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By Vipul Jain | 27 May, 2025
A fascinating archipelago of Portugal, the Azores Islands are an amazing delight for all types of travelers, specifically those looking for rejuvenation and peace in nature. Through the airplane, when you look down from your window at the Azores, you might wonder if you are in the South Pacific. Just a quick look at this place from your window will tell you the reason why so many people call it the “Islands of Colors” and “Hawaii of Europe.” One can easily reach the Azores from both the East Coast of North America and Europe. The beauty of it lies in its several outdoor activities, stunning geography, and fewer crowds. The islands located here are a real gem, and a trip to this destination is a must-do for everyone. If you have never been there before and are planning a trip, then read on. This Azores Islands travel guide has everything you need to know about the place. So, let’s begin reading.
The Azores Islands are a real gem of Portugal, and we are too excited to share our knowledge and experience in this jam-packed travel guide. But before we know about the best islands to visit in the Azores, Portugal, there are a few things that you should know. From the location of the islands to the right time to visit, we have mentioned all this. It will assist you in planning your trip to the Azores Islands Portugal. Moving further, let’s start with knowing the location.
When planning a trip to the Azores Islands, the first question that comes to mind is “Where exactly are they located?” Even some tourists struggle to locate the islands precisely on the map as they are mentioned with little dots in a vast ocean. Roughly speaking, the Azores are situated somewhere between Europe and the US. From Lisbon, Portugal, it is a 3-hour flight to the Azores, 4-hour flights from London, and approx 5 to 6 hours by plane from Toronto or Boston.
The Azores consist of nine beautiful islands. In this, some are very popular and have good infrastructure in places, while others are visited rarely and are remote. Most flights to visit these islands arrive at São Miguel Island and João Paulo II, and from there, travelers need to travel by local ferry or plane. While belonging to a popular country like Portugal, the Azores still hold their own identity. Additionally, the islands have travelers and historical connections with Canada and the USA.
These are the following reasons to visit the Azores Islands:
The right time to visit the Azores islands completely depends on your preference. However, when it comes to suitable weather, the best time to visit Portugal islands is from June to September. During that time, the islands had a mild climate with maximum temperatures ranging from 22° Celsius to 25° Celsius, i.e., 72 °F to 77 °F in summer. Here is what you can experience during each season in the Azores Islands:
From the beginning of March, the flower season is at full bloom in the Azores. The temperature remains between 14°C to 18 °C. The season is perfect for hiking with good temperatures and a beautiful display of flowers, along with several scenic trails. You can also go on road trips to see the blossoming flowers in the different islands.
If you plan to visit the islands in summer, you will find good weather for swimming and hiking. July and August are the peak seasons during which accommodation prices in the islands are higher. In addition, in some places you may experience a larger crowd. For instance, if you are visiting São Miguel Island in its specific spots, like viewpoints at Sete Cidades, you may get a crowd. However, comparing the crowds of the most popular destinations in Europe, this is nothing. Although we advise you to do pre-booking of hotels and specifically rental cars during the travel season, since rental cars are limited on each island.
If you like the summer season but cannot deal with the heat, the beginning of autumn is the perfect time for you to visit the islands. The temperature at that time remained between 15°C to 21°C. This season is also perfect for bird watching, tasting the local wines made in the Azores, and enjoying the changing of vibrant Autumn colors.
Thinking about what to do in the off-season? In winter, the islands are quiet with more frequent rainfall and cool winds. The temperature remains between 13°C to 16°C. If you are okay with the colder weather, then during winter you can also go hiking. The misty conditions and winter light provide the place with a different sort of landscape to enjoy. Additionally, in São Miguel, the hot thermal baths come as a reward during the winter season due to cooler temperatures. Further, you can also able to get the perk of attractive hotel deals in the off-travel season.
However, one cannot exactly predict the weather conditions in the Azores islands. It is often said that while traveling to these islands, a person can experience all seasons in a single day. Additionally, if you want to travel to several islands during this time, you need to fly, as from October to April, there are no inter-island ferries available.
