2 days in Azores

Day by day

1. Day 1: Sete Cidades and the Vista do Rei viewpoint and Ponta da Ferraria

   Sete Cidades and the Vista do Rei viewpoint, Ponta da Ferraria, Furnas fumaroles and lake and Whale and dolphin watching, then Poça da Dona Beija in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sete Cidades and the Vista do Rei viewpoint

      The Vista do Rei viewpoint on the crater rim gives the classic view, and the village of Sete Cidades sits on the crater floor beside the water.

   2. Late morning

      Ponta da Ferraria

      Ropes help bathers hold steady against the waves.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cozido das Furnas

      Restaurants in Furnas serve it at lunchtime; book a table and arrive at midday.

   4. Afternoon

      Furnas fumaroles and lake

      A trail circles the lake past the neo-Gothic Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias.

   5. Late afternoon

      Whale and dolphin watching

      Sperm whales live here year-round, blue, fin and sei whales migrate past in spring, and common and bottlenose dolphins are seen on most trips. Land-based lookouts called vigias, once used by whalers, now guide the boats.

   6. Evening

      Poça da Dona Beija

      Go in the evening after the day-trippers leave; the pools are lit and stay open into the night.

2. Day 2: Mount Pico and Pico Island vineyards

   Mount Pico, Pico Island vineyards, Lagoa do Fogo and Terra Nostra Garden, then Ponta Delgada centre and marina in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Mount Pico

      The marked trail from the Casa da Montanha at about 1,200 metres climbs steep lava slopes to the crater and the small summit cone, Piquinho, in about 3–4 hours up.

   2. Late morning

      Pico Island vineyards

      Wine cooperatives and small producers offer tastings of Verdelho and other local wines.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: São Jorge cheese

      Supermarkets, cheese shops and the Mercado da Graça in Ponta Delgada, and cooperatives on São Jorge.

   4. Afternoon

      Lagoa do Fogo

      Viewpoints on the road between Ribeira Grande and Lagoa look down into the crater, and a trail descends to the shore.

   5. Late afternoon

      Terra Nostra Garden

      It is one of the most popular places on the island to soak.

   6. Evening

      Ponta Delgada centre and marina

      Bars and late cafés in the old town streets and along the seafront avenue.

Before you go

• Whale and dolphin watching: Book a day or two ahead in summer, and keep a spare day in case trips are cancelled for rough seas.
• Mount Pico: Climbers must register at the Casa da Montanha, and numbers are limited; book a slot or a certified guide ahead in summer.

If it rains

• Swap in Gorreana Tea Plantation (Maia): Walk the short trail through the tea rows after your tasting for views over the north coast.
• Swap in Pineapple greenhouses (Ponta Delgada): Try the pineapple liqueur and jam in the plantation shop.
• Swap in Algar do Carvão (Terceira): Bring a jacket and non-slip shoes; the steps are wet and it is cool inside even in summer.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 22–29 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.6 hours in December to 14.8 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

Getting between stops: Car. Hire cars are available on all the main islands and give the freedom to chase good weather between viewpoints.

More or fewer days

• One day in Azores
• 3 days in Azores
• 5 days in Azores

Questions travellers ask