Island Hopping on the Azores Family Adventure
Regions
Sao Miguel, Faial and Pico
Starting Point
Ponta Delgada
Best time to travel
all year
Recommended Length
10 - 14 days
Best for
from 6 years
Activity Level **
3/5
This 11 days family tour to the Azores will take you to the islands of São Miguel, Faial and Pico and will show you the different faces of the archipelago. The islands are characterized by rich volcanic heritage, showing in an amazing landscape made from volcanic cones, deep craters, glittering crater lakes bubbling hot springs and a beautiful rugged coastline made of black basalt. Venture around the slopes of Portugal's highest peak on Pico, hike the beautiful crater lakes on São Miguel and visit the location of the islands youngest volcanic eruption at the Vulcão dos Capelinhos on Faial while enjoying exciting and fun outdoor activities, learning about the Azores gastronomic heritage and enjoying quality time with the whole family.
Family Adventure Holidays
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
✓ family adventure tour on São Miguel, Faial and Pico
✓ hiking and cycling tours to discover the volcanic heritage and the beautiful lush scenery of the Azores
✓ guided discovery tours on each island to learn about the cultural and geological history
✓ unforgettable swimming with dolphins adventure in the deep blue waters around Faial
✓ spot whales and dolphins in their natural habitat on a whale watching tour from Pico island
✓ learn how to make your own traditional ice-cream from local flavors
Family Adventure Holidays
TOUR OVERVIEW
Day 1 - arrive to São Miguel - overnight in Ponta Delgada
Day 2 - hiking and kayaking at Sete Cidades - overnight in Ponta Delgada (70km)
Day 3 - Lagoa do Fogo - Caldeira Velha - overnight in Furnas (55km)
Day 4 - traditional ice cream making class - free time in Furnas - overnight in Furnas (30km)
Day 5 - transfer to Faial - free afternoon in Horta - overnight in Horta (60km)
Day 6 - adventure tour around Faial - overnight Horta (90km)
Day 7 - Faial swimming with dolphins - overnight in Horta (20km)
Day 8 - transfer to Pico - Eastern Pico cycling tour - overnight in Madalena (25km)
Day 9 - adventure tour around Pico island - overnight in Madalena (110km)
Day 10 - whale and dolphin watching tour on Pico - overnight in Madalena (70km)
Day 11 - departure
DETAILED ITINERARY
DAY 1 - WELCOME TO SAO MIGUEL
Arrive to São Miguel and transfer to Ponta Delgada. You will have the rest of the afternoon to explore the lively streets of the capital of the Azores, stroll along the beautiful marina and get a taste of the Azores in some of the many small bars and restaurants.
Overnight in Ponta Delgada.
DAY 2 - HIKING & KAYAKING AT SETE CIDADES
The beautiful green and blue lakes of the water-filled caldera at Sete Cidades are a great spot for hiking and other water activities. Enjoy the fantastic views over eastern São Miguel, the lakes and the Atlantic ocean from the various viewpoints on top of the lakes. It is then time to get active as you will take to the waters and test your paddling skills in a fun kayaking adventure to experience the wonderful lush scenery from the calm waters.
Overnight in Ponta Delgada.
DAY 3 - LAGOA DO FOGO - CALDEIRA VELHA
Today you will explore the central and eastern area of the largest island of the Azores. Visit the calm and mystical Lagoa do Fogo surrounded by lush green vegetation and visit the nature preserve center at the Caldeira Velha, where you can learn more about the natural heritage of the area before taking a dip in the natural thermal pools filled by a waterfall! Continue to Furnas, famous for the ongoing geothermal activity with bubbling hot springs and steam rising from the ground.
Overnight in Furnas.
DAY 4 - TRADITIONAL ICE-CREAM MAKING
The day starts with a visit to a traditional farm , where you will meet some of the farm animals and learn about traditional farming on the Azores. You will then head to the traditional production halls, where you will be introduced to the arts of preparing delicious traditional ice cream from the Azores made from local fruits like pineapple or passion fruit!
The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy around beautiful Furnas. Visit the lush Terra Nostra Gardens and the thermal pools or enjoy the views over Furnas and eastern São Miguel on a hike around the lake.
Overnight in Furnas.
DAY 5 - TRANSFER TO FAIAL
You will transfer to Faial today, one of the central islands of the Azores and part of the islands triangle made of the islands Faial, Pico and São Jorge. You will have the afternoon free to explore the little port town of Horta, world famous among sailors as the last stop before crossing between Europe and America and you will experience a unique relaxed and cosmopolitan atmosphere in the lively town.
Overnight in Horta.
DAY 6 - FAIAL ADVENTURE TOUR
A guided tour will take you across Faial today to discover the beautiful natural heritage of Faial. Discover hidden bays, enjoy the view over the central islands and the Atlantic from the caldera in the center of the islands and visit the location of the youngest volcanic eruption on the Azores in the Capelinhos area, where a submarine volcanic eruption added two kilometers of new land to the western side of Faial in 1958.
Overnight in Horta.
DAY 7 - SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS
A very special adventure awaits you this morning as you will take to the Atlantic waters to join a group of nosy dolphins for a once-in-a-lifetime swimming adventure. You will be able to observe the dolphins in their natural habitat and get close to the friendly marine inhabitants in a safe and sustainable way. Relax in the afternoon and spend some free time around Horta.
Overnight Horta.
DAY 8 - CYCLING ON PICO ISLAND
You will take the ferry to Pico this morning, the largest of the central islands, which is dominated by its impressive volcanic peak Pico, the highest mountain on the Azores and in Portugal. A family cycling tour is waiting for you in the afternoon, taking you over the island between the sea and mountain and through the beautiful landscape of the western island made of traditional villages nestled between UNESCO-listed vineyards.