The Azores Portugal, is a perfect destination for all types of travelers. It has everything from local homestays to five-star hotels. To fit in your budget, you can find food options, lodging, and island tours. However, renting a car on the island will be your biggest expense, especially if you are visiting the place in peak travel season. So, to avoid this, it is advisable to plan your trip and make reservations in advance as soon as possible. To provide you with an idea of the budget, here are the average daily prices you can expect in the destination:
The prices mentioned above are starting costs and may vary depending on the season and time you are visiting the place. So, before planning your trip, it is better to check the prices. Now, after having basic information about the islands of Portugal, let’s know how to travel there.
Although the Azores are located in a remote area, you can easily fly there. Followed by the Terceira airport, the biggest airport in the Azores is on São Miguel. This is how from different countries you can visit Azores:
This is how you can fly from the mentioned destinations to reach the Azores. Further, the nine Azores islands are not at all closer to each other. There are three island groups, each of them are around one hour's flight apart:
| Wester Islands | Central Islands | Eastern Islands |
|---|---|---|
|
Corvo
|
Sao Jorge |
Sao Miguel
|
| Pico | ||
|
Flores
|
Terceira |
Santa Maria
|
| Graciosa | ||
| Faial |
The simplest way to see several islands on the trip is to fly. The local airline, SATA, also known as Azores Airlines, offers inter-island flight services. In all islands, you will find local air connections. It is easy to travel to each island by air; however, not every time it is in the budget. Considering this, sometimes an internal flight between two islands can cost you as much as an air flight from Portugal. In this situation, local residents are eligible to pay a low price, but not travelers.
So, if you are on a budget travel, then taking ferries is a good option. For this, the central group of islands is an ideal choice to travel to as they are relatively located by. You get them only from May to September, though some of them may run all year round. For exact timings, you can check the Atlanticoline site.
Moreover, for the best experience of the Azores islands, it is advised to travel with your own transportation. You can either rent a scooter or a car for it. In case you cannot do so, stay near or in the capital islands and use an organized day trip with tour companies. Additionally, taxis are also available to travel in most islands near urban locations. However, these are not budget-friendly for long drives and extended sightseeing.
This is how you can travel to the major Azores islands. Now it is up to your preference and budget which mode of transport you choose to go there. No matter what you choose, once you visit the place, you will surely love it and will have a memorable trip. Considering this, in the next section, let’s read about the best islands to visit in the Azores.
As mentioned above, the Azores, Portugal is consists of nine beautiful islands. Each of them is different from the others and worth visiting in its own way. Moving further, let’s know the best ones to travel there:
Around half of the tourist population visits São Miguel when they come to the Azores. Well, this makes sense as it is the easiest island to reach directly by flight. Apart from this, it has the most things to do in Portugal and see. Thanks to lush and varied landscapes, and several hikes, it is one of the best Azores, Portugal islands for hiking. In addition, it is the only island that consists of lots of hot springs and volcanic steam vents. In this, visiting the Caldeira Velha hot spring is worth traveling for. Among the other islands, it is the most developed and the only one that has multi-lane expressways. Overall, while other Azores islands may provide a more remote feeling, São Miguel is most defined by its rural areas and nature.
After Sao Miguel, Terceira is the second most popular Azores islands. It is the home of the US Air Force Base, which plays a vital role in the economy of the Azores. The island does offer several things to do in the Azores. However, it does have fewer hikes for the travelers. From the viewpoint of a general tourist, the island is slightly less interesting in comparison to other islands of the Azores, but it is worth visiting. Firstly, because of its capital city, i.e., Angra do Heroismo. The city has gained recognition for its 17th-century fortresses and old centre. What makes this island easy to include in your travel plan is that it is available at the international airport, which makes it perfect for the archipelago.
