In search of a novel expertise on a lush volcanic archipelago with nice meals and breathtaking pure points of interest? Then look no additional, because the Azores have all the pieces you need and extra. On this article, I’ll present a seven-day Azores itinerary that can assist you discover considered one of Europe’s dreamiest locations.
As a Portuguese citizen, I used to be fortunate sufficient to witness the splendors of the Azores firsthand on a few events, and the reminiscences of those previous journeys will stick with me for the remainder of my life. The suggestions beneath are merely suggestive, however they need to provide you with a clearer thought of why I (and, let’s be sincere, everyone else) love the Azores a lot.
The place Are the Azores
Together with Madeira, the Azores are one of many two autonomous areas in Portugal, sitting roughly 900 miles away from the mainland. Wanting on the world map, you’ll find the Azores in the course of the North Atlantic Ocean. One of many archipelago’s islets, the Monchique Islet, is the westernmost level in Europe.
Comprised of 9 islands, the Azores might look inaccessible at first, however are effectively linked to a number of European nations. Along with Porto and Lisbon, you may fly on to Ponta Delgada (the capital of the Azores) from Madrid, London, Paris, and extra.
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How one can Get to the Azores
There is just one solution to get to the Azores from Lisbon, Porto, and different European cities: by catching an airplane. Whereas ferry companies can be found, these are just for inter-island touring and will not be linked to mainland Europe.
Fortunately, touring by air is comparatively snug, with direct flights leaving Lisbon and Porto a number of instances a day. For those who journey from mainland Portugal, you may attain Ponta Delgada in underneath three hours.
Exterior of Portugal, you’ll find flights to the Azores in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam, however a connecting flight could also be required relying in your level of origin.
Alternatively, you too can attain the Azores by cruise, nevertheless it’s extremely unlikely that the cruise will cease within the archipelago wherever close to seven days.
How one can Get Across the Azores
São Miguel, the largest island within the Azores, has lower than 300 sq. miles, however getting round can nonetheless be a trouble for those who don’t have a rental automobile. Public transportation exists, however the obtainable bus routes are comparatively inefficient and will not be designed to fulfill the wants of vacationers.
There are taxis in São Miguel, however they’re usually costly. For the time being, Uber and Bolt will not be obtainable within the Azores, that means renting a automobile just isn’t solely probably the most snug transportation choice, but in addition the most affordable.
Whereas intra-island transportation choices are missing within the Azores, inter-island routes are usually fairly good. There’s one airport in every of the 9 islands of the archipelago and direct ferries, operated by the Atlânticoline, connecting islands equivalent to Terceira, Pico, and Faial.
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7-Day Azores Itinerary Overview
- Day 1: Arrive in Ponta Delgada
- Day 2: São Miguel Island
- Day 3: Fly to Terceira Island
- Day 4: Terceira Island
- Day 5: Fly to Pico Island
- Day 6: Pico Island and Ponta Delgada
- Day 7: Ponta Delgada
One Week within the Azores
So that you’ve booked a 7-day trip to the Azores; what now? Beneath, you’ll find a one-week Azores itinerary stuffed with thrilling issues to do, beginning with a two-day tour of São Miguel, the archipelago’s foremost island:
Day 1: São Miguel Island
After touchdown on the primary island of the Azores, I like to recommend that you simply be a part of this fashionable two-day tour of São Miguel to atone for the primary points of interest within the space. You may discover these by your self by renting a automobile, however the guys from the tour will decide you up instantly from the resort, so why not benefit from it?
The Furnas Volcano will heat each your physique and your meals. At Parque Terra Nostra, an idyllic pure web site with a world-class botanical backyard, you’ll swim in thermal swimming pools heated by the volcano (don’t neglect to carry a towel). At lunchtime, attempt the Furnas Stew, probably the most well-known dish within the Azores.
Made with greens and a number of other sorts of meat, it’s a mouth-watering dish that’s simmered by the Furnas Volcano itself. The stew is positioned in a pan and dropped into the new underground, the place it should sit for roughly six hours. As a member of the two-day tour, you get to witness the cooking course of firsthand.
For the reason that tour doesn’t embody dinner, I like to recommend you attempt the Restaurante O Estradinho, in Ponta Delgada, earlier than going to mattress and recharging your batteries. It’s a typical Portuguese restaurant, so don’t be afraid to ask for the Prato do dia, which is the advisable dish of the day (it’s additionally cheaper than ordering from the carte).
Day 2: São Miguel Island
The tour continues in your second day within the Azores, this time with an summary of the perfect pure points of interest in São Miguel Island. The standout is the Lagoa das Sete Cidades, a twin lake shaped on prime of a dormant volcanic crater that’s emblematic of the entire archipelago.
It’s been a number of years since I visited the Lagoa, however the reminiscence of the scenic view of the 2 lakes, surrounded by inexperienced, lush vegetation, is one which I cherish as if I have been there yesterday.
The tour additionally features a cease at one other volcanic lake, the Lagoa do Fogo. It’s much like the Lagoa das Sete Cidades in some ways, however much less touristic, rawer, and greatest fitted to hikers.
