“What are the Azores islands” is a question everyone (including me) searches for before planning their trip to this gorgeous archipelago. Most people have heard of São Miguel, but many don’t know that the Azores are actually made up of 9 islands instead of 1 main island, unlike their Portuguese sibling, Madeira (ok Madeira has 2 islands but there is 1 main one).
Each of the Azores island is beautiful, with some mild distinctions between them. For instance, São Miguel has an abundance of thermal springs, and its beautiful turquoise volcanic lake at Sete Cidades draws in a lot of visitors, while Pico is home to the highest mountain in Portugal, and is popular amongst hikers.
After carefully planning and spending almost 2 weeks exploring the Azores, I gathered a few insider information and fun facts. Below are all the practical Azores travel tips to ensure a smooth adventure, including best time to visit and how to get around.
Important facts about the Azores
- The Azores are a Portuguese archipelago, and about 1403 kilometers (871 miles) from the coast of Portugal.
- Portuguese is the official language of the Azores, though in touristy areas you’ll get by in English.
- The Euro is the official and only accepted currency in the Azores.
- Location: The Azores islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean, halfway between Europe and North America.
- Climate: The Azores islands have a subtropical oceanic climate, with mild temperatures ranging from 15°C (59°F) in winter to 24°C (75°F) in summer.
- The Azores is written as Açores in Portuguese. It’s pronounced “ahh-ssor-resh”, not “Eh-zorss”.
Fun facts about the Azores
- The Azores, particularly Flores, are often called the “Hawaii of Europe”, due to the similar green mountainous landscapes. It’s a viral trend on Instagram that compares countries, which is honestly an annoying and silly trend, diminishing countries to a few landscapes and removing unique cultural distinctions. Local Portuguese people don’t necessarily love the comparison.
- The highest mountain in Portugal is on Pico Island, and attracts many hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Note that you have to register online to hike it, and there’s a fee to pay. You can also hire a guide or go in a group. If you don’t have proper hiking gear, including hiking shoes, you might get denied access.
- Historically, the Azores have shielded Portugal and Europe from hurricanes and cyclones due to the atmospheric block (called the Azores High), which weakens or redirects storms towards the north or towards the US and the Caribbean. Note that while the Azores act as a shield, they also suffer from the direct impact of these storms.
- However, climate change has affected the Azores High, leading to an increase in tropical storms over Portugal, Spain, and France.
What are the Azores islands?
There are 9 islands that form the Azores archipelago, and they’re grouped into 3 parts:
- The Western islands: Flores, Corvo
- The Central islands: Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, Faial
- The Eastern islands: São Miguel, Santa Maria
São Miguel (Ilha Verde)
- São Miguel is the most touristic island, and also the largest.
- Most people arrive in the Azores via São Miguel, landing in the capital, Ponta Delgada.
- It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to drive from the farthest point on São Miguel.
- São Miguel has 3 lakes area (the most popular being Sete Cidades) and many thermal springs and picturesque villages.
- São Miguel is called Ilha Verde, meaning green island, due to its lush green spaces.
- You can see the main attractions in São Miguel in 3 days, but for a more pleasurable time, I recommend 5 full days, excluding travel days. That’s how long we spent in São Miguel, and we stayed at the loveliest accommodation, Casa Azul (although not locally-owned, they are a sustainable place, and they recycle and compost everything). Here’s my detailed itinerary for São Miguel.
Santa Maria (Ilha Amarela)
- Santa Maria is the third smallest island in the Azores. It’s a tranquil place to visit to escape the crowds in São Miguel or Terceira.
- Santa Maria is called Ilha Amarela, or yellow island, thanks to its yellow broom flowers (giestas) and golden beaches.
- The capital of Santa Maria is Vila do Porto, which is often what shows up on Google Maps, leading people to think the island is named Vila do Porto.
- Santa Maria is home to cliffs, white-sand beaches, and a few beautiful villages.
- Santa Maria is the only Azores island with light sand and warm oceans.
Terceira (Ilha Lilás)
- Terceira’s capital, Angra do Heroísmo, is a historic city and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The city of Angra do Heroísmo was built according to the wind, with villages built along the southern coast to shield against it.
