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This was a press trip was organised by the Azores Tourism Board (ATB). The opinions expressed within this article are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of ATB.
A world away, at an almost halfway point between the Americas and Europe, sits the archipelago of the Azores, a volcanic, subtropical paradise. Whispers of it being home to the legendary Atlantis, a utopian kingdom lost to the ocean.
The islands of the Azores are surrounded by vibrant azure waters, covered in lush green carpeted calderas, and tropical flowers flourish across them. The Azores have to be the definition of paradise.
Each island is unique with its character, landscape, culture and identity. It’s believed that when God created the world he rested on the seventh day, which was when he was inspired to create the Azores.
We explored the Azores for 7 days, with the opportunity to do some island hopping on São Miguel, Flores and Corvo. This guide will share our exact 7 day itinerary of the Azores to help you plan your trip to this slice of paradise.
Where is the Azores?
The Azores are a subtropical cluster of islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. They consist of nine islands: São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Graciosa, Flores, and Corvo. The islands are an autonomous region of Portugal, located over 1,500 km west of Portugal and approximately 3,900 km from the United States.
The islands are grouped into three groups; the western group, Flores and Corvo, the central group, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, Graciosa and the eastern group, São Miguel and Santa Maria.
The east and central island groups sit where the Eurasian and African tectonic plates meet, whereas the western group is on the North American plate. While technically the Azores are part of Europe, as an autonomous region of Portugal, Flores and Corvo are geographically part of North America.
How to get to the Azores?
There are direct flights from London Heathrow to Ponta Delgada on São Miguel, the largest island of the Azores and a great place to start your adventure. The flight from London Heathrow (LHR) takes 4 hours 20 minutes and there are weekly departures from LHR with British Airways. These flights only run during the summer months, from April to September.
Other flight options for throughout the year include flying direct to Lisbon and Porto from most UK major airports, including LHR, London Stanstead, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol and London Luton (please note that some airports only fly to Lisbon or Porto).
Flying from the UK to Lisbon takes just under 3 hours and there are seven flights each day to Ponta Delgada from Lisbon. Typically taking this route will take around 8 hours+ of flying with the chance to stop over in Lisbon.
If you fly to Lisbon or Porto first, there are more options of which islands you can fly to in the Azores instead of being limited to flying directly to Ponta Delgada on São Miguel. Other direct flights from Lisbon fly to Terceira, Santa Maria and Faial islands, which are part of the central group. There are no direct flights from Lisbon to Flores or any of the other islands in the Azores not mentioned above.
If you have time to stop over in Lisbon, read our day guide to Lisbon to make the most of your stop over which includes the best places to see and what to eat in 24 hours.
How to get around the Azores?
When visiting the Azores, it’s worth island hopping to discover the contrast in culture, landscapes and people from island to island. If you have limited time, take the time to choose one or two islands, this allows you to explore them in depth.
It’s also worth knowing that the distance between the two furthest islands, Santa Maria and Corvo is 630 km. This means if you plan to island hop in the Azores you will be using either a combination of planes and boats, depending on your itinerary. For this 7 day itinerary in the Azores, we used a combination of planes and boats for São Miguel, Flores and Corvo.
Depending on weather conditions, ferries run between the central group of islands, Faial, São Jorge and Pico. A small ferry service runs from Flores and Corvo. The best and fastest way to island hop across the Azores is by plane, with services provided by Azores Airlines between all the islands.
Once on an island, the best way to get around is by renting a car. The only islands that don’t provide car rental services include Corvo and Graciosa. The best way to get around an island is by driving, allowing you to explore the island in depth. We used AutAtlantis car rental for São Miguel and Flores.
There are limited alternative options for getting around the Azores, where public transport can be unreliable, especially outside of the main towns and cities. Renting a car will allow you to discover places off the beaten path and explore at your own pace.
It can be difficult to hire a car during the peak months of July and August. Many car rental companies can be fully booked, as there is a limited supply of cars. We’d suggest booking your car well in advance of your trip to secure a booking.
We had experienced on other smaller islands where car rental companies had overbooked and asked for people to wait a little longer to then pick up their car; luckily we were unaffected.
Other options include hiring an electric bike, with many options on the island of São Miguel with either guided tours or self-guided, allowing slow travel across the island. It’s also possible to book guided tours, such as Jeep tours or private guided tours, in smaller groups as an alternative to big coach tours.
7 days in Azores Itinerary Map
This map shares all the locations mentioned in this guide, making it easy to find these places on the go. To use the map, click on the top left button to reveal the map legend, including all the places we visited in the Azores, which is organised into each day.
