The Azores is one of the best hidden gems in Europe, especially as a nature destination, though lately has become more and more famous, but if you want enjoy the Azores without crowds, it’s better to visit in winter. Don’t get scared for the weather, the temperatures are between 13°C – 22°C all year round.
The islands are a stunningly beautiful and diverse archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. These Portuguese islands make the perfect choice for a road trip in any season. They are part of Portugal, even though they aren’t really that close to Portugal. Lately has gained the nick name as the Hawaii of Europe, but with fewer tourists and more rain.
about the the Azores
The Azores archipelago is made up of 9 distinct islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, they are separated into three groups, the western, middle and eastern : Sao Miguel, Terceira, Flores, Corvo and Sao Jorge Santa Maria, Graciosa, or Faial. Sao Miguel is the biggest island and home of the capital of the Azores. Most travellers visit Sao Miguel for its diversity and also because is the easiest one to get to. Now don’t think is very hard to get on the other ones, but you depend on boats (many don’t sail every day, or in any season), also on those islands, car renting is a little bit harder, making it not that easy to move around.
RIBEIRA DOS CALDEIRÕES WATERFALL
Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões is a natural wonder in the Azores, that is a must while you visit this island. It is a true show of beautiful landscapes, between big waterfalls and unique vegetation it is a great opportunity for a relaxing, wonderful walk surrounded by spectacular nature. Also a wonderful scenery for pictures!
The park is a great option for the most adventurous travellers, for the ones who want to take nature photos, for the ones who want to relax. It is for everybody, children and adults. There is a great variety of Macaronesian flora, in addition to the Laurisilva forest. Among the lush vegetation, tree ferns, cryptomerias and big bushes of hydrangeas (summertime is the when you can see the flowers).
If you are very lucky, maybe you can find a Priolo, one of the most endangered bird species in Europe, that only exists in the East of São Miguel island.
the waterfalls
There are many waterfalls at Ribeira dos Caldeirões. The biggest and most famous waterfall is right next to the parking lot, known as the Bride’s veil across the street. It is the first thing you see when you arrive. From this one if you walk around you can find many other beautiful ones on the way.
SALTO DA FARINHA WATERFALL
This hike is one of the most enchanting ones I’ve ever done, a wonderful valley with a waterfall at the end of the path. The road to the hike was empty with no cars, so we could park right in front of it and enjoyed it only for ourselves, because there was nobody around, as many people don’t know about this waterfall.
We found this waterfall on our way to another place, it was a lovely surprise. That day was the day of my birthday so you can imagine the joy I could feel to find such a hidden gem, it felt like a present from Mother Nature. The feeling was exotic. Beautiful!
LAGOA DAS SETE CIDADES
Even if you haven’t been to Sete Cidades yet, you probably already seen the image of the lake, all over the internet, it’s the first image that pops when you look for the Azores. It is not only one of the most visited spots of São Miguel island, but is it also an important place for the Autonomous Region of the Azores. In fact, it is the largest lake in the archipelago and a significant freshwater resource for the islands.
Locals and travellers just love to see the lake from various viewpoints around the big volcanic surroundings. Or simply enjoy the waters down in the crater. Many people might think that they are two lakes due to the difference in colors. But in fact, it is a two coloured lake. The bridge in the middle doesn’t separate the body of water underneath. There are various view points, all of them with amazing views at the huge, dormant volcano that covers the western part of São Miguel Island, the green and blue lakes that are in the volcano’s crater, or the tiny town just next to the lakes.
I recommend having a loose itinerary when visiting the Azores and finalising it depending on the weather. We stayed for 8 days and one day we had sun, the other one was sunny, or down at the beach was windy and up in the mountains it was very foggy. The Azores have a crazy climate and, at least on São Miguel Island, the weather can change very quickly. SpotAzores has cameras at tourist hotspots throughout the islands and lets visitors see the weather and level of cloudiness at each site.
activities at the lake
Lagoa das Sete Cidades is a good place to enjoy a sunny day venturing outdoors in such perfect way, with so many fun activities to do around and on the lake. One of the funniest things you can do at Lagoa das Sete Cidades is rent a kayak and go see the lake from another perspective. You can also rent a paddle-board. Around the lake, there are many hikes to do and other lakes to see. From Serra Devassa in the mountains to viewpoints hunting at Grota do Inferno, or also the tunnel between Sete Cidades and Mosteiros, you have a large choice ahead. Or you can have a nice picnic.
fauna & flora
The lake of Sete Cidades is an essential habitat for wide biodiversity, this is why it is a protected landscape.The surroundings of the lake are fundamental for endemic species because it holds primitive vegetation from the islands. For instance, you can find Azores Juniper (Juniperus brevifolia), heather (Erica azorica) and many more plants.
THE LAGOON OF LAGOA DAS SETE CIDADES
Lagoa das Sete Cidades isn’t just a spot to hike, but a special experience. The fauna and flora and fabulous views are impossible to forget, the lake is so big, that you could spend days exploring it. One of the best spots where I recommend you to go is the lagoon, when it rains the lake becomes bigger and the trees are drown in water, creating a beautiful reflection on the lake.
Here you can walk, have a nice picnic, or if you want you can have a coffee or a delicious lunch enjoy the relaxing atmosphere at the restaurant in front of the lake. The view from the restaurant is absolutely stunning.
