Azores Island Hopping: Flights, Ferries and Itineraries

The Azores are nine volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic, and each one is different: São Miguel’s crater lakes, Pico’s towering volcano, Faial’s sailors’ harbour, the cliffs and fajãs of São Jorge, Terceira’s colourful UNESCO town and the waterfalls of Flores. Here’s how to island-hop the Azores, by plane and ferry.

Quick answer: combine São Miguel with the “triangle” of Pico, Faial and São Jorge, which are linked by year-round ferries. Fly between island groups with SATA Air Açores (visitor fares are often €55–110 one way). Allow at least 10–14 days for three or four islands, and build in spare time, as weather can cancel flights and ferries.

The islands at a glance

• São Miguel: the biggest, with crater lakes, hot springs and tea. See our São Miguel itinerary.
• Terceira: the UNESCO-listed old town of Angra do Heroísmo, festivals, and lava caves.
• Pico: Portugal’s highest mountain (2,351m), UNESCO-listed vineyards in black lava walls, and whale watching.
• Faial: the yachting harbour of Horta and the Capelinhos volcano.
• São Jorge: a long, thin island of cliffs and fajãs (flat coastal strips), great for hiking and famous for cheese.
• Flores and Corvo: remote western islands of waterfalls and lakes. Spectacular, but weather-dependent.
• Graciosa and Santa Maria: quiet, sunny and far less visited.

Getting between islands

By plane

SATA Air Açores links all nine islands, with hundreds of inter-island flights a week in summer. Visitor fares are often around €55–110 one way; book early. Some international flights from Lisbon go direct to Terceira, Pico, Faial and Santa Maria as well as São Miguel, so you can fly in to one island and out of another.

By ferry

Atlânticoline runs the triangle ferries all year: Horta (Faial) to Madalena (Pico) several times a day in about 30 minutes, and Faial–Pico–São Jorge daily. From June to September, a seasonal line links the central islands, including Terceira and Graciosa. Ferries are often cancelled in rough seas, so check the day before.

Highlights by island

Pico: climb the mountain

Climbing Mount Pico is the Azores’ great adventure: a steep, 3–4 hour climb (each way) to the summit cone. You must register at the Casa da Montanha and carry a GPS tracker. Fees are €25 to the summit (Piquinho), or €15 to the crater. You can go without a guide, but a guide is wise if you’re inexperienced, and the weather can change fast. See guided Pico climbs. Don’t miss the lava-walled vineyards and a glass of local wine. Places to stay on Pico.

Faial: Horta and Capelinhos

Horta’s marina is covered in paintings left by sailors crossing the Atlantic, and Peter Café Sport is a legendary stop for a gin. At the western tip, the Capelinhos volcano erupted in 1957–58, creating new land; the interpretation centre is underground (€10, free for under-12s). Places to stay in Horta.

São Jorge: the fajãs

Hike down to the fajãs, little villages on lava platforms at the foot of huge cliffs, like Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo. Try the famous São Jorge cheese. Places to stay in Velas.

Terceira: Angra and the caves

Angra do Heroísmo is a colourful UNESCO World Heritage town. The famous Algar do Carvão lava tube has been closed for a new visitor centre, so check whether it has reopened. Places to stay in Angra.

Flores: waterfalls

The wildest island, with waterfalls pouring down green cliffs at Poço do Bacalhau and Ribeira Grande. Allow extra days, as flights are often delayed by weather.

Sample itineraries

• 10 days: São Miguel (5 nights) + Pico and Faial (5 nights).
• 14 days: São Miguel (5) + Terceira (3) + Pico/Faial/São Jorge (6).
• Adventurous: add Flores at the end, with buffer days for weather.

Tips

• Weather is king: keep your plans flexible and check the webcams (SpotAzores) before heading up to viewpoints.
• Hire a car on each island; book early in summer.
• Whale watching is world-class from Pico, Faial and São Miguel.
• Best time: May to September for calmer seas and more ferries.

More: the Azores travel guide. See Azores tours or browse all Azores stays.

From our sister blog: 20 unmissable things to do on São Miguel on Sunset Travellers.

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