Tour Guide
Our suggestions for an unforgettable holidays


The Azorean archipelago has nine islands, each with its mysteries and charms. Although all share the same connection with Nature, each island has its own personality that needs to be experienced by itself.
Located in the middle of the Central Group, the island of Pico is in a privileged position to start this discovery. Here are our suggestions for a visit of a week or more, so that your Azorean experience is the richest possible.
It's very important that you consider the means of transport to use, since the best way to travel on the islands is by car. We advise you to rent one in advance!

Plan for a week - Triangle Islands (Pico, Faial and São Jorge)

These three islands of the central group are very close to each other and are served by regular sea links throughout the year. This facilitated access allows the visitors to hop into the neighboring islands in daily expeditions.
Pico

Pico The “Montain Island”
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The Mountain Island owes its name to the volcano that dominates its landscape, being the highest point of Portugal with 2351m. Pico, an island with approximately 15 thousand inhabitants, is located in the center of the Azores and the Triangle, being possible to visit Faial (25 minutes by boat) and São Jorge (50 minutes by boat) in short trips. This island is the youngest of the Azores and is famous for the volcanic landscape. It was in the basalt corrals that the famous wine that arrived at the table of the Russian Czars was created, before the European plague of the Phylloxera of the 1800’s attacked the local vineyards. However, the winemaking tradition was maintained and nowadays the Pico wines are making a comeback, while still being cultivated in the same black corrals that were considered World Heritage of Unesco. The tradition of winemaking joins agriculture, fishing and whale hunting. This last activity had its highest expression in the island of Pico, with the skill of Azorean sailors achieving worldwide fame, being referred in the best-known work of Melville, Moby Dick. The hunting was banned in 1987, but the old hunters and sailors found in Whale Watching a productive use of their abilities. In this island you will find a renowned gastronomic tradition with famous wines, the most renowned being the white wines, many liqueurs, good food and wonderful cheeses. Also very handy are the beautiful handicrafts such as lace and products related to whale hunting such as bone paintings and fish scales. For nature lovers do not miss this opportunity to walk through paths with little or no human intervention, as well as diving in the ocean from any point of the island.
Faial

Faial The “Blue Island”

The Blue Island owes its current name to the abundance of small trees called faia-das-ilhas. Faial has approximately 15 thousand inhabitants located mainly in the city of Horta where the Azorean parliament is located. A former district capital, Horta is known worldwide for its sheltered natural bay, a much-loved harbor in the North Atlantic. The history of this island and city is connected to the sea and the most adventurous visitor can still find the ruins of the forts and facilities built to protect an essential stopping point in the crossing of the Ocean. This island was also the stage of the last great eruption in the Azores. From 1957 to 1958 the Capelinhos Volcano emerged from the sea and added a new hill to the island. Its devastation is still visible and it is recommended to visit the interpretation center of the volcano, installed in the ruins of the old lighthouse. Other attractions not to be missed are: A visit to the iconic Peter Cafésport, an inescapable stopping point for sailors who still cross the ocean today. Go to the Capelinhos Volcano, site of the last great eruption in the history of the Azores, and visit the volcano interpretation center; Walk around Horta's marina. This marina is well known for the colorful paintings of the many ships passing by this island. Tradition says that if the boat crew leaves a painting at the marina, it guarantees good fortune for the rest of the voyage; Visit the Caldeira, and complete the path that circulates it; Visit the Miradouro do Monte da Guia and Espalamaca.
São jorge

São Jorge “Fajãs Island”

Called the Island of the fajãs, São Jorge has approximately 10 thousand inhabitants and its closest neighboring island is Pico. Its highest point is 1053m high, at Pico da Esperança. São Jorge is an island with a very distinct profile, being very long and thin and with the coastline ending in great cliffs. It is due to this steep coast that the island's population settled mostly in the famous fajãs. The fajãs are derived from the erosion of the cliffs, which, when collapsing, form flat coastal plains at sea level. This island is also very famous for its dairy products, namely the São Jorge cheese, a product with Protected Denomination of Origin known throughout the Country. If you have time, it is a unique (and delicious) experience to visit one of these dairies where you can also experience the typical Azorean sympathy. Other suggestions include: Visit the various Fajãs de São Jorge. There are not two of these small villages that are the same and each has its charm. One of them grows its own coffee, one of the few places in Europe capable of such; From Fajã dos Cubres you can visit Fajã de Santo Cristo, a very nice place, far from civilization, without running water, light, cars (need to go on foot or motorcycle). It is beautiful, because it is still a very virgin place. Discover (and bathe in, if you have courage) the two waterfalls that run all year to this fajã; See the view from Topo.

Plan for two or more weeks – Triangle Islands and São Miguel, Flores and Corvo

If you have enough time or are already planning your return, the island of Pico also has connections to the other Azorean islands. Whether by ferry during the summer or by plane all year round, these are the suggestions for the slightly more distant islands to visit.
Flores

Flores The “São Tomás Island”

Named first as the island of São Tomás, the Island of Flowers, it became known due to its abundant and luxuriant natural flora. Known by many as the most beautiful island of the Azores, this island is a paradise for visitors looking for Nature in the purest state. Both the Flores and its neighboring island Corvo are in the world-wide reserves of the Biosphere of Unesco. This island is part of the western group of Azores and has approximately 3800 inhabitants. Being the most western point of Europe, the best way to arrive at Flores is through the direct air connection from Faial island.
São Miguel

São Miguel The “Biggest one"”
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The largest island in size and population, São Miguel has 55% of the population of Azores. Although more urbanized, this island still has a natural beauty that will make you want to return to explore each corner to the greatest detail. As a complement to the many natural parks, São Miguel also has a great and varied gastronomy, with “queijadas”, cakes and delicacies crowned by the excellent pineapples and the tea cultivated in the island, one of the few European plantations. If you want a more cosmopolitan environment, you can find in Ponta Delgada, the capital of São Miguel, all the comforts and amenities of any modern city.
Corvo

Corvo The “little one”

Corvo is the smallest island of the Azorean archipelago, with only 400 inhabitants. This island is located 40 minutes by boat from Flores and is dominated by the Caldeirão, a crater that marks the final phase of an ancient volcano. When visiting these islands be sure to venture along the various trails and see: Rocha dos Bordões, a very peculiar volcanic formation; Gazebo do Morro Alto; In the center of the island visit the seven lagoons: Lagoa Funda, Branca, Seca, Rasa, Comprida, Lomba and Funda das Lajes; Waterfall of Ribeira Grande and those located between Fajãzinha and Ponta da Fajã (about 20); Falésia da Rocha Alta; See the Rock of the Friar and the Nun (Frade e da Freira) who look like two people and visit the cave of the Rooster (Galo), they are close; Islet of Monchique, the most western point of Europe; Visit Corvo Island by boat and take the Caldeirão trail (PRC2COR).