Looking for a unique experience on a lush volcanic archipelago with great food and breathtaking natural attractions? Then look no further, as the Azores have everything you want and more. In this article, I’ll provide a seven-day Azores itinerary to help you explore one of Europe’s dreamiest destinations.
As a Portuguese citizen, I was lucky enough to witness the splendors of the Azores firsthand on a couple of occasions, and the memories of these past trips will stay with me for the rest of my life. The recommendations below are merely suggestive, but they should give you a clearer idea of why I (and, let’s be honest, everybody else) love the Azores so much.
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Where Are the Azores
Along with Madeira, the Azores are one of the two autonomous regions in Portugal, sitting roughly 900 miles away from the mainland. Looking at the world map, you can find the Azores in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean. One of the archipelago’s islets, the Monchique Islet, is the westernmost point in Europe.
Comprised of nine islands, the Azores may look inaccessible at first, but are well connected to several European countries. In addition to Porto and Lisbon, you can fly directly to Ponta Delgada (the capital of the Azores) from Madrid, London, Paris, and more.
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How to Get to the Azores
There is only one way to get to the Azores from Lisbon, Porto, and other European cities: by catching an airplane. While ferry services are available, these are only for inter-island traveling and are not connected to mainland Europe.
Luckily, traveling by air is relatively comfortable, with direct flights leaving Lisbon and Porto several times a day. If you travel from mainland Portugal, you can reach Ponta Delgada in under three hours.
Outside of Portugal, you can find flights to the Azores in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam, but a connecting flight may be required depending on your point of origin.
Alternatively, you can also reach the Azores by cruise, but it’s highly unlikely that the cruise will stop in the archipelago anywhere near seven days.
How to Get Around the Azores
São Miguel, the biggest island in the Azores, has less than 300 square miles, but getting around can still be a hassle if you don’t have a rental car. Public transportation exists, but the available bus routes are relatively inefficient and are not designed to meet the needs of tourists.
There are taxis in São Miguel, but they’re normally expensive. At the moment, Uber and Bolt are not available in the Azores, meaning renting a car is not only the most comfortable transportation option, but also the cheapest.
While intra-island transportation options are lacking in the Azores, inter-island routes are normally pretty good. There’s one airport in each of the nine islands of the archipelago and direct ferries, operated by the Atlânticoline, connecting islands such as Terceira, Pico, and Faial.
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7-Day Azores Itinerary Overview
- Day 1: Arrive in Ponta Delgada
- Day 2: São Miguel Island
- Day 3: Fly to Terceira Island
- Day 4: Terceira Island
- Day 5: Fly to Pico Island
- Day 6: Pico Island and Ponta Delgada
- Day 7: Ponta Delgada
One Week in the Azores
So you’ve booked a 7-day vacation to the Azores; what now? Below, you can find a one-week Azores itinerary filled with exciting things to do, starting with a two-day tour of São Miguel, the archipelago’s main island:
Day 1: São Miguel Island
After landing on the main island of the Azores, I recommend that you join this popular two-day tour of São Miguel to catch up on the main attractions in the area. You can explore these by yourself by renting a car, but the guys from the tour will pick you up directly from the hotel, so why not make the most of it?
The Furnas Volcano will warm both your body and your food. At Parque Terra Nostra, an idyllic natural site with a world-class botanical garden, you’ll swim in thermal pools heated by the volcano (don’t forget to bring a towel). At lunchtime, try the Furnas Stew, the most famous dish in the Azores.
Made with vegetables and several types of meat, it’s a mouth-watering dish that’s simmered by the Furnas Volcano itself. The stew is placed in a pan and dropped into the hot underground, where it will sit for roughly six hours. As a member of the two-day tour, you get to witness the cooking process firsthand.
Since the tour doesn’t include dinner, I recommend you try the Restaurante O Estradinho, in Ponta Delgada, before going to bed and recharging your batteries. It’s a typical Portuguese restaurant, so don’t be afraid to ask for the Prato do dia, which is the recommended dish of the day (it’s also cheaper than ordering from the carte).
Day 2: São Miguel Island
The tour continues on your second day in the Azores, this time with an overview of the best natural attractions in São Miguel Island. The standout is the Lagoa das Sete Cidades, a twin lake formed on top of a dormant volcanic crater that’s emblematic of the whole archipelago.
It’s been a few years since I visited the Lagoa, but the memory of the scenic view of the two lakes, surrounded by green, lush vegetation, is one that I cherish as if I were there yesterday.
The tour also includes a stop at another volcanic lake, the Lagoa do Fogo. It’s similar to the Lagoa das Sete Cidades in many ways, but less touristic, rawer, and best suited for hikers.
