Maybe you’ve heard about the Azores recently as these islands, especially Sao Miguel, have become one of the must-visit destinations in recent years. No doubt you have tons of questions about it that you need to be answered so that you can get the most out of your visit. Well, if that’s the case then you’re in the right place! (more…)
Well, if that’s the case then you’re in the right place! We just came back from the Azores and we got you covered. We’ll share some practical tips and information as well as some of our experiences on these beautiful islands. So let’s dive right in!
The Azores is all about unwinding and connecting to nature. There are beautiful forests, waterfalls, beaches and dramatic landscapes everywhere you look. It’s really a place anyone can enjoy. If you are looking to relax, you will enjoy the slower pace of life that islands are known for. If you are more into history and culture, you’ll get to experience the unique Azorian culture through the cuisine, history and people. If you are an adrenaline junkie, then these islands are full of activities for adventure travelers with some of the best diving, hiking, whale watching, spelunking, and more! It really is such a beautiful place that has to be seen to be believed!
The widely-separated Azores, 972 miles (1564 km) directly west of Lisbon, Portugal, includes nine islands (all volcanic in origin). Colonized by the Portuguese in the mid-15th century, their strategic position near the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is their most valuable asset.
The Azores is an archipelago of nine islands located in the north Atlantic ocean, about 2 hours from Europe and 5 from North America. The Azores are divided into three groups: the eastern (Sao Miguel and Santa Maria islands), the central (Terceira, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Pico and Faial islands), and the western (Flores and Corvo islands).
The Azores island are in the middle of the Atlantic ocean about 1,000 km west of Portugal and it includes nine islands. The Azores islands are also a midway point between the United States west coast and Europe. This makes them ideal to visit for both Americans and Europeans.
Yes, the Azores are an autonomous region that is part of Portugal. This is great if you are already familiar with Portugal since the lifestyle is similar but even more relaxed. It’s amazing to be able to leave the hustle and bustle of western Europe and then just a few hours later be in such a peaceful and beautiful environment while still in Europe.
The best way to get to the Azores is to fly due to it’s remote location. However there are also cruise ships that visit the island. At the moment here are the airline companies that fly to the Azores:
We chose Ryanair because they offer great rates and they have flights that leave from Lisbon and other main hubs around Europe.
The airport on Sao Miguel island is located in the capital of Ponta Delgada which is very convenient. There are daily flights from many European cities and weekly flights from the US and Canada.
The weather on the Azores can be very unpredictable in general due to its location. November through March is the winter time and also the rainy season.
We visited during January and we had pretty good weather with sun four out of five days. The day that it did rain though it was very heavy rain. Also there the weather can change often and become windy.
June to September is considered the summer and the weather will be warmer and more pleasant. If you are planning any outdoor activities or sports you will likely want to visit in the summer.
Keeping in mind that the weather on the Azores changes often it would be good to pack a variety of clothes.
During our time on the islands we wore t-shirts, raincoats, jeans, etc. Before arriving on the island we bought a light raincoat and some sturdy boots for hiking. This was definitely a good investment. I wore jeans and my boots along with a hooded jacket of medium thickness throughout the time. We also brought an umbrella just in case.
Kanicia wore a hooded jacket, jeans and boots. Keep in mind that whether you are in the outdoors or in the capital you will likely be doing a lot of walking on different types of terrain. This is why comfortable shoes are a must, especially some that you don’t mind getting dirty.
There are a total of nine islands in the Azores. They are as follows: Sao Miguel Island, Pico Island, Terceria Island, Santa Maria Island, Sao Jorge Island, Corvo Island, Gracisoa, Flores Island and Faial Island.
Here are some islands that we recommend visiting:
While we did meet some who just used public transportation during their whole stay we would recommend having a rental car.
This is because many of the things that you will want to see will be spread out and you will have the freedom to visit them at your own pace.
Some of the buses may not go everywhere and also there may be scheduling conflicts or sporadic times.
So if you can, we recommend that you rent a car. The company that we used is Sixt. There are other local and international companies available but we were happy with Sixt and will probably use them again.
There are many beautiful things to see and fun things to do in the Azores. The majority of what you will be doing will revolve around the outdoors. Things such as hiking, surfing, whale-watching, swimming and exploring the island are common. There are also many amazing natural parks and lakes to see. Find out what we did during our trip to Sao Miguel here.
There are many options available for accommodations on the islands. There are options to cover every budget.
When we visited Sao Miguel Island, we stayed in three different options to fit every budget- a luxury villa, a wellness retreat, a mid-range hotel in the capital and a hostel. Read our review of each here.
Overall we were very happy with our time spent in the Azores (read about our trip here). We felt that we got a good feel for the island and saw some amazing things.
It’s a very relaxing place and it’s easy to just get absorbed into the island’s pace of life. Our favorite things about the island were the natural beauty, food, and relaxed pace. If you enjoy laid back vacations in beautiful settings with a lot of outdoor activities, you will love visiting the Azores Islands. We can’t wait to go back!
Even though we’re right in the middle of December you might be already dreaming about where to travel next summer. If you’re anything like us, you enjoy finding unique travel experiences a bit off the beaten path.
What about the Balkans next year to get your fill of culture and natural beauty? If you head that way, put Slovenia on your list! let us tell you why you should put Slovenia on your list! Even better visit the BIGBERRY resort! (more…)
