a bit you get really magnificent views (and the swimming pool!!! Oh my!).

The pool of the Aldeia do Fonte hotel. Relaxing in a gorgeous setting!

Just like in Terceira pretty much everything you see here is a sight on its own. This means that there’s definitely enough to do in Pico to fill three days.

If you’re adventurous (or just want to experience something special), then you should certainly descend into the Gruta das Torres. There are several volcanic caves that you can visit in the Azores, but the experience you get here is probably the best one you can get on all of the islands. After you have bought tickets in the beautiful visitor center (which incidentally received an important prize for architecture in 2005), you descend along some mossy paths. Actually, the spectacular nature already starts here: the moss that you see here is almost nowhere else to be found, the roots of some huge trees keep the lava rocks in their place and the rock formations are truly impressive. Once you are surrounded by darkness, you head down deeper into Mother Earth. And you do this only with a flashlight. No artificial lights were hung here and that really creates a great experience. Awaken the adventurer within yourself and pretend to discover this cave for the first time. Along the way you’ll encounter beautiful (and strange!) creations of mother nature and all of your senses will be stimulated. An hour and a half is over in no-time when visiting these dark depths of our beautiful world.

Would you rather climb up than down? Then try to reach the summit of Mount Pico! Be sure to visit some nice museums (I highly recommend the Museu dos Baleeiros), drive around in the beautiful landscapes (the Capitão lake is certainly worth a stop, but the vineyards that you encounter everywhere are quite awesome). The views on this island are breathtaking!

This volcano can be seen from almost everywhere on the island. Magnificent!

Day 10 to 12: Faial

From Pico it’s barely thirty minutes sailing to Faial. Atlânticoline has two boats leaving per day. One in the morning and one in the late afternoon. I took the early ferry because that way you can make the most of your short visit to Faial.

This island may be small, it still is full of beautiful sights, panoramic viewpoints and wonderful activities. Cruise around the island quietly and admire how different this island is from the other Azores islands. From almost everywhere you drive around or walk, you can see the contours of Pico island looming. I’m not sure if you can wish for a nicer background!

A must-do on this island is the Capelinhos volcano and the accompanying museum. The winding roads of Faial, surrounded by hundreds of shades of green, stop so suddenly that you have to blink your eyes a few times to believe it. As you slowly climb down, you see that the plant-rich landscape has made way for a gray and black sand mass that makes you think of another planet. The only color you see comes from a few persistent plants that have nestled between the volcanic ashes. The beautiful lighthouse too, provides a beautiful eye-catcher in this dry and arid landscape. Visit the hypermodern museum that is partly underground and partly above ground (you’ll also find out why this is the case when visiting) and let yourself be educated about how the Azores were formed, what kinds of volcanos exist and how these bad boys actually work. The museum is very interesting and not too big, so it certainly doesn’t get boring. As icing on the cake you can also climb the lighthouse after your visit. From there you can admire the volcanic landscapes all around this area. Other things to do in Faial include the gigantic Caldeira (crater of eight kilometers / 5 miles in diameter) and the heavenly Porto Pim. I would say this is the most beautiful beach in the Azores.

The view from the Capelinhos lighthouse is beautiful! This (funny dressed) tourist loved it too!

Day 12 to 14: São Miguel

To end this itinerary in the Azores, you have to return to São Miguel one more time (or you can book your return flight from another island). Now… Returning to the main island isn’t bad either. Maybe there are still places that you have not discovered, or perhaps you would like to see some other sights again. During my last two days I spent the night in Solar do Conde , because this hotel is slightly closer to Ponta Delgada and the spectacular Sete Cidades and Boca do Inferno. For the rest I really took my time. I went to relax on the beach (Praia das Milícias – one of the better beaches on this island), visited a pineapple plantation and spent my last hours exploring Ponta Delgada.

You’ll have plenty of beautiful views during your vacation in the Azores!

Day 14: Back home

Enjoy your last hours in the Azores, because it’s (unfortunately) time to fly back. If you can’t get enough of Portugal, you can of course also fly to the mainland and start exploring there!

And believe me … Once you’re back home; you’ll miss the Azores right away!

The best restaurants in the Azores

The Azores are in my opinion a perfect holiday destination for adventurers and nature lovers, but foodies will have a harder time here. There are many restaurants in the Azores, but if I am honest I often noticed they weren’t very nice or not so cozy. To help you not lose time with searching for yummy restaurants, I have made a list of the nicest and tastiest restaurants in the Azores:

Best restaurants in São Miguel:

A Casa do Abel – This is without a doubt my favorite restaurant in São Miguel. And I’m clearly not the only one who thinks so, because you almost always have to make reservations here. It’s slightly more expensive than other restaurants on the island (€28 for a starter, main course, dessert and cocktail: so you still can’t complain), but the quality is great! This is a restaurant specializing in delicious beef, so I advise you to order that too. The incredibly friendly service, the beautiful interior and the buttery steak still make my mouth water. This restaurant is located about thirty minutes from Ponta Delgada, but very close to the Caloura Hotel Resort if you’re spending the night there.

À Terra Fornaria – This restaurant is part of the Furnas Boutique hotel. The beautiful hotel (which I also recommend if you want to stay in this part of São Miguel) is close to the Furnas fumaroles and not far from the Terra Nostre gardens. I ate a burger here and I must say… It was really tasty. Fresh and crunchy fries, a fresh salad, a tasty sauce and a perfect burger on a freshly baked bun. If a hamburger already tastes so good, I think the rest of the dishes will also be of top quality.

Bar Caloura – This is the same manager as ‘A Casa do Abel’, so you can also expect lots of yummy food here too. This place is located at the port of Caloura and although it lacks the beautiful interior of ‘A Casa do Abel’, it still is very cozy to sit outside on the beach terrace. This restaurant only works with fresh products (you choose your own fish) and the portions you get here are huge. Definitely try the squid as an appetizer: delicious!

Casa da Rosa – This bar / restaurant is located in the center of Ponta Delgada. I didn’t find it super cozy here, but I can’t call it uncomfortable either. The food isn’t presented in a special way either, but it’s tasty and also very cheap. I ate a vegetarian lunch and was pleasantly surprised.

Louvre Micaelense – This isn’t actually a restaurant, but a tearoom that is definitely worth a visit! You’ll find super-tasty (and fresh!) tea and sweet pastries here, but the interior of the store is simply what makes it so appealing to come here. The beautiful showcases and cozy decor makes your cake or pie with coffee or tea taste much better.

A delicious piece of meat with tasty mashed potatoes (with truffles!) In Casa do Abel.

The best restaurants in Terceira:

The restaurants in Terceira were the least impressive for me during my road trip in the Azores.

Q.B. Food court – For me this was without a doubt the best restaurant in Terceira. Once I found this place, I came here every day. There are two floors. At the top you’ll find the more refined dishes. On the ground floor you have a larger menu with fast food, but also more than enough other dishes. I can definitely recommend the fresh pizzas, but I also found the chicken with sweet potatoes delicious.

Quinta dos Açores –  This is a very easygoing, big kitchen, but the food is tasty. Moreover, you also get a beautiful view from the balcony. Don’t expect refined cuisine here, but easy dishes. The good thing about this place is that it’s very cheap and you have an extensive menu.

A tasty burger with a ratatouille in the QB food court.

The best restaurants in Pico:

Aldeia da Fonte – The hotel where I stayed also had a very good restaurant. I ate there twice and can certainly recommend both dishes. The grilled squid and filet mignon were both absolutely amazing.

Caffe 5 –  This little place is often filled with locals and tourists alike, but the simple dishes are carefully prepared and delicious. I would rather recommend this restaurant for lunch or a quick bite because their menu isn’t very extensive.

