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The Azores

Green volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic.

The volcanic lakes of Sete CidadesWonder92
The volcanic lakes of Sete CidadesPhoto credits →

Summary

The Azores are a Portuguese archipelago in the Atlantic, with nine islands of volcanic origin. Crater lakes, green pasture, cliffs and other volcanic features create varied landscapes whose character remains strongly oceanic.

The Azores compress volcanic lakes, geothermal activity and Atlantic island life into richly varied landscapes. Changing weather encourages a flexible, exploratory style of travel.

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The essentials

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Allow time

7 to 10 days

Choose a base

One or two islands

Getting there

Fly to Sao Miguel, Terceira or another available gateway, then use booked domestic flights and appropriate seasonal ferries. Connections differ greatly between island groups, so confirm the route before reserving accommodation.

Plan ahead

Use local webcams and forecasts to choose high viewpoints day by day. Book regulated mountain access where required, including Pico, and choose responsible whale-watching operators. Keep a buffer before your flight home.

Guide edited 29 September 2026. About practical information

A closer look

Why it stays with you

Sao Miguel provides a varied first introduction through Sete Cidades, Furnas and the island's coastal towns. Pico adds a striking volcanic mountain and distinctive vineyard landscapes, while other islands offer different walking and maritime experiences. The archipelago rewards choosing a small number of islands rather than chasing every celebrated viewpoint.

Geothermal activity, agriculture and the sea shape daily life as well as visitor attractions. A well-paced trip leaves room for local food, village walks and weather alternatives. Whale-watching and mountain excursions should be chosen for responsible operating practices and realistic conditions, with sightings or summit views never guaranteed.

Background reading: Furnas · Mount Pico · Sete Cidades (Ponta Delgada).

Explore the collectionIslands & water →

The scope of this entry

What’s included.

  • Sete Cidades' crater landscape
  • Furnas and its geothermal setting
  • A carefully chosen second island or responsible ocean excursion

Make this the moment

The essential experience.

Use a clear-weather window for a crater viewpoint and a cloudier day for Furnas or a town walk.

Alex’s journey · VisitedFollow the journey →

Understand the wonder

Volcanoes in an Atlantic setting.

The Azores combine crater lakes, geothermal areas, coastlines and cultivated landscapes. Each island has its own scale and character, so a trip should distinguish São Miguel from Pico or other islands rather than treating the archipelago as a single driving circuit. Atlantic weather creates changing visibility and strong local contrasts. Flexibility can turn a clouded viewpoint into a better visit elsewhere on the same day. The human use of volcanic ground adds depth to the scenery.

Continue the background reading in the reference links below.

The green valley of Furnas
The green valley of FurnasPhoto: José Luís Ávila Silveira/Pedro Noronha e Costa · Public domain

Slow down. Notice more.

Look for this.

LOOK 1

Crater forms around lakes.

LOOK 2

Geothermal activity and its managed uses.

LOOK 3

The relationship between stone, cultivation and coast.

Beyond the familiar view

Give an island time to reveal itself.

The Azores combine volcanic landscapes, Atlantic weather, towns and marine experiences. Cloud can transform a famous lookout, while another part of the same island offers a different day. A flexible base often works better than constant changes of accommodation.

The choice that changes the visit

Choose a small number of islands and allow weather-sensitive outings more than one opportunity. Check flight or ferry connections before committing to a multi-island route.

Follow the background and visitor sources →
Sete Cidades from the surrounding hills
Sete Cidades from the surrounding hillsPhoto: José Luís Ávila Silveira/Pedro Noronha e Costa · Public domain

Stay a little longer

There is more
to the picture.

Open the complete The Azores gallery for 15 photographs, including further perspectives beyond this guide.

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Typical house built on the azorean architecture style, in the town located at the base of the Sete Cidades lake that also gets its nameThe landscape of Pico Island in the AzoresThe Sete Cidades lakes on São Miguel in the Azores

From inspiration to itinerary

Plan your visit

Sources & useful visitor links

Before you set off.

Your ticks stay in this browser. Use the official visitor and reference links below →.

Through the seasons

Get your bearings

A place in the world.

Portugal

A place in the world
The Azores location mapThe Azores location map

Select the pin to open a detailed map. Use Closer look to see the surrounding region. Drag to move a zoomed map.

Map: Natural Earth

Representative location: Sete Cidades (Ponta Delgada). This wonder covers a wider area or several sites; the pin is a starting point for exploring. Location reference.

Open a detailed map ↗

A closer view

The places within the place.

Selected sights and gateways to help you understand the area.

3 selected places

Load the street map to zoom and explore. Map imagery is supplied by OpenStreetMap.

  1. 1
    Sete Cidades (Ponta Delgada)Open directions ↗ · Location reference ↗
  2. 2
  3. 3

A wide spread of points usually means separate outings or bases. Use current local guidance for the route between them. Report a map issue ↗

Go a little deeper

Further reading.

Wikipedia: Furnas Wikipedia: Mount Pico Wikipedia: Sete Cidades (Ponta Delgada) Wikivoyage: Azores

UNESCO World Heritage

Understand the designation.

Pico’s vineyard landscape and Angra do Heroísmo are separate properties; the whole archipelago is not listed.

Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores

For tickets, permitted routes and changing access, use the official links in Plan Your Visit. Explore the wider reading list →

Make room for the journey

Combine it with…

A second Azorean island is often the best extension. Give each island enough time for weather changes and confirm the inter-island transport for your season before making a tight circuit.

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