Best of the Azores & Lisbon – 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Lisbon, Fly to São Miguel Island

Welcome to Portugal! Touch down in Lisbon, where you'll catch a connecting flight to São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores archipelago. Fringed with lava-stained beaches, these stunning volcanic islands are known for their crater lakes, mud pots, and thermal pools. If that's not enough, the waters surrounding the archipelago are filled with marine life, including whales and dolphins. Upon arrival, pick up your rental car and spend the evening settling in, or get out for a drive and catch your first glimpse of the so-called "Green Island."

Day 2: Explore the Furnas Valley

Discover the geothermal wonders of São Miguel today, from thermal pools to steam vents and fumaroles. Your first stop is the Pico do Ferro walking trail, which offers sweeping views of Furnas Lake. Move on to the Terra Nostra Botanical Garden, the oldest botanical garden in the Azores, where you can enjoy a dip in the thermal pools and natural Jacuzzis surrounded by forest. Here you can sample the local dish cozido, a stew slow-cooked underground using volcanic heat.

After lunch, continue exploring the landscape, visiting steam vents, fumaroles, and mineral fountains of various temperatures that gush from lava walls. You'll soon understand why this is one of Europe's richest hydrological regions. On the way back to Ponta Delgada, you'll have time to try some tea at the Gorreana Tea Factory. If you still have some energy, there's time for an optional sea kayaking tour along the island's rugged coastline.

Day 3: Azores Diving Trip & Beach Time

Explore the Azores' underwater treasures this morning with a diving adventure. You'll visit two of São Miguel's dive sites, which include the Lourenços, where you can dive with mobulas (rays) during summer, and other pelagic fish like carangidae and barracudas. Panela, on the island's south coast, is another favorite dive site, formed by large boulders that have created caves where marine life thrives, from octopus to moray eels and damselfish. 

The afternoon is yours to enjoy São Miguel's beaches. Head to Praia de Santa Bárbara for over half a mile (1 km) of soft sand and a great lunch spot at the nearby Tuka Tulá Bar. At Praia de Água D'Alto, you'll find a vast stretch of sand backed by dramatic cliffs—a combination that makes it one of the most popular beaches on the island.

If you want to swim, the sheltered Vila Franca do Campo Islet is a bather's paradise and a snorkeling hotspot. At the same time, the oceans around Praia do Fogo remain warmer due to nearby hot springs. Praia dos Moinhos can't be beaten for tranquility, while Praia dos Mosteiros—with its dark volcanic sand and towering rocks emerging from the sea—remains one of the best photo-ops on the island.

Day 4: Lagoa do Fogo Hiking Trip

Spend today hiking at Lagoa do Fogo (Fogo Lake), one of the island's biggest lakes. Start in Água D'Alto on the south coast, then follow an uphill path, climbing nearly 2,000 feet (600 m) in elevation. This brings you to a Levada site, where drinking water for the island is sourced; you can enjoy a flat walk here among lush native vegetation.

As the hike continues, you'll pass an area of aquifers, where rocks filter water into wells and springs, before arriving at stunning Fogo Lake. Relax on the banks with a picnic lunch; you'll also have a chance to swim in the crystal waters and lounge in the sun. Afterward, return to your hotel for dinner and a well-earned restful evening. 

Day 5: Azores Diving Trip, Free Afternoon

Start the day with another diving excursion. Visit two locations to experience more of the Azores' biodiverse marine life. Dive among lava formations and caves that shelter rainbow-hued creatures, from crustaceans and groupers to nudibranchs and pelagic schools of fish. Dive down among vertical walls that plunge to 150 feet (45 m), where it's possible to spot mobulas on their migration routes. 

Take the rest of the day to explore São Miguel, with its enviable landscape of forest-wrapped volcanic peaks, azure lakes, and calderas. Laze on black-sand beaches shadowed by soaring cliffs, soak in thermal pools or visit Ponta Delgada's fortress and 17th-century churches.

