It looks a lot like paradise… and like everywhere else there are some things you need to know about the Azores before you go. Take these into account and your experience will be truly unforgettable for all the right reasons.
First, where to base your holiday
Every island in the Azores is different. So what’s the best way to make a plan? Sao Miguel is all about the nature, worth at least a week of your time to explore everything at your leisure and get the most out of your holiday. Terceira is smaller, quieter and makes a perfect stop-off to discover the fascinating history and culture of the archipelago. Pico is the highest point in the islands and also Portugal’s highest peak, nicknamed the Black Island for its dark volcanic sand. It’s also home to the best wines. And Flores is all about the flowers, and the waterfalls, and the endless divine scenery.
Faial Island, AKA the Blue Island, is where the famous blue hydrangeas bloom. A recent eruption has left it half-uninhabited, partly a post-eruption moonscape that’s fascinating in itself. Corvo, or Crow Island, is teeny weeny and rarely crowded, giving you a feel for how these islands felt in the past before they became such a popular holiday hot-spot. Sao Jorge is ideal for foodies with its exceptional cheeses, and it’s also loved by water sports enthusiasts. Graciosa is the least-developed island with barely any visitors, a wonderful getaway-from-everything place as well as the new kid on the block for people seeking the amazing blue hydrangeas. And finally there’s Santa Maria, another seldom-visited place with lovely beaches and a particularly peaceful vibe.
The weather can be dodgy outside the main summer holiday season
We’re used to unpredictable weather in the UK, so you’ll feel right at home in the Azores unless you stick to the main holiday season. In general it’s pretty nice between June and September, ideal for a sunny break without the islands’ infamous overcast skies you get the rest of the year. Some people love visiting in October and November when the crowds die down, not minding that the weather can get a bit iffy. The same goes for May.
It’s always wise to bring a waterproof, windproof jacket. Unless you’re planning to spend all your time on the beach – which isn’t really what this place is about – you’ll also appreciate comfortable walking shoes and a hat. And swimming gear is a must.
Nice prices!
The prices are reasonable, despite some seasonal increases during the main holiday months.
Always book accommodation in advance
During the high season it can be hard to find places to stay, so don’t just turn up and expect to find an hotel.
You can drink the tap water
The tap water is usually absolutely fine, but if you’re not confident you can buy bottled water that’s actually bottled locally.
Heavenly hiking and walking
While there are some fabulous restaurants and bars, and some magical beaches, the archipelago is more about outdoor pursuits than partying, an incredible landscape studded with volcanic craters, lakes and waterfalls. It isn’t for dedicated clubbers.
More than 80 extraordinary hiking trails, all beautifully looked after, are the name of the game here, along with breathtaking views of the islands and the Atlantic. Head for Sao Miguel for the best hot springs, including the legendary Dona Beija and Parque Terra Nostra.
Whale watching, surfing and diving
Diving is popular, and you can book diving tours at Vila Franca do Campo islet. Whale and dolphin watching is a big deal, with the best time to see whales being between June and August when they’re making their annual journey past the islands. Water sports in general are a big draw here and surfing is popular, particularly at the Santa Barbara beach on Sao Miguel or Cubres on Sao Jorge island.
Cool city experiences
If city sightseeing is your thing head for Angra do Heroismo on Terceira with its incredibly rich history and culture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other cities and towns to explore include:
São Miguel Island:
- Ponta Delgada
- Vila Franca do Campo
- Furnas
- Lagoa
- Nordeste
- Povoação
- Ribeira Grande
Santa Maria Island:
- Vila do Porto
- Sao Lourenco
Terceira Island:
- Angra do Heroísmo
- Praia da Vitória
São Jorge Island:
- Velas
- Calheta
- Fajãzinha
Faial Island:
- Horta
- Praia do Almoxarife
- Cedros
Pico Island:
- Madalena
- São Roque do Pico
- Lajes do Pico
Graciosa Island:
- Santa Cruz da Graciosa
- São Mateus da Praia
- Guadalupe
Flores Island:
- Santa Cruz das Flores
- Lajes das Flores
- Fajã Grande
Corvo Island:
- Vila do Corvo
Just bear in mind most of the towns and cities are TINY… in a good way!
It costs a lot to island-hop
You can travel between the islands but the three island groups are a long way apart and the air travel options are limited. You might find it’s cheaper to get there in the first place than it is to fly between the islands. If you can afford it, your airlines are TAP Air Portugal and SATA Azores. Flights between the most popular islands throughout the main holiday season seldom cost less than £80.
There are also ferries, a slower and more leisurely option that comes with the chance to see dolphins and whales on the voyage.
You’ll want to hire a car
Fuel prices aren’t too bad and there’s no-deposit car hire on some of the islands when you use a local company rather than one of the big, well-known ones.
The sand isn’t always golden
Volcanic islands mean black sand beaches, a stunning sight. The best-loved include Praia Formosa, Santa Barbara beach, Villa Franca beach and Caloura beach. The best sunbathing island is Santa Maria, with lovely beaches and peaceful waters.
You don’t need to speak Portuguese
Many people speak English but it’d always nice to at least get a few words and phrases under your belt, or read out what you want to say from Google translate. The locals will like and respect you for it.
You can usually get decent Wi-Fi and 4G
You’ll find it easy to connect even in the middle of nowhere, and the connections are reliable. Just remember the UK isn’t in the EU any more so you’ll need to think about mobile data. Or get a local SIM card from MEO, which has the best coverage in the islands. There’s also service available from Vodafone and NOS.
Now you know the score, all you need to do is prepare for an epic Azorean adventure!
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