The bottom left allows you to zoom in and out of the map. The top right buttons let you share the map and make it full-screen for even better functionality.
When is the best time to visit the Azores?
The weather is lovely and warm year-round in the Azores, with a subtropical temperate climate making it possible to visit throughout the year. In addition to the temperate climate, the islands are located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean resulting in strong storms and winds.
The wettest time of year is in the winter months, usually from November to March. The best weather in the Azores is from June to September. However, July and August are the busiest months to visit and the most expensive time to book a rental car.
The best time to visit the Azores is during May, June, September and October, with better options for car rental and the chance to enjoy the islands with fewer crowds while being able to enjoy warm weather.
What do you need to know before driving in the Azores?
If you are from the UK, your driving licence is valid as the Azores is part of the European Union. Renting a car in the Azores will require a deposit, which is best paid on a credit card and must be in the same name as the named driver.
Make sure when renting a car in the Azores that you have third-party liability insurance, this is compulsory when driving around the islands and is usually included in the car rental price but does require a large deposit held on your card to cover damages.
Here are some tips for driving in the Azores:
Drive on the right-hand side of the road
On roundabouts, give way to the left, using the inside lane to go straight or left
Roads can be windy in places following the contour of the islands
Avoid gravel roads, as most rentals do not cover you on these roads
Parking in most places is free; in the city centres, expect to pay on certain days for some areas
Driving is relaxing and there is little traffic on the roads making it easy to get around by car
Roads are generally in good condition
7 Day Azores Itinerary schedule
Day 1 | São Miguel
Day 2 | São Miguel
Day 3 | São Miguel
Day 4 | São Miguel
Day 5 | Flores
Day 6 | Corvo
Day 7 | Flores and São Miguel
Day 1 - São Miguel
After a day of travel, we arrived on the island of São Miguel, picked up our rental car, and checked into our hotel in Ponta Delgada. For our first few days on the island, we were based in Ponta Delgada, the capital city of the Azores. There are many options for accommodation in the city, including boutique hotels, oceanfront hotels, villas, apartments and hostels.
Boa Fruta
The first stop on São Miguel is Boa Fruta, a pineapple plantation ready to show you one of the signature flavours of the island. It’s possible to take a self-guided tour around the grounds where some of the best-tasting pineapples can be found. Here you’ll learn all about the history of growing pineapples in São Miguel and one thing that was surprising to learn was that they take 2 years to grow!
Oranges used to be grown on the island and were shipped to the UK, however, Spain started to produce them in Valencia and São Miguel started to grow pineapples. The pineapples are grown organically using a rainwater harvesting system and the first pineapple was grown and exported in 1964. We were shown around by Luís Dâmaso, who co-owns the plantation with his family, who have been growing pineapples for four generations.
Make sure to stop at the tasting station, full of delicious treats where you will have the opportunity to taste pineapple, pineapple beer, jams and a tropical twist on the Portuguese pastel de nata. Parking is free and if you are looking for a private guided tour, this must be booked in advance, otherwise, it’s free to take a self-guided tour.
Magma Restaurant
For dinner, we ate at the Magma restaurant at Senhora Da Rosa Tradition & Nature Hotel, which is only a short drive from Boa Fruta. The hotel had humble beginnings, starting as an orange farm. Senhora da Rosa blends traditional elements with modern touches, without forgetting its roots.
Magma restaurant sources local ingredients, showcasing the flavours of São Miguel and from the surrounding islands. We were quick to discover that Pico produces some of the best wines and has been recognised as a UNESCO heritage site for its vineyard culture. The food was delicious, the menu included pork, yams and pineapples from the Azores.
There is seating indoors and outdoors, we opted for outside on the terrace surrounded by the sound of the cicadas and the welcoming warm evening temperatures. The menu at Magma adds a modern twist to traditional Azorean dishes while also using a farm to table approach using ingredients grown on the farm.
STAY | Azoris Royal Garden Hotel
We stayed at the Azoris Royal Garden Hotel, a modern 4 star hotel in the heart of Ponta Delgada. The hotel benefits from a pool, gym, outdoor gardens and private parking which is free for direct bookings on the website or if you book a superior room on a third-party site. Parking costs €9 each day if you book a standard or classic room not directly through the hotel.
Day 2 - São Miguel whale watching
Whale Watching in Ponta delgada
For the first full day on São Miguel island, it’s time to head out onto the Atlantic Ocean for whale watching! The Azores is one of the best places in the world to observe these magnificent creatures throughout the year and it leads the way in terms of sustainable wildlife tourism and marine conservation.
