Published: 9/10/2023

Our Epic 8 Day Azores Itinerary

This 8 Day Azores itinerary is perfect for anyone who just booked an Azores Getaways flight and hotel package to Terceira and Sao Miguel Islands in Portugal’s Azores. 

In March/April 2023, I made a long dreamed of trip to Portugal‘s subtropical islands in the middle of the north Atlantic Ocean with my friends Jenny and Leah. Over the course of eight days, we crisscrossed Terceira and Sao Miguel Islands, seeking out the best Azores foods, hikes, vistas, beaches, and activities like whale watching and tea tasting. 

In this post, I’ll share our full 8-day itinerary, which included three nights/three days on Terceira Island and four nights/five days on Sao Miguel Island. I’ve included all our activities, favorite restaurants, best (and most memorable) tours, and suggestions for where to stay on the Azores.   

By the end of this post, you’ll be all set to pack your bags for your own trip to Portugal’s Azores!

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Our Entire 8 Day Azores Itinerary

Day One: Arrive to the Azores

Our plane touched down in Ponta Delgada right at sunrise. Unfortunately, Sao Miguel Island wasn’t our final destination. We were booked on the 1 p.m. flight to Terceira Island. We briefly considered hopping on the earlier flight, but after realizing there would be $100 change fee per ticket, we decided to stick with our original plan.

The week before, I’d become nervous about our six-hour layover and after a little research about the Ponta Delgada airport (FYI: it’s teeny), booked a private room in the nearby Azores Youth Hostel.

If your Azores itinerary also presents you with a long layover in Ponta Delgada, this option is one of my best tips for first-time Azores visitors. Ponta Delgada is a 10-gate airport with very limited amenities. If you do spend a long layover here, I recommend at least going out of the secured area for a little more shopping and food.

We had no trouble snagging a taxi from the line outside the airport. Our competent taxi driver Karla was up to the challenge of finding the hostel (which has no street number – it’s the only building on the street) and with a little help from Google Translate, we arranged for her to pick us up three hours later to return us to the airport.

Azores Youth Hostel in Ponta Delgada was the perfect spot for us to catch some shut-eye during our long layover. Located in an old monastery, the hostel offers both private and dorm style rooms. Our private room even had its own bathroom. The hostel abuts Antonio Borges Botanical Garden.

At long last, we landed on the east end of Terceira Island. A 20-minute car ride delivered us to Terceira Mar Hotel. The view of Monte Brasil rising above the crashing Atlantic Ocean from our hotel room made all the jet lag well worth it.

Stay: While I generally consider myself too old for youth hostels, the Azores Youth Hostel in Ponta Delgada was one of the best travel decisions I’ve ever made.

After our no-frills hostel naptime, Terceira Mar Hotel was a dramatic contrast. Every room in this beautiful 4-star hotel has an ocean view. The hotel features indoor and outdoor pools, an onsite bar and restaurant, and racquet ball courts. Honestly, it’s kind of “the” place to stay on Terceira Island.

Eat: We briefly considered making a reservation at the onsite Terceira Mar Hotel restaurant, but an early bedtime beckoned. Instead, we grabbed a light bite (and my first Azorean gin!) in the Fanal Bar well before the European dinner hour. 

Day Two: Angra do Heroismo

The oldest city in the Azores, Angra do Heroismo on Terceira Island, as seen from Memória a D. Pedro IV. In the distance, Monte Brasil rises up and Fortress of São João Baptista overlooks the city’s historic quarter.

The historic city of Angra do Heroismo deserves a full day of exploration.

We gave it just that, starting our day with a climb to the top of Monte Brasil. This ancient volcano juts into the Atlantic Ocean and offers a panoramic view of the historic city. On our way up to Miradouro do Pico das Cruzinhas, we passed the Fortress of São João Baptista. After taking in the Miradouro’s view, we visited the mountain’s cat colony as well as an old whaling signal station.

Part of an old whaling station at the top of Monte Brasil in Angra do Heroismo on Terceira Island 

The Cathedral of Angra do Heroismo.

The entire city of Angra do Heroismo is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Largely destroyed by a deadly earthquake in 1980, the historic quarter’s buildings have all been meticulously rebuilt. We ended up doing a self-guided tour of the historic quarter after lunch.

During our walk-through Angra, we took in City Hall, the town square, the Cathedral of Angra do Heroismo, and the Captain-General’s Palace. You definitely don’t want to miss the beautiful Duke of Terceira Garden. Be sure to hike up the hill in the garden to reach the Memoria a Di Pedro IV for a fantastic overlook of the city and Monte Brasil.

