Welcome to part two of our guide to the towns and cities of the Azores. Each with its own personality, they’re the perfect complement to the towering volcanic cones, black sand beaches, jewel-like crater lakes and rich, lush greenery. Let’s explore some more.
Cities and towns on São Jorge Island
Velas is the capital of the island, a blend of lovely traditional Azorean architecture and the mod cons you’d expect in the 21st century. The colourful houses have facades made of volcanic rock, there are flowers everywhere and the Praça da República central square is vibrant and buzzy. People watching here is a real treat.
Visit the 1600s Santa Bárbara Convent’s São Jorge Museum for historical insights. Try the ex-whale factory hosting the Fábrica da Baleia museum if you can bear finding out about the island’s awful whaling history. The Mercado Municipal is your destination for fabulous fresh foods and the black sand Velas beach is perfect for chilling out as well as a treat for Instagrammers. It’s hard to believe this place is real. Any second you’re going to wake up…
Fajãzinha to the east is all about the nature, a place to connect with the green stuff and achieve inner peace. Walk there along a gorgeous route to find a secluded village in a spectacular green setting surrounded by waterfalls. Wow, then wow some more. The Fajãzinha Natural Reserve with its tapestry of flora and fauna is not far short of heavenly.
The quiet village of Calheta to the west is also perfect for relaxation, with beautiful black sand beaches and lovely turquoise waters where you can kayak and snorkel. For thrills try the cable car ride up to the bizarre Fajã da Calheta with its secret caves, verdant landscape and cool, fresh pools to swim in.
Cities and towns on Faial Island
Horta is the island’s capital, a bustling place you won’t want to miss. The Marina is really pretty with its scenic sailboats and there’s a choice of restaurants stuffed with wonderful local cuisine, along with famous local cheese and fine regional wines. Stay a while then stay a while longer, it’s hard to leave.
Peter’s Café Sport is a bit of a legend in the Azores and beyond, a historic bar that’s been serving sailors, explorers, fugitives, pirates and ne’er do wells for more than a century. Soak in the maritime atmosphere, glug down some wonderful wine or a few beers, and before you go graffiti your name on the walls like countless others have done before you. You’re expected to. Very cool.
The nearest beach, Praia do Almoxarife, takes your breath away, a beach to die for set in an awesome landscape. The black sand beaches make quite a sight set against the clear blue waters. There are whale-watching tours to enjoy, dolphins to spot and enough water sports to keep your adrenaline flowing.
Cedros is tiny, remote, calm and quiet, a lovely little place that’s the starting point for hiking trails past breathtaking viewpoints and vibrant blue hydrangea blooms. That’s about it, perfectly simple.
Cities and towns on Flores Island
Santa Cruz das Flores might be the island’s capital but it is very chilled. More history awaits you in a place with buildings dating back to the 1400s, cobbled streets and traditional whitewashed houses embellished in bright colours. Wander about in the cool dry air of ancient churches, visit the museum, picnic with charming harbour views, or bob around in the natural pools formed by volcanic rock, great places for a refreshing dip.
Fajã Grande to the west offers yet more outstanding natural beauty including 20 or more waterfalls cascading to the Atlantic, more like a VR movie than real life. The village is slow, peaceful and sleepy, a lovely place to eat out and admire the surroundings.
Lajes das Flores to the south reveals authentic Azorean life, set amid a slew of natural wonders and close to the iconic Rocha dos Bordões, massive waterfalls, and crystal clear lakes to swim in. This really is wild swimming at its finest.
Cities and towns on Graciosa Island
São Mateus da Praia used to be the island’s main town, and that means it has an unusually rich history. The Church of São Mateus contains a really beautiful pipe organ and there’s a little museum to explore. The beaches are fab, with safe natural pools for swimming and freaky rock formations to photograph.
Santa Cruz da Graciosa is the main hub these days with its quaint whitewashed houses, narrow streets and warm Azores welcome. History reveals itself at every opportunity with interesting churches and museums to explore, including the churches of Santa Cruz da Graciosa and Santo Cristo and the Ethnographic Museum. Chill out in the central square where there might be a band playing, have a coffee, and let the peace wash over you like a balm.
Cities and towns on Pico Island
Madalena is the capital of Pico Island, a place whose views of Faial Island are legendary for their extraordinary beauty. The city is just as picturesque with its historic past and magical surroundings.
Visit charming churches and poke around in interesting museums, wander the pretty cobbled streets enjoying the traditional Azorean architecture. The vineyards out of town are set in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, always worth visiting, and you can pick up a whale-watching tour here as well.
Lajes do Pico loves to party, a traditional town on the doorstep of the natural pools near Lajes do Pico where you can have an exhilarating Atlantic swim in safety. There are festivals to enjoy here including the annual August Whalers Week festival dating back to 1883. First it celebrated Our Lady of Lourdes, then whaling, now it’s a joyous affair focusing on the dancing, procession, music and fun.
São Roque do Pico to the east is spread out on a vast volcanic landscape with the peak of Mount Pico always visible. The town’s whaling heritage is horrible but whaling is long dead and gone now, commemorated at the Whaling Industry Museum. Pick up wine and food tours, island tours and Pico Mountain tours here.
Cities and towns on Corvo Island
Tiny Corvo Island, ‘crow island’ in English, is home to the town of Vila do Corvo – crow town – perched on a lava flow with sweet stone houses trimmed in white lining the narrow streets. This small town probably dates back to the 1500s when settlers first arrived from Portugal, but some say they were preceded by Flemish and Carthaginian people. This is your hop-off point for the infamous volcanic caldeiras and endless hard-to-believe-your-eyes views.
Party animal? Avoid the Azores!
As you can tell these islands aren’t about partying 24/7. If that’s you, step away from the Azores! Here’s where you forget your worries, refresh your spirit, nourish your soul, reconnect with nature, set your mind free, let the beauty flow into your nooks and crannies, and go home feeling like you’ve had six months off.
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