The Azores, Portugal is a unique corner in the Atlantic Ocean, a wonderful place of rest for those who are tired of the hustle and bustle, looking for peace and solitude combined with new impressions and bright colors. This is exactly what the Azores can give – local landscapes amaze with combinations of colors: blooming azaleas and hydrangeas, blue ocean, azure lakes, black frozen lava of extinct volcanoes, and rich green hills.
There are no luxurious five-star hotels and noisy entertainment complexes here. But there is silence, nature, and the opportunity to enjoy all this without fuss. Locals will meet you with warmth and hospitality, and their care will make your vacation really cozy.
The Azores is a volcanic archipelago lost in the Atlantic, 1460 kilometers from the European continent. The westernmost point of Europe. The climate here is mild, and subtropical, with a light ocean breeze. The last major volcanic eruption was in 1958 on the island of Fayal. But don’t worry – volcanoes have been behaving decently ever since, except for bubbling fumaroles and geysers that can still be seen on the island of San Miguel.
The Azores is located at the latitude of Sicily and some Greek islands, but the Atlantic waters have a significant impact on the climate: there is neither exhausting heat in summer, nor cold in the winter. However, high humidity, winds, and precipitation are constant here. To be prepared for everything the archipelago has to offer, read this Azores travel guide and plan your route.
What is the Best Time to go to the Azores?
Best time to visit Azores varies. The Azores have a mild climate, but the weather is very unpredictable. It can rain for 30 minutes, change to dense fog, and then the scorching sun emerges. The high season on the islands lasts from April to October. The time to travel should be chosen depending on the type of vacation.
If you want to laze on the beach and swim, then fly to the Azores in the summer. The most favorable time is August. The water warms up to +24℃. Although locals swim in September and October when the water temperature is +19℃.
Spring is the best time to observe the awakening of nature. There are many gardens and parks in the Azores. The Jose do Canto Arboretum is unique in that plants from all over the world are present: Siberian pines, giant ficuses, and camphor trees.
People also go to the islands to see whales. Near the archipelago, there are migration routes for these nautical animals. For this purpose, it is worth flying to the Azores in May or June.
How Much Time Do I Need to Visit the Azores?
If you have a very limited amount of time to visit, you make it through two days, visiting the major attractions (or best food stalls) of 8 of the 9 islands. The only exception to this is the most populous and largest island of the archipelago, São Miguel. We suggest at least 3-4 days! If time is not an issue for you, it is recommended to spend one day. In addition to this, it is worth spending a week or so in São Miguel.
Thus, about a week will be enough for a brief tour of the archipelago, and a more detailed study of the Azores you should dedicate about two weeks.
How Much Money do I Need in the Azores?
In the Azores, the euro is the currency of choice. Most places accept cards, but sometimes you may be asked to pay in cash. For example, this is the preferred method of payment in restaurants. Also, bank cards are not accepted in most geothermal resorts.
We recommend taking a debit card, which should have at least 500 €, a credit card to have money in case of force majeure, and about 500 € in cash to pay in places that do not accept cards. If you will be renting an Airbnb, this will be more than enough for one person. If you want to stay in a hotel, it is advisable to take more money with you. The total amount will depend on the cost of the hotel.
Tourism in the Azores
Azores tourism is quite unique in a sense that there is a distinct offering in each of the isles. São Miguel, for instance, is nicknamed the Green Island due to the profusion of thermal springs, volcanic lakes, green valleys, forests, and meadows. Its attractions include beautiful lagoons, magnificent pineapple and tea plantations, and craters.
Angling Santa Maria has ideal conditions for water sports lovers.
Piku is the epitome of nature in its purest form, with one of the most diverse flora and fauna on Earth.
There’s an underground lake on the island of Graciosa that’s worth checking out.
The picturesque small island of Terceira is known for its well-loved wine which was treasured among European royalty.
The Algar do Carvao cave is one of the main attractions of the island of Terceira. This is a lava tube 100 m long that was formed after the volcanic eruption 2000 years ago. The lava produces a lot of stalactites and stalagmites made of quartz.
Flores is the most mountainous of the islands and features seven lakes formed in the craters of long-extinct volcanoes as well as the beautiful Ribeira Grande waterfall.
Fayal Island is famous for its Caldeira Reserve, grottoes, and caves.
São Jorge Islands is famous for its soft homemade cheese “Queijo São Jorge”.
Corvu Island is the smallest of the islands of the archipelago. The symbol of the island is two lakes with small islets in the middle, located in the huge crater of the Caldera volcano.
Ethnography of the Azores
The story of the Azores’ discovery is lost in the centuries. It is known that the people of the ancient world knew of their existence. Archaeological excavations and chronicles indirectly indicate that the Carthaginians, Phoenicians, Arabs, and Scandinavians may have visited the archipelago.
