Azores: Volcanoes, Vineyards and Island Experiences

The Azores combine volcanic landscapes, a longstanding harbour culture, winegrowing and exceptional marine wildlife experiences. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment in the Azores should therefore first decide which experiences are to shape the holiday: hikes through crater landscapes, historic towns, regional specialities or excursions out to sea.

Volcanoes, geopark and exceptional landscapes

The nature of the Azores is distinctly shaped by volcanism. The landscape includes 1,766 volcanoes, nine of them active, as well as almost 300 documented volcanic cavities, crater lakes, fumaroles and thermal springs. Since March 2013, the Azores Geopark has been part of the European Geoparks Network and the Global Geoparks Network under the auspices of UNESCO. Its objective combines the protection of the geological heritage with sustainable ecological, cultural and socioeconomic development.

The official network of hiking trails has been rehabilitated and made accessible to visitors from the coast to higher elevations. Several trails showcase very different sides of the archipelago. The Vinhas da Criação Velha trail connects Candelária with Areia Larga in the municipality of Madalena. For the most part, it passes through the wine-growing cultural landscape classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004 and through active vineyards with their pattern of stone walls. Rola-Pipas, relheiras, shelters, wine cellars and tidal wells illustrate the history of winegrowing along the trail.

On Terceira, the Mistérios Negros hiking trail starts and ends beside the Casa de Apoio of Gruta do Natal and Lagoa do Negro. It lies in the Serra de Santa Bárbara e dos Mistérios Negros nature reserve and in a geosite of the Azores Geopark. Along the way, endemic vegetation and trachytic domes formed by accumulations of younger lava can be seen. On São Jorge, the Serra do Topo – Caldeira de Santo Cristo – Fajã dos Cubres trail passes through the Caldeira de Santo Cristo and ends at Fajã dos Cubres. It runs through the protected Fajãs do Norte landscape area and passes the coastal lagoons of both places. Lagoa da Caldeira de Santo Cristo is known for cockles, which are considered unique in the Azores archipelago.

Winegrowing, cuisine and historic places

On Pico, the vineyard cultural landscape covers 987 hectares. Long stone walls protect the rectangular plots, known as currais, from wind and seawater. Winegrowing there dates back to the 15th century; high-quality wine is still produced around Criação Velha. São Miguel also offers distinctive culinary experiences: pineapples grow there in wooden greenhouses with whitewashed glass panes, and cultivation takes around 18 months. The island is also home to Europe’s only tea plantation. Two factories continue to produce black and green tea using the same traditional techniques. Massa Sovada, a sweet bread made from butter, eggs, milk and sugar, is traditionally served at religious festivities. Bolo Levedo was formerly made throughout the archipelago and is now considered a speciality of the Furnas Valley on São Miguel.

For those interested in culture, Angra do Heroísmo offers a historical focal point. From the 15th century until the advent of steamships in the 19th century, the city was an obligatory port of call for fleets travelling between Europe, equatorial Africa, and the East and West Indies. Its historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 and preserves its 15th- and 16th-century street network. The Angra do Heroísmo Museum is housed in a former 17th-century Franciscan monastery and displays, among other things, ceramics, weapons, coins, nautical instruments, sculptures, paintings, furniture and porcelain. The Monte Brasil circular route passes through a geosite at an extinct volcano; Monte Brasil also offers a particularly suitable viewpoint over Angra do Heroísmo. The Fortaleza de São João Baptista was built there at the end of the 16th century.

Sea, wildlife and choosing the right base

More than 20 species of whales and dolphins can be observed in the Azores, including resident and migratory species. Off Faial, blue whales can be observed just a few miles from the coast practically all year round. The Azores are currently among the largest whale sanctuaries in the world and offer whale-watching experiences. During summer dives at Baixa do Ambrósio, groups of dozens of manta rays can be observed; the area is a marine protected area with a great diversity of marine life.

The desired combination is therefore decisive when choosing accommodation. A base focused on winegrowing and landscapes is a good match for the trails on Pico, while Angra do Heroísmo offers historic urban structures and museum culture. Anyone wishing to combine several islands can plan the trip by boat or on regional flights. This allows the search for a holiday apartment or holiday home to be tailored to the experiences that are most important for their own holiday.

Discover more places and destinations

For further options, you can also view Terceira, Santa Maria, S.Miguel, Pico, Faial, San Jorge, Flores, Mosteiros, Graciosa, Furnas, Horta, Topo, Ginetes, Calheta De Nesquim, Faja De Baixo, São Miguel, Ponta Garca, Urzelina, Fajã Grande and Corvo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Portugal.