From the plane, we gazed upon verdant rolling hills, their patchwork pattern framed by black volcanic stone walls. Below us, crystalline waters hugged a dark, rugged landmass floating serenely off the island’s coast. Soon, we’d learn these defining features were active volcanoes and ancient lava walls. Curious to learn more? Read on for a guide to the must-see sights, culinary delights, and unforgettable experiences in this 10 day Azores itinerary.
Tucked away in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores archipelago lies approximately 1,500 kilometers west of mainland Portugal. This chain of nine volcanic islands is celebrated globally as one of the world’s most sustainable destinations, thanks to its emphasis on preserving the natural environment, restricting visitor numbers, investing in renewable energy, and championing farm-to-table gastronomy.
These qualities—and the breathtaking images I’d seen splashed across social media—were the irresistible draw for our 10-day trip to the Azores. We explored the islands of Terceira, Faial, Pico, and São Miguel during our adventure. Opting to travel in the off-season, specifically in October, turned out to be a decision worth its weight in gold.
Prices dropped to a third of what you’d expect during the high season, hiking trails were blissfully free of megaphone-toting tour guides, and balmy weather meant t-shirts by day and the odd quirky tanlines to take home as souvenirs. Keep reading for the ultimate travel guide to the Azores and start planning your adventure today!
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10 Days in the Azores
The Azorean archipelago is located at the junction of the Eurasian, North American, and African tectonic plates. In layman’s terms, this means the Azores are a geological hotspot brimming with (dormant) volcanoes, craters, and chimneys. Think Avatar-esque landscapes, fairytale lakes nestled at the bottom of cauldron-like hollows, or natural pools and hot springs.
In practice it means you are in for the adventure of a lifetime, that is if you are a fan of outdoor activity. This is not the “lie on a beach and drink a cocktail” type of holiday destination. You will want to pack hiking boots, a waterproof coat (and pants), and plenty of layers. More on that below!
This Azores travel guide will take you through 4 out of the nine islands: Terceira, Faial, Pico, and São Miguel. We flew into Terceira (Lajes Airport, TER) and out of São Miguel (Ponte Delgada, PDL) as this allowed us to maximize our time on the islands. You could however start and end your trip in São Miguel Island with a few minor tweaks.
TIP | When planning out your Azores itinerary, make sure to leave wiggle room. The weather in the Azores is notoriously fickle, therefore my best advice to you is to head out with a flexible mindset. Shuffling around activities is part and parcel of the Azores experience as is getting drenched in an unexpected bout of rain. We did, multiple times!
PREPARE YOUR TRIP: You might also like “Renting a Car in the Azores: Wisdom or Folly“.
DAY ONE TO THREE – TERCEIRA ISLAND
READ BEFORE YOU GO | 10 Things to do in Terceira
We started our Azores 10-day itinerary on Terceira Island, also known as the purple island. I absolutely loved whizzing around Terceira island and exploring the Jurassic Park-like scenery from mist-shrouded volcano tops, to lush covered rolling hills dotted with skittish cattle, rugged coastline with the sapphire-colored sea crashing against black vulcanic rocks, pastel-hued little villages and endless supplies of (white) Pico wine and São Jorge cheese.
We flew into Lajes Airport and immediately picked up our rental car at the airport. What followed were three full days exploring Terceira, an absolute minimum if you ask me. This is the third-largest island in the archipelago and together with São Miguel the most inhabitant.
My favorite part of the trip was cruising around the east coast exploring the many little villages punctuating the rugged coastline. These villages are home to some of the most colorful Impérios or typical Azorean chapels dedicated to the veneration of the Holy Spirit.
