Azores Archipelago — Tour Highlights and Travel Tips
Azores Tour Highlights
- The main island of the Azores, São Miguel is a must-visit any day and the heart of this luscious archipelago. Twin lakes Caldeira das Sete Cidades boasts a palette of greens and blues an artist would pay top dollar for.
- For those seeking a peaceful vibe, Corvo is easily accessible from the center and holds a tiny population of only around 400-plus. This least-populated island offers the perfect place to unwind.
- For your inner geologist, the archipelago hosts 26 active volcanoes waiting to be explored. São Miguel, Falail, and Terceira are all home to volcanoes you can delve into with experienced Azores tour guide groups.
- The Azores' crystal clear waters are home to 30 whale species, making it one of the world's largest whale sanctuaries. For the best chance at whale spotting, try Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, Faial, and Graciosa. Look for local marine experts to learn about each species' individual quirks.
- As a collection of volcanic islands, signs of thermal activity abound! Make the most of your downtime in one of the islands’ many hot springs. The aptly named Furnas town is popular, with some springs even open after dark!
- The Azores islands are blessed with scenic trails of jaw-dropping views for hikes, trail runs, and biking. Sanguinho Trail and Lagoa do Fogo Trail on São Miguel Island are popular, Santo Espírito Maia Trail on Santa Maria Island is an easy trail with a waterfall, and Mistérios Negros Trail on Terceira Island is a stunningly beautiful 5km loop. And there are many others!
Azores Travel Tips
- To enjoy the journey as much as the destination, cruise tours offer that touch of luxury to your travels. Experience floating luxury with our Azores tours or regular ferries offer passenger and car-carry services across most islands.
- Consider the extra costs for small amenities in the hot springs. Always carry extra few Euros in cash for lockers and towels in the bathing areas.
- Locals in the Azores joke that it is possible to experience all 4 seasons in a day here. Take it seriously and make sure you pack smart and dress for all seasons.
- If you have 2 to 3 days, you should be able to get a taste of a couple of islands or spend them all exploring São Miguel. But if you want a full experience we recommend planning a week to a 10-day long trip.
- While the ferries between the islands are regular, the length of each trip varies. Closer islands are traversable within an hour, but if you want to see further islands, you’ll need closer to 3 hours.
- The best and easiest way to get to the Azores archipelago is via flight from Lisbon or Porto. You will also find flights from Faro and Madeira. Internationally, there are direct flights available to the islands from the USA, the UK, Canada, France, and others.
