Trip guides / Azores
Azores travel guide
Crater lakes, hot springs and whales in the middle of the Atlantic. 33 guides, written and checked by the team behind our Facebook groups.
The Azores are nine volcanic islands in the mid-Atlantic, a little over two hours’ flight from Lisbon. Most first-time visitors start on São Miguel, with the crater lakes of Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo, the hot springs of Furnas and Ponta Delgada as a base, then add Pico, Faial or Terceira. The weather changes fast, so leave some slack in your plans.
Start with our Azores travel guide and São Miguel itinerary, plan your route with Azores island hopping and check the best time to visit. Every Azores guide we have written is below, grouped by topic.
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The Azores essentials
Azores Travel Guide: Which Island and What to Do
Planning the Azores: choosing an island, Sao Miguel's Sete Cidades and Furnas, whale watching, weather, getting there and car hire tips.
Sao Miguel Itinerary: 5 Days in the Azores
A 5-day Sao Miguel plan: Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo and its summer shuttle, Caldeira Velha, Furnas hot springs and cozido, tea, and whale watching.
Azores Island Hopping: Flights, Ferries and Itineraries
How to island-hop the Azores: SATA flights, the Pico-Faial-Sao Jorge ferries, climbing Mount Pico, Horta, Capelinhos and sample itineraries.
The Best Time to Visit the Azores
When to visit the Azores: weather by season, the best time for whale watching, hiking, hydrangeas, island hopping and festivals.
Where to Stay in the Azores: Island by Island
Which island and town to stay in: Ponta Delgada and Furnas on Sao Miguel, plus Pico, Faial, Terceira, Sao Jorge and Flores.
Whale Watching in the Azores: When and Where
Whale watching in the Azores: when to see sperm, blue and fin whales, the best islands and harbours for trips, how tours work and how to pick an operator.
Every guide
All our Azores guides
Sights and things to do
- Gorreana Tea Plantation, Sao MiguelGorreana tea plantation on Sao Miguel, Europe's oldest still in production: the free factory visit and tasting, plantation walks and getting there.
- Nordeste: Sao Miguel's Wild EastNordeste on Sao Miguel: garden viewpoints, waterfalls, old mills, the Arnel lighthouse, climbing Pico da Vara and a one-day driving loop of the wild east.
- The Capelinhos Volcano, FaialCapelinhos volcano on Faial: the 1957-58 eruption, the underground interpretation centre at about EUR 10, the half-buried lighthouse and getting there.
- Angra do Heroismo, Terceira: The UNESCO TownAngra do Heroismo on Terceira: the UNESCO old town, Alto da Memoria, Monte Brasil, the cathedral, the Duke of Terceira garden and the June Sanjoaninas.
- Santa Maria, Azores: The Sunny IslandSanta Maria, the Azores' sunniest island: sandy Praia Formosa, Sao Lourenco's vineyard terraces, the red desert, waterfalls and flights from Ponta Delgada.
- Graciosa, Azores: Windmills and the Sulphur CaveGraciosa in the Azores: the Furna do Enxofre sulphur cave, the Caldeira crater, windmills, the Carapacho spa, Santa Cruz, flights and how long to stay.
- Corvo: The Smallest Island in the AzoresCorvo, the smallest Azores island: the boat from Flores or a short flight, the Caldeirao crater and its lakes, the village and autumn birdwatching.
- Furnas, Sao Miguel: Hot Springs, Cozido and MoreFurnas, Sao Miguel: steaming caldeiras, cozido stew cooked underground, Terra Nostra's thermal pool and Poca da Dona Beija, an hour from Ponta Delgada.
- Sao Jorge Island, Azores: Fajas, Cheese and HikingHow to visit Sao Jorge: the fajas and the Caldeira de Santo Cristo lagoon, Sao Jorge cheese, hiking, Velas and ferries to Pico and Faial.
- Flores Island, Azores: Waterfalls and Crater LakesHow to visit Flores: Poco do Bacalhau and the Faja Grande waterfalls, Rocha dos Bordoes, the crater lakes, hiking and getting there.
