Azores Travel Guide – Tourist attractions and useful tips

Getting to know the Azores

What you can do for free in the Azores

1. Visit Lagoa do Fogo
   Get ready for a hike for a lifetime! Of course, you can stay up high and enjoy the fantastic views over the lagoon, but if you’re feeling a little adventurous, you can hike down to the water and enjoy this fabulous corner of nature. Don’t forget to wear appropriate shoes and clothes for the hike.
2. Check out the Portas da Cidade
   Walk around the Ponta Delgado city and don’t forget to stop by this beautiful spot. It is a great place to take fantastic photos and to enjoy the vibe of the city.
3. Visit the Arruda Pineapple Plantation
   There are over 10,000 pineapples here, being cultivated in large greenhouses. You can take a free guided tour. There is also a gift shop and you have the opportunity to taste pineapples and pineapple liquor.

Top spots to visit

1. Montanha do Pico
   Quite literally a top spot to visit, Montanha do Pico is the highest point in all of Portugal, at the altitude of 2351 meters. This seems pretty high, but it is not hard to climb. You can give it a try, but make sure you bring appropriate gear and you sign in at the visitor centre before setting off.
2. Algar do Carvão
   This is probably one of the most mesmerizing experiences you can try in the Azores. In the middle of Terceira, you can descend 100 metres into an ancient lava tube. This volcano is 100% extinct, and you’ll be able to enter the magma chamber of it.
3. Marina da Horta
   Marina da Horta is Azores’s main recreational harbour. Here, on the walls and ground of the quays and docks, you will see numerous painting made by almost every captain to pass through.

Hidden spots to visit

1. Trilha de Misterios Negros
   This very exciting hiking trail may seem a little difficult, but if you have the courage to go on this adventure you will be rewarded with a fantastic incursion into the heart of nature, and a thrilling experience that you will remember for the rest of your life.
2. Salto do Cabrito
   You can also choose a hike towards this beautiful fountain, although the spot is also easily accessible from a nearby parking spot, so you can also drive or take a tour bus to get there.
3. Nossa Senhora da Paz
   This beautiful church may be a bit hard to reach, but once you get there, make sure you go all the way to the top. Admire the breathtaking views and enjoy the unique design of the church itself.

Restaurants

Enjoy the European and Portuguese cuisine in some of the best restaurants in Azores! Try out the fantastic meals in Paladares da quinta, Xitaka, Restaurante Terra Nostra, Messa d’Oito, Taberna Roberto and many more.

 

 

Recommended time for visiting

Finding good weather in the Azores is not that hard, since the temperatures are warm and cozy all the way from May to October. November to February are rainy months, but the weather in the Azores is also pretty unpredictable, so nothing is for sure. This is also the best time frame to enjoy thermal springs. July and August are peak tourist season, so the crowds will be bigger, and the hotel rates higher.