This was without doubt the tastiest squid I have eaten in the Azores! (Aldeia da Fonte restaurant)

The best restaurants in Faial:

Aldina – Near the beautiful Praia do Almoxarife lies this modern restaurant with a view of the sea and the beautiful beach. A great deal of attention has been paid to the interior, which makes it really pleasant to dine here. The menu is quite extensive and also very tasty. I took the pasta with scampi’s and wasn’t disappointed! I can also recommend the delicious crême brulée (for only €3.50). Another bonus: the service is very friendly here.

Genuíno – This restaurant is located near the heavenly Porto Pim and also has a view of this beach from the top floor. The menu is quite extensive here, but focuses mainly on fish. I was very excited about having fish and chips and got a huge portion with tasty, fresh fries. Here it’s definitely pleasant dining and good food. Have you eaten too much? Then take a rest on the beach. There is no better place to relax!

The Aldina restaurant in Faial. Beautiful inside, but the terrace is also great if you want to eat outside!

My experience with the Azores and what you can expect

Personally, I think this is one of the most beautiful destinations in Europe. Unbelievable how many shades of green you see here, how many birds you hear chirping and see flying and how bright the stars light up the night! If you like nature, then you should definitely consider a road trip around the Azores. If you love hiking, this is definitely the place to be. Beach lovers will probably not enjoy the Azores as much. There are a few coast areas in the Azores, but they can’t really be called paradise beaches. The sandy beaches are also relatively small compared to Caribbean coasts, or beaches on the mainland from Portugal, but on the other hand there are beautiful (rocky) black beaches where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset with a delicious (and cheap!) cocktail. The Azores are certainly not expensive according to North- and West-European or North-American standards. For a cocktail you often pay less than five euros, for a dinner with starter, main course, dessert and cocktail you’ll not have to pay more than thirty euros per person in São Miguel. It’s often even cheaper on the other islands. If I’m honest, I didn’t think of the food in the Azores as ‘wow’. The restaurants aren’t very cozy in most places either. Be sure to check out the above list with great (and cozy) restaurants. I think those spots were really great compared to the other restaurants I’ve visited.

Another insane (or am I the one that’s crazy?) sight in São Miguel: Lagoa das Furnas!

What did I think of the different islands?

I have to admit that I was also very surprised by the different islands I visited (São Miguel, Terceira, Pico and Faial), because in fact they were all very different. Nature, the mentality of the residents, the tourist infrastructure, the landscape, the sights, … The photos of the Azores that you get to see on Google, are pretty much all pictures of São Miguel. That is actually quite logical to explain, because here you also find the most spectacular sights.

For me it took some getting used to when I had to switch from all those impressive views to the much quieter and less touristy Terceira. At first I thought I wouldn’t like this island, but I gave it some time and … I also appreciated the charm of Terceira (the beautiful Angro do Heroismo for example)! Depending on what you want to see, I advise you to choose only one island or to go island hopping. Terceira, Pico and Faial are much calmer than São Miguel. These three islands have far fewer attractions and also have fewer tourists. If you want to visit many things and plan some exciting activities, I recommend São Miguel. Do you prefer it to be quieter? Then enjoy the endless tranquility and green surroundings of the other islands. Hikers are taken care for on all of the islands.

The most beautiful island of the Azores? That is difficult to say, but I tend to say São Miguel. You can’t lie about it: this is the islands where there is most to see and the sights are really very impressive. Pico is my number two, because the mighty volcano you see from almost everywhere on the island continued to amaze me.

I also noticed that all islands look different depending on the weather. That is why I advise everyone to plan your visit during the (more touristy) summer months. The weather is much better in this period and let’s be honest now… Everything is more fun with some sun, isn’t it?!

The wine museum of Pico. Not really interesting, but a great location nevertheless!

Some extra tips for a great holiday in the Azores

• Rent a car. I know, I know … I keep repeating this. But really: without a car it’ll be hard to get to some places in the Azores, or at the very least you’ll pay a lot for excursions. On São Miguel you can still get to most places by public transport or excursions, but on the other islands this is a lot harder.
• Try to plan your trip through the Azores in the summer months. The weather changes drastically in the summer months. Suddenly the Azores become a tropical paradise, it seems. Little clouds, almost no rain and almost always sun. From mid-September to mid-May the weather turns completely and sometimes it looks like four seasons are crammed in one day… If you book in the summer months, you don’t have to worry about bad weather. And such a beautiful blue sky makes the environment really much more beautiful, believe me!
• Take enough clothes with you. Especially if you go outside the summer months. You’ll better prepare yourself! Good shoes are a must. If you want to reach the most beautiful photo locations, you sometimes have to hike or climb for a while. It’s therefore important that you bring good footwear that can also become dirty.
• Always take your swimming suit with you.  There are many places in the Azores that are perfect for a bit of splashing. And if you didn’t bring your bathing suit or swimming trunks with you, then you might start cursing… Relax in the orange water of the thermal baths, go swimming in a natural pool, get a back massage from a thundering waterfall or jump into the pool of your hotel. Wherever you are: there are actually enough reasons to keep on your swimsuit during your entire trip through the Azores.
• Use lots of sunscreen! I really don’t get sunburned quickly, but here after an hour (at barely 20°C! / 68°F) I was already as red as a lobster. There is a lot of difference in the relief of the Azores, but also the cool wind coming from the sea is a bit treacherous…
• Make sure you have enough memory on your camera. Your camera will be full of photos in no time. The Azores are one of the most photogenic spots I’ve ever visited!

And one last tip: make sure to say hi to the many cows. They are nice and willing photo models!

Related Post

Car rental in lisbon: is it necessary, cheap car hire in portugal: how to get rental cars for only €5 per day, lisbon to sintra: visiting the palaces and castles of sintra.

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HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST AZORES ITINERARY AND GUIDE

Which Islands to Include in Your Azores Itinerary?

The Azores are an archipelago of nine islands.  If you have less than a week, stick to Sao Miguel, there is enough to do, and you won’t waste time traveling between islands. Sao Miguel is the biggest island and the most populated.   Sao Miguel is famous for its three gorgeous crater lakes, you can relax in one of many hot springs and hike to your heart’s content. You’ll also find Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores. Ponta Delgada is the biggest city in the Azores with many tasty restaurants, the most nightlife (at least on the weekends), museums, and winding streets.

If you have more time, or you’re a return visitor, then make sure to include other islands in your Azores itinerary. Faial, Sao Jorge and Pico are great options, because you can travel between the three islands with a short ferry ride.  Pico is the most popular.  It has better quality accommodations and more of a foodie scene. It’s also made famous by Mount Pico, a 7,000’+ volcano.   Faial also offers volcanic terrain but it’s harbor is the focus.  Many boats stop in Horta on Faial while crossing the Atlantic.  Sao Jorge is the least populated and is famous for its cheeses.

Terceira is also a good option if you’re coming from Boston or Oakland, because there are direct flights from each of those cities.  Terceira is the third largest Azores island but second most populated.  It’s known as the cultural center of the Azores and you’ll find many summer festivals.

Graciosa, Corvo, Flores and Santa Maria are smaller, harder to reach, and less visited and populated islands.  Include one of these island in your Azores itinerary if you want to get off the beaten path.  Graciosa   is less mountainous and agriculturally focused. Santa Maria is the most southern island, so it’s the warmest and sunniest and boasts beautiful sandy beaches. Corvo is the smallest Azores island with the fewest inhabitants and is the least touristy of the islands. It’s also known for its bird watching. Flores is the most tropical Azores island with green and lush fauna and plentiful waterfalls.

For more details on each island, check out our  Azores Destination Page .

How Long to Make Your Azores Itinerary?

With nine islands, you can easily spend months in the Azores islands.  Your Azores itinerary should be at least 3 days long to make it worth the trip (unless you’re coming from Lisbon and it’s a shorter direct flight).  If you’re only going for a few days, stick to one island – like Sao Miguel, where there are more direct flights.  Flights between the islands can be unpredictable, so you don’t want to risk a cancelled flight on such a short trip.

