Central Azores
2024
Highlights of the trip
During your stay you can enjoy the following highlights: Culture / Heritage, Faune and flora, Adventure / Sports & Leisure.
Best times to go
The best time(s) to go is/are : Printemps, Eté, Automne.
Where to stay - Horta ?
The map of your stay "Central Azores"
Detail of the stay : Central Azores
How to get there - Horta
Arrival on the island of Faial
Steps: Horta
Faial. Visit Horta and its port. Climb Monte da Guia for a good view of the bay. If you have time, you can swim at Porto Pim, on the other side of the peninsula.
Places of interest : MONTE DA GUIA
Escapade in the volcanic zone
Steps: Castelo Branco
Tour of the island of Faial, passing through Praia do Almoxarife, Cedros, Capelinhos and its fascinating volcano interpretation center. Walk on the heights or on the volcano itself, then return to Horta via Morro de Castelo Branco.
Hiking in the island's lush greenery
Departure for the island of Pico and exploration of the vineyards around Madalena
Steps: Madalena
Depart for Pico by boat (just 30 minutes) and discover Madalena and its surroundings. Explore the Gruta das Torres, get lost in the giant labyrinth of Crição Velha's World Heritage vineyards, visit the Carmo Wine Museum and leave with a bottle of verdelho. Sleep in Madalena.
Places of interest : MUSÉE DU VIN GRUTA DAS TORRES
Tour of Pico Island
Steps: Lajido
Tour of the island of Pico along the north coast. Walk among the adegas, the traditional basalt wine cellars, and discover the Lajido wine-growing area and interpretation center. Visit São Roque and its whaling museum. Head for the interior and its sparkling lakes, then Lajes do Pico, its beautiful museum, its end-of-the-world atmosphere and its breathtaking views of Mount Pico.
Whale watching
Steps: Madalena
Whale-watching at Lajes (also possible from Madalena), followed by an afternoon stroll in the surrounding area. Or visit the southern coast and its mistérios, lava flows that have swept away everything in their path, or the less touristy, remote eastern coast.
Departure for the island of São Jorge
Steps: Rosais
Departure from Madalena or São Roque (Cais do Pico) for São Jorge. Arrive in Velas and explore the small town. Visit the Sete Fontes park, near Rosais. Walk to the lighthouse if possible.
Discover local crafts
Steps: Topo
South coast of São Jorge. Visit the Senhora da Encarnaço craft cooperative in Ribeira do Nabo, then the Lourais cheese factory in Riberira Seca. Photo stops along the fajã route, and a stop at Café Nunes in Fajã dos Vimes. Depending on how much time you have left, push on to Topo or return directly to Velas.
Hiking on the fajãs
North coast of São Jorge and its fajãs. Not to be missed: Fajã do Ouvidor, Fajã dos Cubres and Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo, one of the most inaccessible. Only walkers will be able to reach it: superb panoramas guaranteed.