We took a relaxing stroll along the harbourfront in the morning, passing cyclists, fishermen and runners, finishing at the Ponta Delgada Marina. Our departure was scheduled for 9:30 am with Futurismo Azores Adventures. We were given coloured bands which corresponded to which group we would be travelling and there is the option to either choose a catamaran or rib/zodiac boat.
Before setting off, a safety briefing is demonstrated on the boat sharing how they operate and what to do in case of an emergency. If you suffer from sea sickness you will be provided with blue bags. Futurismo guarantees spotting any cetaceans (whales or dolphins), so much so that if you don’t see anything, they will offer another trip.
A marine biologist is onboard each boat to share interesting facts and information about each species you spot on your adventure. Futurismo is committed to responsible whale watching and follows strict guidelines set by the World Cetacean Alliance. This includes approaching the whales from behind, keeping a certain distance from them and reducing human disturbance by limited the time with them.
To minimise disturbance to wildlife, Futurismo has observation points known in Portuguese as ‘vigias’, where spotters are equipped with strong binoculars to feedback sightings and steer the boats in the right direction. Our first sighting was common dolphins right outside the harbour and they swam right up to the boat curious about our arrival.
Our boat then headed out towards Santa Maria, looking around us a couple of other boats were on the horizon. After around 30 to 40 minutes cruising across the ocean, we were delighted to discover a family of four Sperm whales. The air from their blowholes would displace water, giving away their location otherwise it would be difficult to spot them.
While whaling is no longer practised in the Azores, the sperm whale is officially listed as an endangered species. Sperm whales are still recovering from their harrowing history. Whalers would hunt sperm whales for the spermaceti which was found in their heads to use in candles, ointments and cosmetics.
On our return to the harbour we were spoiled to another sighting, this time a large group of bottlenose dolphins. They were much more playful than the common dolphins swimming alongside the boat, jumping and full of energy. Another wildlife encounter activity you can do whilst in the Azores is swim with dolphins.
Lunch - Cais da Sardinha restaurant
Cais da Sardinha restaurant overlooks the Ponta Delgada marina serving fresh seafood and panoramic views of the Fort of Saint Blaise. Highlights of lunch were trying traditional bread known as Bolos Lêvedos, a round-shaped sweeter bread with garlic cheese and pesto. Fresh lemonade served with a pasta straw, garlic shrimp and freshly caught tuna.
There are comfortable seats outside for a more relaxed dining experience and a great place to enjoy a cocktail in the evening.
Ponta da Ferreira
Have you ever swam in a tidal pool which is heated by volcanic heat? Swimming in Ponta da Ferreira has to be a once in a lifetime experience, a unique formation that has naturally formed rocks that create a narrow opening where geothermal water and cold Atlantic ocean water mix.
Ponta da Ferreira is a 40 minute drive west from Ponta Delgada. The best time to visit Ponta da Ferreira is a few hours before low tide which leaves a small window to visit the pool. At low tide, the temperature within the pool can get very hot. It’s much warmer in the more narrow section compared to the part where the pool meets the ocean.
To access the Ponta da Ferreira tidal pool, there is a large car park which is free at the bottom of a steep windy hill, if you are uncomfortable driving this road there is a car park at the top of the hill and you can walk down.
Follow the path to the left of the Ferreira spa building for around 5 minutes, passing changing rooms and showers until you reach the steps down to the pool. These warm waters are known for their healing powers and there are ropes in the pool to lead you around when the waves pass through. There are two ladders into the pool and during the summer months, there is a lifeguard.
We’d recommend water shoes or wearing your sandals to the ladder as the volcanic rocks are quite sharp.
Sunset cocktails at Double Tree by Hilton
In the evening, we drove to Lagoa City to enjoy the Mistico rooftop bar of Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, which recently opened two months prior. We’d recommend trying the safari cocktail which is a mix of rum, passion fruit and orange juice.
The rooftop comprises of a beautiful infinity pool with deck chairs and comfortable seats under a covered area, perfect for watching the sunset over Lagoa. It’s surrounded by the beautiful green carpeted hills of São Miguel. Whilst we wouldn’t recommend the food at the Hilton, we did enjoy the cocktails and the traditional cheese platter served with pineapple sauce.
Day 3 - Centre of São miguel island
Vila Franca do Campo
It’s time to explore the southern and eastern sides of São Miguel, starting with a stop at Vila Franca do Campo, the former capital of the island. Unfortunately, it was subject to a violent earthquake in 1522, killing thousands of Azoreans. Today, the town is known to produce delicious ‘queijadas da vila’, a sweet pastry invented by nuns in the Santo André Convent in Vila Franca do Campo. Try them at Queijadas do Morgado on Rua do Penedo.
