Hello there! I guess you are looking for tips on how to plan your trip to the Azores, especially to the island São Jorge, and let me tell you, you have come to the right corner of the internet. Traveling the Azores is an incredible adventure and there are so many things to see and experience there. The Portugese archipelago consists of multiple islands and this post is dedicated to all the top things you shouldn’t miss in São Jorge.
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FAQ
How to get to São Jorge?
For those arriving to or leaving São Jorge via airplane there is an airport in São Jorge called Aeroporto de São Jorge. However if you are coming from Terceira, you can also take the ferry between the islands. The ferry takes you on a 4 hour boat ride on the Atlantic, which is already a great experience, especially as the ferries are usually accompanied by dolphins!
How do you get around in São Jorge?
Although it might seem small in size, São Jorge is bigger than expected and super interesting in shape! When looking at a map, you might think that two places are super close together, however, the island’s center rises high incredibly, making even small distances almost impossible to walk. That’s why I recommend getting a rental car in any case, for example via Azores Rental Cars!
What to Wear and Pack for Traveling São Jorge?
In any Azores Travel Guide, it is crucial to mention that the weather in the Azores is ever-changing and that packing accordingly is important. That means layering multiple pieces of clothing on top of each other to be able to take off and put on whatever you need. Also, make sure to top it off with a water-resistant or waterproof layer.
What to Eat When Visiting São Jorge?
Visiting an island in the middle of the Atlantic ocean makes it quite clear that your offering of fresh and local seafood will be exquisite! We had the most amazing tuna and pulpo you can imagine.
1. Hotel os Moinhos
Ok, I know, usually I start those lists off with public places and experiences. However I want to make an exception and mention a hotel as one of the things you really shouldn’t miss when visiting São Jorge. I spent every night of my stay in São Jorge in the Hotel os Moinhos. And it is safe to say that every minute of my stay there was absolute perfection. The hotel is run by two lovely women, a mother and her daughter and you can feel their love and passion in every service they provide.
The wonderful apartment we booked there came with breakfast that was served with the most fantastic room. From the freshly pressed orange juice to the jam and cake, everything about the breakfast was just perfect. The breakfast was the perfect start to my time in São Jorge had me staying in the entire first day. The breakfast and pool were just too great to pass out on (that and the fact that I had to recover from 4 hours of rough sea on the ferry ride from Terceira.) Their pool even has a waterfall and on a sunny day, you can see the neighboring island Pico. Its peaceful and serene atmosphere created the perfect holiday for me. And of course, you might already imagine what I have to say about the fresh seafood I had for dinner – it was pure perfection!
Also, it may sound like my review of the Hotel os Moinhos is biased or over the top. I just want to assure you my stay there was not in the least sponsored and my review is completely by heart. However, if you do wish to support me, you can book your stay in the hotel via the link in this posting, so I will get a commission, which no extra charge for you.
2. Café Nunes
As I wrote in my Azores Travel Guide and in my posting about the top things to do in São Miquel, the Azores are the only place in Europe where you can visit a tea plantation. That’s already super cool in my opinion. But it is even cooler to know that in São Jorge, you can also find Europe’s only coffee plantation! At the Café Nunes, you can drink coffee that has been planted, grown harvested, and roasted at this very hill. For me, that’s super bucket list-worthy!
3. Fajã de São João
The cool thing about São Jorge’s geological shape is that although it is rising up quite steep in its center, it also has its so-called Fajãs. Fajãs are a patch of land that is surprisingly flat directly next to the steep hills. On these Fajãs you will mostly find small towns like São João. On my trip around the island, I had a stop here and took some time to explore this place. It is very serene and laid back and I loved to stroll its few streets and soak up the sun on its promenade for a while!
4. Cascata do Cruzal
As in São Miguel, you can also do some amazing waterfall chasing in São Jorge! The Cascata do Cruzal is located in something I would describe as a hidden green cove! You can park your car easily on the side of the road and then walk down to the waterfall. The small path going there is lined by a wooden handrail and so many hydrangeas, it is incredibly flowery and beautiful. The waterfall itself is super impressive and I completely fell in love with this place!
5. Farol do Topo Farol da Ponta do Topo
I simply love lighthouses! Not only because they are usually close to the ocean and I just love to look at any body of water but because they have such a calming and reassuring vibe. When traveling to São Jorge, the Farol do Topo is one of the must places you should visit. Not only because the coastline is incredible for a walk but right down at the tip you will also find a pool for you to swim in and parasols for sunbathing! So it is also the ideal place for you to bring your snacks, drinks, and towels to have a nice bathing time!
6. Piscina Natural “Simão Dias”
There are those places that just leave a lasting impression. One of them is the Piscina Natural “Simão Dias”. Located on one of the Fajãs, you can finde not one but two incredible natural pools, both rivaling to be the most picturesque sight in São Jorge. Althought it might be too cold to go swimming, the first pool you will come across is the perfect place to take a dip into the Atlantic while having a gorgeous view of the coastline of São Jorge. However, when you are patient enough to walk a few steps, you might also bathe underneath the most breathtaking basalt pillars. Definitely one of the top things not to miss when traveling São Jorge and one of the best places in the Azores!
7. Miradouro do Pico da Velha
If you didn’t already get the impression yet, I am a sucker for roadtripping and finding the most incredible viewpoints whereever I am! One of the most breathtaking ones in São Jorge is the Miradouro do Pico da Velha. From there, you can see the fields and towns of São Jorge, as well the ocean and the island Pico. Pretty sure, if you look closely, you can also spot some dolphins on a good day!
8. Parque Florestal das Sete Fontes
This is one of the top things not to miss in São Jorge! The Parque Florestal das Sete Fontes is a park/forest which is open for you to visit any time. For me it is one of the most magical places in the Azores. The forest is so dense that it creates and almost intimate atmosphere. I wouldn’t wonder if you would actually see a fairy or two when walking through it. It just has this fairytale like feeling about it, making it one of the top places not to miss in São Jorge!
9. Ponta dos Rosais
Are you a fan of those so called “lost places”? For those who don’t know, lost places are places that have been abandoned and aren’t restored or being cared for anymore. In São Jorge, you can find one of those places and it is called the Ponta dos Rosais. As I am not the biggest fan of lost places (I rather indulge in the charme of cities like Paris or Rome or natural wonders for that matter), I was in for the fabulous ocean view you get from its viewpoint. However, you can also walk around the complex of the old lighthouse but you are forbidden to enter.
Check Out GetYourGuide, if you want to see available guided tours for Sao Jorge!
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