The Azores sit in the middle of the Atlantic, 1,500 kilometres from Lisbon, nine volcanic islands that look like they have been dropped into the ocean from somewhere impossibly green and fertile. Sao Miguel, the largest, has an interior of extraordinary drama: twin crater lakes (Sete Cidades, one brilliant blue and one emerald green, separated by a thin strip of land), geothermal hot spring pools at Furnas where the earth steams and bubbles, and tea plantations (the only ones in Europe) running down to the Atlantic.
For the luxury traveller, the Azores represent something rare, a destination of genuine natural drama that remains relatively undiscovered, with a luxury hotel infrastructure that has matured to the point where quality of experience matches the quality of the environment. The Terra Nostra Garden Hotel in Furnas and the Furnas Boutique Hotel represent the finest properties; the new wave of design hotels on the island of Terceira and Faial is expanding the portfolio.
Sao Miguel: The Green Island
Sao Miguel is the Azores' most complete island, a landscape of volcanic craters, hot springs, crater lakes and dramatic Atlantic coastline concentrated in an island only 65km long. The Sete Cidades caldera in the west (a 5km-wide crater containing two lakes of different colours, their different hues explained by a local legend of a princess and a shepherd) and the Furnas valley in the east (where natural hot springs heat a geothermal pool within a botanical garden, and where dishes are cooked underground using the earth's own heat) are the island's signature experiences.
The Terra Nostra Garden Hotel in Furnas, set within a 12-hectare botanical garden, is one of the most extraordinary hotel settings in Europe, guests swim in a large thermal pool the colour of strong tea, surrounded by tropical vegetation and the steam of geothermal activity. The pool is at 39 degrees Celsius and is accessible to hotel guests at any hour.
Whale Watching in the Atlantic
The Azores is widely considered the finest whale watching destination in the world, the convergence of deep Atlantic currents around the islands creates extraordinary feeding conditions, and the relative shallowness of the waters around the archipelago means that sperm whales (which dive to extraordinary depths to hunt giant squid) surface frequently and close to shore. Over 20 species of cetacean have been recorded in Azorean waters, including blue whales, fin whales, sei whales and common and bottlenose dolphins.
The whale watching operations out of Pico Island (adjacent to Faial) are particularly well-regarded, the traditional lookout stations (vigia) on the clifftops, once used by whalers, are now used by spotters communicating by radio with the boats below. Encounters are not guaranteed but the success rate in the prime season (April to October) is very high.
Faial, Pico and the Central Group
The central group of islands, Faial, Pico and Sao Jorge, are accessible from Sao Miguel by inter-island flights (30 minutes) and offer dramatically different landscapes. Pico Island is dominated by Mount Pico, the highest point in Portugal at 2,351m, a perfect volcanic cone that rises directly from the sea and can be climbed in a demanding four to five hour round trip with stunning views of the archipelago from the summit. Faial's deep-water marina at Horta is the traditional halfway point for transatlantic sailors, its Peter Cafe Sport a legendary watering hole.
Sao Jorge's dramatic landscape of fajãs (small coastal platforms created by ancient lava flows) and its production of the Azores' finest cheese (Queijo de Sao Jorge, aged six months minimum) reward a day visit by ferry.
Getting to the Azores
Sata Air Azores and TAP Portugal operate direct flights from Lisbon to all nine islands; SATA also operates direct transatlantic services from Boston, Toronto and London Gatwick to Ponta Delgada (Sao Miguel). The Azores' time zone is UTC-1 in winter, UTC in summer, one hour behind the UK in winter, same as the UK in summer. The islands are accessible as a two-hour flight from Lisbon, making them ideal for combining with a Lisbon city break.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit the Azores?
The Azores have a mild Atlantic climate year-round, but spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) offer the best combination of green landscapes, manageable rainfall and whale watching season. Summer (July to August) is the most crowded and has the warmest temperatures.
Which Azores island should you visit?
Sao Miguel is the most visited and most diverse island, ideal for a first visit with the Sete Cidades lakes, Furnas valley and thermal pools all on one island. Pico offers the volcano climb and the finest whale watching. Faial has the best marina atmosphere. A multi-island trip covering three islands in eight to ten days is the ideal Azores experience.
Do you need a hire car in the Azores?
Yes, a hire car is essential on the larger islands (Sao Miguel, Pico, Faial, Terceira). The road network is good but public transport is limited. The volcanic topography means driving involves spectacular mountain and coastal roads throughout.
Is the Azores good for a honeymoon?
The Azores is increasingly popular for honeymoons seeking something different from the Mediterranean or Caribbean mainstream, the dramatic natural setting, intimate hotels and the sense of genuine discovery make it a compelling romantic destination, particularly for travellers who value nature and adventure alongside luxury.