We also ducked into a few shops, including Bordado dos Açores, a lace and local handicrafts shop. If you’re looking for an authentic Azorean souvenir, a piece of lace is an excellent choice. In addition to offering wares, the shop included several interpretative panels that explain the history and importance of lace making in the Azores.

Stay: Terceira Mar Hotel, Angra do Heroismo

Eat: I’d forgotten how spectacular European hotel breakfast spreads are. The breakfast buffet at Terceira Mar Hotel set us up for a full day of exploring in the historic city.

We had a great lunch at Verde Maca in downtown Angra. Check them out for fresh, “brunch-y” options. 

My biggest culinary regret of the trip is how hard I pushed to eat dinner at Quinta dos Açores, the ice cream factory just north of Angra. You can’t deny their great dining room view, but everything about our experience here was just okay.  

Day Three: Dairy Farm Tour and Exploring Terceira

Yes, those mugs are full of milk we milked ourselves on a quirky Dairy Farm Visit tour on the east side of Terceira Island.

I assumed we’d be part of a larger tour group, but nope, it was just the three of us and Vitor tootling around eastern Terceira in his cherry red van.

Weather (sideways rain to be exact) curtailed the dairy farm visit, but not before we all milked Frenchie the cow. Instead, our tour evolved into a driving tour where we took in Lajes Airfield, the American military base, and various scenic viewpoints. The tour concluded with an Azorean wine and cheese tasting at Vitor’s home. Along the way we learned about the Azorean Holy Spirit chapels, the islands’ impressive dairy production (30% of Portugal’s milk comes from the Azores), and Terceira’s bull running tradition.

If there was a word to describe this tour, it would be awkward, but I do recommend it. Vitor was an absolute wealth of knowledge. I wish we’d done the tour first thing upon arriving in Terceira so we could have taken full advantage of his local knowledge and restaurant recommendations.

The natural pools of Biscuitos are enjoyable in any weather, but they’re particularly dramatic in rough seas.

Looking out of Algar do Carvao, an ancient 300 ft deep underground lava tube. While it doesn’t take long to visit and costs €10, this stop is considered a must on a Terceira Island Azores itinerary.

To be honest, the rest of day was a slog. Turns out drinking wine at 10:30 a.m. makes you kind of sick. I’d also failed to put waterproof shoes on my Azores packing list (did a semester in Ireland teach me nothing?!) and spent most of the day with cold, wet feet. This definitely qualifies as a first-world problem, but it really did put a damper on my enjoyment of our counterclockwise tour of the small island.

Our stops included Algar do Carvao (an underground lava tube), Biscoitos Wine Museum (this is a pass for me), and Serretta. My favorite stop was the natural pools in Biscoitos. In better weather, we definitely would have walked around Lagoa das Patas Forest Reserve too. It looked so beautiful from the road!

Stay: Terceira Mar Hotel, Angra do Heroismo

Eat: We had our first really lovely dining Azores experience at Tasca Das Tias in the heart of Angra’s historic quarter.

Day Four: Lagoa das Sete Cidades and West Side of Sao Miguel

On the shores of Lagoa Verde, one of the twin lakes located in a volcanic carter on the west side of Sao Miguel Island.

Our day began way too early with a 6:50 flight back to Ponta Delgada. Our plane touched down on Sao Miguel Island at 7:20 and within an hour we were at the most famous overlook in the Azores: Vista do Rei.

This viewpoint got its name (which translates to View of the King) in 1901 when King Carlos I of Portugal visited the spot. I can see why Azoreans wanted to bring King Carlos to this panoramic view of Lagoa das Sete Cidades, a twin lake made up of the Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul. In certain lights, the two lakes appear to be their namesake colors.

Jenny was interested in doing the 7.7 km Vista do Rei hike, but we decided to check out the nearby Boca do Inferno viewpoint first. When road construction caused us to miss our turn, we ended up at the bottom of the crater next to the lakes’ shores. We pulled off at the picnic spot next to the bridge between the two lakes and decided this was as good a spot as any for a hike.

Guided by my Gaia GPS map, we set a course along the west edge of Lagoa Verde. After a little more than 2 miles through thick forest followed by a climb up a cow path, we once again reached the Vista do Rei. You certainly appreciate the sweeping view a lot more after you’ve hiked 900 feet of elevation gain! Despite visiting the viewpoint twice, we never caught the light where it appears the two lakes are two different colors.

