On the lookout for 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 every part you need and extra. On this article, I’ll present a seven-day Azores itinerary that can assist you discover one in every 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 under are merely suggestive, however they need to offer you 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. Trying 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 could look inaccessible at first, however are nicely linked to a number of European international locations. 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 you can Get to the Azores
There is just one method 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 usually are not linked to mainland Europe.
Fortunately, touring by air is comparatively comfy, with direct flights leaving Lisbon and Porto a number of occasions a day. For those who journey from mainland Portugal, you may attain Ponta Delgada in beneath 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, but it surely’s extremely unlikely that the cruise will cease within the archipelago wherever close to seven days.
How you 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 in case you don’t have a rental automotive. Public transportation exists, however the out there bus routes are comparatively inefficient and usually are not designed to satisfy the wants of vacationers.
There are taxis in São Miguel, however they’re usually costly. In the mean time, Uber and Bolt usually are not out there within the Azores, which means renting a automotive will not be solely essentially the most comfy transportation possibility, 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 corresponding 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 essential island:
Day 1: São Miguel Island
After touchdown on the primary island of the Azores, I like to recommend that you just be a part of this in style two-day tour of São Miguel to make amends for the primary points of interest within the space. You may discover these by your self by renting a automotive, however the guys from the tour will choose you up straight from the resort, so why not profit 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, strive the Furnas Stew, essentially 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 recent underground, the place it’ll 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 strive 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 really helpful 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 one of the best pure points of interest in São Miguel Island. The standout is the Lagoa das Sete Cidades, a twin lake fashioned 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 just like the Lagoa das Sete Cidades in some ways, however much less touristic, rawer, and finest fitted to hikers.
If that’s one thing you’re fascinated with, I like to recommend attempting the 7-mile round hike across the lake. Photograph-ops abound, so please don’t neglect to carry your digital camera!
Whereas the 2 Lagoas make for spectacular scenic views, the ultimate pure attraction of the tour, the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Pure Park, provides a possibility so that you can immerse your self within the pure great thing about the São Miguel Island. It’s finest identified for Véu da Noiva (which means “wedding ceremony veil” in Portuguese), a small however dreamy waterfall the place you may go for a refreshing swim.
For dinner, I recommend Cais da Sardinha, the place you may strive trendy variations of conventional Azorean dishes with a direct view of the ocean. The very best half is that, whereas it makes for an expensive eating expertise, the meals is sort of inexpensive (beneath €50 per particular person).
Day 3: Fly to Terceira Island
Subsequent cease? Terceira Island. The SATA Azores airlane runs two day by day flights from Ponta Delgada to the Terceira Lajes airport, so I recommend reserving 8:40am flight that arrives at 9:20am within the morning. Sadly, the journey could be fairly costly, however that’s a small value to pay to make amends 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 bushes and flowers. It’s an ideal morning-time vacation spot as a result of it invitations you to loosen up and ponder.
Furthermore, it sits solely seven minutes away (on foot) from Mercatto di Ostaria, an aesthetic restaurant combining Portuguese and Italian delicacies in lots of artistic methods.
Within the afternoon, be a part of this half-day tour of the Terceira Island Caves to discover the pure great thing about the Azores as soon as extra. You’ll see genuine lava tubes fashioned tens of millions of years in the past, swim in pure swimming pools, and go to the Algar do Carvão, one other lake fashioned 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 ought to be distinctive sufficient to impress even essentially 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 contemporary fish at beneath €20 a plate. For the freshest possibility on the menu, be certain 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 conventional Portuguese restaurant. A minibus expertise protecting one of the best pure points of interest in Terceira, the tour additionally passes by Algar do Carvão. This makes it excellent for guests who didn’t get an opportunity to hitch the Island Caves tour the day earlier than.
Aside from Algar do Carvão, the tour’s standout points of interest are Monte Brasil and Serra do Cume. Monte Brasil is a tiny volcanic peninsula lined 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, strive 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 doable 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, loosen up 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 will have to do some driving within the afternoon…
In any case, this buggy journey by the Pico vineyards makes for an ideal Azorean off-road expertise, and the pick-up location will not be removed from the Atlântico Tea Home.
