Highlights
- Swim in volcanic sea pools and hike to dormant volcanoes on the island of Terceira
- Sample Azorean gastronomy on a food and wine walk through Ponta Delgada
- Kayak around the turquoise lagoons of Sete Cidades
- Cruise off the coast of São Miguel to spot sperm whales and dolphins
- Go canyoning between the waterfalls of Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Angra do Heroísmo (Terceira), Visit the UNESCO-listed Old Town | Angra do Heroísmo |
| Day 2 | Explore Terceira: Scenic Lookouts, Swimming Holes & Local Cuisine | Angra do Heroísmo |
| Day 3 | Fly to Ponta Delgada (São Miguel), Afternoon Food & Wine Walk | Ponta Delgada |
| Day 4 | Explore Western São Miguel & the Sete Cidades Lagoons | Ponta Delgada |
| Day 5 | Morning Whale Watching, Drive to Furnas via Central São Miguel | Furnas |
| Day 6 | Experience the Volcanic Activity of the Furnas Valley | Furnas |
| Day 7 | Discover Eastern São Miguel's Waterfalls & Ancient Forests | Funas |
| Day 8 | Drive to Ponta Delgada, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Angra do Heroísmo (Terceira), Visit the UNESCO-listed Old Town
Welcome to the Azores! Your adventure begins on Terceira, affectionately dubbed the "Lilac Island" for its coastal hillsides dotted with pink and purple hydrangeas. The third-largest island in the Atlantic archipelago contains all the hallmarks of the typical Azorean landscape—green fields crisscrossed by stone walls, lush temperate forests, and volcanic wonders like steaming fumaroles, dormant craters, and dramatic lava tunnels and caves.
Upon arrival at the airport, pick up your rental car and drive 20 minutes southwest to Angra do Heroísmo, one of the three Azorean capitals and your base for the next two nights. Get settled at your hotel, then take a stroll among the city's UNESCO-listed historic center, passing colorful, colonial buildings and historic sites like the 16th-century Sé Cathedral with its pastel facade and striped bell towers. For dramatic views, hike to the top of Monte Brasil, the remains of an ancient volcano that's now a protected nature reserve.
Day 2: Discover Terceira: Scenic Lookouts, Swimming Holes & Local Cuisine
Today is all yours to explore Terceira at your own pace. Consider starting with a visit to the Serra do Cume viewpoint for a beautiful look at the island and its evergreen fields. Continue to inland sites like Algar do Carvão, an impressive volcanic chamber that gives insight into the region's geothermal activity, and Furnas do Enxofre, a fumarole field and volcanic park where you'll find numerous hiking trails.
If you're looking to focus on the coast, grab your swimsuit and head to one of the local beaches like Praia da Vitória and Praia da Riviera. For something truly out of the ordinary, take a dip in the Biscoitos. Meaning "cookies" in Portuguese, these small natural pools were formed when lava cooled off as it came into contact with the atmosphere. They're perfect for swimming, as the water is calmer than in the open sea but still clear and refreshing.
As you explore, look for Terceira's various impérios, small, colorful temples and shrines devoted to the Holy Spirit, which you'll find scattered around the island. When you've worked up an appetite from a day of hiking or swimming, sample local dishes like alcatra (a slow-cooked pot roast) served with massa sovada (an enriched sweet bread). Dessert is usually a serving of queijadas (Portuguese cheesecake), similar to the mainland's classic pastéis de nata (custard tarts). Wine lovers can stop by some of the island's family-run wineries to sample local varietals grown in the rich volcanic soils.
Day 3: Fly to Ponta Delgada (São Miguel), Afternoon Food & Wine Walk
It's time to swap islands as you head to the airport, drop off your rental car, and catch a 40-minute flight to São Miguel. Located about 90 miles (145 km) southeast of Terceira, this is the archipelago's largest island and its most populous, with over 290 square miles (760 sq km) of diverse, subtropical landscapes and a pristine coastline.
Upon landing at the airport, pick up another rental car and head to your hotel in Ponta Delgada, the island's largest city and a treasure trove of Azorean culture and history. Take a stroll around highlights like the São Sebastião Church, the 16th-century Nossa Senhora da Esperança Convent, and the fascinating Carlos Machado Museum. If you want to venture farther afield, visit the famous Azorean pineapple plantations outside the city center, or discover the Gruta do Carvão, an ancient lava tube that's 5,413 feet (1,650 m) in length.