If you have at least a 6 days, you could add another island to your Azores itinerary.  For example, you could combine Sao Miguel with another island like Terceira.  Or choose two islands from Faial, Sao Jorge and Pico.  If you want to visit 3 islands, you should have a least 8 days unless you want to be moving around a lot (and don’t mind risking delayed ferries and flights).

When to Visit the Azores?

The Gulf Stream makes the Azores very temperate. The temperatures rarely drop below 60F or get above 80F.  That being said, it’s humid all year round, so it can feel cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer.  The summers are the busiest, but the Azores are becoming more popular, and the more popular islands are starting to get busy in April through October.  It rains more in the winter, but rarely enough to stop you from hiking, exploring, or even water sports like kayaking or canoeing (as long as you don’t mind the cooler temps). Canyoning is also a year round sport there!

If it’s especially rainy, it’s a great excuse to spend your day at the hot springs if you’re on Sao Miguel.  In the summer, accommodations are significantly more expensive, but you can take advantage of the awesome beaches and swimming holes. There’s also less rain during the summer (but it still rains, so always bring a rain coat!).  The azaleas bloom in the spring and the hydrangeas take over the island in the summer.  You’ll find beautiful flowers though, all year round.

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Pico Island Azores: Itinerary, Map & Guide

Sao Miguel Itinerary, Map & Regional Guide

Ultimate Azores Guide: Where to Stay in São Miguel

Best Things to Do in Azores: 1-Day Guide in Azores Portugal’s Hidden Gem

If you’re curious about the best things to do in Azores, Portugal, look no further; Winalist is here to help you discover the best itinerary for 1 day in Azores, Portugal’s gem!

Table of Contents

Azores is a stunning archipelago located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and one of Portugal’s best-kept secrets. This hidden gem boasts natural beauty, rich culture, and delicious cuisine, making it the perfect destination for travelers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

With only one day to explore this breathtaking destination, it can be difficult to know where to start. But fear not – we’ve put together the ultimate guide to the best things to do in the Azores, so you can make the most of your time in this paradise.

From hiking to swimming with dolphins, sampling local cuisine to visiting historic sites, our guide has something for everyone. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to uncover the best of the Azores in just one day.

How to Get to Azores

The Azores is a hidden gem tucked away in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and getting there may seem like a daunting task at first. However, with a little bit of planning, it’s easy to reach this breathtaking destination.

There are two ways to get to the Azores: by air or by sea. If you’re coming from mainland Portugal or other parts of Europe, flying is likely your best option. However, if you’re feeling adventurous and have more time to spare, taking a cruise to the Azores is also a popular option.

The easiest and most convenient way to get to the Azores is by air. There are regular flights from Lisbon, Porto, and other major European cities to the Azores. The main airport is located on the island of São Miguel, with connections to the other islands through local airlines such as SATA and Azores Airlines.

From Lisbon, the flight takes approximately 2.5 hours, while from Porto it takes around 2 hours. There are also direct flights from other major European cities such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Paris. Flights to the Azores can be affordable if booked in advance, with prices starting from €50 one way.

If you have more time to spare and want to take a more leisurely approach to your journey, taking a cruise to the Azores is a great option. Several cruise lines offer itineraries that include stops in the Azores, allowing you to explore the islands at a relaxed pace.

Cruise ships typically dock at the port of Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel, and from there you can take excursions to the other islands or explore the town at your own pace. However, keep in mind that taking a cruise to the Azores can be more expensive than flying, and may be a less convenient option if you have limited time.

Once you arrive in the Azores, there are several ways to get around the islands. Renting a car is a popular option, as it allows you to explore the islands at your own pace and on your own schedule. Taxis, buses, and local tour operators are also available and can be a more budget-friendly option.

Getting to the Azores is easier than you may think, with several flights and cruise options available from major European cities. Whether you prefer to fly or take a leisurely cruise, the Azores is a destination that is well worth the journey. So pack your bags, plan your itinerary, and get ready to uncover the best of this hidden gem in Portugal!

1-Day in Azores Itinerary

If you only have one day to explore the Azores, don’t worry – there’s still plenty to see and do in this beautiful destination. Here’s our perfect 1-day Azores itinerary:

Start your day by exploring the stunning Sete Cidades , a volcanic crater located on the island of São Miguel. Take in the breathtaking views of the green and blue twin lakes, and hike through the surrounding forests and hills. You can also rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the lakes from a different perspective.

Next up, head to the town of Ribeira Grande and visit its historic center, which is known for its beautiful architecture and charming streets. Don’t miss the Igreja Matriz, a baroque-style church that dates back to the 16th century.

For lunch, head to the town of Furnas and try the famous cozido das Furnas, a traditional meat and vegetable stew that is cooked using the natural heat of the volcanic soil. This dish is a must-try when visiting the Azores, and there are several restaurants in Furnas that serve it.

In the afternoon, head to the town of Nordeste and explore its stunning natural beauty. The town is located on the eastern side of São Miguel and boasts picturesque waterfalls, lush greenery, and scenic hiking trails. Don’t miss the Salto do Prego waterfall and the Miradouro da Ponta da Madrugada viewpoint, which offer stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

As the sun begins to set, head back to Ponta Delgada and enjoy a leisurely stroll along its charming streets for one of the most special things todo in Azores. Visit the Portas da Cidade, a historic gate that was once the entrance to the city, and take in the beautiful views of the harbor. For dinner, try some of the local seafood at one of the many restaurants in the area.

Wine Experiences for Things to do in Azores

If you’re a wine lover, the Azores and Portugal plenty of vineyards and wineries to discover . Winalist offers a variety of fun and amazing wine experiences in the Azores, from tasting tours to vineyard visits. Learn about the unique wine-making process in this volcanic land and taste exquisite wines that are produced on the islands.

The Azores is a destination that is well worth exploring, even if you only have one day to do so. From stunning natural beauty to delicious cuisine, there’s something for everyone in this hidden gem of Portugal.

So pack your bags, plan your itinerary, and get ready to uncover the best of the Azores. And don’t forget to book a wine experience with Winalist to make your trip truly unforgettable!

Discover Regions in Portugal

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• Beira Atlantico wine experiences.
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• Tejo wine experiences.
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The Ultimate Itinerary of São Miguel Island (Made By An Azorean)

São Miguel, Azores, my home island. With so many different landscapes and things to do here, planning a route is essential. This is the exact road trip itinerary I use to show São Miguel island to friends visiting. Local tips for international travelers, all updated for 2024.

A significant portion of the time I spend in São Miguel , my home island, is (re-)exploring it when I’ve got friends visiting. If you’re here I can consider you my friend, so this is for you too 🙂

This 4-day São Miguel road trip itinerary is the result of several years of being a local guide. Here’s what you can find in this article:

The ultimate road trip itinerary of São Miguel

I love to plan itineraries. It’s kind of my thing.

I’ve done detailed itineraries in Croatia and Portugal , Japan , Mexico , Thailand , and Greece .

This itinerary for São Miguel was first created when I got friends visiting in 2015. Since then, I’ve updated it several times, the last time being in January 2024.

Other blunt copies of this itinerary – seriously, same title, map and article structure – have shown up in the web as well, but I can assure you this is the original thing. 😉

Things to know about this São Miguel itinerary

• 4 full days is the bare minimum you’ll need to explore São Miguel. The order of days is pretty much irrelevant. If you have more time, the better.
• It’s tailored for first-time visitors. Have a read at the top things to know before going to the Azores and this other page to complement the info here.
• It assumes you’ll have a car. I highly recommend you get your own wheels in Azores or you won’t be able to cover all the attractions that I mention here.
• Although you will likely drive 300+ km and walk a total of 30km over 4 days (data: my phone!), it’s not intended to be a rally course. I’ve seen some crazy “itineraries” who are only doable by spending entire days incarcerated in a car ticking spots off the list. Quality over quantity!
• Keep your plans flexible. You’ll most likely need to tweak something and accommodate other factors… like the unstable azorean weather.

