Sandra has recently returned from her native Azores, where she was researching the upcoming Pocket Azores guidebook, out in October 2024. Here she shares her local knowledge of the archipelago to help you choose the best island for your trip.
Famous for hiking trails and lagoons, inactive volcanoes and whale watching, the Azores naturally appeal to the outdoorsy. But these islands are also rich with a unique cuisine, exceptional wines, vibrant cultural events and traditional celebrations.
The Azores keep growing in popularity as a tourist destination, but some islands remain off most travelers’ radar. Sure, a lot of this archipelago’s appeal comes from its beautiful landscapes, where nature is practically untouched yet not entirely out of reach. But the landscapes change from island to island, sometimes within the same one, which is why “seen one, seen them all” doesn’t apply here. Read on to find the perfect islands for your Azores adventure.
Best island for summer festivals
Dubbed “the sunny island” by Azoreans, summers here see plenty of glorious days of beach weather – an oddity by Azores standards. But the promise of morning-to-evening days spent soaking up the sun and the salt of the ocean isn’t the only reason why travellers flock here during the summer months. On my early morning and practically empty flight to Santa Maria, on a late-January weekday, most of my fellow passengers were locals returning home or going on a business trip.
In mid-July, the village of Anjos welcomes blues fans to the three-day festival Santa Maria Blues. Then, at the end of August, Praia Formosa becomes the epicenter and main stage of Maré de Agosto, Portugal’s oldest music festival, turning 40 in 2024. Marienses (Santa Maria residents) certainly know how to put on a memorable show.
Read more: All you need to know for your first trip to the Azores
Best island for things to do
The largest island, São Miguel gets the most tourists and has frequent flights from various destinations two to five hours away. For many visitors it's a good compromise between spending time on a remote island but without feeling like you’re too far away from home.
Here, you can spend the morning discovering lagoons in Sete Cidades, then while away the afternoon soaking in a thermal bath heated by an underground volcano in Furnas. In the evening you can sample international cuisine and discover local artists at O Quarteirão, a neighborhood in the historic center of the island’s capital, Ponta Delgada.
And on one of those pesky rainy days, when sightseeing goes out the window, stroll around the shopping center or catch a movie.
Read more: How to get the most out of the Azores without renting a car
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