Overnight in Madalena.
DAY 9 - PICO ISLAND ADVENTURE TOUR
A tour around Pico will teach you more about the fascinating volcanic heritage of the Azores that shaped the island and the unique cultural landscape of wine cultivation and whale hunting which are present all over Pico. You will catch some unique views of Pico mountain and over the neighboring islands, stroll through the historic streets of the picturesque town of Lajes and enjoy the view into the beautiful lush caldera.
Overnight in Madalena.
DAY 10 - WHALE AND DOLPHIN WATCHING
Head to the open waters once more as you will explore Pico's long standing whaling tradition on a whale and dolphin watching tour. The waters around the Azores are home to more than 20 different species of whales and dolphins and you will be able to approach the world largest mammals in their natural habitat in a safe and responsible way. Whale watching took the place of whale hunting after it was prohibited and the deep knowledge and skills of the former huntsmen are now being used spotting and approaching the animals in a careful way, giving the tours a success rate of almost 100%!
Overnight in Madalena.
DAY 11 - DEPARTURE
Transfer to the airport or extension.
Family Adventure Holidays
SERVICES INCLUDED
Family Adventure Holidays
- accommodation in good standard hotels or guesthouses
- private transfers for the entire trip
- activities, visits and tours as outlined, with a certified, English speaking guide where desired/required
- all taxes and insurances for the activities
- expert travel planning, trip preparation and 24/7 on-tour support
Family Adventure Holidays
TIMES & RATES
Family Adventure Holidays
Description
Family Adventure Holidays
GALLERY
Family Adventure Holidays
Family Adventure Holidays
Contact us for a quote
Family Adventure Holidays
TRAVEL TIPS
When to travel
The Azores can be visited all year round. Even though the Azores High is often responsible for sunny weather across Europe, almost any day on the Azores has four seasons. You will experience short intervals of rain showers and sunshine or strong winds followed by completely calm periods. Especially the northern coasts are exposed and experience turbulent waters and strong winds. The southern sides, especially on the higher islands, generally enjoy calmer and milder conditions. Quite often, the mountain ranges are covered in fog.
The eastern island of Santa Maria is the warmest of the islands and the further you travel west, the rougher the conditions get.
Temperatures on the Azores are moderate throughout the year with fairly mild winters and average around 14 degrees C in February and 28 degrees in August. Temperatures only drop slightly over night. Humidity is quite high with the high summer months July and August being hot and muggy. Rain spreads evenly over the months, but you will find much stronger winds over the winter months. Either way, you should always prepare with a windproof rain coat or jacket and a warm jumper between October and May.
The most popular time to travel to the Azores for many is between June and September with July and August being busy with foreign visitors. Capacity is limited, so it is recommendable to plan ahead if you are planning to travel over the high summer months. April to June and September and October are perfect for exploring the islands and for getting active.
How to travel
The Azores can be reached by plane with Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel being the point of arrival. SATA/Azores airlines offers direct flights from a number of places in Europe and North America and there are also connections from Europe with Ryanair, SWISS or TAP.
SATA/Azores Airlines offers regular flights between the islands for affordable rates, which is the fastest and easiest way to get around. There are also regular ferry connections between the islands, which are a good option for shorter rides, for example between Sao Jorge, Faial and Pico. Some of the ferry services do not operate daily and only in the high season.
The easiest way to get around on the islands is by rental car or chauffeur driven service. We also offer the possibility to offer day trips where the transport is automatically included.
Travelling with children
Portugal is very kids friendly in general, cots and high chairs are available in most hotels upon request. Smaller, kids-sized portions are available in almost any restaurant.
The scenery across the islands is green and lush, making it a fantastic outdoor destination to enjoy nature, volcanic heritage, culture and thermal hot springs. Hiking, cycling and guided walking and sight-seeing tours are suitable for any age, but usually a minimum age of eight years or older is required for some of the more physical activities like canyoning or coasteering. If you have any concerns, please talk to us and we will be happy to help you pick the right activities.
You will not find many beaches on the Azores, but older kids will love to explore the volcanic coastline and the crystal clear waters on snorkeling and swimming adventures. Whale watching tours are leaving from various locations across the islands and make for a wonderful trip to enjoy with the whole family.
What to bring
Temperatures climb well over 25 degrees over the day in the summer months, but the climate remains humid and you should prepare for rainy episodes, so a waterproof jacket should always be at hand. Light clothes are recommended if you are travelling in summer, but you should also pack for some lower temperatures and wind if you are planning on climbing Pico mountain or boarding a whale watching tour. If you are travelling outside the summer months, you should bring a few warm jumpers. Further, a sunhat, sunglasses and sun lotion will be useful.
A proper camera is indispensable to capture the beautiful landscape and the fantastic view. For hiking tours, bring a waterproof backpack to store your essentials and some proper (ideally waterproof) hiking shoes/boots.
For more practical travel advise and general information on visiting the Azores, please follow the link below.
Family Adventure Holidays
* The minimum age is based on the overall tour, some activities can require a higher minimum age, this will be advised at proposal stage. While not all activities are suitable for very small children, we are happy to tailor the tour to meet your specific wishes and needs.
** The activity level is based on the amount of tours and activities included (1 - few tours and activities with a lot of free time, 5 - a lot of tours and activities with little free time). The activity level does not reflect the difficulty of the activities or tours included. Itineraries can be tailored to match the preferred level of activity.