The Azores have been consecutively named one of the top sustainable destinations worldwide. Don’t spoil what has been unspoilt for centuries. 💚

When you’re in the islands, please try to minimize your impact at all times. Be careful with any activities thay may cause visual, noise, and physical pollution. This includes avoiding playing loud music on phones and obviously taking ALL the trash with you until you find a bin, especially plastic!

Where to stay in São Miguel

Explore this list of the top-rated hotels, hostels, villas, and guesthouses in São Miguel with parking.

Itinerary of São Miguel on a map 🗺️

You can use my itinerary map in Google Maps as a reference. The pins below represent the places we’ve been (including small descriptions) separated in four different days:

• Day 1 – Sete Cidades (yellow pins)
• Day 2 – Ponta Delgada & Lagoa do Fogo (blue pins)
• Day 3 – Furnas & Nordeste (green pins)
• Day 4 – Vila Franca & Tea Plantations (orange pins)

Itinerary Day 1 – Sete Cidades

This day is to explore the west side of the island. Try to pick a day where the weather is clear for Sete Cidades; otherwise, all that you’ll see will be clouds.

Here’s the day plan.

• Vista do Rei Viewpoint

Monte Palace Hotel

• Canário Lake
• Boca do Inferno Viewpoint
• Sete Cidades Lake

Miradouro da Vista Do Rei (Vista do Rei Viewpoint)

Lagoa das Sete Cidades ( Sete Cidades Lake) is the most well-known postcard of the Azores . You’ll see it in every brochure, ad or article about the islands.

The first contact you’ll have with the lakes will probably be from Vista do Rei viewpoint. The spot is just at the right distance to appreciate the view over both lakes.

Although commonly they’re known for the green and blue lake, this is actually the same lake separated by a bridge, they just reflect the light differently due to the surrounding vegetation. You can drive or walk around along the dirt road ( Cumeeiras ) to get views from different angles. This exact road is the most spectacular track on the World Rallye Championship.

The lookout area has undergone some reconstruction and re-opened in 2018 with some changes. There is still some parking available nearby, but I’d advise you to leave your car in the short-term car park, just 200m before you get there. You can stay there for 20 minutes.

If you plan to spend more time exploring the area, you’ll have to head to another parking site located 1 kilometer further ahead (after the viewpoint and the hotel).

Built in the 70s and operational for less than 2 years, the abandoned hotel Monte Palace tops the hills around the crater lake of Sete Cidades near Vista do Rei .

Before, people would enter and freely explore the building all the way up to the top floor, but entrance to the site is now forbidden due to danger of collapse. Enter at your own risk.

Miradouro da Boca do Inferno (Boca do Inferno Viewpoint)

While the view from Vista do Rei is inspiring, the one from Miradouro da Boca do Inferno has jaw-dropping potential. I have been here countless times, but every time I feel goosebumps again.

From up there, apart from the crazy views of the mountains and the sea in the background, two other lagoons are visible: Rasa and  Santiago in a complete 360-degree nature experience. The view is wide open to the entire volcanic crater of Sete Cidades , formed 22,000 years ago.

Also known as Lagoa Do Canário Viewpoint due to the nearby Canário Lake , Boca do Inferno has become super popular in the last years. Come as early as possible to avoid crowds and have the place to yourself. On a bright sunny day, this is one of the most incredible views I’ve seen. Ever.

• Coming from Vista do Rei viewpoint, DO NOT turn left on the first exit down to the Sete Cidades village. Continue straight for about 7 minutes, following the signs to Lagoa do Canário
• After about a 7 minutes drive, you’ll notice a car park on the right, where a short walking trail begins, and a small entrance to a dirt road just on the opposite side.
• The gate is not always open, but if it is, you can go in with there your car. Otherwise, just park next to the hiking trail.
• Continue for about 3-4 more minutes straight until you see a set of stairs upwards next to some picnic tables.
• Start the hike up. You’re 5 minutes away from paradise!

Boca do Inferno Viewpoint – Tips

• ⏱ How long: To do the small hike, wander around, fully take the view in, and visit Canário lake, you’ll need at least 30 minutes. The gate closes to cars at 7pm (summer time); after this hour, you’ll need to walk about 15 min to the main road.
• 💰 How much: Entrance is free.
• 💡 Tip: The path is muddy and slippery. Be extra careful if it rained recently.

Lagoa do Canário (Canário Lake)

Anyway. Canário Lak e is housed in a small volcanic crater in the Devassa mountain range, surrounded by a dense forest. It’s actually quite hidden which gives it a peaceful feeling when you finally get there. Perfect place to meditate if you’re into it.

You can get there by entering the above’s entrance gate to Boca do Inferno and turning immediately left.

Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Sete Cidades Lake)

Time to go down to the Sete Cidades lakeshore level. On the way down there are several viewpoints you can briefly make a stop and take in the view, particularly Miradouro do Cerrado das Freiras . The more you descend, the more the dormant volcano crater will absorb you and win you over.

Sete Cidades is also the name of the small village next to the lake. Everything seems untouched since the 50s here, but this area holds some of the best outdoor activities you can do in São Miguel .

Biking along the lake shore, SUP, or kayaking are just some the options to spend your afternoon. Or hey, just chill and get some vitamin D. By the way, if you are lucky enough to go on a sunny clear day, I can assure you the colors around you will be more vibrant and breathtaking.

Whatever you do, please take all trash with you – especially plastic – to the nearest bin. Oh and if you decide to swim in the lake, don’t wear sunscreen… Help keep this place beautiful.

The Sete Cidades Tale 👸

There’s a cute little story about the reason why one of the lakes is blue and the other green. Legend has it that once upon a time a shepherd and a princess fell in love, but were prohibited to see each other due to their different family statuses.

When they met for the last time, they cried so much that the Sete Cidades lakes were formed. The blue-eyed shepherd gave origin to the blue lake while the green-eyed princess formed the green lake.

Fancy a dive in hot ocean? Ponta da Ferraria is a small cove surrounded by gigantic lava rock cliffs where the ocean water is warmed up by a geothermal natural spring beneath . It’s quite an experience to swim in mix of cold and hot ocean water while the waves slosh you around!

There is no proper beach here, you most likely have to find a place to sit in the rocks. May not be the most comfortable spot, but it’s worth for the view: between giant cliffs on one side and the wild Atlantic on the other.

Checking tides near Ferraria is important. Be careful on low tide as it can get VERY HOT in some spots and can even burn you. However, if you go on the peak of high tide you won’t feel the warmth of the spring at all – aim for somewhere in the middle.

There are also housed baths with an outdoor swimming pool, but who wants to pay when you can go for the thrilling (and completely free) swim in the ocean?

If you still have time after your swim, head to Mosteiros to watch the perfect sunset and eat some local seafood – you can’t go wrong with lapas !

Ferraria – Tips

• ⏱ How long: Count with at least an hour to get there, swim in the ocean and relax.
• 💰 How much: Entrance is free to swim in the ocean; if you prefer to use the outdoor pool of the nearby spa
• 💡 Tip: We need to talk about the road to Ferraria. Not gonna lie: it’s sinuous and extremely steep. I would not recommended coming here if you’re not comfortable driving manual.

Itinerary Day 2 – Ponta Delgada & Lagoa do Fogo

This day includes a whale-watching tour from Ponta Delgada and a venture out to Lagoa do Fogo, another of the three main lakes in São Miguel. Feel free to reverse the order of these sights.

• Whale-watching tour

Ponta Delgada

Pico da barrosa (barrosa peak).

• Lagoa do Fogo (Fogo Lake)

Caldeira Velha

Whale-watching (from ponta delgada).

Whale watching is a must-do activity to do in the Azores , especially if you are able to time your trip right to see several different species of cetaceans . The ideal time for this is between April and June.

