Known for being “the Hawaii of Europe”, the Azores Islands are the ultimate expression of what nature is capable of doing, if left free to express itself. The archipelago, made up of 9 islands, attracts tourists from all over the world, who want to visit its coasts and go hiking among their unspoiled nature. Although they are very close to Europe, visiting them can be difficult if you don’t know what to expect. So here is our guide on climate, temperatures and what to see in the Azores Islands .
Travel informed: useful information
- Inhabitants : 246.746
- Capital : Ponta Delgada
- Languages : Portuguese
- Local currency : euro
- Climate : oceanic climate, temperatures between 10 ° and 25 ° throughout the year
- Vaccinations : no vaccinations required
- Entry requirements : identity card
- Distance from Italy : 3,269 km (6-15 hours of flight)
- Travel / health insurance : recommended. With us you get a 10% discount and you have full coverage, 24h medical insurance and unlimited telephone advice. Get
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Where they are
The archipelago of the Azores Islands is located west of Portugal , a state to which it is politically a part. Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean , the 9 islands that form it are characterized by dense vegetation, born from their volcanic origin.
How to get
- From Milan or Rome : there are no direct flights from Rome. The TAP Portugal routes, bound for Ponta Delgada, stop in Lisbon. Total travel hours range from 8 to 12, but from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada it takes only 2 hours of flight. The route from Milan to Ponta Delgada is the same as the one described above.
Compare flights from Rome or Milan – from € 169.00 - From the main European capitals : TAP Portugal allows you to connect Ponta Delgada with London too, with flights ranging from 6 to 18 hours, generally with only one stopover in Lisbon. The same route also for flights departing from Paris, with trips offered by SATA International-Azores Airlines ranging from 6 to 24 hours in total, and for those departing from Berlin. The latter, permitted by TAP Portugal, connect Berlin to the Azores with a journey that goes from 8 to 20 hours in total.
Compare flights to the Azores – from € 53.00
When to go
Info on climate and best period
Month Average temperatures (min / max) Precipitation (days / mm) January 12/17 ° 12 days / 120 mm
February 11/17 ° 10 days / 100 mm
March 12/17 ° 12 days / 105 mm
April 12/18 ° 9 days / 65 mm
May 13/20 ° 7 days / 60 mm
June 15/22 ° 4 days / 40 mm
July 17/24 ° 3 days / 25 mm
August 18/26 ° 4 days / 30 mm
September 18/25 ° 8 days / 80 mm
October 16/22 ° 9 days / 105 mm
November 14/20 ° 11 days / 120 mm
December 13/18 ° 14 days / 100 mm
- Climate : oceanic, with mild temperatures throughout the year, interspersed with periods of heavy rainfall and cyclones.
- Best period : from April to September, with preference for July and August.
- Period to avoid : the autumn months are not suitable for visiting the Azores, given the high possibility of incurring heavy rainfall and cyclones
- Advice : always have a raincoat and a heavier long-sleeved garment at hand, given the sudden change in temperatures throughout the year.
Which island to go
The archipelago consists of 9 islands, all of volcanic origin: Sao Miguel, Santa Maria, Sao Jorge, Corvo, Flores, Faial, Pico, Graciosa and Terceira.
- Sao Miguel : is the main island of the Azores, home to the international airport and the capital city, Ponta Dalgada. Rich in cultivated fields and greenery, it is famous for the Lake of Fire, one of the most characteristic volcanic lakes in the area.
- Santa Maria : is the yellow island of the Azores, where green is not so frequent. Here is the red desert, so named for its reddish lands.
- Terceira : symbol of the contrast between nature and architecture, Terceira is characterized by a Renaissance style, visible in the historic center of the capital Angra, which allowed it to be included among the World Heritage Sites in 1993.
- Graciosa : characterized by a predominantly flat ground, and full of contradictions, as can be seen from its strengths, from the windmills of Praia to the thermal baths of Carapacho.
- Sao Jorge : with its characteristic shape, long and narrow, it seems to have the appearance of a lying dragon. Its particularity About
her In addition to being a favorite destination for those who love trekking, and particularly rich in cows. - Faial : the westernmost island of the Azores, it is inhabited by about 15,000 people, 6,000 of whom are in Horta, its main center. Here is the Peter Cafe Sport, the most famous bar in the Atlantic Ocean, where sailors, divers and whale hunters meet.
- Flores : known for being the island of flowers, Flores is characterized by endless fields of hydrangeas and azaleas, so characteristic of this islet.
- Pico : home to the third highest volcano in the Atlantic, and home to important diving sites, such as the Grotta das Torres, the largest lava tunnel of all the Azores islands.
- Corvo : the smallest island of the Azores, today declared a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco. It is a fundamental stop for trekking and nature lovers, who will find something for their teeth here.
11 things to see: beaches and places of interest
- Sete Lagoas : Located on the island of Flores, these seven mountain lakes are one of the island’s main attractions, along with Morro Alto and the Riverida do Ferreiro waterfalls.
- Furnas : on the island of Sao Miguel, a famous town full of sulphurous shower heads, all around a lake that has the same origin.
- Praia Formosa : located on the island of Santa Maria, it is the only beach to have light sand, unlike all the others that have shades of color ranging from gray to black, precisely because of their volcanic origin.
- Farol de Goncalo : located a stone’s throw from Praia Formosa, this lighthouse is one of the major attractions in the area. Its position, overlooking the ocean, offers splendid views to those who decide to visit it.
- Volcano of Pico : on the island of Pico rises the homonymous volcano, 2,351 meters high, a size that makes it the third largest volcano in the whole Atlantic.
- Furna do Enxofre : the cave, located on the Graciosa island, gives access to the Lagoa do Styx, a small lake of volcanic origin which is located below sea level.
- Historic center of Santa Cruz : elegant and refined, it was built between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries, and is still famous today for its characteristic houses, which make their way through paved alleys.
- Sete Cidades : it is a caldera on the island of Sao Miguel within which the Lagoa do Canario flows, a volcanic lake with a strong green and blue color. Ideal for kayaking while admiring the woods all around.
- Mato Jose do Canto : On the island of Sao Miguel you will find this beautiful garden, which runs along the entire southwestern coast of the lagoa das Furnas.
- Miradouro Vista do Rei : inaugurated in the early 1900s, after the sight of King Charles I, this viewpoint of the island of Sao Miguel is one of the most famous places on the island.
- Caldeira Velha : on the north coast of Sao Miguel, is a natural thermal park with two natural pools, one smaller and the other larger, with thermal water at a temperature of about 37 ° C. All around the park is a luxuriant exotic garden, but equipped with showers, bathrooms and changing rooms for spa activities.
What to do in the Azores Islands: excursions and tours
How much does a holiday in the Azores cost
Prices, offers and advice
The prices for a stay in the Azores are perhaps high, but in line with those we would find in Portugal. There is talk of about € 50.00 per night and € 30.00 for food. The lion’s share certainly goes to flights and excursions. From Italy, in fact, flights are around € 200.00 per person, and even excursions and guided tours are unlikely to fall below € 50.00 per person.
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 24.00 per room – see the offers
- Low cost flights: starting from € 169.00 – look at the offers
- Flight + hotel: 7 nights / 8 days from € 490.00 per person – see the offers
- Custom quote : click here to request a custom quote
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