Although the people of Azores are not very different from the mainland Portuguese, the remote location has influenced everyday life and culture. For example, Azores cuisine is a mixture of Mediterranean and Atlantic gastronomy, and there is an even stronger love of fish than in mainland Portugal. However, locals equally love meat.
The population of the Azores is small compared to mainland Portugal, as is the size of the local towns. This has instilled a greater sense of community in the locals.
Top Things to Do on the Azores
What to do in the Azores? Plenty of things. This archipelago is an undeservedly little-known destination. Despite its small size, the variety of local activities will please the most picky traveler.
For example, here you can enjoy volcanic nature in an almost unchanged form.
Food enthusiasts will discover a variety of options to satisfy their cravings, whether you prefer meat, fish, veggies, or fruits. While Azores cuisine shares similarities with Portuguese food, you’ll also find plenty of unique dishes to try.
If you’re intrigued by historical monuments, the Azores has some delightful surprises in store for you as well. The islands are full of old Portuguese churches and mansions, many of which are older than the voyages of Christopher Columbus himself. We hope you no longer doubt that there are plenty of things to do in Azores.
Eat Food of the Azores Islands
The cuisine of the Azores Islands is based on Portuguese cuisine, but it has many dishes of its own. The most interesting among them is Cozido das Furnas. To cook it, a pot of meat and vegetables is wrapped in a bag and buried in volcanic ash for 4 hours. You should also try octopus stewed in red wine, various soups, stewed pork, and of course, numerous fish and seafood dishes.
The Azores are also famous for their cheeses. São Jorge cheese is even brought from the Azores as a souvenir.
Drinks include fruit and pineapple liqueurs, wines, and aperitifs.
Hike for Days
Hiking enthusiasts will definitely appreciate the Azores. Many of these islands are a true paradise for introverted people, especially Flores. Here you can hike all day and never encounter a single soul. Azores promote exploration: there are hiking trails all along the coastline, offering great views, especially on a warm, sunny day.
If you get bored with the coastal views or want something more extreme, you can always head inland to explore the forested hills. Luckily, hiking trails lead there as well.
Pay a Visit to a Tea Factory
Tea traditions are very strong in Azores, especially in São Miguel. The Chinese camellia, from which tea is made, was introduced to São Miguel in 1750. This was followed by a couple of Chinese specialists from the Portuguese colony who taught the islanders how to grow tea.
Nowadays there is a tea factory on the island, which calls itself the oldest tea producer in Europe. We are talking about the Gorreana factory. Here you can hike among the tea bushes, take a guided tour of the production facilities, and taste local varieties of tea: black, green, and white.
What to pack when visiting the Azores
The moving air masses can cause rapid changes in atmospheric conditions, so if you’re traveling through the archipelago it’s smart to always have a rain jacket and a light jacket.
The islands are all hills and forests, so comfortable shoes are a must. Sneakers, for instance, are perfect—scuffed or muddy, who cares? If you’re planning to dip into the geothermal springs, do yourself a favor and leave the white clothes at home. Trust us, they’ll come out looking like they’ve been through a war. Dark colors are your friends here. Practicality, after all, is the mother of all wisdom.
FAQ
How Do You Get to The Azores?
If you are wondering how to get to Azores, Portugal and there are no direct flights from your country, don’t despair. Connecting flights allow traveling to the Azores, primarily via Lisbon, Manchester, Brussels, Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf or New York.
By the way, if you fly via Lisbon, why not stay there for a couple of days? The city is ancient, beautiful, and has a rich history. And from there, the Azores is just a stone’s throw away. Local airlines will take you to any island of the archipelago. The main thing – do not forget to be in a good mood and have a little patience with you. Everything else will come with it.
There is an air service between all the islands called Azores Airlines. The average flight takes half an hour.
Ferry lines connect the central islands of Terceira, São Jorge, Pica, Faial, Graciosa, and the western islands of Floris and Corva. It is worth considering that the ferries do go day and make only a few trips per day.
Where are the Azores Islands?
The Azores are a bunch of land lost in the North Atlantic. Fifteen hundred kilometers west of Portugal, and three thousand nine hundred east of America. An archipelago that’s considered an autonomous region of Portugal, made up of nine islands. They’re divided into three groups: the eastern (São Miguel and Santa Maria), the central (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, and Faial), and the western (Flores and Corvo). Corvo, for instance, is a tiny little island, home to maybe two hundred people, no more. But how do they live there? No fuss, no rush, as if time has stood still. So it’s high time to pack your things and travel to Azores ASAP.
The post Everything You Need to Know for Your First Trip to the Azores first appeared on TravelsType.