Highlights of Terceira
- Explore Angra do Heroísmo
- Sunrise at Miradouro da Serra do Cume
- Walk down a volcanic crater: Algar do Carvão
- Hike Furnas do Enxofre – Terceira PRC10 TER (Hiking Trail)
- Explore the villages of the east coast: Sao Sebastian, Porto Martins, Porto Judeu
- Swim in natural pools in Biscoitos
- Do a wine tasting at Materramenta
- Explore the Western coastline (in a buggy)
- Hike Monte Brasil – Terceira PRC04 TER (Hiking Trail)
- Head to the Cascata das Frechas
- Go whale and dolphin watching
Where to stay on Terceira
We opted to stay in Browse the Angra do Heroismo. The reason for this is twofold. On the one hand, it is close to every major attraction in Terceira (a 25 min drive), while on the other it is the largest town on the island and thus has the most varied options of accommodations to choose from. Browse the various accommodations in Angra do Heroismo.
Where we stayed: Shipyards – Big fan of this hotel. It was centrally located in town yet still quiet enough to sleep well, had on-site parking, really plush beds, and a delicious breakfast buffet!
Off-the-beaten-path accommodation: Basalto Negro AL – On the outskirts of town. I was eying this property because it has a nice garden to relax in as well as a jacuzzi. Plus it was slightly more budget-friendly.
Boutique B&B: Azores Book Hotel – If I was traveling with my partner, this would be the hotel I would pick. It is centrally located, has spa and wellness facilities, gym, inside and outside pool and terrace.
Practical Tips for Visiting Terceira
GETTING AROUND | We ended up renting a car right at the airport. Public transportation is available, although it runs on its own schedule and does not get you nearly everywhere. Prices between €30 and €65 per day. Check pricing and book online.
TOUR | If you do not feel comfortable driving, there are a host of affordable day tour options ranging from €80 to €120 per person for the full day. Have a browse on Viator or GetYourGuide for the best tours.
DAY FOUR TO FIVE – EXPLORE FAIAL ISLAND
READ BEFORE YOU GO | 10 Things to do on Faial Island
On day 4 of our trip we flew from Terceira to Horta Airport (HOR) on Faial with SATA Airlines. Once there was a ferry service connecting the various islands in the archipelago, that privately owned service unfortunately did not make it through the pandemic. Therefore, at the time of writing, a flight is the only option to reach Faial from Terceira.
This Azores island is known as the Blue Island. A name derived from the writings of Portuguese poet Raul Brandão describing the large number of hydrangeas that bloom during the summer months. Alas, these quintessential Azorean flowers were not in bloom when we visited in October.
Faial does not tend to make it to most people’s Azores itinerary, oftentimes overshadowed (in this case quite literally) by the likes of Pico, São Miguel, and Terceira. The island deserves at least one full day to explore! It is the youngest of the nine islets, yet has one of the coolest hikes (Caldeira Hiking Trail) and the most informative museum on the vulcanic activity of the islands (Capelinhos Volcano and Interpretation Center).
TIP | The 35-minute flight from Terceira to Faial takes you right past the Pico Vulcano, if you want a great view from the airplane, make sure to sit on the left-hand side of the plane. It was probably one of the most impressive flights I took in my life.
Highlights of Faial
- Explore the village of Horta and its marina
- Watch the sunset from Monte da Guia
- Go on a sunrise mission to Espalamaca Lookout. Doubles up as one of the best spots for a picnic on the island!
- Swim on Porto Pim Beach and stay for sunset
- Delve into the inner workings of volcanoes at the Capelinhos Volcano and Interpretation Center
- Hike the rim of a crater – Caldeira Hiking Trail
- Visit the most beautiful black sand beach – Praia de Almoxarife
- Hit the water: Diving with blue sharks and manta rays or go snorkeling
- Visit Ribeirinha and the abandoned church
- Book a whale and dolphin-watching experience
Where to stay on Faial
Nearly all the accommodations on Faial Island are in the town of Horta. We also opted to stay here due to the proximity to both the airport and the ferry terminal (we traveled to Pico Island by ferry). Either browse the various hotels in Horta or have a look at my top picks below.
Where we stayed: Hotel do Canal – Located right off the Marina in Horta with a spectacular view of Mount Pico from the bedrooms. It also had on-site parking which came in handy for us!
Where I would stay for the views: Lofts Azul Pastel – I was eying this property because it has the very best views possible. Located a bit outside of Horta, so only book this spot if you have a rental car.
