Hello there! If you are looking for the best places in the Azores, you have come to just the right place. Traveling the Azores is one of the best adventures to have when traveling Europe. The Portugese Archipelago will charm you with lush green landscapes while at the same time granting you impeccable ocean views of the Atlantic. Traveling the various islands of the Azores is something that should be on every Europe Bucket List!
This post contains sponsored links and affiliate links. Sponsored Links are links that a company paid me to insert. An affiliate links means that if you click on the products and book your tour or hotel via this link, I can get a commission. By doing so, you are doing me a huge favor, making it easier for me to be financially able to keep providing travel content for you! So it would mean the world to me, if you would book your hotels and tours via my links. Of course this comes with no additional costs for you!
FAQ on Traveling the Azores
How to Get to the Azores?
As the Azores are islands in the middle of the Atlantic, you most likely have to travel there by plane. Most of the islands have their own airport, however, chances are high that you will have a short layover on the Portuguese mainland. I started my Azores Travel Itinerary by visiting the island São Miguel and therefore arrived in Ponta Delgada.
Where to Stay in the Azores?
In total, I visited three of the nine islands in the Azores, São Miguel, Terceria and São Jorge. All these islands are filled to the brim with breathtaking places. Below you can find the hotels that I booked, which were all clean and comfortable and not on the most expensive end of the spectrum. However, one of these hotels really stood out and it is the Hotel Os Moinhos in São Jorge. This beautiful hotel is run by two women who put their heart and soul into all of their rooms and every dish they serve at their restaurant. There is seriously no better place to stay at.
- São Miguel – Hostels & Suites in Lagoa or Hotel do Colegio
- Terceria – the Emigrant House
- São Jorge – Hotel os Moinhos
How do you Get Around in the Azores?
As most of the things on this list of the top places to see in the Azores are located remotely, the best and almost only way to see them all is to rent a car on all the islands you want to visit. Check out Azores Rental Cars to rent a car.
What to Wear and Pack for Traveling the Azores?
As of their location, you can not expect a summer paradise like when traveling the beaches of Porto for example. Even in summer, the weather in the Azores is quite unpredictable and can change quite rapidly. That’s why you should always be prepared for a little rainfall, so my recommendation is to pack layers, going from a shirt and shorts to raincoats!
What to Eat When Visiting the Azores?
Surrounded by ocean on all sides, the Azores are a paradise for every seafood lover! From pulpo and calamari to freshly caught local fish, you will get your fill of salty deliciousness for sure! For those not too keen on eating fish, the Azores are also big in the cattle game, getting the steak lovers something to look forward to too. No matter what you end up eating, make sure to ask the waiters if they have any local wine on their menu too. What else could top off your perfect Azores dinner date if not having it with a glass of wine from the island Pico?
Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz – Portugese Azulejos and Ocean Views in São Miquel
Have you really been to Portugal if you haven’t at least seen one church decorated in the beautiful Azulejos? The typical and picturesqe white and blue tiles are so beautiful to look at. The most breathtaking place to see them in São Miquel is the Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz. This church sits on top of the mountain and especially on sunny days, everything you see here is blue. Blue ocean views, blue tiles and blue skies. Simply perfection!
Piscina Natural “Simão Dias” in São Jorge
There are places in the world that are just too magnificent. Simão Dias is a natural pool in São Jorge, which might just be the most spectacular place to go for a swim in the entire world. Because once you arrive to the parking lot, follow the signs to get there and walk the little path through the stone formation that will frame your way, you will reach the basin where you can swim in. Only that it is not simply a regular pool but framed by the most breathtaking stone formations. Although the water is incredibly cold and it took me a lot of willpower to get into it, there is not a swimming place that has a better scenery! Definitely one of the top places in São Jorge!
Angra do Heroísmo – The City of Pastels in Terceira
Before traveling to Terceira, I had never heard about the city called Angra do Heroísmo. This place is considered a hidden gem and one of the top things to do in Terceira! The city is located on the seaside, which not only gives its viewpoints some amazing ocean views but has also resulted in the city having a lovely harbor, which is perfect for promenading. Furthermore, the city’s houses are all colored in the most perfect pastel hues, turning it into this beautiful picture-perfect backdrop for photos. Last but not least, don’t miss out on wandering the Duke of Terceira’s gardens for a stroll up to the Memória a D. Pedro IV.
