3 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 and Furnas fumaroles and lake, then Poça da Dona Beija in the evening.

   1. Morning

      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.

   2. Late morning

      Ponta da Ferraria

      Go around low tide, when the inlet is warmest; at high tide the sea water makes it much cooler.

   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

      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.

   5. 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: Whale and dolphin watching and Ponta Delgada old centre

   Whale and dolphin watching, Ponta Delgada old centre and Pineapple greenhouses, then Ponta Delgada centre and marina in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Whale and dolphin watching

      April and May give the best chance of blue whales; choose an operator with a marine biologist on board and dress warmly.

   2. Late morning

      Ponta Delgada old centre

      The town's historic core is paved with black basalt and white limestone cobbles.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: São Jorge cheese

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

   4. Afternoon

      Pineapple greenhouses

      Try the pineapple liqueur and jam in the plantation shop.

   5. Evening

      Ponta Delgada centre and marina

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

3. Day 3: Mount Pico and Pico Island vineyards

   Mount Pico, Pico Island vineyards and Lagoa do Fogo, then Horta marina in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Mount Pico

      Portugal's highest mountain is a near-perfect volcanic cone rising 2,351 metres from the sea.

   2. Late morning

      Pico Island vineyards

      Walk the coastal trails around Criação Velha near Madalena, then taste wines at the cooperative.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bolo lêvedo

      Bakeries and cafés across São Miguel; the Furnas originals are sold in the village.

   4. Afternoon

      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.

   5. Evening

      Horta marina

      Peter Café Sport and nearby bars with sailors from yachts crossing the Atlantic.

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 Terra Nostra Garden (Furnas): Wear a dark swimsuit you don't mind staining; the iron-rich water leaves orange marks on light fabric.
• 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 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

With 3 nights, Ponta Delgada keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Furnas ($$$) suits couples, quiet stays and families. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 23–29 hours of visiting over 3 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.

More or fewer days

• One day in Azores
• 2 days in Azores
• 5 days in Azores

Questions travellers ask