THE AZORES

ABOUT THE AZORES

The Azores is an archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,500 kilometers west of Lisbon, Portugal. The Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands and is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal, the other being Madeira. The islands of the Azores are known for their rugged natural beauty, with towering mountains, hot springs, dramatic coastlines, and a year-round mild climate. The Azores has a population of around 245,000 people, with the largest city and capital being Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel. Mount Pico - the highest mountain of the Azores -  rises to an elevation of 2351m above sea level on the eponymous island, Pico. 

Besides their impressive geological structures, the Azores are home to a huge variety of unique flora and fauna, including endemic species that are found nowhere else in the world. The opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers are sheer endless - go for a hike, a bike ride or try out a canyoning or coasteering adventure. In the ocean, you can watch the biggest animals alive on Earth in their natural habitat or swim with dolphins, but also go kayaking, surfing, or just relaxing in hot thermal waters.

For traditional culture, history, architecture, and local food and wine, vibrant towns and sleepy fishing villages are waiting to be explored.

 

São Miguel surprises with its geysers, thermal springs, and volcanic lakes, such as Lagoa das Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo. Santa Maria is known for its beautiful beaches, clear waters, local festivals, and rich history, as it was the first island to be discovered by the Portuguese in 1432. Pico, Terceira, Faial, São Jorge, and Graciosa are the central islands. Faial is the island of the bright blue hydrangeas, the colorful marina of Horta, and the extinct volcano of Capelinhos with its lunar-like landscape. Opposite Faial, is Pico Island. On the slopes of Pico Mountain vines are planted in black lava fields and surrounded by low stone walls to protect the plants from the sea wind. The vineyards present a unique landscape that is placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The two western islands, Corvo and Flores, are the most remote but not less beautiful.

 

Nine small Azores islands, so different between them but all perfect for an adventure holiday.

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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."

 

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Every principal town on the Azores has a hospital with an emergency department or a health center. The EHIC (european Health Insurance Card) is widely accepted, but private travel insurance is always recommended.

General opening hours of pharmacies are from Monday to Saturday between 9am - 1pm and 3 - 7pm.

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ENTRY REQUIREMENS

​​EU or Swiss citizens do not require a visa to travel to the Azores, but a valid passport / ID card has to be presented upon entrance. Visitors travelling from outside the EU or Schengen area might need a visa upon entering any EU country, even though a number of countries will not require a visa. Documents like an invitation letter, a proof of lodging or a round-trip ticket might be required. Please check with your local consular services.

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ELECTRICITY

220 Volt/50 Hertz alternating current.​​​

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