- Terceira means “third”, and it was the third island settled by Portuguese explorers.
- Terceira’s nickname is Ilha Lilás, translating to lilac island, due to its soft purple lilac flowers, and lilac-coloured painted buildings.
- Some of the top things to do in Terceira are a boat trip to see dolphins and whales, go snorkeling, and visit a volcano at Algar do Carvão and Gruta do Natal.
Pico (Ilha Cinzenta)
- Pico is the second largest island of the Azores, and is known for its mountain peak, the highest in Portugal, at 2351 metres high (7713 feet).
- Aside from Mt Pico, you can see lakes, lush vegetation, vineyards, and orchards, in Pico.
- Pico is nicknamed Ilha Cinzenta, or grey island, due to its volcanic rocky landscape.
- Fun fact: the author of Moby Dick (Herman Melville) dedicated the book to the whalers of Pico.
- The main activities on Pico include whale watching, hiking, snorkelling, wine tasting, and visiting lava tunnels.
Faial (Ilha Azul)
- Have you seen the viral Instagram videos of the Azores with hydrangeas and lush greenery in the background? That’s Faial. While other islands, like São Miguel, also have hydrangeas, Faial is better known for its abundance of flowers.
- And this is one of the reasons Faial is called Ilha Azul, or blue island, though the name also comes from a local tree called faia (beech tree).
- Faial’s volcano, Caldeira, is a popular attraction, though other attractions in Faial include whale watching, snorkeling, and visiting natural landscapes.
- Faial and Pico are very close, and you can take a 20-minute boat ride to reach the other island.
São Jorge (Ilha Vermelha)
- São Jorge is one of the least visited islands in the Azores, meaning that it’s less commercialised.
- São Jorge’s nickname is Ilha Vermelha, or red island, due to its reddish cliffs.
- Ilha Vermelha is known for its incredible hiking views, though other activities in São Jorge include cheese tours, snorkeling, scuba diving, whale watching, and a visit to its caldeira de Santo Cristo.
Graciosa (Ilha Branca)
- Graciosa is the second smallest of the Azores.
- Graciosa is known as the White Island due to its white-washed traditional houses.
- It has one of the driest climates in the archipelago, as its caldera (volcanic crater) goes up to only 402 metres (1 319 feet) above sea level.
- Graciosa is nicknamed Ilha Branca (white island) because of its light-colored volcanic trachyte rock and white-washed houses.
Flores (Ilha Rosa)
- Flores (not to be confused with Flores in Indonesia where you can see komodo dragons) is the westernmost island in the Azores and is reachable by flight via its airport.
- Flores is the rainiest island in the Azores, so plan to spend a few days instead of just 1 or 2, to ensure you get a some days with good weather. When it’s foggy, you won’t see any of the views.
- Flores is known as Ilha Rosa or pink island, due to the pink hydrangeas found there.
- Flores means flowers, and on the island you’ll find huge fields of colourful flowers. In the summer season, hydrangeas are everywhere in Flores, including remote high hills.
- There are 7 volcanic lakes in Flores.
- Flores is where you’ll find the “Jurassic Park” vibe, specifically at Cascata da Ribeira do Ferreiro. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the place, and though it’s an easy walk with mild inclination, the rocks are slippery, so wear proper hiking boots.
- The main activities in Flores include snorkeling, exploring the lakes, and canyoning.
- Here’s my detailed Flores itinerary.
Corvo (Ilha Preta)
- Corvo is the smallest island of the Azores.
- The only settlement on the island is Vila Nova do Corvo, home to only a few hundred people.
- Flores and Corvo are quite close, and on clear days you can see Vila Nova do Corvo from Flores. You can easily visit Corvo on a boat trip from Santa Cruz das Flores.
- Corvo is called Ilha Preta due to its dark volcanic basalt rock and black soil.
Azores travel tips: what to know before visiting
Getting to the Azores and getting around
- While all 9 islands have airports, only 5 have international airports: São Miguel (PDL), Terceira (TER), Faial (FAI), Santa Maria (SMA), and Pico (PIX).
- You can also fly between the islands; the local airline SATA Air Azores is the best option.
