Azores travel guide: islands, things to do and itineraries

An Azores trip means nine volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic: crater lakes, hot springs, fields of hydrangeas, vines growing on lava and boat trips to watch whales and dolphins. This Azores travel guide covers the archipelago, an autonomous region of Portugal, which falls into three groups: São Miguel and Santa Maria in the east, five islands in the centre (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, Faial), and Flores and Corvo in the west. It helps you choose your islands, your itinerary and your budget.

When to go to the Azores

✓ Ideal~ Good, with caveats✕ AvoidAverage max. temperature · click a month to see where to go

Jan18°C/64°F

Feb17°C/63°F

Mar18°C/64°F

Apr19°C/66°F

May20°C/68°F

Jun22°C/72°F

Jul25°C/76°F

Aug26°C/79°F

Sep25°C/77°F

Oct23°C/73°F

Nov20°C/68°F

Dec18°C/65°F

✅ Best months: may, June, July, August, September

❌ Period to avoid: January, December

The best period runs from June to September: it is the driest and sunniest season, with afternoon temperatures of 22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F) in Ponta Delgada according to IPMA normals. May and October suit hiking well, with more changeable weather. Winter stays mild (17 to 18 °C / 63 to 64 °F) but rainy, and inter-island connections can be disrupted. All the details, month by month: the best time to visit the Azores. Those winter disruptions also feature in our Madeira or the Azores comparison, which sets the two archipelagos side by side.

Things to do in the Azores: the highlights

Sete Cidades (São Miguel)

In the northwest of São Miguel, a vast caldera holds two connected lakes, one blue-looking, the other green. The Vista do Rei viewpoint offers the best-known view, and a trail runs around the rim. Morning is often the clearest time; if clouds cover the crater, come back later. Nearby, Ponta da Ferraria has a natural pool where a hot spring mixes with the ocean, usable depending on sea conditions.

Furnas and Lagoa do Fogo (São Miguel)

The Furnas valley is the volcanic heart of the island: fumaroles, bubbling springs and cozido das Furnas, a stew cooked for several hours in the hot ground by the lake. Terra Nostra Park has a large pool of iron-rich thermal water and a botanical garden; the pools of Poça da Dona Beija are another option. Between Ponta Delgada and Furnas, Lagoa do Fogo, an undeveloped crater lake, can be seen from the road or on foot. In the north, the Gorreana and Porto Formoso tea plantations are open to visitors.

Ponta Delgada

The archipelago’s main town has kept a centre built of black volcanic stone and white lime: the city gates, churches, the Graça market and the waterfront. It is the starting point for most whale- and dolphin-watching trips on São Miguel.

Pico

Pico island is dominated by the volcano of the same name, Portugal’s highest summit (2351 m (7,713 ft)). The long, steep climb is regulated: check access conditions with Casa da Montanha, the mountain house at the start of the trail, before you set off; a guide is recommended. On the coast, the Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a grid of lava-stone walls that shelter the vines from the ocean. Lajes do Pico, a former whaling port, is now a whale-watching centre.

Faial and Horta

Horta is a famous stopover for transatlantic sailors: on the marina walls, crews paint a record of their passage, and Peter Café Sport is an institution. In the west of the island, the Capelinhos volcano, born of an eruption in 1957–1958, left a landscape of ash around an old lighthouse, with an interpretation centre. The caldera, in the centre of Faial, can be explored on foot in clear weather.

Terceira and Angra do Heroísmo

Angra do Heroísmo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most attractive towns in the archipelago, with its colourful streets, churches and Monte Brasil. Inland, Algar do Carvão lets you descend into a volcanic vent; its opening hours are limited, so check them. Terceira is also known for its popular festivals and its bullfights « on a rope » (touradas à corda).

São Jorge and its fajãs

Long and narrow, São Jorge is lined with cliffs at whose foot lie fajãs, small coastal plains formed by landslides or lava flows. Trails lead down to them, such as the one to Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo. The island produces a renowned cheese.