A ticket is not exactly cheap but is definitely worth the unique experience. The last time I went, I chose to go with Picos de Aventura and it surpassed my expectations. A great friendly staff, prioritizing safety but also allowing space for some fun and have a great time out there in the sea.

We ended up seeing three sperm whales, dozens of dolphins and even a turtle – a “very good day” according to our guides.

Safe to say we had a blast (see video below!).

Tips for Whale-Watching in São Miguel 🐋

• If you’re visiting other Azorean islands such as Faial or Pico , I’d recommend to do your Whale Watching tour there. Especially in Pico . São Miguel has good observation conditions, but they have great ones.
• Make sure the company you go with complies with all the safety and ethical regulations to avoid disturbing and stressing out the animals. Sea Color Azores is a great example .
• Expect to pay ~65 euros/person for a 3-hour trip.
• Dolphin interaction tours is NOT recommended. There has been increasing proof these tours have a negative impact on the stress of the animals. For some reason the most experienced whale-watching company in the Azores – Espaço Talassa – stopped doing it.
• Most companies depart from Ponta Delgada or  Vila Franca marinas, usually at 2-3 different time slots in the day.
• Make a reservation for the tour at least 2-3 days in advance.

Up until a few years ago, if I was a visitor, I’d much rather spend my precious time exploring the rest of the island than visiting Ponta Delgada . SHOCKING statement about my own birthplace. But hey, it’s the T.

In recent times, the city is slowly awakening from its long sleep. Trendy restaurants, kitsch shops, and quaint cafés all popping up. Buildings and churches abandoned for decades have gained a new life. And now I’ve realized I’ve got material to make a post about the best things to do in Ponta Delgada .

Main suggestions: walking along the seaside promenade (locally called “Avenida”), visit the farmers market in Mercado da Graça – great place for shopping souvenirs and local food! – and take a stroll around the area of Igreja Matriz (Matriz Church) .

Ponta Delgada is the definition of a great hub. Not only it has more restaurants, shops, and overall infrastructure than anywhere else, but it’s also geographically located almost in the center of the island.

🏨 Where to stay in Ponta Delgada

Ponta Delgada is still the best choice of a hub to explore São Miguel. The so-called capital of Azores has got a wide choice of hotels , but I do have some favorites:

Octant Hotel, Ponta Delgada

Modern design, with a gorgeous terrace pool, at a walking distance to the city center. If you want to splurge AND be centrally located, this is it.

Also look into other cheaper options in Ponta Delgada with Superb rating (or better) .

At the very peak of the road that goes from Ponta Delgada and just before arriving Lagoa do Fogo , stop in Pico da Barrosa .

It’s one of the few places in São Miguel where you can see both the south and north coasts at the same time. It helps to put the island in perspective.

Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake)

Lagoa do Fogo – Fire Lake is my favorite lake of them all and one of my top special places in São Miguel .

First of all, you can consider yourself extremely lucky if you go to Lagoa do Fogo on a clear day. This is very rare up in this high part of the island.

You can get down to the beach down there through a 30-min hike down in a dodgy trail. A few years ago, we used to had a wild beach just for ourselves but you’ll likely find dozens of other people there too. In case you’re wondering, you can NOT swim on the lake.

Every single time I go to Lagoa do Fogo I fell a bit more in love with it. The sensory overload of smells, sounds, and vivid colors is unmissable. It’s the kind of gorgeous that grabs hold of you tightly.

Modern construction is not permitted in this area, so there is no worry of the views being spoiled any time soon. Starting from June 2023, car rentals are not allowed during summer months between 9am and 7pm. All non-residents should take a shuttle up to the lake, with a cost of 5 euros.

Please be aware this has been a site of unspoiled nature for centuries. Don’t help spoil it now. As a Natural Reserve, this an especially sensitive spot compared to other places on the island.

Last time I was here I was shocked to see a group of tourists listening to schizophrenic hip-hop with loudspeakers and leaving plastic bottles behind. Don’t be like them.

• Take ALL your trash with you
• It’s FORBIDDEN to swim in the lake
• Keep SILENCE as much as you can to not disturb the peace and natural balance. Noise pollution is also a kind of pollution.

Located halfway in the road between Lagoa do Fogo and the city of Ribeira Grande , Caldeira Velha is a natural park – ok, more like a Jurassic jungle – with a pair of hot springs.

No kidding: both thermal pools are stone-walled and surrounded by intense lush foliage which really gives tropical vibes.

The main highlight is the waterfall spring (>20ºC), at the end of the park. It’s a bigger pool with a stunning backdrop. There is also a more shallow and hotter spring (>35ºC) which can get very crowded. No wonder, it’s like a natural jacuzzi!

Final note: if you prefer, you can skip this one and do one of the thermal springs in Furnas instead. Similar experiences.

Caldeira Velha – Tips

• ⏱ How long: You’ll need at least 1 hour here to relax and go through all the springs. Despite being the most busy time, I recommend leaving it for late afternoon. Just the perfect soothing end of the day.
• 💰 How much: The entrance to the Environmental Interpretation Center which also allows bathing is 10 euros per adult (as per 2024). Maximum duration stay is 2 hours. Book your tickets online to guarantee your spot.
• 💡 Pro tip: Use a dark and old bathing suit. The minerals in the water can easily leave a PERMANENT orange stain. If you recently dyed your hair, you should avoid these kind of pools too.

São Miguel is super trendy post-pandemic – hotels sell out quickly. Book your stay as soon as possible for the best deal!

I’ve made your life easier and you can start your search with my pre-selection of the hotels/guesthouses/villas in the island of São Miguel . This list only includes the top-rated reviewed places in São Miguel , with parking included.

Or just start your own search:

Itinerary Day 3 – Furnas & Nordeste

This day will take you to the wild eastern part of the island, including the quaint Furnas Valley . Prepare to see, feel, and smell the volcanic phenomena of Azores. It’s not a bad idea to assign the day with the gloomiest weather to this day itinerary.

If you have more time around this area, I highly encourage you to do a 2-hour hiking trail in Sanguinho – Salto do Prego . It’s one of my favorites hikes in Azores . The path is gorgeous and it leads to a dreamy waterfall in the middle of the forest. I didn’t add it here because this is already a packed day!

• Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas Lake)

Terra Nostra Park

• Furnas Thermal Springs

Ribeira dos Caldeirões

Lagoa das furnas.

After Fogo and Sete Cidades, Lagoa das Furnas – Furnas Lake is the last of the 3 main lakes in São Miguel . It may not have the same dramatic views as the other lakes – you may need to head to Pico do Ferro viewpoint for that – but coming here is a guarantee you’ll be feeling more relaxed and tranquil.

On the west section of the lake, don’t miss the Nossa Senhora das Vitórias Neo-Gothic church and the contemporary Research Center, a sort of museum that studies the evolution of the lake’s ecossystem and biodiversity (good place for a break, they have a small coffeeshop).

The main attractions, however, lie on the opposite shore of the lagoon… but geez, what’s that rotten egg smell?!

These delightful smell comes from the geothermal holes and springs that send mud and steam up in the air continuously for centuries. Locally known as Fumarolas, this spot is also where you can find the steaming holes where they slooowly cook the famous Cozido das Furnas (Furnas stew) for about 6-7 hours.

Although personally not my favorite food in the island (too bland and dry), this has a strong novelty factor. It’s not everyday you have a meal cooked by Mother Nature.

Cozido das Furnas (Furnas Stew) 🍲

Basically the opposite of a vegetarian-friendly dish. This stew is a mix of meats – pork, veal, chicken, blood sausages – with local vegetables like sweet potato, kale, or cabbage.

Where to eat Cozido das Furnas (Furnas Stew) 🍲

The days where families would put a stew to cook underground as a Sunday activity are almost gone, and nowadays the restaurants in Furnas village are the ones using the majority of the steaming holes each morning.

