Top 10 things you can´t miss in Azores
- Jose Roca Casanova
- Apr 25
- 7 min read
Imagine a place where the sky and sea melt into an endless blue, where mist drifts between sleeping volcanoes and lush green fields stretch beyond the horizon. A place where nature still speaks loudly and where the soundtrack is birdsong, the distant roar of waves, and the bubbling of hidden hot springs. That place exists, and it’s closer than you think: the Azores.
This Portuguese archipelago, made up of nine volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, is one of Europe’s best kept secrets.
Far from mass tourism, the Azores offer an authentic, almost magical experience for those seeking adventure, peace, and unfiltered beauty. From landscapes that look like they belong on another planet to ancient traditions and a deep connection to the earth, each island has its own soul, its own rhythm, and its own story to tell.
In this article, we invite you to discover the 10 must do experiences that will make you fall in love with this Atlantic paradise. But be warned: by the end, you may not want to leave.
Discover with us:
Explore the Sete Cidades Caldera (São Miguel Island)
In the heart of São Miguel lies one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Azores: the Sete Cidades caldera. This ancient volcanic crater, blanketed in lush greenery, cradles two twin lakes that seem to have been painted by the gods in a moment of inspiration one a vivid emerald green, the other a deep sapphire blue, separated by a slender bridge that appears to unite two different worlds.Legend has it that the lakes were born from the tears of forbidden lovers, a princess and a shepherd who wept until they filled the valley with their sorrow. But beyond the myth, Sete Cidades is real, tangible, and absolutely magical. You can admire it from the iconic Vista do Rei viewpoint or wander the trails that wind among hydrangeas and deep silence. This is not just a view, it’s a place that inhabits you.
Go Whale and Dolphin Watching in the Open Sea
Few experiences awaken such wonder as coming face to face with a whale slicing through the ocean. In the Azores, this miracle happens often. Their deep, nutrient-rich waters are home permanent or seasonal to more than 20 species of cetaceans, including sperm whales, blue whales, and playful pods of dolphins.
From Pico, Faial, or São Miguel, you can board a guided expedition led by marine biologists who not only bring you closer to these giants but also help you understand and respect their world. You are in their domain, on their immense blue stage, and watching one surface a fin, a spout, an unexpected breach is like witnessing a moment written for a documentary. The emotion is raw. Unforgettable.
Bathe in Natural Hot Springs like those in Furnas
In the small town of Furnas, the earth breathes heat. Steam rises through the trees, the air carries the scent of sulfur, and the soil glows red and ochre. This surreal landscape holds one of the island’s most soothing treasures: natural hot springs.Poça da Dona Beija is perhaps the most famous, with small stone pools nestled among tropical foliage, where mineral-rich waters flow steadily, melting stress from every muscle. But others, like Terra Nostra Park, let you float in an amber-colored lagoon after strolling through a botanical garden of ancient trees and exotic plants. Here, time pauses. Tension dissolves. And what remains is an ancestral sense of well being.
Climb Pico, Portugal’s Highest Mountain (Pico Island)
Climbing Mount Pico is more than a hike it’s a communion with the elements. Towering at 2,351 meters (7,713 ft), this conical volcano is Portugal’s highest point and the undeniable guardian of the island. Its presence is magnetic, its call irresistible.The trail begins amid dark volcanic rock, a landscape that feels almost lunar, then gradually ascends above the clouds. The air thins and stills, and with each step, awe grows.
At the summit’s edge, overlooking the crater, you’re rewarded not just with views on clear days you can see other islands but with a flood of emotion: humility, wonder, and triumph. For the boldest, the night ascent to catch the sunrise is nearly spiritual. As the first light ignites the ocean below, you understand what it means to truly feel alive.
Follow the Volcanic Lake Route on São Miguel
São Miguel is an island drawn by water. Not only by the sea that hugs its shores but by the lakes that sleep within ancient volcanic craters. The so called “lake route” is a journey through nature’s mirrors reflecting sky, clouds, and forest. Lagoa do Fogo, remote and wild, offers a near-mystical communion with the elements. Lagoa das Empadadas, small and embraced by trees, feels like a fairytale scene. Others, like Lagoa do Canário or the iconic Sete Cidades, come with viewpoints so stunning, they make you question reality.
Each lake has its own character: some invite silence, others inspire photos, and some simply ask you to sit and let time flow. But all share something sacred they make you feel small, yet deeply fortunate.
Taste the “Cozido das Furnas” Cooked Underground
Some meals feed you. Others tell stories. The “Cozido das Furnas” belongs to the latter. This traditional stew is made in a unique way: a pot full of meats, vegetables, and sausages is buried in the hot volcanic soil, where it slow-cooks for over six hours using the earth’s natural heat. The flavor is rich, earthy, unforgettable.But it’s not just the taste that makes it special it’s the ritual. In the Furnas geothermal park, you can watch as cooks unearth the steaming pots, wrapped in sacks and layers of soil, like retrieving buried treasure.
Eating this dish is like tasting the island itself its fire, its traditions, its living nature. A deep, delicious connection to the land.
Swim in Lava Rock Natural Pools Along the Coast
When ancient lava met the Atlantic, it sculpted the coast of the Azores into a labyrinth of natural pools black volcanic rock cradling crystal-clear seawater.
These are some of the most magical places to swim, float, or simply sit and watch the waves. In spots like Biscoitos (Terceira Island), Ferraria (where the sea is warmed by geothermal energy), or Mosteiros (São Miguel), the experience feels otherworldly. There are no tiles or chemicals only rock, sea, and the rhythm of nature. The water changes mood with the weather: calm one moment, playful the next. Always alive. Always unforgettable.
Discover the Untamed Beauty of Flores Island
Flores is a whisper a remote corner of the world where nature still rules untouched. Its name, meaning “flowers,” is no coincidence, in spring, wild blooms and hydrangeas paint the island in hues of blue and violet. But beyond its lush vegetation, Flores’ true charm lies in its wild purity.Waterfalls cascade from cliffs into the sea, trails wind through misty valleys, and hidden lakes rest between clouds and silence.
The route from Fajã Grande to Fajãzinha is one of the most stunning in the entire archipelago, where your only companions are birds, crashing waterfalls, and the hush of the wild. Here, there is no rush. No noise. No filters. Just the raw beauty of the Earth in its most sincere form.
Visit Gorreana Tea Plantation, Europe’s Oldest
On São Miguel’s north coast, Gorreana’s tea fields stretch like a green quilt toward the horizon. This is the oldest tea plantation in Europe and one of the few still operating on the continent. Since 1883, it has produced tea using traditional methods, with a quiet elegance that resists the modern rush.Walking among its neat, endless rows is an exercise in serenity. You can tour the factory, where vintage machines still hum with purpose, and follow the process from leaf to brew. Then, sip a warm cup in a simple tea room overlooking the sea. Here, tea isn’t just a beverage it’s the taste of Atlantic air, volcanic soil, and time well spent.
Admire the Views from the Miradouros (Viewpoints) Across the Islands
In the Azores, the journey isn’t measured in miles it’s measured in views. The miradouros, or viewpoints, are scattered across all nine islands, each one a sacred pause. From these high places, the world unfolds: volcanic craters, endless ocean, terraced pastures, fishing villages, and skies that stretch forever.These aren’t just tourist stops they are emotional landmarks. From the Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo to the panoramic Serra do Cume on Terceira, each invites you to stop the car, take a breath, and simply look. To see is to feel. And in the Azores, gazing becomes a form of travel in itself.
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