Boutique B&B: Pousada Forte da Horta – This is the hotel I would book if I were traveling with my partner. Located smack in the center of Horta in a historical fort! The views are equally mindblowing I have to say.
Practical tips for visiting Faial
GETTING AROUND| We ended up renting a car right at the airport. The number of rental cars available on Faial is limited so make sure you book way in advance. We dropped off our car at the Port of Horta before taking the ferry to Pico. Prices range from €30 to €65 per day. Check pricing and book online.
TOUR | If you do not feel comfortable driving, there are a host of affordable tour options ranging from €50 to €110 per person. Have a browse on Viator or GetYourGuide for the best tours.
GETTING THERE | Allow for enough time when it comes to taking flights between the islands. From my experience, the flights are often delayed (yep, that pesky weather again). So be flexible with your travel schedule!
DAY SIX TO SEVEN – HEAD TO PICO ISLAND
READ BEFORE YOU GO | 10 Things to do on Faial Island
On day six of our trip, we popped on a ferry that took us from the Marina of Horta (Faial) to the Madalena ferry port (Pico Island). Ferries run multiple times a day (weather permitting), taking you from A-Z in 30 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket counter or online and cost €12 per person. Make sure to be at the terminal 30 minutes before departure!
Pico is carpeted in black basalt-lined vineyards that have endured for half a millennium and dominated by a towering volcano often cloaked in misty bruma (fog) and encircled by sapphire-blue seas. The island is known as the grey island, due to the lava fields (lajidos) scattered around the island and the basaltic stone walls and paths that divide the land.
There are two ways to enjoy the island: the active way, by clambering up said the highest mountain in Portugal (the Pico Vulcano); and the leisurely way, by going on an extensive tour of the famous Pico vineyards. We opted to do both, which meant we needed two full days on the island as the climb of Mount Pico is a full-day affair.
GOOD TO KNOW | The ferry was blissfully calm when we took it. As someone who suffers from terrible sea sickness, I was honestly a smidge adverse to heading out to sea, but it turned out I did not even need to take a sea sickness tablet.
Highlights of Pico
- Learn about the viticulture of Pico in the wine museum
- Visit the Gruta das Torres (Torres Caves)
- Climb up Mount Pico – I would recommend doing a guided climb for safety (we did!)
- Hunt down the red windmills
- Drive the prettiest road in this entire Azores travel guide: Estrada Miradouro do Pico
- Book a wine tasting with a view at the Azorean Wine Company or take a dedicated wine tour of various vineyards
- Learn about the whaling history of the island at the Museu dos Baleeiros (Whaling Museum)
Where to stay on Pico
We ended up staying in Lajes do Pico which is one of the largest towns on the island and has a variety of different accommodations. This is great if you are flying in or out of Pico as it is close to the airport. Alternatively, if you are thinking of taking a ferry, consider booking accommodations in Madalena. Or simply browse all accommodations on Pico.
Where we stayed: Aldeia da Fonte – A lovely, locally run, B&B in Lajos da Pico. It was wonderfully quiet and green, had an on-site sauna, and a very nice restaurant serving delicious breakfast and dinner. They also have a nice viewpoint by the sea and a large private parking area.
Hotel with the best view on the island: Porto Velho Boutique Hostel – Located right opposite the harbor in Madalena, this nice and affordable accommodation is one you book for the views! Oh, and the fact it is so close to the ferry terminal.
Sustainable splurge: Lava Homes – This is absolutely the hotel I would stay in if I were traveling with my partner. We had lunch in the on-site restaurant of this hotel and goodness me was it good! The views and super friendly staff were really the cherry on top of the sundae.
Practical tips for visiting Pico
GETTING AROUND PICO | We ended up renting a car from the ferry terminal in Madalena and dropped in off at the airport in Lajes do Pico. In order to see the main highlights of the island you will need a car. Prices hover between €30 and €65 per day. Check pricing and book online.
TOUR | If you do not feel comfortable driving, there are a host of affordable day tour options ranging from €80 to €120 per person for the full day. Have a browse on Viator or GetYourGuide for the best tours.