While visiting Vila Franca do Campo, make sure to stop by the viewpoint of the Vila Franca islet. There is a car park which allows you to walk a little closer to the islet and admire from a distance. One of the best ways to appreciate this protected nature reserve is to explore the Vila Franca islet by kayak with the chance to swim and snorkel in the bay. Vila Franca islet has been used as a Red Bull Cliff Diving location at the World Cliff Diving Championship for multiple years.
The Vila Franca do Campo is a submerged volcano where the crater creates a perfectly circular bay, ideal for swimming and snorkelling. The islet is home to endemic vegetation species including Azorean heather and Azorean carrot (flower not vegetable).
Furnas Village and Lake FURNAS
Further east on the island of São Miguel, Furnas Village is a hotbed of volcanic activity, regarded as one of the most active volcanoes on the island. The smell of sulphur fills the air of the village with steaming hot springs. The locals harness the volcanic heat by cooking ‘cozido’ for several hours underground which includes potatoes, meat and vegetables and gives it a very distinct flavour.
To visit where the cozido pots are taken out of the ground, there is a car park on the northeastern edge of Furnas Lake. There is an entrance fee of €9 to park and allows you to explore the area. In our opinion, this was one of the most crowded spots on the island and perhaps somewhat overrated, as you can try cozido without having to see it come out of the ground.
We would recommend taking a walk around Furnas village to observe the volcanic activity and wander the beautiful, quaint streets to the church and around the wonderful gardens.
Another delicacy you must try in Furnas is Bolo Lêvedo, a traditional bread that was created in the village by the bakers in Furnas. It’s a yeast cake that is a mixture of bread and cake, with a muffin-like texture eaten at breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Lunch - Terra Nostra Garden Hotel
The iconic Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, opened in 1935. It has a charming feel with an art deco influence and is surrounded by the beautiful Terra Nostra Park with hot springs and an abundance of plants, flowers and artwork.
We enjoyed a delicious Cozido in the TN restaurant at the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel. The restaurant is elegant and luxurious with sweeping wraparound windows looking out into the gardens. As we sat in the restaurant, we could hear the sound of songbirds. The cozido consisted of sweet potato, beef, chicken, and cabbage all served with a stew sauce. We’d recommend not eating much before having Cozidio as it was very filling!
There is a car park which can be used for restaurant guests, which allows you to explore the village and gardens.
Terra Nostra Park
After lunch we explored the grounds of the Terra Nostra Park. There is an entrance fee of €16 per adult, an extra €4 per locker for 2 hours with the option to use for longer. The changing rooms are free.
Terra Nostra Park is open from 10 am until 4:30 pm, if you choose to swim in the baths make sure to wear dark swimwear as the water is iron-rich and is known to stain light-coloured clothes.
The thermal baths were restored in the 1930s, with mineral-rich water known to remedy ailments such as arthritis, muscle pain, asthma and skin problems. This outdoor spa is set within relaxing grounds making it a wonderful place to decompress and unwind.
Take time to wander around the botanical gardens set over 30 acres, we loved walking along the paths and discovering little treasures around the corner such as the zoomorphic sculptures, blue water lily lake, palm grove and bamboo. There are over 2,000 species of trees and more than 1,800 botanical species. You could easily spend a whole afternoon exploring the gardens.
Ribeira Quente Waterfall
São Miguel is abundant in beautiful cascading waterfalls. Cascada da Ribeira Quente is located south of Furnas and on the road to Ribeira Quente. It’s well worth the walk through a tunnel to see this beautiful, tranquil waterfall surrounded by deep green alocasia and vibrant ginger lily flowers.
To get to the waterfall, park north of the tunnel or in between the tunnel. It’s a short walk through the tunnel, where the waterfall is between the two tunnels. There is room to walk along the road and it is worth putting your phone light on to make yourself visible to any passing cars.
It’s a relatively quiet road with most traffic going to Ribeira Quente. The path up to the waterfall is slippery, and you will need water shoes as your feet will get wet. We only walked up to a big log crossing the river as it looked too slippery to climb further.
Gorreana tea Plantation
Located northwest of Furnas village, Gorreana tea plantation is the oldest tea plantation in Europe growing tea leaves since 1883. Gorreana is a family-run, organic production covering 32 hectares and is powered by hydroelectricity.
