Things to do in The Azores

The nine volcanic islands of the Azores archipelago offer up a variety of things to see and do for travellers to its shores. With hundreds of resorts, the year-round warmth certainly suits the sun-loving visitor as they are never far away from a beautiful beach on which to laze.

On popular resort island São Miguel, there are endless activities and sights for the traveller to explore: mountain biking, golfing on world-class courses, horse-riding on the beach and whale watching from a boat cruise. Ponta Delgada on São Miguel makes a good base from which to explore the other eight islands of the Azores.

The town of Ponta Delgada has a variety of cultural sights such as a bustling town square filled with markets, the charming Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Esperanca, and a harbour boasting the imposing fortress of São Brás. From this base, which has its own airport chartering international flights, one can explore the surrounding islands, such as the picturesque Graciosa, sporting stunning turquoise waters and a pale white landscape. Alternatively, one can visit the historic centre of Terceira's capital town, Angra do Heroísmo, which has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pico photo

Pico

The resort island of Pico is dominated by its volcanic namesake, rising from the middle of the landscape and towering 7,720ft (2,351m) above sea level. It's the highest peak in Por…

Pico

The resort island of Pico is dominated by its volcanic namesake, rising from the middle of the landscape and towering 7,720ft (2,351m) above sea level. It's the highest peak in Portugal, with a single road encircling the island following the rugged coastline. It's possible to climb the volcano to the summit but the route is arduous and should not be attempted by amateurs. Pico's other main claim to fame is as a jumping-off point for whale-watching expeditions, offered by local boatmen. In the island's vineyards, the famous verdelho wine grapes are grown. At Lajes, there is a whale-hunting museum and in São Roche, visitors can discover a museum depicting the operation of a whaling factory.

Terceira photo

Terceira

Terceira, an island resort destination in the Azores, holds many places of interest for tourists. The historic centre of its capital town, Angra do Heroísmo, is classified as a UN…

Terceira

Terceira, an island resort destination in the Azores, holds many places of interest for tourists. The historic centre of its capital town, Angra do Heroísmo, is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is an idyllic setting, renowned for its pastel-coloured sunset vistas and its periodic running of the bulls. Ask in the local bar when the next event is likely to take place. The other main town on the island, Praia da Vitória, is interesting because of its American flavour, being close to the American airbase in Lajes and featuring several burger joints and US-style souvenir shops.

São Jorge photo

São Jorge

The resort island of São Jorge is surrounded by sheer black cliffs and is the centre of the Azores' dairy industry. The lush green grass of the island's fields plumps up the grazi…

São Jorge

The resort island of São Jorge is surrounded by sheer black cliffs and is the centre of the Azores' dairy industry. The lush green grass of the island's fields plumps up the grazing cows, who in turn produce rich milk for creamy, straw-coloured wheels of cheese. The island also has exclusive rights to the delicious fleshy cockles that are caught in the waters of Caldeira de Santo Cristo. Aside from its gastronomic delights, São Jorge offers active pursuits like dive fishing, hiking, swimming and bird watching. Villages such as Velas and Manadas possess historic buildings dating back to 1400 and offer the sleepy culture of traditional harbour towns.

Santa Maria photo

Santa Maria

The island resort of Santa Maria, a fantastic holiday retreat, lies southwest of São Miguel Island and features an airport that was a World War II American Air Force base, now app…

Santa Maria

The island resort of Santa Maria, a fantastic holiday retreat, lies southwest of São Miguel Island and features an airport that was a World War II American Air Force base, now appropriated as a civil airport. The main town on the island is Vila do Porto. It only has one hotel but also several inns and private villas for rent. There are a few sandy golden beaches on the island, including Praia Formosa, and the scenic Maia and São Lourenço Bays, offering rocky cliffs and attractive vineyards. Pretty villages like Anjos and Santo Espírito are steeped in local history and culture, and the island has many colourful festivals throughout the summertime.

Graciosa photo

Graciosa

The tiny Graciosa is known as the White Island of the Azores due to the pale rocky landscape. But there is variety in its golden wheatfields and green and purple vineyards. The lan…

Graciosa

The tiny Graciosa is known as the White Island of the Azores due to the pale rocky landscape. But there is variety in its golden wheatfields and green and purple vineyards. The landscape is dotted with quaint Dutch-style windmills, and most of its 4,600 inhabitants make their living from farming, winemaking and cattle-raising. Graciosa has its own unique natural attraction: the Furna de Enxofre. This is a small, warm sulphur lake, concealed in a grotto underneath a volcanic crater. Visitors on holiday can reach the lake via a 270ft (80m) spiral staircase enclosed in a brick tower.

Faial photo

Faial

Faial, with its sheltered bays and immense volcanic crater, is the most visited of the Azores. Much of the interior is protected as a reserve where visitors enjoy the diverse flora…

Faial

Faial, with its sheltered bays and immense volcanic crater, is the most visited of the Azores. Much of the interior is protected as a reserve where visitors enjoy the diverse flora and fauna under the supervision of local guides. Faial's main town, Horta, has a large marina used as a favoured stopping point for yachtsmen, and the harbour also occasionally accommodates cruise liners. Horta and other villages have a number of pretty churches, chapels, towers and forts, and a lively small-town atmosphere. Of interest to sightseers is the new section of land, covering an area of approximately one mile (two km), added to the island in the most recent volcanic eruption of 1957.

Flores photo

Flores

Literally the island of 'flowers', this most northerly of the Azores blooms, carpeted with numerous flowers among impossibly green hills and white-washed villages. Considered one o…

Flores

Literally the island of 'flowers', this most northerly of the Azores blooms, carpeted with numerous flowers among impossibly green hills and white-washed villages. Considered one of the most beautiful islands in the Azores, the best time to visit is summer, when it is covered in the bright pink and blue hydrangeas that give Flores its name. Highlights on the island include the seven serene lakes in volcanic craters, the Enxareus Grotto, the Águas Quentes hot springs and the multiple waterfalls of the Ribeira Grande. Flores' largest town, Lajes, is a picturesque fishing port set in green fields. All the island's towns and villages have historic chapels and churches to explore.