A top activity is hiking in Gruta do Carvão, the biggest lava tunnel on the island, which plows underground for more than a mile (1.6 km). Marvel at the cave's collection of stalactites and stalagmites in various colors. To get your blood pumping, head on an epic canyoning adventure where you'll cliff jump and rappel down waterfalls.

Day 6: Sete Cidades Hike, Whale Watching

The Azores are among the best whale watching destinations in the world, with over 20 species found in the archipelago's waters. After breakfast, you'll board a boat to spot these fantastic creatures alongside biologists. Search for whales and dolphins, discover the islands' coastline and sandy beaches, and take a tour around the islet of Vila Franca do Campo to glimpse its resident wildlife.

Spend the rest of the day exploring the Sete Cidades, which translates to "seven cities" but refers to a series of natural wonders. The sites include shimmering blue-green lakes like Empadadas, Santiago, and Twin Lakes. There are several viewpoints along the way, such as Carvão, and Vista da Princesa, where you can contemplate the landscape accessible only by foot.

On sunny days the Cumeeiras Trail around the volcano rim offers one of the most scenic walks on the island, with incredible views from both sides. Visit the local church and savor a cup of tea or coffee in the village inside the crater. On the way back, take a trail along the lake's edge surrounded by native flora.

Day 7: Fly to Lisbon, Food Tour 

Say goodbye to the Azores today and fly to Lisbon for the remainder of your trip! The Portuguese capital is full of winding cobbled streets traversed by yellow trams, with medieval towers, Baroque palaces, and dome-topped monasteries. That's not to mention world-class restaurants, buzzing markets, and a busy bar scene.

Settle into your hotel and relax ahead of this evening's foodie experience. Accompanied by a guide, you'll wander along the city's steep cobbled streets and alleys to taste traditional dishes and explore some of Lisbon's top neighborhoods. Stops include a local market and hotel school, as well as favorite city eateries where you can try everything from grilled sardines to pastel de nata (custard tart) and port wines. 

Day 8: Free Day in Lisbon, Evening of Fado

Get to know Lisbon with a local expert today on a tour that takes in the highlights and historical landmarks in the city center. You'll start at the Elevador de Santa Justa, a thin iron elevator built in 1902, where you can ride to the top of a 150-foot-tall (45 m) tower showcasing city views and the sea beyond. Then pass through the grand archway, Arco Monumental da Rua Augusta, which leads into Commerical Square, and discover the colorful Chiado district and bohemian Bairro Alto for hilltop views over the city.

Your guide will end the tour with some restaurant recommendations, and then you can explore independently. Pause for a coffee and sweet treat, and perhaps head out to the Belém neighborhood to visit UNESCO-listed Torre de Belém and Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, an imposing monastery built in 1501 in a blend of Gothic and Renaissance style. 

Finish the day with an optional dinner and music performance in the Bairro Alto. You'll dine on typical dishes at one of Lisbon's top restaurants, accompanied by the sounds of fado, a style of Portuguese music form that dates back to the 1820s.

Day 9: Day Trip to Évora & the Alentejo Region

Today you'll take a day trip to the rural Alentejo region, where the pace of life slows amid the area's iconic fertile plains. This sparsely populated yet vast swath of land between the Algarve region and Lisbon offers rolling hills, olive groves, vineyards, cork factories, and charming fortified towns. 

Enjoy the slower rhythm here; residents in the Alentejo region are more traditional than in other parts of Portugal, something you'll see reflected in their home-cooked cuisine and beautiful handicrafts. You'll also tuck into a delectable lunch at a typical Alentejo restaurant. 

Évora is a highlight of the region, and you'll have some time here. The UNESCO-listed city is filled with historical monuments, including some dedicated to the golden age of Portuguese maritime discoveries. You'll also find ancient ruins at the Templo Romano, gorgeous landmarks, and a lively dining scene. Head back to Lisbon afterward for a final evening in Portugal. 

Day 10: Depart Lisbon

Today your Portuguese adventure comes to an end. At the appointed time, your driver will take you to the airport in time to catch your homebound flight. Safe travels!

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