Azores, Portugal Tourist Information, a guide to the Azores in Portugal.

Azores Tourist Information - Portugal

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The Portuguese arrived in 1427 with the discovery of the islands of Santa Maria and São Miguel. Due to its rategic geographic position, the archipelago was to become one of the axis of navigation between Europe, the Orient and America during the course of the 16th and 17th centuries. This period saw many major naval battles take place off the Azores as a result of pirate attacks. Subsequent centuries saw the development of the islands, the introduction of new agriculture, and the development of cattle breeding and fishing. Having constituted an integral part of Portugal from the very outset, today the Azores is an autonomous region en-dowed with its own parliament and government. Apart from very few places on Santa Maria, Faial, Terceira and São Miguel, the coastline is all made from lava.

For those who love Nature, The Azores are heaven on earth. From the Lakes and lagoons with unbelievable shapes up to the astonishing sights over the ocean; from the deep craters of ancient volcanoes to the purity of the landscapes; from the bucolic harmony to the serenity of silence; Covered in a green, so pure that invokes an image of the lost paradise, The Azores are certain to provide an experience of a lifetime.

At one time thought to be part of the legendary lost continent of Atlantis, the islands were discovered in the 15th century by Portuguese navigators en route to the New World and became the link between Europe and the Americas. In fact, they belong to Portugal and are part of Europe. The volcanic formation of the islands has endowed them with a spectacular natural beauty. Vast craters nurturing glistening blue lakes, sheer black cliffs falling into the ocean, lush rolling valleys, rugged mountains and hot mineral springs and geysers combine to form a truly diverse scenery found nowhere else in the world. The climate is temperate, which ensures an abundance of flowers strewn across hedgerows and fields throughout the summer season, and the deep greens of the lush grasslands contrast markedly with dark volcanic stone walls and neat whitewashed houses. Because of their remote location, the traditional lifestyle of the Azores, outside the main towns, has remained virtually unchanged. The population stands at just under 250,000, architecture is typically Portuguese and the towns contain many elegant buildings from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. There is hardly any industry apart from agriculture and fishing and pollution is unknown. The pace of life is slow and tourism in its infancy. The Azoreans have made a substantial contribution to Portuguese culture and many important figures originate from the islands. We invite you to step into the past and discover the beauty and tranquillity of these nine fascinating islands.

The weather in the Azores is mild and quite changeable. The average temperature ranges from 14 to 22 degrees centigrade. Sea temperatures range from 15 to 23 degrees centigrade. The Azores are delightful any time of year due to the favourable climate. May to early Oct are the best months for activities relating to the ocean such as whale watching, swimming with dolphins & sitting on the beach. Please note that the Azores is not a traditional beach destination. The beaches are mostly volcanic black sand beaches, except on Santa Maria where the sand is white. Swimming in the ocean is possible all year (no less than 15 degrees in winter and up to 23 degrees in summer) and natural rock swimming pools can be found on all the islands. April is a quiet, peaceful period on all islands and the month for Azaleas, especially in Furnas on Sao Miguel. The area around Furnas lake is wonderful at this time of year.

The largest of the islands, Sao Miguel is located on the eastern side of the archipelago. Explore the delightful narrow cobbled streets bordered by very well preserved period houses in the main town of Ponta Delgada. Discover the dramatic lake of fire “Lagoa do Fogo” and delightful beaches nestling under high cliffs. Botanical gardens and extinct volcano craters make this a beautiful and varied island, ideal for long stays, two centre and fly-drive holidays.

Santa Maria is the oldest island of the archipelago. It was here that Christopher Columbus sought refuge in 1493 on his return from his voyage to America. Santa Maria is different from the other islands in that it is flatter and so dryer, warmer and with a lower humidity.

Flores is a most beautiful island. The spectacular scenery covers craggy cliffs, a multitude of lakes and craters, high waterfalls, small pastures bordered by mile after mile of hydrangea hedges, stunning views and shades of green as you’ve never seen before.

Across the water from Flores, Corvo is the remotest and tiniest of the islands, being 6.5km long and 4km wide. There is one tiny settlement, and, six kilometres uphill from the village, is the vast green, volcanic crater, reached on a wonderful walk which affords views of green pastures, the oceans and Flores across the water.

Faial is a five-sided island and has become the resting place of transatlantic sailors. Horta, the main port, has a cosmopolitan and exciting feel and, at bars and restaurants, one hears snippets of sailing stories from around the world. From Horta there are wonderful and ever changing views of the volcano on Pico, 8km across the water.

Pico is dominated by its volcano (snow capped in winter) at 2351m the highest point in Portugal. The views to and from the volcano are spectacular. One cannot mistake that this island is volcanic - the houses and churches are black, their features outlined in white. Visit the lakes and marvel at the magnificent views and changing facets of the mountain and its relationship with the sea. Visit the fascinating whaling museum at Lajes. Walks are plentiful and, for the experienced walker (you must take a guide), the ascent to the summit of the volcano is a must.

Sao Jorge is a long and narrow island, which was formed by a series of successive volcanic eruptions. The craggy coastline plunges almost vertically into the ocean with unique, frequent, small fertile flat areas (fajas) at the base of the cliffs. This is an island for walking, for exploring the little settlements on the fajas along the coast by car, for admiring the stunning scenery and visiting the two small port towns of Velas and Calheta.

Graciosa is a tranquil island, harder to reach and therefore untouched by time. The island has fresh fish and shellfish in abundance and is famous for its cakes – in particular the queijadas da Graciosa – and sweets. Windmills and vineyards abound. There is a huge volcanic crater with lush vegetation and a spectacular lake beneath vaulted rocks in the very heart of the volcano.

Terceira home to the town of Angra do Heroismo, with its origins in the late 15th century, has been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is a picture book town of imposing townhouses and cobbled streets seemingly untouched by time. Terceira caters for all interests from golf, to exploring volcanoes, to walking, to swimming in natural rock pools and to visiting the sixty-eight 19th century ‘Imperias’, (small chapels to the Holy Spirit), which are scattered throughout the island. Then there are the colourful festivals and street bullfights (they pad the bulls’ horns and bulls are never killed)

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