The Azores are one of those places that still feel like a bit of a secret in the middle of the Atlantic. If you’re after fresh air, wild scenery and a slower pace than mainland Portugal, the reasons to visit the Azores stack up quickly, especially if you like your trips a bit off the usual tourist track.
Natural wonders of the Azores
You’ve got this mix of lush, almost Jurassic greenery with steam rising out of the earth and waterfalls tucked away in deep ravines.
The thermal baths around Furnas and Ribeira Grande have that lovely scruffy charm. The iron-rich water stains everything a deep orange, so nothing stays pristine for long, but that’s part of the appeal.
On Flores and São Miguel, especially, waterfalls are almost casual scenery. Places like Ribeira dos Caldeirões are easy to reach, while others need a bit of hiking or a local to point you down the right cow track.
Not to miss: Take a late-afternoon dip at Poça da Dona Beija in Furnas, then wander past the steaming geysers and bubbling mud pools nearby once the crowds thin out.
Lakes and volcanic landscapes
Crater lakes are the big show-offs here, with intense blues and greens changing constantly with the weather. Sete Cidades is the classic postcard view: twin lakes in a vast caldera, ringed by hydrangeas in summer and rolling green hills.
Elsewhere, you get lunar-style lava fields, black ash slopes and viewpoints where you see both the north and south coasts at the same time. It’s one of the few places in Europe where you can really feel the ground is still alive beneath your feet.
Not to miss: Drive or take a taxi up to Miradouro da Vista do Rei on a clear morning for one of the most ridiculous panoramas in the Atlantic.
Hiking in the Azores
The islands are stitched together with waymarked trails that cut through pastures, laurel forests, coastal cliffs and old cobbled paths between villages. You’re never far from the sea, so even a simple circular hike often ends with a viewpoint over dramatic cliffs or a natural swimming spot.
Not to miss: On Pico, more energetic days can include climbing Mount Pico itself for sunrise or sunset, with clouds usually sitting below you like a white sea.
Peace, quiet and authentic island life
The Azores still feel nicely off the mainstream tourist circuit, especially once you leave São Miguel’s main hubs. Even in high season, you can still find yourself completely alone on country roads or coastal viewpoints.
Not to miss: Spend a night or two on a smaller island like Corvo or Graciosa, where the most exciting “event” might be the arrival of the ferry or the morning bread van.
Azores culture
There’s a very grounded, practical warmth in the way people are with you – not over-the-top chatty, but genuinely helpful and curious when they realise you’re more than just a cruise passenger.
Sample the local grilled limpets with garlic and butter, fresh tuna steaks, queijo fresco with local pepper sauce, sweet queijadas from Vila Franca do Camp.
Not to miss: Order cozido das Furnas, a meat-and-veg stew cooked underground with volcanic heat.
Whale and dolphin watching
The Azores sit in the middle of key migration routes, so whale watching is genuinely special rather than just a token boat trip. On a good day, you might see several dolphin species, plus sperm whales or seasonal visitors like blue and fin whales.
Not to miss: Book a tour with a responsible whale-watching operator out of Ponta Delgada, Horta or Lajes do Pico. Keep an eye out for the old vigias (whale-spotting huts) up on the cliffs.
Where to stay in the Azores
A lot of the nicest places to sleep are converted farmhouses, stone cottages or small guesthouses tucked away in the countryside. These often come with ocean views and a few cows for neighbours.
On São Miguel, there’s a broader mix, including stylish apartments in Ponta Delgada and rural stays with pools hidden in the hills.
For longer stays or if you’re quietly thinking about relocating to the Azores, there are increasingly more renovated properties and holiday rentals across the main islands, though the truly remote spots still feel blissfully untouched.
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