5 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

      Check the webcams or weather before you drive up; low cloud often fills the crater, so go early or wait for it to lift. (Half a day, free).

   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. (1–2 hours, free).

   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

      Arrive at the lake fumaroles around midday to see restaurant cooks lifting the cozido pots out of the ground. (2 hours, low cost).

   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. (3 hours, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Ponta Delgada old centre

      Visit the covered Mercado da Graça in the morning for local cheese, pineapples and fruit. (2 hours, free).

   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. (45 minutes, free).

   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

      Start very early, bring warm and waterproof layers and plenty of water; conditions at the summit can be freezing even in summer. (7–8 hours return, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Pico Island vineyards

      Walk the coastal trails around Criação Velha near Madalena, then taste wines at the cooperative. (2–3 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Bolo lêvedo

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

   4. Afternoon

      Lagoa do Fogo

      In peak summer, access to the viewpoints may be managed with parking limits or shuttles; check the latest arrangements locally. (1–3 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Horta marina

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Nordeste and the east coast

   About 1 hour 15 minutes by car from Ponta Delgada each way. Getting there: Car around the north or south coast of São Miguel.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Nordeste and the east coast

      About 1 hour 15 minutes by car from Ponta Delgada (Car around the north or south coast of São Miguel); about 70 km.

   2. Day

      Nordeste and the east coast

      São Miguel's remote north-east has manicured viewpoint gardens at Ponta do Sossego and Ponta da Madrugada, the Ribeira dos Caldeirões waterfalls and old watermills. Best for couples, quiet stays and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Azores

      Dinner: try Limpets.

5. Day 5: Terra Nostra Garden and Gorreana Tea Plantation

   Terra Nostra Garden, Gorreana Tea Plantation and Caldeira Velha, then Angra do Heroísmo in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Terra Nostra Garden

      Wear a dark swimsuit you don't mind staining; the iron-rich water leaves orange marks on light fabric. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Gorreana Tea Plantation

      Walk the short trail through the tea rows after your tasting for views over the north coast. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Limpets

      Seafood restaurants on the coast of every island, especially in fishing villages.

   4. Afternoon

      Caldeira Velha

      Visit early in the morning; visitor numbers are limited at busy times. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Angra do Heroísmo

      Small bars around the old town, livelier during the Sanjoaninas festival in June.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Whale and dolphin watching, Mount Pico and Caldeira Velha before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 27–34 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Azores

Questions travellers ask