This was one of the busiest places we visited on the island, pulling into the driveway was a little stressful trying to find a parking spot. Once you find a spot to park, take a self-guided tour to learn about the manufacturing process and machinery for green and black tea.
In the final process, you will see workers separating the stems from the tea which can only be done by hand. There is a shop where you can buy tea to take home with you and a café to enjoy it alongside a sweet treat and views over the plantation.
Caldeira Velha Hotsprings
Deep in the valley of Caldeira Velha, hidden between palms, the Caldeira Velha Hotsprings are a wonderful way to end the day. The hot springs are divided into smaller pools and surrounded by trees and beautiful scenery making it the perfect place to relax your feet after a day of exploring.
There is a large free car park and an entrance gate which only allows you to enter if you have purchased your ticket. It costs €10 per person and is allocated in 1.5-hour time slots. Follow the path up the hill to the rustic changing rooms, toilets, showers and information centre, all free to use.
We visited late in the afternoon and it felt quite crowded in the pools. There are only four in total and the three are opposite the information centre and closest to the entrance, where most people spend their time. If you walk a little further, there is a waterfall at the top which is more of a cold water pool and you can bathe right under the waterfall.
Make sure to bring a towel and flip-flops with you. The walk to the hot springs takes around 5 minutes. The scenery is breathtaking and 1.5 hours is plenty of time to enjoy the hot springs and explore.
Lagoa do Fogo
One of the best sunset spots on São Miguel is Lagoa do Fogo. A crater lake, that is located within a natural reserve known as the Lake of Fire which erupted in 1563.
During June to September the road to Lagoa do Fogo is restricted to tourist rental cars from 7am to 7pm, only with the exception of residents and guided tours. We waited until after 7 pm to be able to drive up the road to Lake Fogo for sunset. The drive takes 10 minutes from Caldeira Velha hot springs to Lake Fogo up a winding mountain road with various viewpoints along the way.
It is possible to park at Caldeira Velha hot springs and take a shuttle bus during the day up to the Lake Fogo which will stop at a couple of viewpoints.
We stopped at Miradouro do Pico da Barrosa for beautiful views of Lake Fogo at sunset, this volcano collapsed a long time ago to create the landscape it is today and is one of the youngest calderas on the island.
Be careful near the edges as there are steep slopes into the lake. There is the option to walk to the edge of the lake via the Praia - Lagoa do Fogo hike to a stunning award-winning wild beach, but this hike is not for the faint-hearted and you must wear good hiking gear.
Dinner at À Terra restaurant, Ponta Delgada
Octant Hotel is found on the harbourfront of Ponta Delgada, a supreme setting to enjoy the city lights reflecting in the ocean. À Terra restaurant allows you to experience exquisite local flavours from beef tartare, seaweed butter, croquettes and light bites to handmade pizza and freshly caught fish.
Book ahead to avoid disappointment. The restaurant setting is beautiful, located on the top floor to maximise the views, and the kitchen is open with floor-to-ceiling windows.
Parking is limited outside the hotel, there is the option to use the underground hotel parking.
DAY 4 - Nordeste, Canyoneering
Canyoneering
The Azores is a canyoneering paradise, with many activities across some of the islands including São Miguel, São Jorge and Flores. For those unfamiliar with canyoning, it’s the best way to get down a waterfall by jumping, zip lining or abseiling following the river as your guide.
São Miguel offers great taster experiences, perfect for beginners to canyoneering. We started our morning at Ribeira dos Caldeiros Natural Park. There is a free car park which is opposite some beautiful historical watermills where you can explore the gardens with vibrant hydrangeas.
We were taken into the wild depths of the natural park with Picos de Aventura, passing the picturesque Ribeira dos Caldeirões waterfall on a short walk to the starting point. This course is ideal for those who haven’t tried canyoneering before, with three main activities; jumping, abseiling and zip lining.
The guides will provide you with shoes, wetsuits, helmets, and harnesses and you should wear swimwear underneath your wetsuit and bring a towel and change of clothes for after. The course takes around 2 hours to complete, depending on the ability and size of the group which is usually limited to 10 to 12 people.
The route is spectacular and one of the most beautiful places on São Miguel island, a tropical paradise where the air is filled with the scent of ginger lily flowers and the river has inviting pools where you can float in absolute serenity. Fallen petals of nearby flowers, lead the way down the river. We’d highly recommend canyoneering as a really fun activity when visiting the Azores for a wonderful adrenalin-fuelled adventure. If you are scared of heights and do not want to jump at certain points the team can assist you and are very understanding.