CLIMBING MOUNT PICO | You can do it on your own, at least that’s what you will read in most travel guides. Azores weather however is super unpredictable. You could start with sunshine at the bottom, and be welcomed at the top by a rainstorm and wind ripping at your raincoat for dear life. A thick layer of fog could also suddenly appear out of nowhere, and this is where having a guide really comes in handy. The full hike takes around 6 hours, covering 7.6 km (4.1 mi) with an ascent of 1150 meters (3772 feet). It’s pretty brutal, to be honest. Walking sticks are a must, we received ours from our tour guide.
PICO WINES | The vineyards in Pico are classified as UNESCO World Heritage. With grapes grown in volcanic soil, the Pico wines have a distinct mineral taste. If you do a wine tasting, make sure to order native grape varieties such as Verdelho, Arinto dos Açores, and Terrantez do Pico.
DAY EIGHT TO TEN – OFF TO SAO MIGUEL ISLAND
READ BEFORE YOU GO | 22 Things to do on São Miguel | Visiting Miradouro da Boca do Inferno on São Miguel Island
Most people will both start and end their Azores 10-day itinerary on the island of São Miguel. Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL) is the main gateway to the Azores and is connected to various airports in Europe and the US. From there, regional carrier SATA/Azores Airlines provides frequent flights to the other islands in the Azores.
We flew from Pico to Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL). Our flight was delayed by multiple hours due to the weather, unfortunately, this is part and parcel of travel in the Azores. The Pico airport was very small and had only one restaurant (be aware, once you pass security there is only a vending machine). You might want to pack snacks, just in case!
The green island – the reason for this name will become evident about 2 seconds after you land – is the most well-developed in terms of (tourism) infrastructure. We spent just shy of four days crisscrossing the island, yet could easily have spent double without getting bored! If you have more time on your hands, consider extending your stay on the São Miguel by a few days.
São Miguel Island was admittedly my favorite of all the islands we visited. The bottle-green lakes, spectacular roads winding along rugged coastlines, and jaw-dropping vulcanic landscapes found on this small islet felt like they belonged on the set of Avatar.
TIP | If you are planning on visiting this little starlet avoid June to mid-September. The islet is very well connected to mainland Europe and the US and thus tends to attract hordes of tourists. Despite the government’s efforts to ensure sustainable tourism, the island is slowly becoming a victim of its natural beauty. Large tourist buses from which tourists spill out eagerly snapping a shot at a miradouro or severely clogged hiking trails are what you can expect during these months.
Highlights of São Miguel Island
- Spend a little time traipsing around the capital Ponta Delgada
- Try the sweetest pineapple you will ever eat at the local Azorean pineapple plantation
- Get windswept at the Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz
- Visit Ilheu de Vila Franco Campo in a kayak or glass-bottom boat
- Catch the sunset at Miradouro da Boca do Inferno. One of the most beautiful spots of this entire Azores 10-day itinerary!
- Head to the quieter Mosteiros Beach for sunset without the crowds
- Go dolphin and/or whale-watching
- Drive or hike around the Sete Cidades Lakes
- Sunrise at Miradouro do Pico do Carvão
- Go for a soak at Caldeira Velha Environmental Interpretation Centre
- Try the traditional fair: Cozido das Furnas
- Visit the Mata Jardim José do Canto
- Get your feet wet in the Ribeira Quente waterfall
- Catch the sunrise at Lagoa do Fogo
- Nip some tea at the only tea plantation in Europe
- Go canyoning in Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Where to stay on São Miguel.
We stayed in Ponta Delgada as it was the city with the most accomodations on offer and all the highlights of the island were within 1 hour drive. There are various cities in Portugal that go by the same name so double-check before you confirm your booking that your pick is actually the capital of São Miguel island!
Where we stayed: The Farm – Azores Boutique Hotel – There are no superlatives to express how much I loved this hotel. The rooms were beautifully decorated, with super plush beds and a nice big tub. The breakfast was made using local ingrediënts and positively scrumptious and they had on-site parking!
