Things to do in Azores

The main attraction of the Azores island chain is the stark, volcanic landscape that offers outstanding walking, trekking and viewing. Some of the islands have barren, yet beautiful geography, while others boast lush, green mountains and fertile plains. The islands also possess numerous quality beaches and resorts, while the many quaint towns and villages are charming.

Faial

The island of Faial resides in the west of the Azores and features the most recently erupting volcano of the archipelago. The main town is Horta; one of the liveliest towns of the Azores and certainly the most visited on the island. Faial is also a stopping off point for yachtsmen and whale watchers, with a quality harbour and an abundance of exotic marine life. Other major attractions include Capelinhos Volcano and the crater of Monte da Guia, which lies above Horta, offering great views.

Flores and Corvo

Flores is northwest of Faial and is an island of beautiful landscapes, with jagged mountains, plunging waterfalls, lush flora, whitewashed villages and pristine waters. The main attraction on the island are its seven extinct craters that are now beautiful lakes, while its capital, Santa Cruz, is a laid back town of fishermen and birdlife, and lies on the east coast. Also worth seeing on the island is Europe’s western-most village, Fajã Grande.

Nearby Corvo is the western and northernmost island of the Azores and is for those who enjoy getting away from it all. The main town of Vila Nova is characterised by interesting narrow streets, while the island’s highest point, Monte Grosso, offers unforgettable views.

Furnas

The town of Furnas, on the south coast of the main island of São Miguel, is best known for its geographical activity and botanical garden. Lake Lagoa das Furnas is just southwest of town and features fine walks, bubbling pools and a strong smell of sulphur, while the botanical garden dates back to the 1800s and features some stunning examples of flora indigenous to the Azores.

Graciosa

This northern island is quiet and known for its vineyards and thermal baths, where all sorts of aches and pains are said to be soothed. These baths lie in the south of the island at Carapacho and are well worth a visit, while the curious geological formation of the Sulphur Cavern (Furna do Enxofre) is awe-inspiring. Boat trips out to the nearby islets for bird-watching are also popular on Graciosa.

Pico

Pico is the second largest island of the Azores and is great for walking and exploring. Its main attractions are the three lakes: Capitão, Caiado and Paúl, while the mountain climb is fantastic, offering awesome views, especially during sunrise. There is also plenty of history on the island as a former whaling centre, with São Roque whaling station and the Whaling Museum in Lajes providing a look into the world of whaling.

Santa Maria

This beautiful island is the southernmost in the island chain of the Azores and is a great retreat, with breathtaking scenery and interesting villages. In the west are Vila do Porto, Almagreira, São Pedro and the gorgeous Praia Formosa Beach, while the bay of São Lourenço (St Lawrence) in the east offers a picture postcard view of dazzling volcanic sands against turquoise waters.

So Jorge

São Jorge is one of the most beautiful of the Azorean islands and being located roughly in the centre of the island chain, it is a good base for visiting the rest of the Azores. There are some fine walks on the island including the Fajã do Santa Cristo to Fajã dos Cubres walk, which goes past beautiful bays and over dramatic landscapes. The island is also fantastic for bird-watching and the Topo islet is a Natural Reserve which has many resting and nesting areas for migratory birds. The capital of São Jorge is Velas, a laid back 15th century harbour town.

So Miguel

São Miguel has everything going for it; beaches, towns, gorgeous landscapes and charm. It is the largest island in the Azores and boasts the majority of activities. The best beaches are at Populo and Praia, which both offer great bathing, accommodation and leisure options. The capital, Ponta Delgada, in the south of the island, offers a wealth of history and architecture as well as cafés and restaurants, while the fishing port of Caloura is great for seafood. São Miguel also offers some stark landscapes and fine walks, with its two volcanic ranges featuring crater lakes and awesome views.

Terceira

Terceira, also known as the Lilac Isle and the Island of Never-Ending Festivals, lies in the centre of the group of islands and features lovely sunsets and much culture and colour. Angra do Heroísmo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest town on the island, with wonderful 17th and 18th century architecture. Elsewhere, Santa Bárbara rises to over 3,300 feet and offers magnificent views of land and sea.

Museums
There are some excellent museums scattered around the Azores, with most islands having one or two interesting set-ups. The main museums to see include the: Museu Carlos Machado in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel, which features historical exhibits and covers the area’s farming; Museu da Horta on Faial, which retells the culture of the island through photographs, crafts and antiques; the historical Museu de São Jorge on São Jorge; and the Museu de Angra do Heroismo on Terceira, which covers the history of the entire Azores chain.