If that’s something you’re interested in, I recommend trying the 7-mile circular hike around the lake. Photo-ops abound, so please don’t forget to bring your camera!
Whereas the two Lagoas make for impressive scenic views, the final natural attraction of the tour, the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park, offers an opportunity for you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the São Miguel Island. It’s best known for Véu da Noiva (meaning “wedding veil” in Portuguese), a small but dreamy waterfall where you can go for a refreshing swim.
For dinner, I suggest Cais da Sardinha, where you can try modern versions of traditional Azorean dishes with a direct view of the ocean. The best part is that, while it makes for a luxurious dining experience, the food is quite affordable (under €50 per person).
Day 3: Fly to Terceira Island
Next stop? Terceira Island. The SATA Azores airlane runs two daily flights from Ponta Delgada to the Terceira Lajes airport, so I suggest booking 8:40am flight that arrives at 9:20am in the morning. Unfortunately, the trip can be quite expensive, but that’s a small price to pay to catch up on the wonders of Terceira Island.
For day one in Terceira, start by exploring the Duke of Terceira Garden, a small botanical garden where you can see many types of trees and flowers. It’s a perfect morning-time destination because it invites you to relax and contemplate.
Moreover, it sits only seven minutes away (on foot) from Mercatto di Ostaria, a classy restaurant combining Portuguese and Italian cuisine in many creative ways.
In the afternoon, join this half-day tour of the Terceira Island Caves to explore the natural beauty of the Azores once more. You’ll see authentic lava tubes formed millions of years ago, swim in natural pools, and visit the Algar do Carvão, another lake formed on top of a dormant crater, but this time secludedly hidden at the bottom of a cave.
This must-try tour also includes a volcanic wine tasting that should be unique enough to impress even the most experienced wine lovers out there.
To renew your energy ahead of day four, have dinner at Captain’s Table. Sitting right in front of the sea, this renowned Angra do Heroísmo restaurant serves well-cooked fresh fish at under €20 a plate. For the freshest option on the menu, make sure to ask for the “catch of the day”.
Day 4: Terceira Island
For day two in Terceira, I recommend joining this full-day tour of the island, including lunch at a traditional Portuguese restaurant. A minibus experience covering the best natural attractions in Terceira, the tour also passes by Algar do Carvão. This makes it perfect for visitors who didn’t get a chance to join the Island Caves tour the day before.
Apart from Algar do Carvão, the tour’s standout attractions are Monte Brasil and Serra do Cume. Monte Brasil is a tiny volcanic peninsula covered by lush, green vegetation. Serra do Cume is a mountain range with a breathtaking viewpoint overlooking massive green plains that stretch as far as the eye can see.
For dinner, try the Tascas das Tias, a mid-price Mediterranean restaurant serving both traditional Portuguese food and more international dishes like burgers with fries.
Day 5: Fly to Pico Island
From Terceira, catch the SATA Azores airline flight to Pico Island as early as possible so you don’t miss any of the action! The trip takes less than 40 minutes, but like most inter-island trips in the Azores, it can be somewhat expensive.
After the flight, relax by taking a stroll at the Areia Larga pier, the perfect location to say “hi” to Pico Island. Traveling in the morning makes me super hungry, so this time I have a brunch recommendation for you: the Atlântico Tea & Wine House in the town of Madalena. Go easy on the wine, though, because you may have to do some driving in the afternoon…
After all, this buggy ride through the Pico vineyards makes for a perfect Azorean off-road experience, and the pick-up location is not far from the Atlântico Tea House.
The whole tour takes 3.5 hours and, while it’s best suited for buggy lovers and outdoors enthusiasts, it should also impress wine fans. The most distinctive feature of the vineyards is the currais, a type of circular stone wall traditionally used to protect the grapes from strong winds.
For dinner, try the restaurant at the Pico Terramar Spa & Hotel in Madalena, a bistro with a nice ambiance and a beautiful view of the ocean.
Day 6: Pico Island and Ponta Delgada
The Pico Island was named after the Pico Mountain, the highest mountain in Portugal. I love looking at Pico Mountain from afar, especially when it gets covered with snow, because it reminds me of Mount Fuji in Japan.
But looking, sometimes, is not enough; to experience Pico to the fullest, there’s nothing quite like actually climbing to the top of its tallest mountain…
Climbing a mountain that stretches more than 1,400 miles high, however, is not without its dangers. For this reason, I recommend that you join this Pico Island mountain tour and rely on the support of a certified Pico Mountain guide (insurance is also included).
The whole experience takes 8 hours (ascent and descent), so make sure you’re in perfect physical condition before joining in. Additionally, don’t forget to bring some water and food with you. For obvious reasons, the tour is not recommended for people who are afraid of heights.
