Family-Friendly Azores Adventure: Volcanoes, Wildlife & Beach Time - 7 Days

Highlights

• Take a dip in the refreshing thermal pools of Terra Nostra Botanical Garden
• See breaching whales and friendly dolphins on a whale watching cruise
• Taste Azorean treats on a kid-friendly food tour of Ponta Delgada
• Drive to the rim of a volcano on a thrilling 4WD Jeep tour

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Ponta Delgada, Explore São Miguel Island

Welcome to the Azores! Your flight lands in Ponta Delgada, the capital of São Miguel (the largest and most populous island of Portugal's Atlantic archipelago). Despite its size, the city retains all the charm of a small village, with quaint cobbled streets, historic churches, and family-friendly parks. Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. Get settled, take a stroll through town, where the kids can burn some energy after the long flight and the adults can take in sights such as the Convento de Nossa Senhora da Esperança, a 16th-century convent with an opulent Baroque altar.

Head to the port next to see the Forte de São Bras, an imposing fortress erected in 1552 to guard the city. If you've got budding naturalists in the family, visit the Museu Carlos Machado, dedicated to the 19th-century naturalist and the oldest museum in the Azores. Here, you'll find exhibits on geology, mineralogy, and local flora and fauna classified and tagged by Machado himself.

See the open-air Grace Market and watch vendors hawk their wares as locals shop for daily goods. Check out the many shops and stalls, and perhaps grab a bite to eat—be sure to sample some of the island's famous pineapples,  grown using unique smoke fertilization methods. Tonight, visit the City Gates, an 18th-century landmark with ornate archways that once acted as the island's first line of defense. The gates light up at night, a definite hit for the little ones.

Day 2: Discover the Furnas Valley: Volcanoes & Botanical Gardens

Visit the Furnas Valley today, an otherworldly landscape of secret gardens, thermal pools, and volcanic steam vents. Depart with your guide in the morning, making your way to the Pico do Ferro walking trail. This circular trail takes about 1.5 hours to complete, with a flat, fairly easy terrain that's manageable for most families. The path can be muddy, however, so make sure everyone has sturdy shoes that won't slip! The incredible views of Lago das Furnas make the somewhat messy trek well worth the effort.

Next up is the Terra Nostra Botanical Garden, one of the oldest gardens in the Azores. Walk through the lush greenery, let the kids take a dip in the refreshing thermal pools dotted around the gardens, and have a traditional lunch of cozido (stew cooked underground using volcanic heat), followed by local pineapple for dessert. 

After lunch, explore more of the valley's volcanic activity. See steam vents, fumaroles, and mineral fountains gushing from lava walls as your guide shares information on the history of volcanoes in the region. On your way back to Ponta Delgada, make a stop at the Gorreana Tea Factory, where you can watch the production process, roam the tea fields with the family, and sip a cup of the delicate brew. 

Day 3: Whale Watching Tour, Evening Foodie Fun

This morning, head to the port and embark on an epic whale and wildlife-watching excursion. The Azores are among the best whale watching destinations in the world, with over 20 different species found in the archipelago's waters. Accompanied by biologists and naturalist guides, your family will have the opportunity to see whales, dolphins, turtles, and more, cruising along the island's coastline and beaches. Before returning to port, you'll also stop for a tour around the islet of Vila Franca do Campo, part of a protected reserve that serves as a breeding ground for various marine birds. 

Later, step out with the kids on a fun-filled foodie tour through downtown Ponta Delgada. Together with your guide, you'll enjoy a progressive menu of fruit, honey, bread, pastries, seafood, artisanal meats, and homemade desserts. Sample foods such as queijo de São Jorge (a cheese original to the Azores), bolo lêvedo (Portuguese-style muffins), or traditional desserts such as queijadas (cupcakes with custard). Along the way, you'll visit some of the city's most important sites and get local recommendations from your guide on additional family-friendly things to do. 

Day 4: Beach Day in São Miguel, Epic Canyoning Adventure

Make it a beach day with a self-guided exploration of São Miguel's parks and beaches. Start at Areal de Santa Bárbara, which runs just over half a mile (1 km) along the shoreline and has amenities like restrooms, bars, and restaurants. Nicknamed "Surfers' Beach," this is a great spot for bodyboarding or surfing. If you've got smaller kids, you can also visit Praia das Milícias (considered one of the island's best beaches for children), with a pedestrian promenade, changing rooms, and a solarium area. 

If you've got kids who want something a bit more exciting, consider a canyoning excursion. You'll meet your guides, and after a safety and equipment briefing, make your way to one of the island's best natural playgrounds, a canyon area with rappels, jumps, and waterslides. The canyon isn't overly technical, which makes it perfect for beginners while still pleasing the adrenaline junkies in your group. Parents should keep in mind that the tour is intended for children aged 10 and older, although private tours can accommodate kids as young as eight.

Day 5: Jeep Tour & Hiking in Sete Cidades

Discover more of São Miguel today via a Jeep tour, departing in the morning for an off-road tour of Sete Cidades. Located on the island's west side, this 1,600-foot (500 m) volcanic caldera is estimated to have formed 22,000 years ago and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. The region consists of lush hillsides rising between numerous tranquil lakes, each with its own distinctive character, hiking trails, and panoramic views. 

Your first stop is Ponta da Ferraria, a natural thermal pool on the ocean. Take a dip in the warm waters, but keep in mind that accessing the pool requires climbing over basalt rocks and down a ladder. Families seeking a more low-key experience can also visit Termas da Ferraria, an upscale resort with multiple pools, spa services, and a restaurant. 

Continue to Sete Cidades, where your driver will take you to the rim of the volcano, driving on dirt roads and across rugged terrain. Visit a village that sits inside one of the largest craters in the Azores, have a traditional Azorean lunch, and walk around town, stopping to see the two caldera lakes of Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul. End with a hike at Serra Devassa, a loop trail that passes six different lakes, offering sweeping countryside views. The walk takes about two hours to complete and includes muddy terrain, so make sure the whole family has proper gear!

Day 6: Sea Kayaking Tour, Volcano Cooking Class

If the weather and season are right, you can make the most of your family's last day in the Azores with a sea kayaking adventure. São Miguel has more than 100 miles (200 km) of gorgeous coastline, offering a view of the island from an entirely different perspective. Your guide will let your family choose from seven different routes, two of which are on inland volcanic lakes, and the itinerary will be catered to your skills and preferences. Route difficulty can vary based on weather and time of year, and the minimum age for the tour is 10 years old. 

This afternoon, try a new cooking experience sure to delight kids of all ages when you visit a local chef and learn the art of slow cooking in a volcano! The most celebrated dish on the island, cozido das Furnas is a stew of meat (pork, beef, chicken, sausage) and vegetables (cabbage, carrots, potatoes, onions) that's buried and cooked in the steaming hot volcanic soil of the Furnas Valley. You'll meet your chef and shop for ingredients, then prepare the stew—the kids can try their hand at helping chop meats and vegetables. Put the meal in it's thermal "stove," then enjoy a delicious picnic dinner. 

Day 7: Depart Ponta Delgada

Your family adventure in the Azores ends today. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet your driver for your transfer to the airport, where you'll catch your departing flight. Safe travels! 

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