Located in the mid-Atlantic Ocean, the Azores is an autonomous region of Portugal. The Azores is made up of nine islands that are home to striking landscapes, fishing villages, rolling green hills, and many volcanoes. They are a great vacation spot for nature lovers — spend days going on hikes, visiting caves, and going on whale watching tours. Every island is slightly different and has something unique to offer visitors.

The Azores boast some of Portugal’s most dramatic beaches covered with black volcanic sand and you can swim, surf, or kayak at several of them. They can be found throughout the island chain and it is also possible to find picture-perfect white sand beaches on the island of Santa Maria. Azores is home to many small towns overflowing with museums, churches, shops, restaurants, bars, and Azores vacation homes. Angra do Heroismo, Vila Franca do Campo, and Ponta Delgada provide a great base to explore the islands’ spectacular natural environment.

There are a few different airports in Azores but not all of them cater to international flights. Ponta Delgada (PDL) is the largest airport in the islands and will be the most likely airport to fly into if coming from outside of Portugal. From the PDL airport, you can take a bus to Ponta Delgada city center. It is possible to travel by boat between the islands and each island also has an airport. Depending on how much time you have, flying is most likely going to be the best option due to the unpredictable weather on the Atlantic Ocean. Once you are on an island, the easiest way to get around is by renting a car due to limited public transportation options between tourist attractions.

The best time to stay in a vacation home in the Azores is June through August. This is when the weather is the nicest with warm, sunny days and low rainfall, which is great if you want to spend a lot of time outdoors. The spring and fall generally have slightly lower temperatures but you can still find plenty of Azores vacation rentals. The winter is slightly chillier and rain could make it difficult to do some of the outdoor activities. However, you can explore the islands with very few other visitors around. It is possible to go on whale watching and bird watching trips all year round and with a little prior planning, it is also possible to visit many of the geotourism sites.

Whale Watching Tours

Home to more than 25 different species of whales, the Azores is a great spot for whale watching. From April until September, it is possible to see blue whales as they migrate past the Azores. You can also spot sperm whales throughout the year. While São Miguel is the most popular island for whale watching, it is also possible to see them from the shorelines of Faial and Pico Islands.

Angra do Heroismo

Often simply called Angra, the city of Angra do Heroismo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the island of Terceira. The city was an essential port of call for maritime traffic to Africa and the Americas. There are many historical attractions including an imposing fort, monuments, palaces, and museums.

Lagoa de Fogo

Located on São Miguel Island, the Lagoa de Fogo (Lake of Fire) is an enormous crater lake and is one of the Azores’ largest bodies of water. It is located in a gorgeous nature reserve where you can admire the beautiful scenery from different viewpoints or explore one of the many hiking trails.