View of Lagoas Verde e Azul from the Vista do Rei outside of Sete Cidades on Sao Miguel Island.

Ponta da Ferraria on the west side of Sao Miguel Island at low tide. This natural pool is fed by a geothermal spring. The ocean was too rough for us to test how warm the water actually was. 

We grabbed lunch in Sete Cidades, then continued on to the west coast, where we stopped at Ponta da Ferraria and Mosteiros Beach. A very windy road along the island’s north coast brought us to our hotel, Pedras do Mar Resort and Spa, outside Fenais da Luz. We spent the rest of the day enjoying the hotel’s amenities, including the pools and restaurant.

Looks can be deceiving: the Azores is no tropical destination. While the islands enjoy temperate temperatures year-round, this pool water was definitely in the 50s when I waded in to for this “influenster” shot.

Stay: While you can’t beat the views from Terceira Mar Hotel, I loved Pedras do Mar Resort and Spa on Sao Miguel Island even more. Set off by itself on Sao Miguel’s north shore, the hotel had such a lovely, calm vibe. I especially appreciated all the cozy sitting nooks. The pools, spa, restaurant, bar, and epic breakfast spread were also very much enjoyed.

Eat: For dinner we made a reservation at the hotel’s restaurant, Meia Nau. The hotel’s isolated location limits you to the hotel’s restaurant or bar unless you wanted to drive to dinner. After a full day of exploring, we were more than happy to just head downstairs for a multi-course dinner complete with coffee and dessert.

Day Five: Boca do Inferno and Spa Day

If the weather had been clear, we probably wouldn’t have fully appreciated the amazing lush forest along the hike out to the Boca do Inferno viewpoint.

We didn’t have any definite plans for this day other than making spa appointments at the Thalissi Spa in our hotel. Once we’d booked late afternoon pedicures and massages, we suddenly had an entire day before us. We opted to head west and try to check out the Boca do Inferno overlook.

As we drove inland and gained elevation, we ended up in a real pea soup fog. Instead of a sweeping view of Lagoa de Santiago and Lagoa Azul, we had visibility of about 30 feet. Despite the disappointing view, we all enjoyed our quick misty, atmospheric hike through the Azorean forest from the parking area near Lagoa do Canario to the “viewpoint.”

We grabbed lunch in Sete Cidades. After we wandered through the little town, we returned to Pedras do Mar for some much needed R&R.

The church in the center of Sete Cidades. 

Stay: Pedras do Mar Resort and Spa

Eat: We grabbed lunch at Lagoa Azul, a buffet restaurant in Sete Cidades that specializes in traditional Azorean foods. While I’m not usually a buffet person, the food and service were excellent. If you’re looking to sample various Azorean foods – including limpets! – without committing to a full dish, this is the place.

Day Six: Whale Watching and Wine Tours

We hit the road pretty early to make it to our 8:30 a.m. Whale Watching and Islet Boat Tour through Terra Azul in Vila Franco do Campo. Anticipation was high, especially since early spring is when whales begin moving back north towards the Azores from their wintering grounds near the equator.

We braved some pretty rough waters, but in our three hours on an open Zodiac boat (if you packed them, definitely wear your rain pants!) we saw a pod of dolphins and even glimpsed a humpback whale surfacing to breathe! Our guide was truly fantastic and I really think this experience should be at the top of any Azores itinerary.

The town hall in central Ponta Delgada

Our first stop in Ponta Delgada was Arruda Pineapple Plantation. Nestled right in the city, the plantation doesn’t require a long stay (especially in the off-season when the café is closed) but it was fun to see the growing stages of pineapples on the self-guided tour through the plantation’s greenhouses. We dutifully sampled the offered pineapple liqueur in the plantation gift shop, then headed into Ponta Delgada’s city centre to shop and sightsee.

We closed out our very busy day with the Hungry Whales Wine and Food Walking Tour. On this three-hour tour, we sampled five wines ( + a beer) and enjoyed a three-course meal while learning more about Ponta Delgada and the Azores. I really loved this experience and definitely recommend it as a great way to learn more about Azorean wine, food, and culture.

Stay: Pedras do Mar Resort and Spa

Eat: We grabbed lunch at Atlantico, a highly rated steak and fish restaurant in Vila Franco do Campo. Our meal definitely lived up to the hype!

