Travel tips · Azores · Portugal
Azores travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Lacobrigo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Azoreans are proud of their distinct island identity shaped by isolation, emigration to the Americas and deep Catholic tradition. The Holy Spirit (Espírito Santo) festivals, with their small chapels called impérios, run on every island from Easter to late summer, and each island has its own character, from Terceira's festivals and rope bullfights to Pico's whaling heritage.
Key facts
- Language
- Portuguese
- Currency
- EUR
- 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
- 112 (European emergency number)
Things to know
- Greet people with 'Bom dia' or 'Boa tarde' in shops and cafés.
- Respect closed gates and grazing cattle on rural trails; close gates behind you.
- Stay on marked trails and avoid entering private pastures.
- Dress modestly when visiting churches and festival processions.
- Ask before photographing people at religious festivals.
- Book Whale and dolphin watching ahead: Book a day or two ahead in summer, and keep a spare day in case trips are cancelled for rough seas.
- Book Mount Pico ahead: Climbers must register at the Casa da Montanha, and numbers are limited; book a slot or a certified guide ahead in summer.
- Book Caldeira Velha ahead: Entry is by time slot with a capacity limit in high season; buy tickets online if you can.
- Crater-lake viewpoints, most trails, Ponta da Ferraria and the Gorreana tea plantation are free.
Tipping
Tipping is modest; rounding up or leaving 5–10% in restaurants for good service is appreciated but not expected.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bom dia | Good morning |
| Obrigado / Obrigada | Thank you (said by a man / a woman) |
| A conta, por favor | The bill, please |
| Lagoa | Lake |
| Miradouro | Viewpoint |
What to wear
Pack layers, a waterproof jacket and walking shoes in any season; weather changes quickly and the uplands are much cooler than the coast. Bring a dark swimsuit for iron-rich hot springs.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is generally safe to drink in towns; ask locally in rural areas.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- Mobile coverage is good in towns and patchy in remote valleys and some trails; EU roaming applies to European SIMs.
- Time zone
- Atlantic/Azores
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.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Portugal's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Azores?
Tipping is modest; rounding up or leaving 5–10% in restaurants for good service is appreciated but not expected.
+Can you drink the tap water in Azores?
Tap water is generally safe to drink in towns; ask locally in rural areas.
+What plugs are used in Azores?
Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Azores?
Portuguese.