Island Hopping in the Azores: São Miguel, Faial, Pico & Terceira - 15 Days

Highlights

• Visit the Sete Cidades Lagoon, set in a massive volcanic crater
• Tour Europe's only permanent tea plantations
• Climb Mount Pico, Portugal's highest peak
• Swim in Terceira's natural lava rock pools

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive on Terceira Island & Transfer to Ponta Delgada

Welcome to the Azores! Considered some of the most beautiful islands in the world, this archipelago is one of Portugal's best-kept secrets. Pick up your rental car at the Terceira International Airport, then, take a ferry to Ponta Delgada, the capital of São Miguel Island.

Explore Ponta Delgada at your leisure. Some architectural highlights include the São Sebastião Church, which has a Manueline (Portuguese late-Gothic) portal, the Nossa Senhora da Esperança Convent, and the Carlos Machado Museum. Visit the famous Azorean pineapple plantations outside the city center or the Gruta do Carvão, an ancient lava tube 5,413 feet (1,650 m) long.

Day 2: Discover the West Side of São Miguel

Take the day to explore the western side of São Miguel, which contains the island's lagoon region. The highlight of the region—and the island—is the Sete Cidades Lagoon. Easily the most iconic landscape in all of the Azores, the lagoon is set inside a gigantic volcanic crater. For a unique adventure, explore its shores by kayak or canoe. Swimming is allowed in a designated area in summer.

Hikers can also enjoy the numerous trails surrounding the lagoon, which often provide sweeping views of the green slopes that encase its emerald water. Ponta da Ferraria is another must-see sight on the western coast. This naturally warm rock pool is fed by both hot springs and seawater. Set right on the ocean, it's a perfect place to cool off and enjoy the sea.

Day 3: Road Trip to São Miguel's Central Region

Drive to the central region of São Miguel, located between Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande. Stop at one of the viewpoints to contemplate the breathtaking Lagoa do Fogo, another volcanic crater lake. Further down the road, you won't want to miss the Caldeira Velha, a geothermal phenomenon with warm pools where you can go for a dip.

Reach Ribeira Grande, visiting the main church and the Jardim do Paraíso (Paradise Garden). Then, drive westwards until you reach Areias de Santa Bárbara beach, one of the most sought-after on the island. Finally, head east to Gorreana and Porto Formoso to see the only permanent tea plantations in Europe. Stop at viewpoints like Ponta do Cintrão or Santa Iria and take in the island's sheer beauty.

Day 4: Enjoy the Beaches of São Miguel

Take the day to relax at a local beach (or several). Some of the most popular ones include Caloura, Pópulo or Baixa d'Areia. Near each, you can indulge in some delicious fresh seafood and numerous fruits grown on the island.

Alternatively, spend the day on a magical islet off the shore of Vila Franca do Campo. Get on a local dinghy to Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo. The tiny islet of rocky hills rises out of the ocean to form an almost perfectly circular lagoon. It's also one of the best places in the Azores to go snorkeling, as the water surrounding it is teeming with diverse marine life.

Day 5: Drive from Ponta Delgada to Furnas

Spend the day enjoying the beauty of the Furnas Valley, a region that concentrates the largest number of volcanic phenomena in the Azores. Head out early in the morning and stop at the Lagoa do Congro, a beautiful hidden lagoon enveloped by lush vegetation. Rejuvenate in the thermal pools and hot springs of Furnas Village or the incredible Terra Nostra garden.

One experience you certainly don't want to miss is trying cozido das Furnas at the Furnas Lagoon. This stew is local to São Miguel island and cooked using only geothermal heat. A pot is placed in a hole in the ground to let the Earth's heat works its magic. Besides being absolutely delicious, this cooking method is energy efficient!

Day 6: Eastern São Miguel Adventure

Head to the eastern side of São Miguel to explore one of its most pristine and least-visited areas. Start at the picturesque waterfalls of Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park. Then, travel along the eastern coast, stopping at stunning viewpoints like Ponta da Madrugada and Ponta do Sossego to see the powerful waves crash against the green hills that roll gently into the ocean.

If you feel like plunging a bit deeper into nature, you can visit the Pico da Vara, located in the center of Laurissilva. This rare and magical subtropical forest is only found in a few archipelagos in the northern Atlantic. Bird watchers will be excited to have the chance to see endemic species like the endangered Azores bullfinch.

Day 7: Fly to Horta & Free Exploration Day

This morning, drop off your car at Ponta Delgada's airport and catch a flight to Faial Island. Upon arrival, pick up a rental car at the airport and head to your accommodation to drop off your bags.