Miradouro do Pico do Ferro – Above the Furnas Valley in São Miquel
OK, you have to be prepared that this list of the most breathtaking places in the Azores contains many many miradouros. For those who don’t know, miradouro is the Portuguese word for viewpoint and when traveling the Azores, you will end up seeing many breathtaking viewpoints. So let’s start with the first one on my list! The Miradouro do Pico do Ferro is an incredibly spectacular place, because standing on a mountain, you can look right into the Furnas valley, one of the top things to do in São Miguel. You can see the lake which is a volcanic crate and all the beautiful green hills around it. Not to miss!
Café Nunes – European Coffee in São Jorge
One of the top things not to miss when visiting São Jorge is Europe’s only coffee plantation! In São Jorge you can find the Café Nunes, where they grow, harvest and roast their own coffee. You can taste their coffee and buy some to bring home. For me, this is one of the most special souvenirs to bring home!
Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego – A Flowery Paradise in São Miquel
One of the most breathtaking places in the Azores has to be the Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego. That’s because it might just be the place with the highest density of flowers in the entire world. Ok, now I may be exaggerating, but the petal density is really high in this place! Combined with the gorgeous ocean views that you get there it makes for the most incredible place to put on your Azores Itinerary!
Miradouro da Grota do Inferno – The most spectacular view in the Azores!
If I were to name a single reason to book a trip to the Azores, it would be this exact viewpoint. The Miradouro da Grota do Inferno embodies everything the Azores have to offer in a nutshell. The lush green hills, emerald-colored lakes, and volcanic crate are just incredible to see, especially on a sunny day.
Furnas do Enxofre – Getting Steamy in Terceira
There are countless places where you can experience the volcanic activities in the Azores first-hand. Of course not by actually touching anything volcano-related but there are these places where you can still see that we do live on a moving, shaking planet. Furnas do Enxofre is one of the best places in the Azores to spot it. Once you have walked to the site from the local parking lot, you will be not only embraced by a sulfur-rich scent but also steamy chimneys everywhere, that blow steam into the earth. On site you will find wooden walking paths taking you around, so you can see (and smell!) it all and to me it was an incredible experience!
Furnas Valley – a mythical place in São Miquel
On this list you already read about the Furnas valley, when mentioning the viewpoint from where you can overlook this exact place. And although the viewpoint is magnificent, seeing the Furnas Valley from below is even more magical. Once a volcano, you can still see the impact of volcanic activities when visiting the Caldeiras of Furnas, one of the top places to see in São Miquel. Here you can see steam evaporating from the earth. The air smells like sulfur and everywhere you can hear hot water sizzling. It is very exciting to go there. However, the most breathtaking place in the Furnas Valley has to be the Furnas Lake. Make sure to take a walk around it, if you have the time! What I loved about it, was its almost mythical atmosphere, created by the dense dark green forests around it. Adding to its unique atmosphere is the Capela de Nossa Senhora das Vitórias, one very pretty church. The best time to visit the Furnas Lake in my opinion is later in the afternoon, so you get it in all its gloomy glory!
Poça da Dona Beija – The coolest spa experience in the Azores in São Miquel
The reason, why I didn’t have the time to walk around the Furnas Lake was, that I already had prebooked tickets to visit the next place on this list of the best places in the Azores: Poça da Dona Beija. This place is incredibly amazing and let me tell you why! I am a sucker for unique spa experiences and this one definitely qualifies one. The thermal pools of Poça da Dona Beija are not only rich in minerals but also heated and the mud you can find in the pools make for great face masks. Just make sure to bring either old or dark bathing attire, as the iron-rich water will stain any light color and you will not get it out of the fabric.
Gorreana Tea Plantation – the Only Tea Plantation of Europe in São Miquel!
Not only can you find Europe’s only coffee plantation in Europe but it also has a tea plantation? The Azores are really a place for everyone. I loved visiting the Gorreana Tea Plantation but I loved trying their teas even more! The plantation itself is free for you to walk around and if you like you can also visit one of their tours through their factory. After that you can try the tea and of course buy their tea and other local delicacies as a souvenir!
Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo – See the Fire Lake in São Miquel
Adding more and more breathtaking viewpoints to the list of the best places in the Azores. The Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo is located on the higher part of São Miquel and due to that it made the experience of driving past the Lagoa do Fogo incredibly mystical for me. Why you may think? Because due to it being cloudy that day, the entire place was in and out of clouds, creating such a lovely atmosphere, it almost reminded me of driving through the Scottish Highlands.
Algar do Carvão – Volcanic Caves in Terceira
In Terceira, you can find a cave, that is one of its kind. The Algar do Carvão is a cave where the tunnel where the magma once came through stayed intact, creating not only a cave but also a little peephole. The caves are open for you to visit and are a must-do in my opinion!
Liked This Post About the Best Places in the Azores? Make Sure to Pin it for later!
