Travel guide · Portugal
Azores travel guide
Crater lakes, hot springs and whale watching on nine mid-Atlantic islands
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Lacobrigo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The Azores are nine volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic, about 1,400 km west of Lisbon, belonging to Portugal as an autonomous region. Most visitors start on São Miguel, the largest island, with the crater lakes of Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo, the steaming hot springs of Furnas, tea plantations and whale-watching boats from Ponta Delgada. Beyond it, Terceira has the UNESCO-listed old town of Angra do Heroísmo, Pico has Portugal's highest mountain and lava-walled vineyards, Faial has the sailors' harbour of Horta, and remote Flores is known for waterfalls. The climate is mild but changeable, with green hills, hydrangea hedges and frequent showers. Plan 8 days for a first visit; the best months are May–September.
Key facts
- Country
- Portugal
- Best time to visit
- May–September
- Ideal stay
- 8 days
- Main airports
- PDL, TER, HOR, PIX, FLW
- Mid-range daily budget
- $130–$230 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Crater lakes, Whale watching, Hot springs and Hydrangeas
Why visit Azores
- Crater lakes such as Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo on São Miguel are among Europe's most striking volcanic landscapes.
- The Azores are one of the world's leading whale-watching destinations, with sperm whales present year-round and blue and fin whales passing in spring.
- You can bathe in iron-rich hot springs at Furnas, Caldeira Velha and Ponta da Ferraria.
- Mount Pico, at 2,351 metres, is Portugal's highest mountain and can be climbed in a long day.
- Distinctive local food includes cozido stew slow-cooked in volcanic ground, São Jorge cheese, Azorean pineapples and tea from Europe's oldest plantations.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
Nature · Sete Cidades
Sete Cidades and the Vista do Rei viewpoint
In a vast caldera at the western end of São Miguel, the twin lakes of Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde look blue and green side by side.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Nature
- Photo spot
Nature · Furnas
Furnas fumaroles and lake
In Furnas village, boiling springs and fumaroles steam from the ground around the Caldeiras, and at the north shore of Lagoa das Furnas, pots of cozido are buried in the hot earth to cook for about six hours.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Kids
- Food
- Photo spot
Experience · Ponta Delgada
Whale and dolphin watching
More than 20 species of whales and dolphins have been recorded in Azorean waters.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Nature · Pico Island
Mount Pico
Portugal's highest mountain is a near-perfect volcanic cone rising 2,351 metres from the sea.
- Time needed
- 7–8 hours return
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
- Nature
Nature · Central São Miguel
Lagoa do Fogo
The 'Lake of Fire' fills a crater high in the centre of São Miguel inside a nature reserve, with steep green walls and a pale sandy shore.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Nature
- Active
- Photo spot
Garden · Furnas
Terra Nostra Garden
This 18th-century botanical garden in Furnas has a large ochre-coloured thermal pool of warm, iron-rich water at around 35–40 °C, surrounded by tree ferns, camellias, cycads and old trees.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Couples
- Nature
- Rainy day
- Outdoors
Where to stay
Ponta Delgada is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$ · Best for first-timers, food lovers, nightlife and budget
Ponta Delgada
São Miguel's harbour capital of black-and-white cobbles and whale-watching boats
$$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and families
Furnas
Steaming valley village of hot springs, fumaroles and botanical gardens
$$ · Best for solo travellers, beach and budget
Ribeira Grande
North-coast town of surf beaches and stone churches near Caldeira Velha
$$ · Best for families, beach and quiet stays
Vila Franca do Campo
South-coast town facing a crater islet with a lagoon
What to eat
- Cozido das Furnas — A stew of beef, pork, chicken, chouriço, blood sausage, cabbage, carrots, potatoes and yams cooked for about six hours in a pot buried in the volcanic ground beside Lagoa das Furnas.
- São Jorge cheese — A hard, spicy cow's-milk cheese from São Jorge island with protected designation of origin, aged for several months.
- Bolo lêvedo — A lightly sweet, flat round muffin-like bread originally from Furnas, eaten split and toasted with butter or used for burgers and sandwiches.
- Limpets — Limpets grilled in a cast-iron pan with garlic, butter, lemon and pepper paste, served sizzling as a starter.
- Alcatra — Terceira's signature dish of beef slow-cooked in an unglazed clay pot with wine, bacon, onions, garlic, allspice and bay leaves, served with sweet massa sovada bread.
- Azorean pineapple — Small, very sweet and aromatic pineapples grown in glasshouses on São Miguel, eaten fresh or as jam, liqueur and desserts.
When to go
The best time to visit the Azores is May to September, when days are longest, rain is least frequent and hydrangeas line the roads in June and July. April and May are best for blue-whale sightings, and July to September for swimming and climbing Mount Pico. Winter is mild but wet and windy, with more frequent ferry and flight disruption.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Green and showery with mild temperatures, the start of the Holy Spirit festivals and peak blue and fin whale sightings. |
| Summer | June–August | The driest and warmest season, with hydrangeas in bloom, the best hiking and swimming conditions, and the highest demand for cars and rooms. |
| Autumn | September–November | Warm seas in September, then more rain and storms; quieter and cheaper later in the season. |
| Winter | December–February | Mild but wet, windy and changeable, with frequent cloud on the crater lakes and occasional transport disruption. |
Getting there and around
Ponta Delgada's João Paulo II Airport is about 3 km west of the town centre, roughly 10 minutes by taxi. Terceira (Lajes), Horta (Faial), Pico and Flores airports handle most inter-island flights, and some receive direct flights from mainland Portugal.
Each island needs its own transport plan. On São Miguel, a hire car is the easiest way to reach the crater lakes, hot springs and viewpoints; Ponta Delgada to Furnas takes about 45 minutes. Islands are linked by short inter-island flights and, on some routes, ferries.
Plan your days
Four or five days covers São Miguel's highlights: Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo, Furnas, a whale-watching trip and the hot springs. With eight to ten days, add a second or third island — Terceira, or the Faial–Pico–São Jorge triangle linked by short ferries. Weather can cancel boats and views, so build in spare days.
Practical information
- Currency
- EUR
- Language
- Portuguese
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is generally safe to drink in towns; ask locally in rural areas.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Tipping
- Tipping is modest; rounding up or leaving 5–10% in restaurants for good service is appreciated but not expected.
The islands are relaxed and low-key for visitors. The main risks are natural: fast-changing mountain weather and fog on crater rims, slippery trails, strong currents at some beaches and storms that cancel boats and flights. Stay on marked trails and check forecasts before hiking or swimming.
Flights to Azores
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Azores?
Four or five days covers São Miguel's highlights: Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo, Furnas, a whale-watching trip and the hot springs. With eight to ten days, add a second or third island — Terceira, or the Faial–Pico–São Jorge triangle linked by short ferries. Weather can cancel boats and views, so build in spare days. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Azores?
The best time to visit the Azores is May to September, when days are longest, rain is least frequent and hydrangeas line the roads in June and July. April and May are best for blue-whale sightings, and July to September for swimming and climbing Mount Pico. Winter is mild but wet and windy, with more frequent ferry and flight disruption.
+What is Azores known for?
Crater lakes, Whale watching, Hot springs, Hydrangeas, Cozido das Furnas, Mount Pico and Hiking. Crater lakes such as Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo on São Miguel are among Europe's most striking volcanic landscapes.
+Is Azores expensive?
Azores is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $130–$230 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Azores?
Yes for most visitors: buses are too infrequent to reach the crater lakes, hot springs and trailheads easily. Without a car, rely on day tours and taxis from Ponta Delgada, or stay on a small island with a guided programme.