Santa Maria and Graciosa

Santa Maria, the southernmost island, is said to be the driest and sunniest in the archipelago, with light-sand beaches that are rare in the Azores. Graciosa, small and little visited, is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve; you can descend into Furna do Enxofre, a volcanic cave beneath the caldera. Two quiet islands for those who have already seen São Miguel.

Flores and Corvo

At the western end, Flores is the island of waterfalls and lakes, the wildest in the archipelago; tiny Corvo amounts to one village and a crater. Connections are less frequent and weather-dependent: allow spare days.

Itinerary ideas for the Azores

7 days: São Miguel

1. Day 1: arrival in Ponta Delgada, historic centre
2. Day 2: Sete Cidades, viewpoints and Ferraria
3. Day 3: whale- and dolphin-watching trip, afternoon in Ponta Delgada
4. Day 4: Lagoa do Fogo and Caldeira Velha
5. Days 5–6: Furnas (cozido, Terra Nostra), tea plantations, Nordeste
6. Day 7: hike or beach, departure

10 days to 2 weeks: São Miguel and the central group

1. Days 1–5: São Miguel
2. Days 6–8: Pico (vineyards, Lajes, the climb if the weather allows)
3. Days 9–10: Faial (Horta, Capelinhos, the caldera) by ferry from Pico
4. Days 11–12: São Jorge and its fajãs, or Terceira and Angra do Heroísmo
5. Days 13–14: back to Ponta Delgada or Terceira, departure

Keep a spare day at the end: flights and ferries between the islands are sometimes cancelled because of bad weather.

How much does a trip to the Azores cost?

Indicative amounts per person per day, excluding flights:

Item	Tight budget	Comfort
Accommodation (based on a shared double room)	about €30–50	about €70–140
Meals	about €20–30	about €40–70
Transport (shared rental car, fuel)	about €15–25	about €25–40
Activities (whale watching, hot springs, guides)	about €5–15	about €20–50
Total per day	about €70–120	about €155–300

The rental car is the first cost to watch in summer: book it at the same time as your flights. To visit several islands, add inter-island flights and ferries.

Who are the Azores for?

Our verdicts by traveller type, based on the places, conditions and budget ranges in this guide:

• Hiking and nature: ideal: the Sete Cidades caldera rim, Lagoa do Fogo, the fajã trails on São Jorge, the regulated climb of Pico, the waterfalls of Flores.
• Whale watching: a very good choice: boat trips from Ponta Delgada and from Lajes do Pico, a former whaling port.
• Couples: yes: the thermal pools of Terra Nostra and Poça da Dona Beija, rural houses on the north coast, the UNESCO-listed town of Angra do Heroísmo.
• Families: yes, with a car: thermal pools, boat trips, the descent into Algar do Carvão. Keep a spare day for flights and ferries cancelled by bad weather.
• Tight budgets: so-so: about €70–120 a day, with car rental weighing heavily in summer. Book it at the same time as your flights.
• Beach: no: the sea is cool and the weather changeable, even in summer. Santa Maria, the driest island, has a few light-sand beaches, rare in the archipelago.

Getting there and getting around the Azores

• Getting there: Ponta Delgada Airport on São Miguel is the main gateway; Terceira and Horta (Faial) also receive flights from the mainland. Many international travellers connect via Lisbon or Porto; check current routes from your home airport.
• Car: essential for exploring an island at your own pace. Roads are good but winding, and fog can be thick at altitude. UK photocard licences can be used in Portugal (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026); US licences are valid for up to six months, and for an International Driving Permit the State Department refers you to AAA or the National Auto Club (travel.state.gov, last updated December 11, 2025). In the Azores, the State Department warns of narrow cobblestone streets, blind curves and livestock on country roads. Licence, insurance and pick-up in Ponta Delgada: see our guide to car rental in the Azores.
• Bus: buses link the main towns on São Miguel and the other islands, with limited timetables, especially at weekends.
• Plane: SATA Air Açores links Ponta Delgada with Santa Maria, Terceira, Faial (Horta), Pico, São Jorge and Flores.
• Ferry: routes link Faial, Pico and São Jorge; other lines run mainly in summer. Crossings can be cancelled in rough seas.
• Taxis and tours: useful for one-way hikes or 4×4 trips.