The most famous restaurants are Tony’s, Caldeiras & Vulcões, and for a more upscale experience, the restaurant of Terra Nostra Garden Hotel .

Furnas (town)

I find it incredible how such a small village in the heart of a lush valley holds so many different active volcanic phenomena. Starting with the hot springs of Caldeiras , where the tiny geysers and hot water creeks give the area a VERY strong smell of sulfur and moon-ish vibes. Planet Earth is very much alive guys.

During my childhood, the highlight of going to Furnas was getting to eat the corn cooked in huge bags directly in these mud holes. If you go around summertime, you most likely will find lovely ladies selling freshly-cooked corn cobs. Taste this delicious snack of my childhood and let me know what you think!

Don’t stick to Caldeiras though. The whole town is quaint and tranquil and worth seeing around. Take in the surrounding views, follow the creek next to the camping park, and try to find the upside down house – yes, a real one – in the heart of Furnas.

🏨 Where to stay in Furnas

Furnas is one of the best spots in the island to stay if you’re looking to relax and get away from it all.

Terra Nostra Hotel Garden, Furnas

Perfectly integrated onto the surrounding park and gardens, is the ultimate place to relax.

This popular tropical outdoor garden is one of the highlights of Furnas. It belongs to the exclusive Terra Nostra Garden Hotel but you don’t need to stay here to visit it (nor to eat their restaurant, for that matter).

Terra Nostra Park has a stunning collection of plants and flowers from all over the world, some of them dating back millions of years. In some sections, it feels likes Jurassic Park. They even have got different recommended itineraries for each time of the year. Perfect for a post-lunch stroll.

The highlight of the gardens is the iron-enriched thermal pool, one of the most beautiful hot springs in São Miguel . The water is geothermically heated at around 38 degrees Celsius and contains several medicinal properties. And hey, a massive pool with orange water is not your everyday sight!

Terra Nostra Park – Tips

• ⏱ How long: You can spend an entire afternoon relaxing here, but count with at least an hour or two.
• 💰 How much: Entrance fee to the park is 10 euros in Terra Nostra Towels and lockers can be rented at an extra cost.
• 💡 Pro tip: If you have lunch at their restaurant, the entrance to the park is complimentary (this is 2017 information, please confirm in advance).

São Miguel is home to at least 6 different hot springs and pools , and Furnas alone has 2 different spots: Terra Nostra and Poça Dona Beija .

If Terra Nostra sounds too premium and exclusive, you can skip it and go to Poça Dona Beija instead. It’s a cool experience too, in a more secluded environment next to a small creek. It’s also slightly cheaper. However, the set of 5 small outdoor pools will be definitely more crowded with both locals and tourists.

Unless you have plenty of time in São Miguel, there’s no point in trying them both as they are not that different in terms of experience. Read my article about hot springs in São Miguel for all the hot springs locations in the island and important safety tips .

Things to do in Furnas Valley

Continue reading more about Furnas and learn more about Furnas Lake, the hot springs, beaches and where to eat!

The district of Nordeste is the wildest and most remote in São Miguel . The vegetation is thicker, the sea cliffs are steeper and roads are more sinuous. There no particular sight to see but at the same time, everything around you is impressive and worth stopping your car to take it all in.

Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego and Miradouro da Ponta da Madrugada viewpoints will make your jaw drop of how intense the scenery is. In both, a vibrant flower garden decorates the path to the edge of green huge scarps contrasting with the blue vast ocean.

A bit further north, there’s also Farol do Arnel , the oldest lighthouse in the Azores . If you want to go down there, I strongly recommend going there on foot if you’re not used to driving manual. The road down there is 35º steep (!) and it’s not a convenient place to be stuck in.

This natural park has some of the most amazing waterfalls on the island. It’s just by the main road and worth a small stop to explore a bit and take a stroll into the wild nature. This is one of the spots of excellence for canyoning .

Itinerary Day 4 – Vila Franca & Gorreana

Day 4 is about tying up the loose ends in the island to make sure you have a good grasp of all angles and perspectives of São Miguel.

And finally, if weather permits, time for an ocean swim!

Ilhéu de Vila Franca (Vila Franca Islet)

Lagoa do congro (congro lake).

• Gorreana Tea

Porto Formoso

• Miradouro de Santa Iria (Santa Iria Viewpoint)

Home to a stage of Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series , Ilhéu de Vila Franca (Vila Franca islet) is one of the most popular sunbathing places in Azores.

It encloses an almost full-circle bay perfect for swimming or snorkeling – make sure you don’t forget your mask – with clear and calm ocean waters. Perfecly safe for kids, although sea shoes are recommended.

There is a regular boat connection between the Vila Franca marina and the islet operating in the summer months only. You can buy the tickets online .

Once again, this is another Nature Reserve with endemic fauna and flora so please be aware of your impact and leave nothing but footprints!

Vila Franca islet – Tips

• ⏱ How long: You can spend an entire day here, but allow yourself a morning or afternoon.
• 💰 How much: The boat ticket is 10 euros (can be booked online).
• 💡 Pro tip: There are very limited spots to lay your towel in the islet. While there is a small beach, it completely disappears during high tide, so I suggest going early and taking a spot at the concrete platforms on the opposite side.

Lagoa do Congro is a relatively off the beaten track lake in the heart of São Miguel. While Sete Cidades , Furnas and Fogo receive more and more visitors every year, this one remains a bit more hidden from crowds.

The hike down through the forest is already a cool unwinding experience, but it’s at the shore level that the magic happens as a vibrant green take over your eyes. It will feel like someone set the saturation level to the max!

The silence down there is deafening and only disturbed by the splashes of fish jumps and the constant chirping of birds. Perfect place for a meditation session.

How to get to Congro lake

• Coming from Vila Franca, follow the signs to Furnas (direction East).
• After about 10 minutes, there’s an exit to the left clearly stating “Lagoa do Congro”. You know what to do.
• Continue for about 5 more minutes and turn left on a poorly-maintained dirt road.
• Continue through the middle of pastures about 5 more minutes. The entrance to the hike path should be noticeable on the right as there are usually a couple of cars parked.
• The hike down is easy. It should take you 10-15 minutes (it all will be worth it, I promise!)

Gorreana (Tea plantations)

Working since 1883, Gorreana is only one of the two tea plantations in Europe – the other one is a 5-min drive away, in Porto Formoso! – and produces quality biologic black and green tea.

The tea plantation itself is a stunning scenery overlooking the sea and a great photo opportunity for Instagram. This place always reveal our inner Kardashians and creative photo skills. You can explore around more and take the official hiking trail that starts exactly at the factory.

Gorreana Tea – Tips

• ⏱ How long: 1 hour is enough to go through the premises and sip on a cup of tea. Allow yourself an extra hour or two if you want to hike up the tea estate.
• 💡 Pro tip: Even though you might not be interested in the way the tea is made, there is free tea inside.

This beach is a bit more off the beaten track, as it’s not an usual choice for those visiting the island for the first time. But for people who had never put their feet in dark sands, I think is always interesting to incorporate a volcanic beach experience in the mix, even in winter time.

The scenery around Porto Formoso is quaint and charismatic and perfect to relax for a bit after some intense days. There’s also a beach café serving snacks and full meals.

Miradouro de Santa Iria

The most well-known viewpoint on the northern coast of São Miguel. From up there you can enjoy a clear view over a big portion of the island. It’s an appropriate spot to say farewell to São Miguel over a gorgeous sunset.

Where to base yourself in São Miguel

Ponta Delgada is an obvious place to set up a base for your trip. Although lacking in natural attractions, it’s super well connected and has loads of restaurants and shops to keep you busy during evenings.

Another option is Ribeira Grande . Many cool accommodations have appeared there in recent years – from budget guesthouses to high-end hotels and the city is a great hub of restaurants too.

If you’re looking for a more remote experience and want to get away from everything, Furnas might be better for you.

Consider staying in two different places (East-West or North-South) to get a different feel of the island. It will save you some driving time too.

