How Many Days Are Ideal for Exploring the Azores?
Planning a trip to the Azores can be a bit challenging, especially when trying to decide how many days are ideal to truly experience this stunning archipelago. The Azores, with their lush landscapes, volcanic craters, and unique cultural heritage, offers a wide range of activities and sights. Whether you're an adventurer looking to hike and explore the natural wonders or a traveler seeking relaxation in the hot springs and charming villages, the number of days you spend here can greatly influence your experience. In this guide, we'll help you determine the perfect duration for your stay in the Azores to ensure you make the most of your visit.
Exploring the Azores can be as simple or as complex as you wish, depending on your travel style and how much you want to see. If you're visiting São Miguel Island, the largest of the Azores, 4 to 5 days is usually enough to cover its major attractions. On the smaller islands like Corvo and Flores, 2 to 3 days is sufficient, especially if you have a rental car.
However, if you plan to explore the Azores without a car, the time required on each island can vary. Here are some tips for making the most of your trip. Keep in mind that having a car simplifies travel and reduces the time needed to see everything.
São Miguel Island - 4 Days
When exploring São Miguel, we recommend dividing the island into four regions: North, South, East, and West. This approach allows you to cover the island's highlights in about four days. If you choose to extend your stay, you could also visit nearby islands like Terceira, Faial, or Santa Maria.
With a rental car, three days might be enough to see most of the famous landmarks and get a good feel for the island. However, if you enjoy hiking or activities like whale watching, hiking and boat rides, which can take up a half or full day, you might want to consider staying longer.
Here's a suggested itinerary:
- Day 1: Sete Cidades, Mosteiros, and Ferraria.
- Day 2: Lagoa do Fogo, Gorreana, Porto Formoso, and Nordeste.
- Day 3: Furnas, Ribeira Quente, and Povoação.
- Day 4: Ponta Delgada, Vila Franca, and surrounding areas.
This plan ensures you experience the best of São Miguel while allowing flexibility for additional activities and excursions.
Santa Maria Island - 2 Days
When visiting Santa Maria Island, it's best to split your itinerary into two parts: North and West, and South and East. Since most hotels and accommodations are in Vila do Porto, the main city, renting a car is almost mandatory due to limited transportation options.
We recommend dividing your two days as follows:
- Day 1: Explore Vila do Porto, Almagreira, and Santo Espírito.
- Day 2: Visit Anjos and São Pedro.
If you have an extra day, consider enjoying the island's hiking trails, whale watching, whale-shark or manta rays diving. This approach allows you to experience the best of Santa Maria Island while accommodating additional activities.
Terceira Island - 4 Days
Like São Miguel Island, Terceira is one of the largest islands in the Azores, along with Pico Island. To thoroughly explore Terceira, we recommend dividing the island into four parts and spending four days there. The central group of islands is conveniently interconnected, allowing you to easily explore surrounding islands by ferry (with seasonal schedules) or by flights (e.g., a 30-minute flight to Pico Island).
Here's a suggested itinerary for Terceira:
- Day 1: Explore Angra do Heroísmo, Santa Bárbara, and Feteira.
- Day 2: Visit Porto Martins, Praia da Vitória, and Lajes.
- Day 3: Discover Biscoitos, Agualva, and Quatro Ribeiras.
- Day 4: Enjoy Doze Ribeiras, Serra do Cume, and Serreta.
Keep in mind that Terceira Island offers a wealth of cultural experiences and activities. You can enjoy whale and dolphin watching,canyoning, bullfight tours, dairy farm visits, boat tours, horseback riding, and much more. Find out, here!
Faial Island - 2 Days
When visiting Faial, you can easily explore the island in two days. We recommend dividing your itinerary into South and East, and North and West (including Caldeira in the center of the island).
Here's a suggested itinerary for Faial:
- Day 1: Visit Castelo Branco, Horta, Praia do Almoxarife, and Ribeirinha.
- Day 2: Explore Capelo (Volcano), Caldeira (in the center), Praia do Norte, and Cascalho.
If you have an extra day, consider visiting Pico Island or São Jorge Island. Both are part of the “Triangle of the Azores” and are easily accessible by ferry. You can even arrange day trips with lunch included, featuring boat tickets and pick-up services. This allows you to experience the unique attractions of these neighboring islands without the need for extended stays.