SANTA BARBARA BEACH
This is a pleasant and inviting beach for water sports, or simply to relax at the beach. This beach attracts many locals and tourists everyday. It is a real Heaven for many surfers as it has strong waves. I don’t know if anybody beside them adventure into the water to swim, but me.. be sure I don’t go into that water, the waves are pretty strong, so if you dare to go into that water make sure you are a very good swimmer. I only enjoyed the volcanic black sand and cliffs from outside the water, taking many photos to frieze forever the beautiful moments I lived here.
facilities
The beach is very well prepared with all the necessary facilities, like facilities to support bathers, parking car, various showers, toilets, a restaurant and a bar.
GORREANA TEA PLANTATION
Chá Gorreana Trail is very special, being the oldest and now the only tea plantation in Europe.It goes through the Gorreana tea plantations offering stunning views of the tea fields and the coast. It’s an easy hike, suitable for everybody. The tea factory and plantations are located on the north coast of Sao Miguel Island, in the parish of Maia, 30 km from the capital city of Ponta Delgada.
Once you are there you can do a free factory tour at the Cha Gorreana to learn about tea cultivation and production, which it is pretty cool to watch it. They will show you the machinery that is used to make tea and witness the process. When you finish the tour, you can taste the tea at the little restaurant in the factory, with a beautiful view at the tea plantation. The tea tasting is free. Of course they also sell tea if you want to buy some organic tea and other souvenirs at the factory gift shop.
TERRA NOSTRA PARK
The Terra Nostra Garden is without any doubt the most beautiful garden in the Azores and certainly one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. Tourists and locals love this garden also because of its huge hot thermal pool. The thermal pools at the Terra Nostra Garden are probably the most famous spa on the island. But I wouldn’t go there just for the termal baths, you should visit the garden, trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
There are so many beautiful Cornes in the garden, huge trees, colourful flowers, a river with many colourful fish. It has benches to sit and read a book, a lovely alley to walk along the river. Then we moved to another path of the garden, to a wonderful cycad collection with 85 different species and sub-species.
It is such a rich and lush garden, that we ended up spending much more time than we planed to (I didn’t mined at all, I would do it again), strolling around the park. Besides the big pool, there are another two hot springs in a more reserved area, with a feel of Japanese onsen, small for intimacy and surrounded by green plants.
entrance and opening hours
entrance fee: 8 EUR with garden access
opening hours: 10.30 AM to 4.30 PM
LAGOA DAS FURNAS
Furnas is located in one of the volcanoes and is a special hidden gem that is definitely worth visiting. The lake has stunning greenery and insanely beautiful flora everywhere. The Lagoa das Furnas offers a unique experience in the vibrant landscape, mixing cultural landmarks and natural wonders. This lake unveils the island’s geothermal activity and lush scenery making it perfect for a beautiful hike.
The trail begins at the parking place near Largo dasTrês Bicas in Furnas and takes you through the village, passing landmarks are the Furnas Monitoring & Research Centre and the famous geothermal activity area where the traditional Cozido à Portuguesa is cooked using the earth’s heat.
hot springs
The hot springs are a nice experience, exploring the bubbling pools of water and fumaroles (steam vents) that are right next to the lake. Here it smells strongly of sulphur but it is interesting and different to see.
It’s made of several pools that have been created out of the river that runs through the town. The water is full of orange deposits of iron. So if you bathe here, prepare to come out of the water looking a bit.. orange. It’s a very good place if you are looking to relax. If you have time after the hot springs you can also visit the Caldeiras Vulcânicas nature preserve in Furnas to see more fumaroles.
LAGOA DO FOGO
Located in a stunning landscape, Lagoa do Fogo, is an awesome trail for adventurers seeking a peaceful hike with wonderful surroundings. If you are lucky and the day is not cloudy you can enjoy breathtaking views of the lake. Be aware that many seagulls live around the hiking trail, the birds can try to chase off hikers. They don’t represent a big danger, but be careful, just in case.
CALDEIRA VELHA HOT SPRINGS
This one is perfect if you are a nature enthusiast, loving to explore hidden gems. This enchanting place offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rejuvenating hot springs and lush greenery. Once we arrived here, we submerged ourselves completely in a forest full of trees and ferns with different shades of green, then we’ve seen this mesmerising waterfall cascading down into a natural pool.
Caldeira Velha is mostly known for its hot springs, but it is not just the thermals, it also offers many scenic trails that allow you to explore the surrounding forests and volcanic landscapes. If you dare to venture into this little corner of paradise, nature it will spoil you with lush vegetation and unique flora and fauna.
the hot springs
Right in front of the first pool you can find the changing rooms in the open air (no worries, nobody will see you changing). Now that you are in your swim suit, you can chose one of the several available pools for swimming, all with different temperatures. The first one has very warm waters but the second one, is quote cold, which makes it perfect for those hot summer days.
An advice I would give you it is not to bring a light coloured swim suit, because the walls give off iron, which is orange coloured, so if you rub against it, your clothes will get stained.
MIRADOURO DOS BARREIROS
This view is amazing, because of the fabulous gardens that accompany the view. Is one of the stops I recommend you to do, it is especially beautiful. Before the actual view, you can see a beautiful waterfall down the hill in the middle of the jungle. The awesome ocean and views from the above will enchant you right away.
MIRADOURO DE SANTA IRIA
The viewpoint of Santa Iria is very easy to access. The parking lot is 1 minute away form the view. Because people come and leave quickly, there is usually no problem with parking. This Miradouro offers 270-degree panoramic views. While here, you are located at a high elevation, so the weather can change quickly. It can go from cloudy to sunny and back again in just a few minutes.
Madeleine 𓇼 