After freshening up, take time to explore the city center in Horta, the capital of Faial. Walk along its yacht-dotted marina, and take in the white and brown façade of the Old Town structures. This tiny island can be seen in a single day. Visit the nearby Caldeira do Cabeço Gordo, a volcanic crater. Or go to Capelinhos Volcano, a lunar landscape patch created after the eruption of a volcano.

Day 8: Ferry to Pico & Independent Tour 

In the morning, drop off your car, and cross the channel between Faial and Pico Island. Disembark in Madalena and pick up a rental car. Stay in the Madalena-São Roque area, which boasts UNESCO-designated vineyards. This breathtaking landscape consists of distinctive patterns of spaced-out, linear walls running inland from—and parallel to—the rocky shore.

Hike the Trilho das Vinhas de Criação Velha trail, which extends between the vines and the sea. Taking around two hours, this popular trail offers scenic coastal views. Stop by Cella Bar, a cylindrical wooden structure voted the most beautiful bar in the world. If time allows, go to São Roque do Pico and visit the Whaling Industry Museum to learn about the history of whale hunting in the Azores.

Day 9: Hiking Adventure on Mount Pico

Pico Island—the second-largest in the Azores after São Miguel—is home to the highest peak in Portugal, Mount Pico. The mountain rises 7,713 feet (2,351 meters) above sea level. Choose between hiking one of its many trails or simply driving around the area. Either way, you will enjoy landscapes that leave you breathless.

If you like a challenge, hiking to the summit of Mount Pico is one of the best experiences you can have in the archipelago. Drive to the easternmost tip of the island until you reach Casa da Montanha (Mountain Home). This is the starting point for the four-hour climb to the peak. On the way, take in the contrasting scenery of volcanic rocks and soft pastures.

Day 10: Whales & Caves on Pico Island

Learn more about Pico's whale hunting past and whale watching present today. Drive to Laje, and visit the Pico Whaling Museum and the Vigia da Queimada, a famous whale spotting point. You'll learn how the archipelago abandoned a gruesome but important economic activity for a more sustainable one centered around appreciating the majestic animals.

Another must-visit highlight of the island is the impressive Gruta das Torres Cave. Spanning 3 miles (5 km), it's one of the longest lava tubes in the world and is classified as a Regional Natural Monument. To protect the cave, visitors are only allowed in with a guide, who will explain more about this wonder of nature.

Day 11: Sail to Terceira Island & Discover Angra do Heroísmo

On this busy morning, drive to Madalena and board the ferry back to Faial. Then, head to Faial's airport to drop off your car and board a plane to Terceira airport. Once you are on Terceira Island, pick up another rental car.

Enjoy the day to yourself, exploring Angra do Heroísmo, one of the three capitals of the Azores, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is famous for its Portuguese colonial-style buildings, picturesque streets, and Monte Brasil hill, which offers panoramic views. Angra also has some excellent swimming spots, where you can take a dip in crystal clear waters.

Day 12: Driving Tour of Central Terceira

Take the day to discover the core of beautiful Terceira Island. Drive to Algar do Carvão, an impressive volcanic chamber that gives insight into the region's geothermal activity. Then, head to Serra do Cume viewpoint for a beautiful view of the island and its evergreen fields.

Visit the Furnas do Enxofre, a fumaroles field and volcanic park where you'll find numerous trails. Walk around well-marked trails and observe how steaming sulfur comes out of the landscape's natural vents. You'll feel as if you're walking on a different planet!

Day 13: Coastal Drive Around Terceira

Take the day to explore the Island of Terceira by making a complete loop along its coast. The journey can take two to six hours, depending on how many stops you make and how long these take. You can also make some incursions to the island's interior, driving through some of its natural reserves.

Be on the lookout for the island's impérios, small colorful temples devoted to the Holy Spirit. They are scattered all around and are primarily used during the Holy Spirit ceremonies that take place 50 days after Easter. Make sure to also stop at famous lookout points like Ponta das Contendas Lighthouse and Miradouro da Ponta do Queimado.

Day 14: Terceira Island Beach Day

Take the day to visit one of the local beaches like Praia da Vitória and Praia da Riviera. Both are recognized as some of the prettiest sand beaches on the island, popular with both locals and tourists seeking a secluded vacation that still offers convenience and amenities.

For something truly out of the ordinary, take the opportunity to swim in Terceira's biscoitos. Meaning "cookies" in Portuguese, biscoitos are small natural pools formed when lava cooled off as it came into contact with the atmosphere. They are perfect for swimming, as the water is calmer than in the open sea but still clear and refreshing.

Day 15: Depart from Angra do Heroísmo

It's time to say goodbye to the incredible Azores and Portugal. This morning, drive to Terceira's airport and drop off your rental car. Then, board the plane to travel back home.

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