Pico Island - 3 Days
When visiting Pico Island, plan to spend at least three days in this stunning natural oasis. As the second largest island in the Azores archipelago, Pico offers a wealth of experiences that will exceed your expectations. The island’s manageable size and excellent road network make it easy to explore from one end to the other.
- Day 1: Start your journey in Madalena and head towards São Roque do Pico, Prainha, and Ribeirinha. This route showcases the island’s diverse landscapes and charming villages, perfect for travelers seeking authentic Azorean culture.
- Day 2: Begin in Criação Velha, travel to Lajes do Pico, then to Calheta de Nesquim, and finish your day in Manhenha. Don’t miss exploring Lagoa do Paúl, Pico da Urze, and Furna do Frei Matias. Even if you’re not hiking, visit Casa da Montanha do Pico, the gateway to the famous Pico Mountain trail.
- Day 3: Your Pico adventure isn't complete without experiencing all the island has to offer! After two days of exploration, dive deeper into the island's magic. Hike through stunning landscapes, conquer the majestic Pico Mountain, uncover hidden wonders in its caves, savor exquisite wines, or embark on an unforgettable whale-watching expedition. Make the most of your final day!
While two days are enough to see the main highlights, consider staying longer for a richer experience. Climb Pico Mountain, embark on a whale-watching tour, or take a ferry to nearby islands. We highly recommend immersing yourself in the island’s serene and peaceful atmosphere and participating in the numerous activities available.
São Jorge Island - 3 Days
São Jorge Island, though not particularly famous among the other islands, has a lot to offer. Don't let its small size fool you; this island is packed with wonders. While exploring on foot is possible, you'll miss the island's true beauty without a car. We highly recommend renting one to fully appreciate the numerous stunning fajãs (coastal plateaus) scattered across the island. Be cautious, as some of them are quite steep but undeniably beautiful.
We suggest exploring the island from one end to the other at a relaxed pace. Divide your journey into two parts:
- Day 1: Start from the south side, traveling from Rosais through Urzelina and Calheta, all the way to the eastern tip.
- Day 2: On the second day, explore Toledo, Santo António, Norte Grande, and Fajã da Caldeira.
Graciosa Island - 2 Days
When exploring Graciosa Island, we recommend splitting your visit into two days to fully appreciate everything it has to offer:
- Day 1: Begin in Santa Cruz da Graciosa and head east to Lagoa and Praia, finishing in Carapacho with a refreshing thermal bath.
- Day 2: Visit Pedras Brancas, Fajã, Ribeirinha, and Bom Jesus.
Graciosa is a treasure trove of experiences. From the breathtaking Praia to the awe-inspiring Caldeira, the island's highlights await your exploration. Let two days be your canvas to paint memories that will last a lifetime.
Flores & Corvo - 3 Days
When exploring the western group of the Azores, which includes the two islands of Flores and Corvo, we recommend combining them into one trip, as discovering one naturally leads to exploring the other. Though these islands are the smallest in the archipelago, their immense natural beauty is undeniable.
When visiting Flores, it's almost obligatory to also discover Corvo Island, as the two are inseparable. We suggest renting a car in Flores to fully explore the island and its beautiful waterfalls. In Corvo, however, you can easily explore on foot. We recommend booking a one-day trip to Corvo from Flores, with tours and experiences available from Flores Island, allowing you to explore Corvo, the Flores coastline, and even arrange transfers to Corvo's main attraction, the Caldeirão.
Day 1:Begin your island adventure in Lajes das Flores, then journey onward to Lomba, Santa Cruz das Flores, Cedros, and finally Ponta Delgada.
Day 2: Discover Fajã Grande, visit the renowned Ribeira do Ferreiro waterfall, and explore Mosteiro and Lajedo.
Day 3: Book a one-day trip to explore the stunning beauty of Corvo Island. (Book here!)
Deciding how many days are enough for the Azores hinges on the traveler's objectives and interests. For a fulfilling experience, a stay of five to seven days is typically sufficient to explore the main highlights, including the stunning landscapes, volcanic craters, hot springs, and vibrant local culture. This duration allows visitors to enjoy a mix of adventure and relaxation, from hiking and whale watching to savoring local cuisine. Ultimately, the perfect length of stay in the Azores is a balance between individual travel goals and the desire to experience the islands' rich natural and cultural offerings.
Are you already in love with the Azores? Please take a look at our stress-free packages that allow you to book your ultimate island adventure. All our packages are carefully curated by our team of local Azorean Experts so that you don’t need to worry about any details – just enjoy your trip!
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