Best things to do in the Azores

Terceira has it all. Beautiful colonial buildings, stunning scenery and vibrant culture to name a few! The list of things to do here is endless: incredible hikes, scenic drives around the island, relaxing natural pools and more adventurous activities such as kayaking and whale watching. Although the weather can be unpredictable, when the rain falls it’s usually just a short shower and doesn’t interrupt your day too much. We went on a beautiful walk through the city, and up to a scenic viewpoint along with our friendly guide. After we had built up an appetite, we explored the local cafes and enjoyed some tasty quiches and cakes before ending the tour at a local restaurant with beautiful views, where we said goodbye to our guide as he left us to enjoy our meal.

Bullfighting is a longstanding tradition in Terceira and something we came across a few times during our stay. While it plays a role in the island’s heritage, we believe in promoting experiences that are mindful of animal welfare. Instead, we recommend exploring the vibrant festivals, traditional music and delicious cuisine to still get a meaningful insight into the island’s rich culture.

Driving in the Azores is a great way to experience the natural beauty of these islands, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace and discover remote villages, hidden viewpoints and secret spots you’d never find otherwise. The roads are generally well-maintained and the traffic is not an issue, making it a stress-free experience, especially if you’re travelling with kids. Like much of Europe, you will be driving on the right-hand side of the road and you do need to be aware of the changeable weather conditions, much like back home in the UK there can be sudden changes such as fog at higher altitudes that can reduce visibility, so always drive cautiously. You may also encounter a cow or two in the road, especially on São Miguel and Terceira, but its best to just be patient and let them pass. The views you will discover while driving around these islands are just beautiful, with lush green craters and volcanic lakes, to charming villages and coastal viewpoints – it’s amazing!

Arriving in Pico, we were immediately in awe of the stunning volcanic landscapes that surrounded us. Unfortunately, Mount Pico – the highest peak in Portugal, was hidden by the clouds so we didn’t get to see this mighty natural wonder in all its glory but we hoped we’d get another chance. Pico is renowned for its lava-rock vineyards which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site…so of course we couldn’t miss an opportunity for a vineyard tour and some wine tasting. We visited a local family-run vineyard where the owner took us on a walk around the vineyard, passing volcanic stone walls, telling us all about the history and process of creating the drink that is such a huge part of Pico’s identity. Next, it was the moment we had been waiting for… time to taste. They did not hold back with serving us glass after glass of Verdelho wine, a white wine with a crisp, mineral flavour. Luckily, we had been collected from our accommodation for this tour so we didn’t have to drive back, and safe to say we slept well that night! If we had more time I would have caught the ferry over to Faial and São Jorge to some more beautiful islands in the Azores.

Whale watching is possibly THE best thing to do in the Azores, with trips running from almost all of the islands and over 25 species of whales and dolphins to be found here. The best time of year to see these magnificent creatures is April to September and it is always best to arrange a whale-watching tour for one of your first days, that way if it gets cancelled due to weather conditions, or you’re unlucky and don’t see any whales on your first try then you can try again and increase your opportunities for spotting them. In the early Spring months of April to June, you’re more likely to spot blue whales – the largest animals on Earth, as they migrate through these seas. In the Summer months of July to September, the waters are calmer and you’ll likely spot sperm whales and various dolphin species.

As the largest and most populated island in the Azores, São Miguel is often referred to as the ‘Green Island’ as it’s filled with lush landscapes and rolling hills. There is so much to see on this beautiful island including Sete Cidades, which is a formation of two lakes within a volcanic crater. You can go on lovely hikes with amazing views, hire a bike and cycle around the extensive trails, or you can even kayak/SUP in the striking green and blue lakes. Another great thing to do on this island is visit Furnas, where you can relax in bubbling mud pools and natural hot springs. We discovered Terra Nostra Park, where there is a huge mud pool to bathe in – just be aware that the waters can stain your swimwear, so probably best to leave that white swimsuit at home, unless orange is more your colour!

I think it’s great to mix up your stay and spend a few nights here in Furnas (there’s a beautiful hotel right next to the pools) and a few nights over in the southwest of São Miguel, the capital and largest city in the Azores – Ponta Delgada. The two notable areas are only about a 45-minute drive from each other. In Ponta Delgada, you will find historic buildings, underground lava tunnels, local markets and delicious local restaurants where you can try their specialities of grilled limpets (lapas), fresh fish and traditional stew (Cozido das Furnas).