Base	Best for	Good to know
Ponta Delgada	First visit, boat trips, restaurants	Central, 20–40 minutes from the main sights
Furnas	Hot springs, nature	Damper, village atmosphere
North coast of São Miguel	Peace and quiet, rural houses	Car essential
Horta (Faial)	Seafaring atmosphere, ferry to Pico	Small town, lively in summer
Madalena or Lajes (Pico)	Vineyards, the climb, whale watching	More limited choice
Angra do Heroísmo (Terceira)	UNESCO-listed town, festivals	Good base for the island

Options range from hotels to rural houses and homestays. Choice is limited on the smaller islands: in summer, book several months ahead.

Entry requirements, health and safety

• US citizens (travel.state.gov, page updated December 11, 2025): you may enter Portugal, including the Azores, for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa; your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your stay; you need sufficient proof of funds and a return ticket.
• UK citizens (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026): Schengen rules apply, up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa; your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is now in place: fingerprints and a photo are taken at your first entry (free).
• Health: for vaccines, GOV.UK refers to TravelHealthPro’s Portugal guide and travel.state.gov advises being up to date on all CDC-recommended vaccinations. Take out travel insurance that covers medical costs and repatriation, especially if you plan to hike; UK residents can also use a GHIC or a valid EHIC.
• Safety: the U.S. Department of State says pickpocketing is common at popular tourist sites; GOV.UK notes that hiking in the Azores can be challenging, so choose paths that suit your fitness.
• Natural hazards: GOV.UK lists earthquakes as a risk in Portugal and, for the Azores, refers to the Earthquake Information and Surveillance Centre.
• Sea and hiking: respect the flags: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 11 August 2026), a red flag means you must not enter the water and a yellow flag means it is only safe to paddle at the water’s edge; beware of rip currents. In the mountains, be properly equipped, stay on marked trails and don’t hike alone.
• Emergencies: 112.

To choose the right cover, see our guide to travel insurance.

Practical tips for the Azores

• Weather: always pack a waterproof windbreaker and a warm layer, even in August; check the webcams before driving up to the viewpoints.
• Money: cards are widely accepted; keep a little cash for small cafés and markets.
• Internet: check your home carrier’s roaming charges before you leave, or use a local or eSIM data plan.
• Whale watching: choose an operator that follows Portuguese regulations on approaching the animals.
• Hot springs: the iron-rich water at Furnas stains light-coloured swimwear: bring an old swimsuit.
• Food and drink: try cozido das Furnas, São Jorge cheese, São Miguel pineapple, grown in greenhouses, and Pico wine.

Further reading

The weather changes quickly from one island to the next: before setting your dates, read the best time to visit the Azores, with month-by-month weather in Ponta Delgada. The Azores are one hour behind Lisbon: our page on time differences in Portugal explains the offset for each region. To combine the archipelago with the mainland during a stopover, see our Portugal travel guide and our Lisbon guide.

Frequently asked questions

Our sources

• Entry requirements, health and safety checked on 24 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, Portugal country information (last updated December 11, 2025) and UK FCDO, GOV.UK foreign travel advice for Portugal (updated 11 August 2026).
• Climate data: 1991–2020 normals for the Ponta Delgada station (Afonso Chaves observatory), Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA)
• Our methodology

Updated October 2026.

To combine the Azores with the mainland, see our Portugal travel guide, our Lisbon guide, our Madeira guide and our other destinations in Europe.

Our guides: Azores (2 guides)

Cities, islands and regions

Car rental

When to go

When to go: Azores

Other destinations in the region

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