Lunch - Os Melos
After working up an appetite after all that adventure, it’s time to head to Os Melos restaurant in Achadinha, a quiet village only 5 minute drive from the Ribeira dos Caldeirões waterfall. Its modest facade is filled with the murmur of locals and visitors enjoying lunch.
The food at Os Melos is buffet style, it feels cosy and tastes like your Grandmother’s home cooking. You choose a drink of choice with a selection of beers and soft drinks. The buffet costs €12 per person and don’t worry if you love hot sauce, the bar has a self-serve selection of some of the greats.
Book ahead to avoid disappointment as it can fill up quickly with groups from canyoneering and other locals on lunch break. There is plenty of seating inside and a few spots outside. When we visited, the food options included lasagne, chicken, beef, salads, pasta salad, chips and more.
Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego
There are many miradouros which are known as viewpoints across the island of São Miguel. One of the most beautiful viewpoints is in the municipality of Nordeste which translates to northeast in portuguese. Nordeste is a much quieter part of the island and next time we visit, we’d love to explore more of this part of São Miguel.
Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego is one of the most breathtaking viewpoints, there is plenty of parking and beautiful gardens to explore including BBQ and picnic areas, making it an ideal lunch spot. Also, if you’re looking for a great sunrise spot then this is it! There are also toilets and a snack truck selling ice cream and treats.
Farol do Arnel
One of our highlights visiting Nordeste was walking to Farol de Arnel, a lighthouse which feels like it’s on the edge of the world. There is a car park before there is a sign that does not advise driving down the steep road. The road is extremely steep in places and whilst making our descent we passed many breathless people stopping sporadically on their way back up, foreshadowing our future selves.
The Arnel lighthouse was the first one built in the Azores, making it the oldest lighthouse built in 1876. It has an octagonal shape, we perched oursleves on the wall just above the lighthouse to take in the panoramic views. The road continues further to the ocean and a beautiful waterfall.
Dinner - Santa Barbara Eco Beach Resort
This place is our kind of heaven. Santa Barbara Eco Hotel is set on the northern coast of São Miguel in Ribeira Grande, a surfer’s paradise. The hotel opens onto a beautiful black sand beach, with an outdoor infinity pool and beach club. The eco hotel exudes an air of elegance and thoughtful design which makes it feel in harmony with its surroundings.
We ate one of our best meals on the island at the restaurant of Santa Barbara Eco Hotel, they source their ingredients from their local organic farm. The restaurant has a cosy, intimate feel, with large windows making the most of the sea view and beautiful grounds. Milk cans are cleverly re-purposed and used as lighting.
The food was simply fantastic. The Chateaubriand was cooked to perfection and paired with a local Azorean wine from Pico. The starters were served in small wooden boxes, serving butter and olives. For dessert, we had the passion fruit crème brûlée and Malassada, a Portuguese fried pastry similar to a doughnut, which we’d highly recommend both.
Day 5 - Flores island
Flores and Corvo Island are the most western islands in the Azores, these gems are a little further to get to but well worth the effort. Flores is one of the most jaw-dropping islands, steeped in natural beauty, the landscapes feel like scenes out of a movie like Avatar or Jurassic Park, a place we thought would be only left to the imagination.
‘Flores’ translates to the island of flowers, named by Portuguese maritime captain Diogo de Teive, who was first to discover this subtropical paradise. The flight from São Miguel to Santa Cruz, Flores takes around 1.5 hours. We will be writing a detailed guide to Flores which will share all you need to know on how to get around the island and the best way to plan your visit.
Fajã Grande
Located on the western edge of Flores Island, Fajã Grande is one of the most popular places to visit and stay on Flores. This is due to the density of natural wonders found on this part of the island. We noticed a few people hitchhiking around here and walking around most attractions. Whilst this is possible, Fajã Grande is located at the bottom of massive cliffs which can make it a challenge to get to some of the many viewpoints from the top.
We hired a car for our time on Flores, allowing us the ultimate freedom to explore beyond Fajã Grande. We were based in Fajã Grande for our stay on the island, there a small town with cafés, restaurants, small supermarkets, unique places to stay, natural pools and spectacular waterfalls.
Cascata do Poço do Bacalhau
Poço do Bacalhau waterfall is also known as codfish waterfall. This was our first stop on Flores and it didn’t disappoint. The sun started to glow above the dramatic cliffs where the waterfall descended into the pool below. A short walk takes you to the bottom of the waterfall, which allows you to admire it close up.
Bring your swimmers for a chance to swim under the waterfall, take care when entering as it can be difficult to see the bottom. If you are an experienced canyoneer, then this waterfall is one of the best challenges on Flores where you will abseil over 115 metres!
