The Azores Islands are well worth exploring and are not yet firmly on the tourist map. People do go, but their charm and unique qualities are still somewhat under the radar in terms of regular visitors, which make it a great time to go explore the region. There are nine unique islands in the Azores, all of volcanic origin, located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The islands are known for their natural beauty and abundance of outdoor activities on offer. There’s also great food to be found, friendly people and rich culture. Ready to start island-hopping? Follow our guide to the best the Azores has to offer.
The nine islands are divided into three categories: the eastern islands of Sao Miguel and Santa Maria; the central group of Terceira, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Pico and Faial; and the western islands of Flores and Corvo. Corvo is the smallest and Sao Miguel the largest island.
When to go
You can visit the Azores any time, making them an ideal destination for those who can only travel at specific times of year. The subtropical climate is stable and warm all year round and the rainy season runs from November to March, but the rainfall isn’t so much that it should keep people away. Many people prefer to visit in the spring (April to June) to see the multitude of flowers in bloom and summertime (July to September) is ideal for whale watching. No matter when you go, however, there will always be something to see and do.
What you can do there
The Azores are diverse and offer a wide variety of things to see and do for every type of traveller and interest level. It’s impossible to be bored no matter which islands you choose to visit.
As mentioned above, the Azores are well known for whale watching because they are currently one of the world’s largest whale sanctuaries. Try your luck at spotting all 20 species of cetaceans that can be spotted in the Azores. Other water activities include scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing, canoeing and kayaking, but if being on land is more your speed, consider hiking. Thanks to the array of trails featuring some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe, you can hike year-round. There are trails for every fitness level, from beginners to advanced hikers. Other popular activities in the Azores include mountain biking, bird-watching and horseback riding.
Getting to the Azores
There are three international airports in the Azores – one on Sao Miguel, one on Faial and one on Terceira. Flights to the region originate from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe. You can either opt to fly to Lisbon and then get a connecting to flight to your island of choice, or fly direct to one of the international airports. Your choice will depend on when you’re going, where you’re flying from, how much you want to spend and the airline you’re flying with.
Getting around the Azores
If you’re in the mood for island hopping you’re in luck. All nine islands are linked by SATA, the local airline. Planes make regularly scheduled flights around the region, going from one island to another. During the summer months taking ferries between the islands is an option, but this is a much slower mode of transport and schedules are dependent on the weather, which can cause delays.
When it comes to travel on each of the islands there are a few options to consider. Renting a car is your best bet except on Corvo, which is small enough to see on foot. Roads are often bumpy, but comfortable drivers should be fine. Buses run on the islands as well and can be a cheap way to get around. Anyone who doesn’t want to drive or ride the bus can hire a taxi, which are fairly easy to find.
Which islands should you visit?
Which island you visit depends on what you want to do and how much time you have.
Whale watching: Anyone interested in whale watching should make their way to Sao Miguel, Terceira, Faial or Pico.
Hiking: Avid hikers will want to head to Pico to climb the 2,351 metre Montanha do Pico. The trek is roughly three hours up and four hours down. If you won’t be tackling Pico, there are trails on each of the islands. You can search trails by island, length and difficulty level.
Swimming: Some of the best beaches in the Azores can be found on Santa Maria, which is also a good option for other water sports, fishing and paragliding.
Bird-watching: Sao Miguel is a good place to add to your list for bird-watching as aswell as Corvo, which is known its many bird species.
History and culture: Don’t miss a visit to Terceira Island to see the UNESCO heritage city of Angra do Heroísmo, and Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores on Sao Miguel, for culture and history.
Surfing: Surfers should consider visiting São Jorge, Santa Maria and Terceira.
Canoeing/kayaking: A good bet for canoeing and kayaking is Sao Miguel, which has many lakes in the craters of extinguished volcanoes. Graciosa and São Jorge are also good options for kayaking.
Featured image: Feliciano Guimarães