If that’s one thing you’re thinking about, I like to recommend attempting the 7-mile round hike across the lake. Photograph-ops abound, so please don’t neglect to carry your digicam!
Whereas the 2 Lagoas make for spectacular scenic views, the ultimate pure attraction of the tour, the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Pure Park, gives a possibility so that you can immerse your self within the pure fantastic thing about the São Miguel Island. It’s greatest identified for Véu da Noiva (that means “wedding ceremony veil” in Portuguese), a small however dreamy waterfall the place you may go for a refreshing swim.
For dinner, I counsel Cais da Sardinha, the place you may attempt trendy variations of conventional Azorean dishes with a direct view of the ocean. The most effective half is that, whereas it makes for an expensive eating expertise, the meals is kind of reasonably priced (underneath €50 per particular person).
Day 3: Fly to Terceira Island
Subsequent cease? Terceira Island. The SATA Azores airlane runs two each day flights from Ponta Delgada to the Terceira Lajes airport, so I counsel reserving 8:40am flight that arrives at 9:20am within the morning. Sadly, the journey might be fairly costly, however that’s a small value to pay to atone for the wonders of Terceira Island.
For day one in Terceira, begin by exploring the Duke of Terceira Backyard, a small botanical backyard the place you may see many sorts of timber and flowers. It’s an ideal morning-time vacation spot as a result of it invitations you to chill out and ponder.
Furthermore, it sits solely seven minutes away (on foot) from Mercatto di Ostaria, a cultured restaurant combining Portuguese and Italian delicacies in lots of inventive methods.
Within the afternoon, be a part of this half-day tour of the Terceira Island Caves to discover the pure fantastic thing about the Azores as soon as extra. You’ll see genuine lava tubes shaped hundreds of thousands of years in the past, swim in pure swimming pools, and go to the Algar do Carvão, one other lake shaped on prime of a dormant crater, however this time secludedly hidden on the backside of a cave.
This must-try tour additionally features a volcanic wine tasting that needs to be distinctive sufficient to impress even probably the most skilled wine lovers on the market.
To resume your vitality forward of day 4, have dinner at Captain’s Desk. Sitting proper in entrance of the ocean, this famend Angra do Heroísmo restaurant serves well-cooked recent fish at underneath €20 a plate. For the freshest choice on the menu, ensure to ask for the “catch of the day”.
Day 4: Terceira Island
For day two in Terceira, I like to recommend becoming a member of this full-day tour of the island, together with lunch at a standard Portuguese restaurant. A minibus expertise overlaying the perfect pure points of interest in Terceira, the tour additionally passes by Algar do Carvão. This makes it good for guests who didn’t get an opportunity to affix the Island Caves tour the day earlier than.
Other than Algar do Carvão, the tour’s standout points of interest are Monte Brasil and Serra do Cume. Monte Brasil is a tiny volcanic peninsula coated by lush, inexperienced vegetation. Serra do Cume is a mountain vary with a wide ranging viewpoint overlooking large inexperienced plains that stretch so far as the attention can see.
For dinner, attempt the Tascas das Tias, a mid-price Mediterranean restaurant serving each conventional Portuguese meals and extra worldwide dishes like burgers with fries.
Day 5: Fly to Pico Island
From Terceira, catch the SATA Azores airline flight to Pico Island as early as potential so that you don’t miss any of the motion! The journey takes lower than 40 minutes, however like most inter-island journeys within the Azores, it may be considerably costly.
After the flight, chill out by taking a stroll on the Areia Larga pier, the right location to say “hello” to Pico Island. Touring within the morning makes me tremendous hungry, so this time I’ve a brunch suggestion for you: the Atlântico Tea & Wine Home within the city of Madalena. Go simple on the wine, although, as a result of you might have to do some driving within the afternoon…
In spite of everything, this buggy experience by means of the Pico vineyards makes for an ideal Azorean off-road expertise, and the pick-up location just isn’t removed from the Atlântico Tea Home.
The entire tour takes 3.5 hours and, whereas it’s greatest fitted to buggy lovers and open air lovers, it also needs to impress wine followers. Probably the most distinctive characteristic of the vineyards is the currais, a sort of round stone wall historically used to guard the grapes from sturdy winds.
For dinner, attempt the restaurant on the Pico Terramar Spa & Lodge in Madalena, a bistro with a pleasant ambiance and an attractive view of the ocean.
Day 6: Pico Island and Ponta Delgada
The Pico Island was named after the Pico Mountain, the best mountain in Portugal. I really like taking a look at Pico Mountain from afar, particularly when it will get coated with snow, as a result of it jogs my memory of Mount Fuji in Japan.
However wanting, typically, just isn’t sufficient; to expertise Pico to the fullest, there’s nothing fairly like truly climbing to the highest of its tallest mountain…
Climbing a mountain that stretches greater than 1,400 miles excessive, nonetheless, just isn’t with out its risks. Because of this, I like to recommend that you simply be a part of this Pico Island mountain tour and depend on the assist of an authorized Pico Mountain information (insurance coverage can also be included).
