Trip guides / Planning
Are the Azores Worth Visiting? An Honest Answer
Are the Azores worth visiting? For nature lovers, absolutely. These nine volcanic islands in the mid-Atlantic offer crater lakes, hot springs, whale watching and spectacular hiking, with very little mass tourism. But the weather is famously changeable. Here’s an honest look.
Quick answer: yes, for nature, hiking, whales and hot springs. Be prepared for unpredictable weather (sun, fog and rain in a single day), the need for a hire car, and limited beach time. Start with São Miguel for 5 days, and add Pico and Faial if you have more time.
Why the Azores are worth it
- Crater lakes: Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo. See Sete Cidades.
- Hot springs: Furnas and Caldeira Velha. See Furnas.
- Whale watching: among the best in the world. See whale watching.
- Hiking: including Mount Pico. See climbing Mount Pico.
- Few crowds: even in summer, it rarely feels busy.
The downsides
- Weather: changeable, so plans need flexibility. See the best time to visit.
- Getting around: a car is essential. See getting around the Azores.
- Beaches: mostly black sand and rock pools, with cool water.
Compared with Madeira
More: the São Miguel itinerary and where to stay in the Azores.
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