If you don’t feel like climbing to the top of Portugal’s highest mountain, I suggest renting a car for the day and exploring the natural wonders of Pico all by yourself.
You have the whole afternoon before going back to Ponta Delgada for the last day of the trip. For dinner, try the Casa da Feijoca restaurant at the Farrobo farms. The food is great, and the restaurant is en route to the airport.
Day 7: Ponta Delgada
It’s your last day in the Azores, so make sure you wake up early to catch up on all the things you missed in Ponta Delgada the first time around. The big (quite literally) activity of the day? Whale-watching, of course!
Going whale watching aboard a catamaran is a classic Azorean tourist experience, but how often do you get the chance to see actual whales in their natural habitat? As far as clichès go, this is definitely one of the good ones!
On the tour, you will also get to see animals such as dolphins and turtles, all while listening to live commentaries provided by a marine biologist.
After the whale-watching experience (it lasts around three hours), you still have some time to take a stroll in the small but charming city of Ponta Delgada before lunch. Take some photos at the Portas da Cidade (meaning “gates of the city” in Portuguese) and then try the food at Taberna Açor, where some of the finest charcuterie in the archipelago is served.
During the afternoon, I suggest trying this pineapple greenhouse and hot tub tour to learn about pineapple production in the Azores. The experience takes 2.5 hours and includes a pit stop at a relaxing pool sitting right in the middle of the pineapple greenhouse.
The one downside is that you need to get to the tour’s location (Herdade do Ananás) all by yourself. However, the trip to Herdade do Ananás from Ponta Delgada’s city center takes only eight minutes by car, meaning you can easily use your rental (or book a taxi) to get there.
For your last dinner before going back home, why not try the delicacies at O Baco, the restaurant of Hotel Ponta Delgada? The food is great, and Hotel Ponta Delgada is one of the best accommodation options in the Azores, as you can see below.
Where to Stay in the Azores
There’s no shortage of cool hotels in the Azores, but these are three of my favorites:
Hotel Ponta Delgada
Hotel Ponta Delgada is your classic three-star city hotel in the Azores, but it’s much better than it may seem. With breakfast included for all the rooms, this hotel boasts excellent facilities, spa treatments, private parking, and a fabulous heated indoor swimming pool. For only €100 a night or even less, this one’s a bargain!
Hotel Cruzeiro
For your stay in Terceira Island, my top recommendation is the Hotel Cruzeiro, another great city hotel with plenty of accommodation options. You can choose between classic single rooms, deluxe double rooms, and even full apartments equipped with a kitchen. The average price varies between €75 and €100 a night, depending on the room.
Pico Terramar & Spa
On Pico Island, choosing a hotel gets even easier, as the Pico Terramar & Spa is just too good to be ignored. A bit more luxurious and expensive than the other hotels on the list, the Terramar makes up for its average price of roughly €150 per night. It spoils its guests with two swimming pools, a complete spa and wellness center, and two restaurants. Breakfast is included, and so is a direct shuttle to and from the local airport.
Azores Itinerary FAQ
The Azores are a Portuguese archipelago comprised of nine islands, so I suggest booking a seven-day vacation to see the main islands of São Miguel, Terceira, and Pico. To comfortably explore the Azores even further and visit all of its nine islands, you may need 10 to 15 days.
There is no ferry from Portugal to the Azores. To go from mainland Portugal to the Azores, the best option is to catch one of the daily flights connecting Lisbon or Porto to Ponta Delgada.
If you’re looking to relax and you’re okay with occasional rain showers, off-season March and April are two good months to visit the Azores. If you’re okay with crowds and don’t mind visiting during the hot season, the summer months (May to September) are the best due to the perfect weather.
If you travel by airplane from Lisbon or Porto, you can get to the Azores in roughly 2.5 hours.
Conclusion
The Azores have been growing in popularity, but they remain, for the most part, a fringe tourist recommendation. Despite being officially a part of Europe, the archipelago is stranded in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean and is characterized by its unique fauna and flora.
Expressing what it feels like to be in the Azores is not easy, but when someone asks me to, I always describe them as being a lush, green version of volcanic Iceland, where pineapples grow and hot springs show.
Mere words, however, cannot fully encapsulate the beauty of the Azores, so please make sure to book your seven-day trip and see for yourself what the fuss is about. And check out this guide if you’re torn between visiting the Azores and Madeira.
Check out these posts for more Portugal travel inspiration:
- Places to Go Canyoning in Madeira
- Best Activities in Madeira
- Portugal Travel Tips
- Surf and Yoga Retreats in Portugal
- Best Surfing Camps in Portugal
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