Luxury Pick: Do Colegio – Looking for a bit more luxury during your trip to the Azores? Do Colegio is absolutely where I would stay in that case! Located in fully renovated historical 19th-century manor in Ponta Delgada.
Boutique B&B: Casa do Campo de São Francisco – Although I stand by my first choice of The Farm, if I was traveling with my family, I would probably opt to stay in this centrally located B&B.
Practical tips for visiting São Miguel
GETTING AROUND | As is the case for all the islands in this Azores itinerary, we ended up renting a car right at the airport. The number of rental cars available on São Miguel Island is limited so make sure you book way in advance. Prices hover between €35 and €65. Check pricing and book online.
TOUR | If you do not feel comfortable driving, there are a host of affordable tour options ranging from €50 to €110 per person. Have a browse on Viator or GetYourGuide for the best tours.
How to Get Around the Azores
Traveling between the islands of the Azores
FERRY |Ferries are an excellent way to island-hop, especially between nearby islands like Faial, Pico, and São Jorge. Operated by Atlânticoline and bookable online. From April to October there are considerably more ferries. Prices range from €7 to €20 one-way, depending on the route and distance.
FLY | For longer distances, inter-island flights with SATA Air Açores are the fastest and most reliable option. These short flights (typically 30–50 minutes) connect all islands year-round, with prices starting at around €60-€120 one way. Make sure to book in advance as prices do tend to fluctuate.
Driving the car or using public transport
I truly wish I can sell you on the merits of using public transport. Sadly, I cannot. Wanting to give you the best Azores itinerary possible, containing the highlights of each island and allowing for enough time to truly experience the various spots, means I can only advocate renting a car.
There is a limited form of public transportation on both Terceira and São Miguel island in the form of busses. Unfortunately they do not connect most tourist highlights and much akin to the weather, they are very fickle. Car rentals typical start at €35 per day in low season and go up to €65 a day from April to October. You will want to book in advance as there is a very limited amount of cars on each island available for rent. Oh, and the cars are usually stick shift. So you might want to practice before you decide to rent a car!
Practical Tips for Visiting the Azores
How to get to the Azores
Start your 10 days in the Azores by either flying into São Miguel’s Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL). This island is the main gateway to the Azores and connected to various airports in Europe and the US. From there, regional carrier SATA/Azores Airlines provides frequent flights to the other islands in the Azores.
Terceira’s Lajes Airport has flights to and from Lisbon and a handful of other European cities. We got lucky and flew direct from Brussels Charleroi to Terceira Lajes Airport. If you can’t find a nonstop flight, the easiest way to get to the Azores is from mainland Portugal via Lisbon or Porto.
Weather in the Azores
Keep an eye on the weather via the Spot Azores Webcams set-up across the various islands for this very purpose. As is oftentimes the case for islands, the weather can be very fickle. We noticed that traditional weather apps did not really work for the Azores and relied on these webcams instead.
Best month to visit the Azores
Many travel guides to the Azores will tell you to come between June to September, as this is the driest time of year and also the best month to see the hydraengas. That being said, prices triple and the islands are absolutely jam-packed. Personally I would avoid these months at all costs instead opting for shoulder season. We visited in October and were able to walk around in a T-shirt!
What to pack for a trip to the Azores
All of the islands in the Azores have a generally tepid, oceanic, mild to warm subtropical climate. Leave your heavy clothes at home, temperature wise the islands never drop below 13°C (55°F). What you will want to pack is a good raincoat, hiking boots, and many breathable layers of clothing.
MORE TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR VISITING THE AZORES
AZORES: 10 Things to do in Terceira Island
AZORES: 7 Things to do in Pico Island
AZORES: 22 Things to do in São Miguel Island
AZORES: 10 Things to do in Faial Island
AZORES: Renting a car in the Azores, wisdom or folly?
AZORES: 50 Things to do in the Azores
AZORES: Visiting Miradouro da Boca do Inferno on São Miguel Island
10-Day Azores Itinerary – Pin it
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