Later on, join a local guide for a delicious walking tour around Ponta Delgada's historic center. As you stroll the cobbled streets, listen to fascinating stories of the city's history, and pop into trendy eateries and neighborhood bars. Throughout the evening, you'll sample some of the island's finest fruit, honey, bread, pastries, seafood, artisanal meats, and homemade desserts—all washed down with locally-produced wines.
Day 4: Discover Western São Miguel & the Sete Cidades Lagoons
Grab a hearty breakfast and your hiking boots, then hop in your rental car and drive along the coast to reach the most famous site in the Azores, Sete Cidades. A volcanic caldera that cradles two turquoise lagoons, this natural wonder can be explored both by land and by water. Spend the morning hiking along the rim of the crater or rent a kayak for a new perspective of the lagoon and the emerald hills surrounding it.
Just a 15-minute drive over the hill from Sete Cidades is one of the island's best-kept secrets: Ponta da Ferraria, a series of naturally heated thermal pools at the edge of the ocean. Be sure to pack your swimsuit because you won't be able to resist a dip. Keep in mind that you'll need to check the tidal chart and traverse large rocks and a ladder to reach the pools, but you'll be rewarded with sweeping ocean views to complement your soak.
Day 5: Morning Whale Watching, Drive to Furnas via Central São Miguel
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Kick off day five with a whale watching cruise. The Azores are known for their incredible marine biodiversity, and you'll get to experience it up close this morning as you board a boat to search for whales and dolphins. Most species are spotted from April through October, but spring is the best time to see blue whales on their annual migration, and sperm whales and dolphins live in the Azorean waters year-round.
Once you're back on dry land, pack up your things and jump back in the car to make your way toward the central part of the island. Your first stop should be the mountaintop views of Lagoa do Fogo, considered the most beautiful lagoon on São Miguel. If you fancy a dip in some hot springs, stop by Caldeira Velha or continue toward the northern coast of the island and the village of Ribeira Grande.
The lesser-known Areais area and its black-sand beaches make a worthwhile swimming spot this afternoon. If you're still up for more exploring, drive to the island's southern coast to experience the fishing village of Caloura and its inviting beaches, Populo and Baixa d'Areia. When you're ready, continue to your hotel in Furnas, a town in the island's center known for its dramatic geothermal activity, and your base for the next three nights.
Day 6: Experience the Volcanic Activity of the Furnas Valley
Today you'll dive deeper into the Furnas Valley, a volcanic caldera that has lain dormant since 1630. It's one of São Miguel's most intriguing geothermal spots, where mud pots bubble and fumaroles steam amid the verdant landscape. Start with a circular, 1.5-hour walking trail of Pico do Ferro, which offers some of the best views of nearby Lago das Furnas. From there, it's on to the Terra Nostra Botanical Garden―the oldest botanical garden in the Azores―where you can soak in thermal pools and natural Jacuzzis surrounded by lush foliage.
Your experience at Furnas won't be complete until you sit down to lunch to try the traditional dish of cozido, a stew famous for being cooked underground using geothermal heat, and the ananás (pineapple) for dessert. After lunch, explore more of the valley's volcanic activity, like steam vents, fumaroles, and mineral water fountains that gush from the lava walls. Later, you could make a final stop at the Gorreana Tea Factory to sip a brew at the only tea plantation in Europe.
Day 7: Discover Eastern São Miguel's Waterfalls & Ancient Forests
There's only one place left to explore on the penultimate day of your trip—the unspoiled eastern side of São Miguel. This area produces some of the island's famed agricultural products, but you'll find plenty of hidden natural treasures among the orange groves and wheat fields. Start with a drive to the picturesque waterfalls of Ribeira dos Caldeirões, a protected nature park where you can hike well-marked trails or join a canyoning adventure for a more adrenaline-filled morning. This section of the island is also home to an ancient laurisilva (laurel) forest, one of the few subtropical rainforests left in Europe.
As you loop your way back toward your base in Furnas, don't miss stops at Ponta da Madrugada and Ponta do Sossego, two of the archipelago's most spectacular lookout points. Follow red-dirt clifftop trails lined with hydrangeas, and capture a few last photo ops before returning to your hotel for the afternoon. You might want to head back to the hot springs this evening to soothe any tired muscles before tomorrow's flight.
Day 8: Drive to Ponte Delgada, Depart
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