30 Azores Travel Tips to Make Visiting the Azores Easier!

Known for its well-preserved architecture and delightful streets, it’s a lovely place to explore. There are often benches at the viewpoint, allowing visitors to sit and relax while enjoying the incredible scenery. This garden features native and exotic plant species that showcase the rich biodiversity of the Azorean islands.

Our Customer Support Team is available to help with whatever you need, 7 days a week. Start exploring from the moment you sign up, gaining immediate access to member-only offers and exclusive early-bird notifications on special deals and sales. Your Terceira adventure starts here, with everything you need to explore with confidence. The perfect introduction to the two most visited islands in the Azores.

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. I had an amazing response to these islands on Instagram, and many people, like myself, had never heard of these islands. We were both totally blown away by the islands’ beauty, the kindness of the people, the history, and the amazing food!

Direct flight routes to Azores from United States 🇺🇸

Along the way, you may spot local wildlife, including endemic birds. Trails wind through lush vineyards and unique lava formations, showcasing the island’s diverse landscapes. It’s a tranquil retreat perfect for relaxation and exploration.

By 1440, other settlements had developed along the river-valleys and coastal inlets of São Miguel, Terceira, Faial, and Pico, supported by game animals and fishing. Settlers quickly arrived from the provinces of Algarve and Alentejo as Gonçalo Velho's nephew and heir, João Soares de Albergaria, advertised and promoted settlement on the island. The "official" settlement of the archipelago began in Santa Maria, where the first settlement was constructed in the area of Baía dos Anjos (in the north of the island), and quickly moved to the southern coast (to the area that is now the modern town of Vila do Porto). The use of mythical names in local naming became a theme; in São Miguel and Pico there are communities called Sete Cidades, on Terceira, a peninsula along the southern coast is referred to as Monte Brasil, and the name Mosteiros is used on both islands of São Miguel and Flores. By 1492, in the globe of Martin Behaim, the eastern and central group of islands were referred to as Insulae Azore ("Islands of the Azores"), while the islands of western group were called the Insulae Flores ("Islands of Flowers"). He was Grand Master of the Military Order of Christ, whose program of exploration, discovery, and settlement was tailored for this dual purpose.

Top 20 Suggestions of Things To Do When Visiting the Azores Islands

Stay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet. These phosphorus and nitrogen inputs come from agricultural activities, including livestock. Three of the volcanos are still active, though dormant, including Sete Cidades, which last erupted from a submarine vent off the west coast in 1880. The island’s highest point is Pico da Vara, which rises to an elevation of 1,080 meters (3,545 feet) above sea level.

Now it’s time to include a little bit of insight into the cuisine because the best way to get to know a place is through its food. All in all, it’s a region where island hopping is going to come in handy. It offers cobbled streets that contrast with a modern marina and all the ocean-front cafes and nightclubs you could want. Your leader can recommend the best hikes to see the island’s stunning mountain range. If you’re into hiking, look no further than Sao Jorge.

With its lush endemic vegetation, dramatic cliffs, and expansive views, it offers a true hiking adventure. São Jorge is an often-overlooked gem in the Azores archipelago, but it’s an island that’s well worth a visit for avid hikers. This challenging trail takes hikers through Terceira’s Natural Reserve, including the Serra de Santa Bárbara and Mistérios Negros Natural Park. These trails, while not as steep as those on São Miguel, still offer scenic views and pleasant walking experiences.

• Down the shoreside cliffs are so-called fajãs, which are small plains once formed by lava flows or landslides.
• We experienced every weather pattern while we were there, with sunshine, rain, fog, and rainbows all in the same day.
• However, in terms of weather, the best time to visit the Azores is from June to September.
• The right island depends a lot on what you’re actually looking for.
• The Azores have a reliable and efficient public transportation system, making it easy to travel between different islands and explore the main attractions.
• It’s one of those iconic images of wild nature that people show when they’re selling the beauty of the Azores.

He bought the island’s first semi-rigid boat and developed his company, Extremo Ocidente, to combine that with diving and island tours of both Flores and the even more remote Corvo, about 13 miles away. They share a professional reception staff and a very good restaurant, which offers a handful of local dishes each day. They were surprised when some German tourists wanted to rent it, but they said yes, and then they said yes to the next set of would-be visitors. Only about 4,000 people live in its 55 square miles.

Several companies offer guided tours, providing knowledgeable guides to enhance your experience. Spotting these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat is a highlight for many visitors. The waters surrounding the islands are home to various whale species. Don’t forget to take a seat and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

These airlines are the main providers of flights, but it’s worth checking for seasonal offerings and additional carriers that may serve the islands. Before we delve into the logistics of how to get to the Azores, it’s important to answer the question of where are the Azores. Quiet discretion indeed is the theme here, where the horrors of the junta – people disappearing, mass coctail bar roundups, property and land seized – are politely avoided as money is moved around. Started enjoying this when I stopped trying to decipher what they were talking about