Lunch - Papadiamandis Restaurant
Named after a shipwreck where all of the crew survived, Papadiamandis is one of the best places to eat in Fajã Grande. A lovely, relaxed, seafood spot with ocean views and near the local swimming spot opposite a black sand beach. We enjoyed a freshly caught sea bream, steak kebab and chips, where out of the window we watched a solo surfer catch the waves.
Fajã Grande Natural Pools
A short walk from Papdiamandis, follow the coastal path south to the scenic and sheltered natural pools in Fajã Grande. This is the perfect spot to relax in the afternoon to soak in the warm sunshine and cool down in the ocean. Bring your own towel as there are no facilities here, apart from outdoor showers to rinse.
Barraca Q'abana
After a dip in the ocean, grab a coffee and cake at Barraca Q’Abana. A scenic café opposite the natural pools with a chilled outdoor seating area. The café serves sweet treats, cakes, hot food and accepts cards. We stopped here to enjoy the last giant cookie, donuts and to get bottled water for our afternoon hike to more waterfalls!
Cascata da Ribeira do Ferreiro
Ribeira do Ferreiro waterfalls are the main attraction on Flores, a masterpiece of more than 20 waterfalls cascading down the green covered cliffs into a still lake below, a haven for wildlife and simply heaven on earth. A short 20 minute hike to these waterfalls is well worth the effort, it’s worth visiting either early in the morning or later in the day to avoid most other visitors. The car park is location on the right hand side from Fajã Grande and quickly fills up.
Cascata da Ribeira Grande
In the adjacent valley to Cascata da Ribeira do Ferreiro, Cascata da Ribeira Granda is a much less visited and a little more of an adventurous and challenging hike. The start of the trail follows a gravel track and then eventually follows large rocks that will lead you to the base of the waterfall.
Miradouro do Portal
There are several Miradouro’s or viewpoints on Flores, Miradouro do Portal is beautiful place to watch sunset with a few car parking spaces. There is a rock that sticks up to the left with a post, which is great to sit and watch from here. From Miradouro do Portal you will see an incredible view of the coastline and Fajã Grande.
Dinner at Aldeia da Cuada
Aldeia da Cuada is an ecotourism village in Fajã Grande, a remote rural location giving a window back to a time of traditional living on Flores island. The village was created in 1676, where agriculture was the main source of income and in the 1960s most of the residents emigrated to America and other parts of the world.
Since then, the village was restored and it remains an important insight to rural village life on Flores, where guests can stay in quaint stone cottage and experience the calm rural setting.
The restaurant at Aldeia da Cuada is within beautiful gardens surrounded by lush flowers, under white fabric umbrellas on wooden garden benches, sat ontop of rustic cobblestones. We arrived as the sun was setting over the stone house terracotta roof and the cicadas made their presence known filling the air with the sound of summer.
Food at the Aldeia da Cuada is exceptional, sourced from local, seasonal Azorean products we’d recommend the homemade soup, aged steak and tuna. The staff are very friendly and attentive. We also really enjoyed the Passion Azores cocktail. We can also say that Aldeia da Cuada serves one of the best breakfasts in the Azores, full of delicious fresh ingredients from fruit to yoghurts and homebaked pastries.
Villas do Mar are beautiful, modern apartments in Fajã Grande, with ocean views and designed with a split level of upstairs living, capitalising on the coastal views. The villas have a dedicated BBQ pit in the front garden and a private terrace. The rooms are a generous size with a large lounge, kitchen and dining table.
Day 6 - Corvo island
One of the best days of our trip in the Azores was taking the boat over to Corvo island.
A day trip from Flores to Corvo is a very good idea, especially when the weather is on your side. In the Azores you can experience all four seasons in one day. Bring a raincoat with you when exploring the island as heavy rain can arrive at the island in a moments notice!
Boat trip to Corvo
Take a boat ride to Corvo from the port in Santa Cruz on Flores. The rib boat ride to Corvo is one of the highlights, tracing along the stunning coast of Flores, weaving through islets, caves, basalt columns and waterfalls cascading into the ocean.
The skilled skippers navigate their way around the spectacular coastline with incredible precision, if you are lucky enough to spot any wildlife en route such as dolphins and whales they will stop to observe them. On our boat ride we observed shearwaters and two flying fish!
At the port in Corvo, take a taxi for €10 for taxi to the top of the Caldera. From this viewpoint, if you are lucky enough to see it on a clear day then you’ll be able to see the lakes and the ocean on the other side. We were looked after by Francisco from Experience OC, a knowledgable guide sharing enthusiasm for birds and identifying endemic species on Corvo such as thyme, water mint, heather, ferns and spagnum moss.
