Azores Hotels

Alluring Azores

The nine volcanic islands that comprise the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean are bit like a foreign film. They take time to familiarise yourself with, and tend to attract a savvier breed of culture vultures seeking an antidote to the standard holiday blockbuster. They don’t, however, come with subtitles, and it’s easy to get lost in the landscape. ... Read more »

Sete Cidades is a beautifully untouched forest valley that needs to be explored again and again, while the alluring Lagoa do Fogo (Lake of Fire) is the kind of place that restores your faith in, well, everything. Faja Grande is one of the most beautifully placed townships in the world, surrounded by mountainous volcano peaks and ocean views. Technically part of Portugal, the Azores aren’t best experienced on a hungover Sunday. They’re a slow burn and take time for you to get to know and, eventually, love.

The Azores’ Top 10

10. Terra Nostra Gardens Influenced by various landscape styles that lend a surreal edge to its contemporaneous surroundings.	5. Capelinhos An island scarred by the vicious eruption of a volcano – as visually shocking as it is interesting.
9.Gruta das Torres On the island of Pico, tour groups move in tiny tunnels towards the ultimate goal: a live volcano.	4. Caideira das Sete Cidades This beautiful island, which has sprung from the ashes of a volcano, is rightfully described as a strange kind of paradise.
8.Monte Brasil A giant Spanish fort stands on this extinct volcano – a beautiful contrast of nature and civilisation.	3. The Marina of Horta The fourth busiest marina in the world is home to some of the most extravagant boats on the planet.
7. Plantacoes de Cha Gorreana Picturesque tea plantations overlooking the sea. Their beauty lies in symmetry and landscaped precision.	2. Furnas The hot springs of Furnas are a beautiful display of nature’s power and wonder.
6. Rua da Se Translating as Cathedral Street and as pleasant as they come.	1. Montanha do Pico The highest mountain in Portugal is tricky to tackle, but you are rewarded with the most magnificent views.

Azores History

Casa do Capitão – A traditional rural house that has a surrounding garden.
Church of Nossa Senhora de Fátima – Historic church that was built in honour of the sighting of the Virgin Mary by three children in Fatima.
Old Town of Angra do Heroismo – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old town contains many historic and cultural buildings.
Lajes de Pico – The first settlement in Azores, it contains many old stone houses and offers many picturesque views.
Capelinhos – The site of a volcanic eruption in 1957 and shows how an eruption can reform the land.

Azores Art & Culture

Vila do Porto – A traditional Portuguese historic village located on Santa Maria Island.
Scrimshaw Museum – The exhibits are dedicated to Scrimshaw, or handiwork that is made out of the baleen, bones and teeth of whales.
Museu Carlos Machado – A natural history and ethnographic museum that contains Azores sculptures, porcelain, jewellery and more.
Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture – A UNESCO World Heritage site, the visits to heritage manors and wineries should not be missed.
Gorreana Tea Factory and Plantation – First established in 1883, this is the main tea production company in Azores.

Azores Shopping

Parque Atlantico Mall – The best mall to purchase souvenirs such as wickerwork, sewing items, sweaters, blankets and more.
Adega A Buraca – The best spot to stop and taste and purchase wine from Azores.
Sol-Mar Centro Commercial – A smaller mall that is a good place to buy local liqueurs, wines, tea and cheese.
Maviripa – A store that stocks many of the handicraft items created on the islands.

Gay & Lesbian Azores

Baia da Bara – Gay-friendly, spacious apartments that offer beautiful ocean views in Azores.
Sport Bar – This bar serves inexpensive but tasty food and drinks.
Colegio 27 – A cosmopolitan bar located in a historic building in Ponta Delgada.
XF – Next to the marina in Horta, the bar features jazz music.
Conves – Found in the Galleries of Portas do Mar, this is a restaurant and bar.

The Azores Events

Celebrating one third of the Christian holy trinity, the Holy Ghost Festival in May is a lavish festival of dancing and laughter enjoyed by even the secular.

Lasting longer than the festival in Pamplona, the novelty wears thin by May’s Tourada a Corda, when the bulls run every day for over five months.

August’s Semana dos Baleeiros mixes religion and music in a weird fusion that works surprisingly well.

The streets are covered with flowers and arches for August’s Santa Cruz Festival,and the season of spring is celebrated wholeheartedly.

The deeply religious Azores celebrate Christmas with gusto – even down to (fake) snow scattered around tropical trees.

When To Go

November to March are bright, occasionally windy and rainy, but always hot.
The waters around the Azores are near-permanently warm and swimmable.
The Azores are notorious for experiencing several seasons in one day, so pack with this in mind.

Getting Around

Most of the Azores are small enough to explore on foot, but expect steep hills and unpredictable footing.
If you’re travelling in a large group, island hop in style by chartering a boat.
Renting a car means you’re not subject to the erratic timetables of local buses.

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