The Azores Islands – in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean at a distance of 1,500 km from Portugal, act as the westernmost part of the European continent.
The created archipelago consists of 9 islands covering an area of 600 sq.m. The largest in area is San Miguel, the smallest is Corvo. There is a division of the territory into 3 groups:
- the central one with five islands; the eastern one with two large islands and the united islets “ants”; the northwestern one with two islands.
The archipelago appeared after volcanic eruptions, therefore it differs in rocky surfaces. Earthquakes are quite common. The highest point on Mount Pico (2,351 meters). The formed craters were filled with water, so there are many lakes here.
Pico Mountain on Pico Island Unukorno
The subtropical climate prevails, therefore the temperature regimes are balanced. It is quite warm in winter, even at night it is close to +13. In summer it is not stuffy, it is warmest in August, when the temperature peak is +30. The period September-April is rainy and foggy. Santa Maria Island has differences, it is not like the rest of the territory – most of the time it is sunny.
The Azores Islands can be called a year-round tourist resort. If you are visiting the sights of Portugal, then be sure to look here! The optimal months for rest are from June to September. Spring is more suitable for walking and admiring nature. You can look at the whales that attract tourists so much during their migration. Swimming with dolphins is real from mid-summer to mid-autumn. The archipelago is visited by many ornithologists and great connoisseurs of birds. August-December is more suitable for such a trip.
Key types of recreation
The Azores Islands and their attractions according to photos and descriptions are really worth attention. They offer various types of recreation based on the preferences and wishes of tourists:
Beaches
There are not many sandy beaches on the territory of the Azores. There are more of them on Santa Maria, Faial and San Miguel, and other beach areas are covered by frozen lava. This disadvantage compensates for the picturesque location of the hotel complexes. Most of them are built along the coastal hills, because the terraces have a beautiful view of the ocean. Almost all hotel complexes are equipped with outdoor pools.
The beach on the island of San Miguel Luissilveira
Diving
With its unique volcanic nature and rich fauna, the local waters attract lovers of underwater “exploration”. Tourists can go on short-term trips to observe rare marine species. Their number is really amazing, because every tourist will have something to look at. The village of Punta Topo is located on the island of Pico, has remained a natural park for 20 years – it was impossible to fish and dive underwater, because nowadays all places are in excellent pristine condition.
Whale watching with diving is available to tourists.
Whale watching is a vacation for tourists
Eco-tourism
In 1995, the Azores were awarded for the preservation of untouched nature and the development of ecological recreation. The archipelago is a riot of wild vegetation. Each island offers its own tourist routes. The most interesting place to visit is the relict forests, once upon a time they grew throughout the archipelago. They are located so high that their tops are covered with clouds. Most of the places are difficult to reach, and today there are many hiking trails for hiking enthusiasts. Whale and dolphin watching is a very popular destination. The local waters are inhabited by many species of dolphins and 23 species of whales, especially sperm whales. Ornithologists come to learn about new species of birds, including quite rare ones.
A typical road with hydrangeas on the island of Terceira Luissilveira
Sightseeing tours
The key asset of the Azores is their nature with boats, volcanic lakes, waterfalls, useful springs, and a green park on Lake San Miguel. The islands are rich in various cultural memorabilia. The Portuguese managed to leave all kinds of buildings and sights, memorable places for five centuries.
Lake on the island of San Miguel in Portugal Jwp1234
Volcanoes
The craters of dormant volcanoes are filled with water, and there are a large number of amazing lakes throughout the territory. The Algar do Carvao cave, formed on Tracer Island, is 100 meters long. It ends with a lake underground, the depth of which depends on the amount of precipitation during the season. There is a volcano of the same name on the island of Pico (altitude 2351 meters above sea level). There are 7 lakes on the island of Florish. It is better to look at them in the warmer months, because in other seasons they are covered with thick fogs. Lake Funda is considered the most beautiful, because there are sandbanks and shores with dense vegetation. In the south-east of Graciosa, visitors descend into the crater of the volcano, a small area has been set aside here for “delicious” gatherings. It is better to go during the lunch period, when the sun at the zenith fully illuminates the formed cave.
Azores Islands: attractions
San Miguel also has the name Green Island because of the large amount of greenery. San Miguel of the Azores allows tourists to see many attractions:
- the Church of St. Sebastian, which has a treasury; the Carlos Mochado Museum;
Official website: https://museucarlosmachado.azores.gov.pt
- the valley of the caves of Vale das Furnas, with healing springs; St. Peter’s Church; palaces of two centuries; the oldest estate of Carlos Bucido; the crater Sete Cidades, in which two lakes were formed – Green and Blue;
View of the Mickey Løgitmark Crater Lakes
- the amazing beauty of the Terra Nostra park area, where evergreen tropical vegetation grows, like ferns and various flowers; a relict forest of 600 hectares.
Official website: https://www.parqueterranostra.com
You can take a great horse ride around the island. The routes are designed for various craftsmen. It is also possible to go on a tour to a tea, coffee or pineapple plantation.
Tea plantation in the Azores Luissilveira
Terceira Island
There are many churches, ancient fords and Baroque palaces on the island of Terceira. Most of the monuments of nature and culture were damaged by the earthquake in 1980. What you should pay attention to on the island:
- Algar do Carvao Cave is the most impressive attraction, representing a lava tube of 100 meters. There is an underground lake inside, it is filled with seasonal precipitation. Also worth noting is the sulfur spring; Angra do Geroizmo is the historical center of the capital, which is protected by UNESCO; a rather extreme show for amateurs and daredevils, reminiscent of Spanish bullfighting, only using umbrellas; the wine museum – after all, this is the birthplace of the famous verdelho drink.
Fayal Island
Visitors to the island of Fayal can appreciate the churches, which are decorated with tiles and gilt carvings, the port with ocean sailboats, the protected area of Caldeira, the observation deck of Monte de Gia, the cave recesses of Costa da Feteita.
Kaldeira Protected Area on the islandFaial Ote
Fans of extreme sports prefer the island of Santa Maria. In the town of Vila do Porto there are many small lovely buildings, churches and chapels where Columbus’s companions read prayers.
Pico Island is volcanic. The wine museum and ancient churches are worth a visit here. But the greater excitement is caused by the presence of whales that migrate near the coast.
Florish Island
Florish Island is an ideal place for true nature lovers of Paulo Valdivieso
On the island of Florish there are Baroque buildings and churches, the Ribeira Grande waterfall, 7 lakes. The city of Santa Cruz with its original mansions, Baroque churches, an ethnographic museum, all kinds of tours, boat trips to the Ensareus grotto, and to the seven lakes are organized here. The town is visited by a large number of tourists.
Graciosa Island
Glaciosa Natural Park on the island of Glaciosa Luissilveira
Graciosa Island has preserved the streets of ancient times and buildings of the 18th century, it houses the Cathedral of the XVII century and the Manueline cross. The sulfur cave is often visited, the decoration of which is an underground lake.
The Island of San Jorge
View of the captivating landscape of the coast of the island of San Jorge User:Luissilveira
On the island of San Jorge there is the fishing port of Velas, which attracts visitors with its noble estates, churches and walls of fortresses of the 18th century.
Two small picturesque lakes in the crater of the extinct Caldeiran volcano on the island of Corvo User:Luissilveira
The smallest island of the Korvu archipelago is of volcanic origin. The famous Laguna de Caldeira is located on its territory. This is a two-kilometer crater of the extinct Caldeira volcano.
Read also about the sights of Porto and be inspired to travel further in Portugal.
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