Free things to do · Azores · Portugal
9 free things to do in Azores
Azores without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wo st 01 (There are 682 Pictures in my Category ) See also Toolserver, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Azores without paying an entry fee: Sete Cidades and the Vista do Rei viewpoint, Lagoa do Fogo, Gorreana Tea Plantation and Ponta da Ferraria are all free. Crater-lake viewpoints, most trails, Ponta da Ferraria and the Gorreana tea plantation are free.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 9
- Low-cost extras
- 6
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and November
Free sights and experiences
Nature · Sete Cidades
1.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.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Nature
- Photo spot
Nature · Central São Miguel
2.Lagoa do Fogo
In peak summer, access to the viewpoints may be managed with parking limits or shuttles; check the latest arrangements locally.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Nature
- Active
- Photo spot
Experience · Maia
3.Gorreana Tea Plantation
Walk the short trail through the tea rows after your tasting for views over the north coast.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- History
- Rainy day
Nature · Sete Cidades
4.Ponta da Ferraria
Go around low tide, when the inlet is warmest; at high tide the sea water makes it much cooler.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Neighbourhood · Ponta Delgada
5.Ponta Delgada old centre
Visit the covered Mercado da Graça in the morning for local cheese, pineapples and fruit.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Food
Experience · Ponta Delgada
6.Pineapple greenhouses
Try the pineapple liqueur and jam in the plantation shop.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Kids
- Rainy day
Historic site · Pico Island
7.Pico Island vineyards
Walk the coastal trails around Criação Velha near Madalena, then taste wines at the cooperative.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · Angra do Heroísmo
8.Angra do Heroísmo historic centre
Hike the paths around Monte Brasil, the volcanic peninsula beside town, for views back over Angra.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Views
Nature · Flores
9.Flores waterfalls and Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro
Visit after rain, when the waterfalls are fullest, and watch for slippery stones on the path.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Sete Cidades | Sete Cidades and the Vista do Rei viewpoint and Ponta da Ferraria | Half a day + 1–2 hours |
| Central São Miguel | Lagoa do Fogo | 1–3 hours |
| Maia | Gorreana Tea Plantation | 1 hour |
| Ponta Delgada | Ponta Delgada old centre and Pineapple greenhouses | 2 hours + 45 minutes |
| Pico Island | Pico Island vineyards | 2–3 hours |
| Angra do Heroísmo | Angra do Heroísmo historic centre | Half a day |
| Flores | Flores waterfalls and Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Nature · Furnas
Furnas fumaroles and lake
Arrive at the lake fumaroles around midday to see restaurant cooks lifting the cozido pots out of the ground.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Kids
- Food
- Photo spot
Nature · Pico Island
Mount Pico
Start very early, bring warm and waterproof layers and plenty of water; conditions at the summit can be freezing even in summer.
- Time needed
- 7–8 hours return
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
- Nature
Experience · Furnas
Poça da Dona Beija
Go in the evening after the day-trippers leave; the pools are lit and stay open into the night.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- After dark
- Rainy day
- Nature
Nature · Ribeira Grande
Caldeira Velha
Visit early in the morning; visitor numbers are limited at busy times.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Island · Vila Franca do Campo
Ilhéu de Vila Franca
Bring snorkelling gear, water and sun protection; there is little shade or shelter on the islet.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Nature · Terceira
Algar do Carvão
Bring a jacket and non-slip shoes; the steps are wet and it is cool inside even in summer.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- Crater-lake viewpoints, most trails, Ponta da Ferraria and the Gorreana tea plantation are free.
- Book car hire and accommodation early for July and August, when prices rise sharply.
- Inter-island flights can be cheaper when booked as part of a multi-island itinerary from mainland Portugal.
- Restaurant set lunches (prato do dia) are much cheaper than evening à la carte.
- Supermarkets sell São Jorge cheese, local wine and tea far more cheaply than souvenir shops.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Azores expensive to visit?
Azores is affordable for most visitors, but 9 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Azores?
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.