Hotels in São Miguel

I’ve handpicked a list of the best places to stay for luxury, budget travelers as well as families .

These are my 3 top hotel suggestions in the island:

Premium hotel with modern design, located at just a short walk to the center and the ocean.

Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, Furnas

With charming art-deco vibes and surrounded by a majestic park, it’s one of the most unique hotels in Azores.

Or search for yourself!

To make your life easier, you can start your search with my pre-selection of the hotels/guesthouses/villas in the island of São Miguel .

Top hotels in São Miguel Pre-filtered list of hotels with top reviews and location with parking and free WiFi included.

How to get around in São Miguel island 🛣️

Short answer: I STRONGLY recommend renting a car. It will give you total freedom and independence to explore the island and add a sense of adventure to your trip.

Also, the thing is: there aren’t really any good value alternatives.

Scooter/bike are technically possible much more tiring and you’re vulnerable to the ever-changing weather.

Public buses do exist but are not frequent and used mostly by locals to commute around the main towns. They do NOT reach the remote areas where the best landscapes and sights are located. Good luck trying to get to Miradouro da Boca do Inferno or other places in this itinerary.

Taxis are even worse. I was shocked to find the standard prices that are in play these days. A single trip from Ponta Delgada airport to Furnas can cost you a whopping 40 Euros. That’s more than a full day of car rental right there!

How easy is to drive in São Miguel?

Fairly easy. Roads in São Miguel are usually in very good shape, with a main highway connecting the airport to Ponta Delgada, Vila Franca, and Ribeira Grande. Dirt/gravel roads are common but you won’t use them to get to most places (an exception is Lagoa do Congro ).

Drivers are NOT aggressive (although don’t expect super safe driving either). There are some things you can find anxiety-inducing though:

• Parking in Ponta Delgada . Can be a nightmare, especially between 9am to 6pm. Ask your hotel for a parking spot.
• Curves . Some sections of the island, particularly the north and east are extremely curvy. Slow down and don’t get distracted by the views.
• Cows . When changing pastures, herds of cows temporarily occupy some of the roads. Relax, slow down or even stop the car and just expect them to pass. They’re harmless.

Which car rental companies are the best in São Miguel island?

Here are some tips to rent a car in São Miguel , starting with which operator to go with.

I always used local companies like  Micauto . I usually find them to have the best prices in the island. On the other hand, I never had good experiences with Ilha Verde – also a local company – that for some reason is the most expensive of them all and seems to have an inferior customer service. Autatlantis has become ridiculously expensive too.

Heavyweights like Avis and Sixt have the advantage of an office right at Ponta Delgada airport . Yet, other companies can pick you up there for free and take you to their headquarters.

Where can I book a car rental in advance?

Use Skyscanner or the below RentalCars to compare rental prices. Both are reliable and quickly give you an overview of prices across available operators.

Tips to rent a car in São Miguel

Whatever company you go for, try to book your car as soon as possible. It’s common to have a shortage of cars available to rent in the island (last happened: July 2021).

If you’re not comfortable driving manual, automatic cars are available but in even less quantity though.

The easiest way is to pick up your car directly at Ponta Delgada airport .

Usually, there are no issues with car rentals, but better safe than sorry. It’s wise to make a thorough inspection of the vehicle on the spot and take lots of photos. In the event of any dispute, you’ll have visual proof to back you up.

Finally, it’s standard for companies to hold a large amount on your credit card as an insurance against damage/theft of the car. Don’t worry, the sum is immediately returned upon delivery of the vehicle. If you are not comfortable with this, hiring an additional CDW or Super CDW insurance will lower this fee.

Planning a São Miguel trip independently

Booking a flight to são miguel.

If you are not from the US or simply not into vacation packages, you’re better off by booking your flight independently.

As a rule of thumb, flights to Azores are considerably cheaper from Porto, Lisbon or London. Ponta Delgada airport has the highest number of flight connections. From there you may be entitled to a FREE connecting flight to other islands – check this page for more info.

Booking a hotel in São Miguel

Arranging accommodation before going is highly recommendable. São Miguel is in high demand right now and hotels in the island can sell out, especially in high season.

You can start off by this curated list of insights about my favorite hotels , this pre-filtered list of hotels, guesthouses and villas in São Miguel .

Budget of this São Miguel road trip

I receive a lot of questions around money and budget, so I want to give you a good real-life idea of how much you can expect to spend. This an estimated budget based on 2024 prices and the costs of the last few times I had friends visiting.

Cost breakdown of this São Miguel itinerary (4 full days) 💸

• 🏨 Accommodation: You can find double rooms starting from 60 euros/night, but they go up 30%-50% during summertime. Still, an accommodation budget of 120 euros for 2 is a comfortable daily budget, let’s go with that.
• 🚗 Car Rental: Renting a car can cost from 40 euros/day, but more often it will cost you around 60 euros/day or more, depending on the insurance you hire and the time of the year you go. Automatic cars are even more expensive.
• 🥘 Food: Restaurant prices have gone up recently due to inflation, but you can still have lunch for about 15 euros and dinner for 25-30 euros/person in most places. No need to tip. In most cases, a personal daily budget of 60 euros for food (or 100 for two) is a safe target budget.
• 🎫 Tours and entrance fees: Not many places have an entrance fee in the island, if you want to enter ALL the places mentioned in this article count with around 50 euros. The standard price for a whale-watching tour in 2024 is 65 euros, so 130 euros per person is a fair budget.
• 🛍️ Others: You’ll want to buy some food and souvenirs to bring back home. Hard to budget these as it will depend on your personal taste and space on the luggage, but 50 euros can buy you PLENTY of stuff!
• 💰 Please note you CAN do a lot cheaper than this or spend 3x times more. I tried to average these out and allow room for extra expenses. Don’t forget to add in your flights!

Tours and activities in São Miguel island 🚴‍♀️

São Miguel is a gem in terms of outdoor activities and there is a lot to keep you busy. Hiking trails, canyoning, whale-watching, just to name a few.

There are more and more local companies offering tours and/or adventure packages. As I do in other destinations, I recommend you skip them and make a 100% independent trip to keep a sense of adventure and fun on your trip.

Still, if you decide to book a tour, ask about insurance and make sure you ask how many people are going with you. Small groups are always a better choice, even if you have to pay a little bit extra.

São Miguel Flight + Hotel Deals 💰

I usually don’t use travel agencies to book holidays. They end up being more expensive in 99% of the times. Yet I have to make an exception for Azores Getaways because I honestly think they have some pretty good prices for a flight + hotel + transfers packages to the Azores – starting at 599USD!

For São Miguel in particular they have loads of deals . 2 examples:

• Combination of flight from the United States + 6-night accommodation in São Miguel
• 3-island package

I particularly recommend using them if you are flying from the United States and don’t have much time to plan your holidays.

More resources about the Azores

• Azores Subreddit – a community to share tips and insights about traveling in Azores!
• All you need to know if it’s your first visit to the Azores
• Beaches in Azores
• Full guide of São Miguel
• A list of the best things to do in São Miguel
• Hotels in São Miguel for all kinds of travelers
• Hot springs in São Miguel – where to swim in thermal waters!
• What and where to eat in São Miguel
• Instagram – I regularly share additional tips on my Instagram account @bruno_mb . Let’s connect there!

My travel tips valid anywhere

• 🏨 To find the best deals and book your stay with free cancellation, I recommend Booking.com (from my experience, often cheaper than Airbnb)
• 🚗 Always compare car rental prices before you book anything (and if possible use local rental shops!)
• ☑️ Travel insurance is a must these days – don’t overlook it! I recommend Allianz or Safety Wing if you’re always on the go
• 💰 Use Revolut to save in exchange rates and payments abroad; it’s a game-changer!
• ⚙️ Amazon has the largest offer in travel gear, clothing, and accessories – check out my Travel Store !
• ✈️ Are you dealing with a delayed or cancelled flight? Airhelp may help you get a compensation for it!