- Things to Do in Ponta Delgada, AzoresThe best things to do in Ponta Delgada: the city gates and old town, the marina, whale watching, pineapple plantations and day trips across Sao Miguel.
- Faial Island, Azores: Horta, Capelinhos and the CaldeiraHow to visit Faial: Horta marina and Peter Cafe Sport, the Capelinhos volcano centre, the Caldeira crater rim, hydrangeas and the ferry to Pico.
- Terceira Island, Azores: Angra do Heroismo and FestivalsHow to visit Terceira: UNESCO-listed Angra do Heroismo, Monte Brasil, the Biscoitos lava pools, volcanic caves and the island festivals.
Itineraries and planning
- The Azores with KidsThe Azores with kids: whale watching, warm pools at Furnas, the Sete Cidades crater lakes and easy walks, plus why to base on Sao Miguel and where to stay.
- Madeira vs the Azores: Which Island Should You Visit?Madeira or the Azores? Weather, beaches, hiking, hot springs, whale watching, hotels and island hopping compared, to help you choose.
Where to stay
- The Best Hotels on Sao Miguel, AzoresWhere to stay on Sao Miguel: thermal-pool hotels in Furnas, Ponta Delgada bases, clifftop suites, a north-coast eco resort and a Sete Cidades lake lodge.
Getting there and around
- Ponta Delgada Cruise Port: A Day on Sao MiguelPonta Delgada cruise port: ships dock in the town centre. How to see Sete Cidades, Furnas or a pineapple plantation in a day ashore on Sao Miguel.
Food and drink
- The Pico Vineyards: UNESCO Lava-Stone LandscapePico's UNESCO vineyard landscape in the Azores: lava-stone currais, Lajido village, the Madalena wine museum, Verdelho tastings, walks and getting there.
- What to Eat in the Azores: Local Dishes and DrinksAzores food: cozido das Furnas cooked in volcanic ground, alcatra, Sao Jorge cheese, pineapples, Gorreana tea, queijadas, island wines and where to eat.
Tours, cruises and experiences
- The Best Tours in the AzoresAzores tours worth booking: whale and dolphin watching, Sete Cidades and Furnas on Sao Miguel, canyoning, a guided Mount Pico climb and a four-day plan.
Beaches and the coast
- The Best Beaches in the Azores (and Natural Pools)Best Azores beaches: black sand on Sao Miguel, pale sand on Santa Maria, Porto Pim on Faial, lava pools on Pico and Terceira, plus sea temperatures.
Walks, gardens and nature
- Salto do Prego Waterfall Hike, Sao MiguelSalto do Prego waterfall hike on Sao Miguel: the 4.5km loop from Faial da Terra through Sanguinho, 2 to 3 hours, steep sections, getting there and tips.
- Sete Cidades, Sao Miguel: Viewpoints, Walks and TipsSete Cidades on Sao Miguel: the twin crater lakes, Vista do Rei and Boca do Inferno viewpoints, the crater rim walk, getting there and checking for cloud.
- Lagoa do Fogo and Caldeira Velha, Sao MiguelLagoa do Fogo on Sao Miguel: crater lake viewpoints, the steep trail to the shore, the summer shuttle and road closure, and Caldeira Velha hot springs.
- Climbing Mount Pico: Portugal's Highest MountainClimbing Mount Pico in the Azores: registering at Casa da Montanha, fees, the 6 to 8 hour route to the crater, when to go, what to bring and safety tips.
- Azores Hot Springs: Terra Nostra, Dona Beija and MoreAzores hot springs on Sao Miguel: Terra Nostra, Poca da Dona Beija, Caldeira Velha and Ponta da Ferraria, with 2026 prices, hours and bathing tips.
- Pico Island, Azores: Climbing the Volcano, Vineyards and WhalesHow to visit Pico: climbing Mount Pico (registration and fees), the UNESCO lava-walled vineyards, whale watching, lava pools and the ferry from Faial.
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