Time difference The Azores
The Azores are in time zone GMT -1. All year round, when it is noon in Paris, it is 10am in the Azores; when it is 8pm in Ponta Delgada, it is 9pm in Lisbon and 10pm in France. As in the whole of the European Union, at the time of the changeover to summer time, the last Sunday in March is advanced by one hour and the last Sunday in October is set back by one hour to switch to winter time.
Opening hours The Azores
To see / To do The Azores
For the most part, museums and tourist sites keep to office hours, in the belief that employees deserve their weekends, school vacations and public holidays too. So, except in summer, they're open Monday to Friday, generally from 9am to 5pm (with the occasional lunch break).
Enjoying yourself The Azores
Restaurant opening times in the Azores coincide with our own: for lunch from 12pm to 2pm and for dinner from 7pm to 10pm. Many establishments offer non-stop service during the high season. It can sometimes be difficult to dine after 9:30pm, as many establishments close at 10pm. Some are open only for lunch and dinner; others are open all day, which is convenient when you're feeling peckish or have just returned from a long hike. Restaurants generally close on Mondays. However, you'll always be able to find a little corner where you can treat yourself to the fish of the day or a sandwich on the fly.
Take a break The Azores
The Azores are no Ibiza, far from it, but there are some very nice places to have a drink on one of the archipelago's many terraces. A number of trendy bars have sprung up along the waterfront, harbors and marinas. They're perfect for watching the sunset over an aperitif. Most stay open until 3am-4am on weekends, for those who want to party late. Correct prices and guaranteed atmosphere in summer!
(To) please yourself The Azores
Most stores are open from 10am to 12:30pm and from 2pm to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday, and on Saturday from 10am to 1pm. Shopping centers, some supermarkets and craft stores are usually open all weekend.
Get out The Azores
On the archipelago, it's not the party like in Lisbon, and informed partygoers will soon find out. That said, people don't go to bed especially early, at least not in summer. They chat in the squares, in the cafés, in front of the television, in the gardens. Islanders love to have barbecues, especially in the lookouts along the coast, where there are sometimes adequate facilities, or in nature parks. So don't expect to go to bed at dawn (although this is always possible), but rather take the time to look around you, sitting at a café terrace, and meet other people who like to engage in conversation.