On our evening tour, we ate our main course at A Tasca, a restaurant lauded as one of the best places to enjoy traditional Azorean fare in Ponta Delgada.

Day Seven: Cha Gorreana and Furnas

Tea plants cover more than 90 acres at Cha Gorreana on the north side of Sao Miguel Island. You can visit the plantation for a free tour of their facilities and, of course, a spot of tea in their cafe. 

For our final full day on the Azores, we headed east along Sao Miguel’s north shore to reach Cha Gorreana.

After our underwhelming experience at the pineapple plantation the day before, we didn’t have high hopes for the Azores’ celebrated tea plantation, but Cha Gorreana is truly a gem. Our tour guide, the tea itself, the little café, and the scenery were all so lovely. Definitely a Sao Miguel must do!

The Azores’ geothermal energy is on dramatic display in the town of Furnas on Sao Miguel Island. 

After our time at the tea plantation, we continued on to another Azorean must see: the town of Furnas. You’ll find evidence of geothermal energy all over the Azores, but it’s dramatically displayed in Furnas where hot springs burst from the ground. 

Furnas is known for its thermal baths and cozido – a stew cooked in pots buried along the town’s lakeshore where they steam cook. In other words, the town is basically a crockpot! It’s also a beautiful, lush corner of Sao Miguel Island.

We didn’t do the actual Furnas Valley hike because I didn’t properly research the route or where to park (sorry Jenny!), but we did enjoy a lovely stroll along the shores of Lake Furnas. Afterwards, we soaked in the Terra Nostra Garden thermal baths, then tried cozido, which I really enjoyed.

The beautiful Cascata da Riberita Quente is only visible for a brief moment in the gap between two road tunnels. 

We then continued on to Ribeira Quente where we saw the famous “tunnel waterfall” and then visited Praia do Fogo beach. Although this beach has underwater geothermal springs that keep the water warm, we still found the water pretty (okay, very) chilly in early April. I may have grown up swimming in Lake Superior, but my tolerance for cold water has definitely decreased with my advancing age. In the end, we just dipped our toes in!

Stay: Pedras do Mar Resort and Spa

Eat: There are plenty of places in Furnas where you can sample cozido. If you walk along the shores of Lake Furnas in the morning when they’re cooking the stew, many “representatives” from various restaurants will try to strong-arm you into making a reservation. We didn’t making any reservations and ended up having a lovely late lunch of cozido at Restaurante Tony anyway.

Day Eight: Vigia de São Pedro and depart Azores

After one last luxurious breakfast at the Pedras do Mar, it was time to start wishing the islands “adieu.” Since we had time to kill between hotel check out and our flight to Boston, we wandered down the path behind the hotel which happened to be the 12 km Vigia de Sao Pedro hiking trail.

We just walked a brief portion of the easy trail, turning around at Ermida da Sao Pedro, a 16th century chapel. Along the way we enjoyed fantastic ocean views and walked out to Buraco de Sao Pedro – a massive hole in a small peninsula. Although I don’t know for certain, I’m guessing this geological phenomenon has a similar mythology as Down Patrick Head in Ireland.

That’s the thing about the Azores: cool things lurk everywhere. I think it would be impossible to see all the highlight in one lifetime, let alone one trip.

Stay: We arrived in Boston too late to catch a connecting flight back to Minneapolis, so we spent the night at Hilton Garden Inn Boston Logan Airport Hotel. While we didn’t have time to nip into Boston for a cannoli, our room was stocked with snacks that tided us over for a quick sleep before one final flight to conclude our epic Azorean adventure.

Quick Guide to Our 8 Day Azores Itinerary

If I’ve piqued about visiting this beautiful Portuguese archipelago, my Azores travel guide will answer all your trip planning questions. 

Here’s a map of all the places we visited during our eight days on the Azores. 

Favorite Azores Activities

Favorite Azores Restaurants

Terceira Island

Verde Maca Cafe – Angra do Heroismo
Tasca Das Tias – Angra do Heroismo

Sao Miguel Island

Atlantico – Vila Franco do Campo
A Tasca – Ponta Delgada
Restaurante Tony – Furnas

Where To Stay on the Azores

Pedras do Mar Resort and Spa was our home base for four nights on Sao Miguel Island. 

Terceira Island: Terceira Mar Hotel in Angra do Heroismo

Sao Miguel Island: Pedras do Mar Resort and Spa near Fenais da Luz on the north side of the island.

If you liked this 8 Day Azores Itinerary, check out my other Azores posts.