Corvo Caldeirão
We walked down inside the Caldeirão, to the lakes in the middle, there is a circular walk around the lakes, easily navigated without a guide. We made our way to a small island of dense trees swarming with birds and the Caldeirão acts as an amphitheatre filled with the echo of their calls from within. Corvo is listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and as the smallest island of the Azores, it’s one of the best places for migratory birds including the hooded warbler, ring-necked duck and cory’s shearwater.
After exploring the inner bowl of the Caldeirão, it was time to find a spot to admire it from above. Francisco lead us to a viewpoint a little further up, featuring a beautiful panoramic view with the ocean peering above its edges where we took one last look at this natural wonder. The weather was better than we imagined, the sun illuminated the craggy edges of the caldera showing the immense beauty of Corvo.
We then hopped back into a taxi back into the only town on Corvo, Vila do Corvo for lunch. The restaurant is a lovely spot by the ocean with a buffet style menu and option for pastries, coffee etc. Opposite the restaurant there are a few windmills and a wonderful view to look back at Flores. The rib boat took us back to Flores in around 40 minutes and the whole experience takes around 4 to 5 hours.
Santa Cruz, Flores
Once you land back in Flores, it’s worth exploring the capital of Flores, Santa Cruz. The town has a pharmacy, shops, museums, church, hotels, parks and restaurants. The airport runway is adjacent to the town, you can easily watch the planes taking off and coming to land from in the south above the roundabout near Casa da cruz. Noteworthy places to visit in Santa Cruz inculde; Nossa Senhora da Conceição church, the natural pools to the north and the whale museum. It’s worth noting that most places on Sunday are closed.
Dinner at Aldeia da Cueda
If you are staying at Aldeia da Cueda or Villas do Mar, you have access to a beautiful outdoor infinity pool at Aldeia da Cueda which is the perfect place to relax after a day of adventure! As the evening draws in, on a clear night the starry sky comes into view with a good chance of seeing the Milky Way.
We’d recommend taking time to explore the village on foot along the cobbled paths to admire the quaint stone cottages, church and resident donkeys. There is an outdoor shower and recently opened spa with a range of treatments such as massages, sound therapy and hot volcanic stones.
Day 7 - São Miguel
Before our flight back to São Miguel we had a few hours to relax in Santa Cruz. We enjoyed lunch at Inatel Flores Hotel, with spectacular seafood and views across to Corvo. A short walk from Inatel Flores hotel the whale museum, retelling the history of Flores and the whale hunting industry in the former whale factory. The island no longer hunts whales and the last whale was caught in 1987 in the Azores. Today, Azoreans make a living from whale watching with their expert knowledge passed down, to now observe them responsibly.
Lagoa Sete Cicades
That afternoon we arrived back on São Miguel, for our last few hours in the Azores before heading home. We decided to see one of the most famous viewpoints on the island, Lagoa Sete de Cicades. We’d recommend getting there early in the morning or evening as can get very crowded. Our visit was on a Saturday at midday, the car park opposite the entrance was very busy but we drove a bit further and found more parking spots along the road.
Despite the crowds, the trail is relatively flat to begin with through tall pine trees and sub-tropical rainforest. As you leave the car park cross the road and the path starts passing above Lagoa do Canário. Continue along the path and keep left until you eventually reach steps which will take you up to the viewpoint, Miradouro da Greta do Inferno.
This part of the path can be quite slippery after rainfall, there is a rail to help you but it’s recommended to wear grippy footwear, no flip flops. The main viewpoint can get overcrowded with people going beyond the barrier just to get a photo, meaning others can’t get a photo without them in it.
We’d recommend walking a little further left before the main viewpoint to get an even better viewpoint of the two lakes without the crowds. Be careful and do not walk close to the edge, if you can’t see beneath the edge then don’t walk on it. Spagnum moss can make it spongey underfoot, so be careful on your footing.
A Terra restaurant, Ponta del Garda
Located in the heart of the old part of Ponta del Garda, A Terra restaurant serves traditional delights that are worth the wait in the queue. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations so be prepared to wait in a queue especially for lunches and on the weekend.
Our recommendation is the Chorizo sausage which cooks on the fire in front of you and tastes delicious and the grilled prawns in garlic butter was very tasty. We loved the lively atmosphere at A Terra, the menus are quirky and the staff are really friendly and happy to give suggestions. The steak was a bit tough and chips were undercooked but you can’t go wrong with seafood