The entire tour takes 3.5 hours and, whereas it’s finest fitted to buggy lovers and open air fans, it must also impress wine followers. Essentially the most distinctive characteristic of the vineyards is the currais, a kind of round stone wall historically used to guard the grapes from sturdy winds.
For dinner, strive the restaurant on the Pico Terramar Spa & Lodge in Madalena, a bistro with a pleasant ambiance and a ravishing view of the ocean.
Day 6: Pico Island and Ponta Delgada
The Pico Island was named after the Pico Mountain, the very best mountain in Portugal. I really like taking a look at Pico Mountain from afar, particularly when it will get lined with snow, as a result of it jogs my memory of Mount Fuji in Japan.
However trying, generally, will not be 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, will not be with out its risks. For that reason, I like to recommend that you just be a part of this Pico Island mountain tour and depend on the help of an authorized Pico Mountain information (insurance coverage can be included).
The entire expertise takes 8 hours (ascent and descent), so be sure you’re in excellent 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 will not be really helpful 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 recommend renting a automotive for the day and exploring the pure wonders of Pico all by your self.
You have got the entire afternoon earlier than going again to Ponta Delgada for the final day of the journey. For dinner, strive 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 make amends for all of the stuff you missed in Ponta Delgada the primary time round. The large (fairly actually) exercise of the day? Whale-watching, after all!
Going whale watching aboard a catamaran is a basic Azorean vacationer expertise, however how typically 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 corresponding to dolphins and turtles, all whereas listening to reside commentaries supplied 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 images on the Portas da Cidade (which means “gates of the town” in Portuguese) after which strive the meals at Taberna Açor, the place a number of the best charcuterie within the archipelago is served.
Throughout the afternoon, I recommend attempting this pineapple greenhouse and sizzling tub tour to study pineapple manufacturing within the Azores. The expertise takes 2.5 hours and features a pit cease at a calming pool sitting proper in the course of the pineapple greenhouse.
The one draw back is that it’s worthwhile to get to the tour’s location (Herdade do Ananás) all by your self. Nonetheless, the journey to Herdade do Ananás from Ponta Delgada’s metropolis middle takes solely eight minutes by automotive, which means you may simply use your rental (or e-book a taxi) to get there.
To your final dinner earlier than going again house, why not strive the delicacies at O Baco, the restaurant of Lodge Ponta Delgada? The meals is nice, and Lodge Ponta Delgada is among the finest lodging choices within the Azores, as you may see under.
The place to Keep within the Azores
There’s no scarcity of cool resorts within the Azores, however these are three of my favorites:
Lodge Ponta Delgada
Lodge Ponta Delgada is your basic three-star metropolis resort within the Azores, but it surely’s a lot better than it might appear. With breakfast included for all of the rooms, this resort boasts glorious services, spa remedies, non-public parking, and a wonderful heated indoor swimming pool. For less than €100 an evening and even much less, this one’s a discount!
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 basic single rooms, deluxe double rooms, and even full flats geared up 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 resorts on the record, 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 recommend 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 a ferry from Portugal to the Azores. To go from mainland Portugal to the Azores, the best choice is to catch one of many day by day flights connecting Lisbon or Porto to Ponta Delgada.
For those who’re seeking to loosen up 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 in the course of the sizzling season, the summer time months (Could to September) are one of the best as a result of excellent climate.
For those who journey by airplane from Lisbon or Porto, you will get to the Azores in roughly 2.5 hours.
Conclusion
The Azores have been rising in reputation, however they continue to be, for essentially 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 prefer to be within the Azores will not be 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 not totally encapsulate the fantastic thing about the Azores, so please be certain to e-book your seven-day journey and see for your self what the fuss is about. And take a look at this information in case you’re torn between visiting the Azores and Madeira.
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