The entire expertise takes 8 hours (ascent and descent), so be sure you’re in good bodily situation earlier than becoming a member of in. Moreover, don’t neglect to carry some water and meals with you. For apparent causes, the tour just isn’t advisable for people who find themselves afraid of heights.
For those who don’t really feel like climbing to the highest of Portugal’s highest mountain, I counsel renting a automobile for the day and exploring the pure wonders of Pico all by your self.
You could have the entire afternoon earlier than going again to Ponta Delgada for the final day of the journey. For dinner, attempt the Casa da Feijoca restaurant on the Farrobo farms. The meals is nice, and the restaurant is en path to the airport.
Day 7: Ponta Delgada
It’s your final day within the Azores, so be sure you get up early to atone for all of the belongings you missed in Ponta Delgada the primary time round. The massive (fairly actually) exercise of the day? Whale-watching, in fact!
Going whale watching aboard a catamaran is a traditional Azorean vacationer expertise, however how usually do you get the prospect to see precise whales of their pure habitat? So far as clichès go, that is undoubtedly one of many good ones!
On the tour, additionally, you will get to see animals equivalent to dolphins and turtles, all whereas listening to stay commentaries offered by a marine biologist.
After the whale-watching expertise (it lasts round three hours), you continue to have a while to take a stroll within the small however charming metropolis of Ponta Delgada earlier than lunch. Take some photographs on the Portas da Cidade (that means “gates of the town” in Portuguese) after which attempt the meals at Taberna Açor, the place a few of the most interesting charcuterie within the archipelago is served.
In the course of the afternoon, I counsel attempting this pineapple greenhouse and sizzling tub tour to find out about pineapple manufacturing within the Azores. The expertise takes 2.5 hours and features a pit cease at a soothing pool sitting proper in the course of the pineapple greenhouse.
The one draw back is that it’s good to get to the tour’s location (Herdade do Ananás) all by your self. Nevertheless, the journey to Herdade do Ananás from Ponta Delgada’s metropolis middle takes solely eight minutes by automobile, that means you may simply use your rental (or ebook a taxi) to get there.
To your final dinner earlier than going again residence, why not attempt the delicacies at O Baco, the restaurant of Lodge Ponta Delgada? The meals is nice, and Lodge Ponta Delgada is likely one of the greatest lodging choices within the Azores, as you may see beneath.
The place to Keep within the Azores
There’s no scarcity of cool inns within the Azores, however these are three of my favorites:
Lodge Ponta Delgada
Lodge Ponta Delgada is your traditional three-star metropolis resort within the Azores, nevertheless it’s significantly better than it could appear. With breakfast included for all of the rooms, this resort boasts glorious amenities, spa remedies, non-public parking, and a superb heated indoor swimming pool. For under €100 an evening and even much less, this one’s a cut price!
Lodge Cruzeiro
To your keep in Terceira Island, my prime suggestion is the Lodge Cruzeiro, one other nice metropolis resort with loads of lodging choices. You may select between traditional single rooms, deluxe double rooms, and even full flats outfitted with a kitchen. The common value varies between €75 and €100 an evening, relying on the room.
Pico Terramar & Spa
On Pico Island, selecting a resort will get even simpler, because the Pico Terramar & Spa is simply too good to be ignored. A bit extra luxurious and costly than the opposite inns on the checklist, the Terramar makes up for its common value of roughly €150 per night time. It spoils its company with two swimming swimming pools, an entire spa and wellness middle, and two eating places. Breakfast is included, and so is a direct shuttle to and from the native airport.
Azores Itinerary FAQ
The Azores are a Portuguese archipelago comprised of 9 islands, so I counsel reserving a seven-day trip to see the primary islands of São Miguel, Terceira, and Pico. To comfortably discover the Azores even additional and go to all of its 9 islands, you might want 10 to fifteen days.
There isn’t any ferry from Portugal to the Azores. To go from mainland Portugal to the Azores, the most suitable choice is to catch one of many each day flights connecting Lisbon or Porto to Ponta Delgada.
For those who’re seeking to chill out and also you’re okay with occasional rain showers, low season March and April are two good months to go to the Azores. For those who’re okay with crowds and don’t thoughts visiting through the sizzling season, the summer time months (Could to September) are the perfect as a result of good climate.
For those who journey by airplane from Lisbon or Porto, you may get to the Azores in roughly 2.5 hours.
Conclusion
The Azores have been rising in recognition, however they continue to be, for probably the most half, a fringe vacationer suggestion. Regardless of being formally part of Europe, the archipelago is stranded in the course of the North Atlantic Ocean and is characterised by its distinctive fauna and flora.
Expressing what it feels wish to be within the Azores just isn’t simple, however when somebody asks me to, I all the time describe them as being a lush, inexperienced model of volcanic Iceland, the place pineapples develop and sizzling springs present.
Mere phrases, nonetheless, can’t absolutely encapsulate the fantastic thing about the Azores, so please ensure to ebook your seven-day journey and see for your self what the fuss is about. And take a look at this information for those who’re torn between visiting the Azores and Madeira.
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