- The best way to explore the islands is to rent a car as public transportation is rare, if not nonexistent. Compare the best car rental prices.
What is there to do and see in the Azores?
- People visit the Azores for 2 things: nature and hiking adventures, and ocean-related activities (aka beaches and to see marine life, mainly dolphins, turtles, and whales).
- Mount Pico (on Pico island) sits at 2351 metres and is the highest peak in all of Portugal.
- While the Azores islands are incredibly beautiful, they’re not a tropical beach type of destination, and people go for hiking and nature rather than beaches. Most of the Azores beaches have black sand and are rocky, similar to Portugal’s other Atlantic island, Madeira.
- Surfing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing are popular beach activities in the Azores, especially in the winter.
- If you’re visiting hot springs, wear a bathing suit you’re not particularly fond of, because the minerals in the water can stain your clothes (avoid anything with light colours).
- The Azores are some of the best places in Europe to see whales, but only between April and June.
Climate of the Azores
- Despite being an island archipelago, the Azores are in the Atlantic Ocean and don’t have a hot tropical climate. It doesn’t usually get more than 25°C, and the ocean isn’t warm.
- The climate in the Azores is unpredictable. The weather can change in a few minutes, and being near the shore or on a higher mountain will make a difference, even within the same hour. Different islands can also show differences in climate; for instance, Flores is known to be the rainiest island. Monitor weather conditions here.
What is the best island to visit in the Azores?
This really depends on what you’re looking for, as all the Azores islands are equally beautiful and offer plenty of natural landscapes. Pico is great for hiking, as its mountain peak is the highest in Portugal. São Miguel has some hiking trails worth exploring as well as therma baths, while Flores is a tranquil place to relax and rejuvenate in pure nature. Terceira is the place to be for a more cultural experience.
Other practical tips for visiting the Azores
- There can be a faint smell of cow, especially on São Miguel, known to have more cows than humans. So if you’re sensitive to smells, it might be an issue, but it’s not the whole island that smells like that. I’m sensitive to smells but I didn’t mind it that much.
- Don’t trust the opening hours on Google Maps, especially on smaller islands like Flores. This is especially important for gas stations, restaurants, and pharmacies. Plan ahead and be prepared for the wrong opening hours, especially if you’re hungry or need to fill up the gas tank.
- Drive carefully. I saw lots of road kill, especially on the quiet mountainous streets of Flores.
What’s the best time to visit the Azores?
I always recommend avoiding the peak summer season for traveling, as it’s more financially and environmentally sustainable to travel in the shoulder season or off-season. It’s better for the locals, and puts less strain on the fragile natural ecosystems of some places, plus you’ll have to deal with fewer crowds and unruly travelers.
And when it comes to the Azores Islands, it’s no different. Most people will agree that the peak months of June-August are the best months to visit the Azores, especially if you want to see whales and beautiful landscapes filled with flowers, and slightly less rain. However, the shoulder seasons also work well for all of this, so I would encourage people to visit in April, May, September, and October.
FAQs: Azores travel tips
Are the Azores worth visiting?
Yes, the Azores are absolutely worth visiting if you’re looking for a calm atmosphere, raw nature with gorgeous viewpoints, green lush forests and mountains, and a slow, rejuvenating trip. But if you’re looking for white sandy beaches, a tropical island vibe, or a lively city experience, the Azores isn’t the destination for that.
How many islands are in the Azores?
There are 9 islands that make up the Azores archipelago, and they include São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira, Faial, Pico, Ilha Graciosa, São Jorge, Flores, and Corvo. They’re all incredibly beautiful with lots of natural landscapes to enjoy, and São Miguel and Terceira are the most visited as they also have international airports, with São Miguel being the largest island.
Are the Azores safe?
The Azores are very safe to visit, and violent crime is incredibly rare.
What’s the largest island in the Azores?
The largest island in the Azores is São Miguel. It’s also the most populated, and is famous for its volcanic lakes, particularly Sete Cidades.
How to travel between the Azores islands?
For the Azores islands that are quite close to each other, like Pico and Faial, you can take a ferry or boat. For others, like from Flores to São Miguel, there are direct flights.
