With its generous nature and some of the most breathtaking landscapes existing, the Azores are a dream destination for all types of travelers.
Among the many activities this unique archipelago offers, we’ve highlighted ten that offer experiences that will make your trip unforgettable.
1- Climb Mount Pico
If you like a challenge, you can’t miss the opportunity to climb Portugal’s highest point, 2351 meters above sea level. The climb takes about four hours and requires physical preparation and the right equipment, but the reward is an incredible view over the neighboring islands and the ocean. For a complete experience, you can stay overnight at the summit in a small stone house to watch the sunrise.
2- Hike in breathtaking nature
With more than eighty official trails through stunning landscapes, the Azores are a true hiking lovers’ paradise. There are trails for all levels of difficulty and duration, passing through forests, lakes, waterfalls, beaches, mountains, and fields.
3- Bathe in natural hot pools
One of the best experiences you can have in the Azores is relaxing in natural hot pools surrounded by lush vegetation. You’ll find several of these pools, heated by volcanic activity, on the island of São Miguel.
4- Step inside a dormant volcano
If you want to feel the power of nature, don’t miss a visit to Algar do Carvão, on Terceira Island. It is a volcanic cave 90 meters deep, where you can climb down a staircase to the bottom with a lake of crystal-clear water. The cave walls are covered in stalactites and stalagmites, providing an impressive backdrop.
5- Enjoy a meal cooked on the ground
One of the most famous recipes in the Azores is Furnas stew, a typical dish consisting of meat and vegetables cooked inside the earth, taking advantage of the heat from the volcanic vapors. The process takes around six hours and gives the food a unique, succulent flavor. You can find this delicacy in many restaurants in the Furnas area, and, if you wish, you can watch it being cooked in the holes dug in the ground.
6- Surprise yourself with landscapes worthy of a fairy tale
The Azores are a stunning destination where you’ll find scenery worthy of a fairy tale. Beaches where the black sand skirts the clear blue sea, trails through forests of surreal beauty, where we are surprised by waterfalls hidden among the lush vegetation, dreamlike lagoons and blankets of a thousand shades of green, painted by the poetic hands of nature, are just some of the wonderful landscapes that surprise us in this magical archipelago.
7- Explore places carved out by volcanic lava
The Azores are the result of millions of years of volcanic activity, which has shaped the islands and created unique geological formations. You’ll find impressive lava tubes and volcanic caverns on many Azorean islands.
8- Swim in a natural pool in the middle of the ocean
If you visit São Miguel Island, you can’t miss the opportunity to dip in the natural pool of the Islet of Vila Franca, a small island located about a kilometer off the coast. The natural pool is formed by a volcanic crater flooded by the sea, a fantastic place for relaxed snorkeling and observing marine life.
9- Explore landscapes that look like from another planet
The Azores have an impressive geological diversity. One of the most emblematic islands is Faial, home to the Capelinhos volcano, which erupted in 1957, creating an area of land that gave the landscape a lunar appearance.
10- Watch whales and dolphins in their natural habitat
The Azores are one of the best places in the world to observe whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. These marine mammals are common in Azorean waters, where they find food and shelter. There are several companies that organize boat trips to see these animals up close, always respecting safety and environmental protection rules. We’re sure that this wonderful experience will stay in your memory forever!
These are just some of the unforgettable experiences that await you in the Azores! Book your trip to this magical archipelago at www.azoresairlines.pt.