Geologically, Pico is the youngest Azores islands, so the landscapes of it can be rockier and are said to have dark volcanic terrain. Mainly, it is popular for its unique vineyard culture. With small walls, some of the landscapes in the islands are checkered with volcanic rocks. These rocks protect the vines from harsh elements- a general feature that gets acknowledged in the island's UNESCO World Heritage Status. Additionally, the eponymous “peak” of 2a 351m tall conical volcano is also located here, which has the tallest point in all of Portugal.
Among all the other Azores Islands, Faial is small, but you cannot miss traveling to it. Compared to other islands, it does not get much hype. However, there are some fascinating sights to see that warrant you to plan at least a one-day or two-day trip. Additionally, it has popular volcanic landscapes, especially the site of Capelinhas, where over a year in 1958 a volcano erupted. Walking in the dusty and grey landscape here will make you feel like you are on the moon. These are simply among the most attractive landscapes in the Azores, Portugal.
Apart from this, among the sailors, the island is a legend. It is one of the places where recreational sailors crossing the Atlantic Ocean make a stop, during the summer, offering the island a lively atmosphere. Also at the harbour barriers, you will find many colorful paintings left by sailors to celebrate their journeys.
Want to experience the off-beaten path? Then, São Jorge Island is the right destination to choose. Here, you can see some of the best nature on an island that does its own thing. The island is also not preoccupied with tourists and tourism very much. Considering this, compared to other islands, São Jorge is less populated; somehow, you can say more remote area. In addition, there are fewer facilities there, shorter opening times in the restaurants, and there are not so many sights to visit. However, if you love hiking, then it is a perfect destination for you to travel to. While traveling there, do not miss hiking the Caldeira de Santo Cristo. It goes through several waterfalls, lush valleys on Sao Jorge, and through two of the fajas.
These are some of the best Azores islands you should consider visiting during your first trip. Although all of them are worth traveling to but these are the best for first-time travelers. Moving ahead, let’s know how many days' trip you should plan to visit the Azores Islands.
Well, there are many things to explore in these beautiful islands, and in this guide, we will talk about all. So, it is difficult to tell how much time you need to visit this place. Additionally, it also depends on your interest and travel style. To assist you in creating the perfect vacation in the Azores, here is a breakdown of suggested itineraries for any tourist:
There is a complete guide to explore these beautiful Azores Islands. Whether you want to have a short trip or seek to roam around the unique Portugal islands, the Azores is one of the perfect places to visit in Portugal. Planning a trip to the Azores and stuck between the lengthy visa process? Connect with Visament and get your Portugal visa as per your planned travel date without any delays. So, why wait? Connect with us today and apply for your visa simply.
Greenland is the largest island in the world, with around total area of 2.16 million sq. km. The island is located between the Arctic and the Atlantic Ocean. It is vast and mostly consists of icy landmasses.
The Azores are special for two key reasons. First, it has a unique combination of natural beauty, traditions, and rich culture. Secondly, due to its historical significance, in supporting maritime exploration that permitted the exchange between the greatest civilization in the world, it gained a place as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The official currency used in the Azores is the Euro (€). It is the same currency used throughout the European Union and Portugal.
The best month to visit the Azores is between May to August. During that time, the weather remains mild. In addition, it is perfect for going to the beaches and taking part in all types of outdoor activities.
The Azores islands are located in the center of the Atlantic, halfway between the USA and the Portuguese mainland. It is a group of nine islands situated near the North Atlantic Ocean, specifically in the Autonomous Area of Portugal.
São Miguel is the most visited island in the Azores. The island is also called “Green Island.” Offering a variety of attractions and hiking spots, it is the most populous and largest island in the archipelago.
The best Azores island to visit totally depends on your personal choice and interest, as all are beautiful with different qualities. However, Sao Miguel is often stated as a good choice for first-time visitors because of its variety of attractions and accessibility.
For a thorough introduction to the Azores, five days are enough to travel. However, if you truly want to explore the richness of the place, plan a two or three-week trip to hop between different Azores islands and see what is different in each one and why it is stated as the most exceptional travel destination in Portugal.
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