Have you used this São Miguel itinerary for your trip? Which other places you recommend to add? Tell me about your experience below!

You might also like these articles 💬

The Top Azores Hot Springs & Thermal Baths in Sao Miguel

Furnas, Azores: Unique things to do in the Furnas Valley

Ponta Delgada, Azores: 12 Things To Do In My Hometown

Destinations🌎

The Ultimate Azores Trip Planner

How to design a dream trip to the azores without stress.

Curious how we arranged our stress-free trip to the Azores?

Planning a vacation is exciting and time-consuming at the same time. It is no different for the Azores.  All islands beckon with a whole range of beautiful sights and exciting new experiences.  Despite the fact that the islands are a stone's throw from each other, they each have their own appearance.

It is a little overwhelming at first.

Our first trip to the Azores was one of three weeks.  We thought 3 weeks would give us plenty of time to see everything.  Boy, were we wrong…  It was a fantastic trip, jam-packed with incredible sights and activities, but we didn’t have enough time to tick off our entire bucket list.

We created this Azores travel planner to help you with your Azores itinerary. You will find an overview of the best sights on each island to help you with your island hopping. We have also pre-filled the photo and food bucket lists with things you shouldn’t miss.

In addition we have several useful planning templates that you can use not only for the Azores but also for all your future trips.

This is an editable PDF. You can fill out the planners on your computer, your mobile phone or you can print them.

It contains all the information you need to plan an amazing vacation in the Azores for just the price of 2 coffees or a takeaway lunch.

The Ultimate Azores Trip Planner: How to design a dream trip to the Azores without stress

This planner is for you if....

• You always wanted to travel to the Azores on your own but didn’t know where to start...
• You feel overwhelmed by what there is to do and to see in the Azores....
• You’re wondering what to pack and take with you to the Azores...
• You’re wondering which islands to visit

About the authors

We are Sylvia & Kris, 2 passionate travelers, and we have been exploring the world independently over the last years. We like the freedom that we have to explore places that we otherwise wouldn’t have seen with an organized tour. As nature lovers we completely fell in love with the Azores. We were impressed by the untouched nature and we were surprised to find a place so close to home where time truly seems to go slower. 

This Azores trip planner was created based on our experience during our Azores trip combined with that of our many other trips.

Enjoy your trip to the Azores!

Azores Travel Planner

Here is how our azores travel planner will help you to plan your dream trip to the azores..

• We’ve mapped all preparations on a timeline so you know what to do and when to do it.
• Overwhelmed by the many highlights of the different islands? This document includes itinerary planners for all 9 islands of the archipelago.
• Not sure which islands to visit? Thanks to the detailed itinerary planners and the pre-filled photo bucket lists you will know exactly what there is to see and do on each island in the blink of an eye.
• We have also included some useful checklist for your planning and packing. These lists will ensure you arrive in the Azores with everything you need without overpacking.
• Don’t lose sleep over your budget. The included budget and expense sheets mean that you can keep track of how much you spend during your planning as well as in the Azores.

The benefits don’t stop there. This document is also created to take with you to the Azores. Write down your carefully crafted Azores planning on the provided pages and use them as a guide during your trip.

In the blink of an eye, you will be able to retrieve all the crucial information about your vacation.

Detailed list of everything included in this Azores Travel Planner

• Daily Planner – Outline your everyday plans and take them with you on vacation so you don’t miss any of the sights you absolutely want to see
• Budget Planner – Keep track of your budget while planning
• Expense tracker – Note your daily expenses while traveling and avoid nasty expensive surprises when back home
• Travel checklist mapped against a timeline – Follow this checklist and forget about those stressful days in the run-up to your vacation.
• Itinerary planners for every island  – We brought together all key sights of every island in a handy one-page overview to help you with your planning.
• Share your travel plans with your loved ones who stay at home – let them know where you are and how to contact you if needed
• Useful Portuguese Phrases – A selection of useful Portuguese expressions to interact with the locals in a courteous and polite way. Useful if you need directions to your hotel, the sights, or if you want to know how it is to live on these fabulous islands.
• Packing List for your Azores trip – Use this packing list and you’re sure to arrive on the Azores with everything you might need.
• Outfit Planner – Are you a serial overpacker? Use this sheet to plan your outfits so you know exactly what clothes and shoes you will need to stuff in that suitcase.
• Emergency contacts – Write down all emergency contacts on this paper and you will have them within easy reach whenever something might happen. We pre-filled the local emergency numbers for you.
• Photo Bucket List – Are you an avid photographer? Use this sheet to start keeping track of those iconic photo locations before you even set foot on the islands.
• Food Bucket List – Foodies will also want to taste the local specialties and will be amazed by the many different home-grown cheeses. Are you looking forward to taste all those delicious dishes? Make a note of everything you want to taste and make reservations in your favorite restaurants.

This is an editable PDF. Depending on your preference you can complete everything digitally or print the templates.

Buy your Azores Trip Planner now and get these 3 amazing bonuses for FREE

Free Bonus #1: Azores itinerary ($4.97 value)

Chances are you will visit multiple islands.  Take this amazing 3-week itinerary with you on your mobile phone and discover the highlights of São Miguel, Pico, Faial, São Jorge, and Terceira.

Free Bonus #2:  São Miguel Itinerary  ($2.97 value)

Take our nicely formatted São Miguel itinerary with you on your mobile phone. Read about the places you visit when you visit them without the need for a WiFi device.

Free Bonus #3: Beautiful Azores backgrounds   ($6.97 value)

Start dreaming of your next trip with these 3 stunning background pictures of the Azores.

Get your copy now and you will also get all the above bonuses!

How is this guidebook different from others.

This isn’t a guidebook but a trip planner that will help you plan your trip at ease.

How does the purchase work?

We use Stripe to handle the payment transaction. Your transaction is completely secured by Stripe. You can use a credit card to make your payment.

Once the transaction is completed you will be taken to a page where you can donwload the documents.

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Have a great trip

First time me and my wife visited this place was some thirty years ago. What a sad view... It... read more

Fantastic views and old Russian architecture, and the church with St.Savva.

This is a very old monastery established by St.Savva in 15th centure, and it was also a fortress and a seasonal residence of Russian tzar and his wife. You will see fantastic views of meadows, hills and forests of the central Russia.

It's one of the places that are part of the "Golden Ring" , it's the closest to Moscow . If you are interested in Russian culture/ history , it's the must! There are many small nice restaurants around, as well as hotels. Magnificent place , very powerful and truly Russian . Unspoiled beauty!

Thrilled to see that the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery already has a such a wealth of positive reviews; I totally concur and will consequently attempt to keep my own comments relatively brief. A peaceful place offering some lovely views out across the surrounding countryside. Especially recommended for long-term Moscow dwellers needing a break from the teeming metropolis. Though other reviewers have already mentioned this, I would be remiss if I omitted to say that as this is a working Russian Orthodox place of worship, some sort of head-scarf is recommended for women. As a man, I feel a somewhat awkward saying that, but it's definitely worth knowing. My only regret about my own visit is that we didn't buy more pastries from the on-site bakery, the ones we did have were truly delicious. I would say take large bags with you and stock up, but I am not sure how the full-time residents of the monastery would feel about me advocating baked-goods-based gluttony!

It's an ancient Church opened not so long ago after closing by Soviets. Must visit to feel Russian people and Russian soul. Do not forget that it's a male monastery so consider to wear long dresses with sleeves.

Quiet, with a wonderful architecture. But, ladies, do not forget that it is not for tourists, so cover heads and legs !

Well restored with well-maintained grounds (lots of flowers in July) with a separate spring easily reachable by drive or walk from the main compound. The buildings are colorful and the churches beautiful. A simple cafe near the spring offers a chance to rest and eat excellent baked goods. Worth the visit.