Azores :. Portugal

The Azores, Portugal

Azores is a Portuguese archipelago of nine islands located in the Atlantic Ocean at an approximate linear distance of 1,400 km from mainland Portugal. The Azores Islands are at a distance of two hours by plane from Lisbon, four hours from the UK, four hours from Canada and five hours from the United States.

Azores Video (3 minutes)

The Azores are divided into three groups with an area of 2423.85 km2:

1 - Eastern Group of the Azores

  • Island of Santa Maria , with 97.4 km2
  • Island of São Miguel , with 759.41 km2

2 - Central Group of the Azores

  • Island of Faial , with 173.42 km2
  • Island Graciosa , with 61 km2
  • Island Pico , with 447 km2
  • Island of Santa Maria , with 97.42 km2
  • Island of São Jorge , with 246 km2
  • Ilha Terceira , with 381.96 km2

3 - Azores Western Group

  • Island Corvo , with 17.13 km2
  • Ilha das Flores , with 143.11 km2
  • Islets of Formigas
  • Reef Dollabarat

The archipelago's climate is marked by the Azores anticyclone, with large amount of moisture, regular rainfall in great abundance in the presence of strong winds throughout the year. The winters are rainy and mild, cloudy summers. Average temperatures range between 13ºC in winter and 24ºC in summer. The sea water has an average annual temperature between 17ºC and 23ºC. On some days in the Azores we can experience the 4 seasons

The Azores are a favorite place for many species of birds to rest, nesting and reproduction. The Azores include very diverse wildlife, including cetaceans, the most common are sperm whales, the beaked whales and dolphins, there are smaller fish, such as swordfish, tuna, eel, several species of molluscs and bivalves, including octopuses, limpets, barnacles. The most common birds are the goshawk, the wood pigeon, the pigeon rock, the Priolo, the canary of the earth, the Cory's shearwater, the rosy tern. For land animals are the wild rabbit, the midget weasel, the ferret, the bat of the Azores. In the Azores there are two breeds of local dogs: the Dog Fila de São Miguel and the Barbado da Terceira .

The flora of the Azores deserves special mention, namely the existence of the Laurissilva Forest, a forest with millions of years. This forest is located in the central highlands of the island of Pico in the range of Santa Bárbara on the island Terceira and northeast of the island of São Miguel . The main species are the laurel, heather, cedar, wood-white, hydrangeas, camellias and acacias.
The Azorean relief is very rough due to the volcanic origin of the archipelago, creating the natural landscape of the islands, including the island of São Miguel where there is the Vale das Furnas . The last recorded volcanic activity were: Volcano of Capelinhos in 1957/58 in the island Faial and around the Serreta on the island Terceira in 1998-2000. The highest point of the Azores is on the island of Pico with a 2352 meters altitude.

History and economy of the Azores

It is said that the Azores was discovered in 1427 by Diogo de Silves or in 1431 by Gonçalo Velho and is named after the first birds that were seen in the region, the Azores, which would in reality buzzards. The islands were populated between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries by Flemish and Portuguese. The archipelago has played a strategic role during the Age of Discovery due to the geographical position, situated between the European continent and the American continent. The events that deserve a more prominent throughout the history of the Azores are the resistance to Spanish domination of the sixteenth century and support the liberal cause during the civil war of the nineteenth century.
Emigration has always played an important role in the region, particularly to the United States of America and Canada. The Azorean economy has been dependent on agriculture, livestock and fisheries, including whaling and whale. Tourism is the industry's most important economy in the region, especially in ecological variant. Here the pure and wild islands deserve a special mention due to provide the realization of numerous nature activities, including whale watching and dolphins in the wild, the ocean diving, bird watching or observing volcanic activity.

The Craft of the Azores

The Azorean crafts reflects the roots and history of the Azorean people and their connection to the sea. The most prominent themes are:

  • Embroidery of the Azores: especially the Bordado de São Miguel , the Bordado da Terceira and Bordado à Palha de Trigo do Faial
  • Miolo da Figueira : includes three-dimensional pieces with Azorean culture themes
  • Rendas dos Açores : highlighting the Rendas Típicas do Pico e do Faial
  • Registos do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres : are miniature altars built in a pattern of the Holy Christ and decorated with flowers
  • Trabalhos em Escama de Peixe : typical Azorean crafts consisting in the use of raw animal matter, including whale teeth and fish scales

Azores, UNESCO World Heritage

The Azores have two areas classified as UNESCO World Heritage:

  • Centro Histórico de Angra do Heroísmo: has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. It was an old obligatory stop during the time of the Portuguese Discoveries, is the main references the Fort of São Sebastião , the Fort of São João Batista the São João Batista , the Cathedral Cathedral, the Convent of São Gonçalo , the Church of São Gonçalo and the Old Square. This theme is developed later in the article ...
  • Culture Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard: it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. It covers a total area of 987 hectares and is referenced two places: 1 - the Lajido da Criação Velha and 2 - the Lajido de Santa Luzia planted in vast lava fields. The landscape is characterized by the existence of black stone walls due to washing. These walls were built to protect the wind plant vineyards and sea water. This unique landscape in the world is the result of the struggle of the early settlers of the fifteenth century who managed to transform an unlikely place for wine culture, a place that produces high quality wine

Eastern Group of the Azores

São Miguel Island

São Miguel is the largest island of the archipelago, with about 138,000 inhabitants in a geographical area of 744 km2, with 62.1 km long and 15.8 km at its widest. The Pico da Vara is the highest point of the island with 1105 meters of altitude. The island of São Miguel is administratively organized in six municipalities and sixty-five parishes:

  • Municipality of Lagoa , is organized into five parishes:
    1. Cabouco
    2. Ribeira Chã
    3. Rosário
    4. Santa Cruz
    5. Vila de Água de Pau
  • Municipality of Ponta Delgada , is organized in twenty-four parishes:
    1. Arrifes
    2. Ajuda da Bretanha
    3. Candelária
    4. Capelas
    5. Covoada
    6. Fajã de Baixo
    7. Fajã de Cima
    8. Fenais da Luz
    9. Feteiras
    10. Ginetes
    11. Livramento
    12. Mosteiros
    13. Pilar da Bretanha
    14. Relva
    15. Remédios
    16. Santa Bárbara
    17. Santo António
    18. Santa Clara
    19. São José
    20. São Pedro
    21. São Roque
    22. São Sebastião
    23. São Vicente Ferreira
    24. Sete Cidades
  • Municipality of Ribeira Grande : is organized into fourteen parishes:
    1. Calhetas
    2. Conceição
    3. Fenais da Ajuda
    4. Lomba da Maia
    5. Lomba de São Pedro
    6. Maia
    7. Matriz
    8. Pico da Pedra
    9. Porto Formoso
    10. Rabo de Peixe
    11. Ribeira Seca
    12. Ribeirinha
    13. Santa Bárbara
    14. São Brás
  • Municipality of Vila Franca do Campo, is organized into six parishes:
    1. Água d’Alto
    2. Ponta Garça
    3. Ribeira Seca
    4. Ribeira das Tainhas
    5. São Miguel
    6. São Pedro
  • Municipality of Nordeste , is organized in ten parishes:
    1. Achada
    2. Achadinha
    3. Algarvia
    4. Lomba da Fazenda
    5. Pedreira
    6. Salga
    7. Santana
    8. Santo António de Nordestino
    9. São Pedro de Nordestinho
    10. Vila de Nordeste
  • City Hall Povoação , is organized into six parishes:
    1. Água Retorta
    2. Faial da Terra
    3. Furnas
    4. Remédios
    5. Ribeira Quente
    6. Vila da Povoação

The island of São Miguel was discovered between 1427 and 1431 and the settlement began to be realized in 1440 with the coming Portuguese Algarve, Alentejo, North and Extremadura. Past few years came the Moors, the Jews, the French and the English. Vila Franca do Camp it was the capital of the Azores to the earthquake of 1522. São Miguel was occupied by Spain in 1582. Orange was between the eighteenth and nineteenth the main source of income for the island's economy. In 1870 the production of this fruit has decreased dramatically due to the emergence of a disease in the orange groves. This economic crisis has led to a major outbreak of emigration to Brazil and the United States. The economy of São Miguel recovered with the development of new crops, including pineapple, tea, tobacco and bulrush. Tourism has developed from the 1980s.

The typical cuisine of San Miguel includes specialties such as:

  • Fervedouros (Fervedouros)
  • Sour broth (Caldo Azedo)
  • Mixed roast (Assado Misto)
  • Mackerel with sauce villain (Chicharros com molho vilão)
  • Cooked in boiler (Cozido na Caldeira)
  • Sausage with yams (Linguiça com inhames)
  • Black pudding with pineapple (Morcela com ananás)
  • octopus stew (Polvo Guisado)
  • barnacles (Cracas)
  • limpets (Lapas)
  • Bellies Of Nun (Barrigas de freira)
  • Fofas of Population (Fofas da Povoação)
  • yeasts (Levedos)
  • kneaded dough (Massa sovada )
  • Queijadas of Vila Franca (Queijadas de Vila Franca)
  • Greaves liver sauce (Torresmos de molho de fígado)
  • Cheese Island (Queijo da ilha)
  • Fresh cheese (Queijo fresco)
  • Pineapple São Miguel (Ananás de São Miguel)
  • smell of wine (Vinho de cheiro)
  • Liqueurs pineapple and passion fruit (Licores de ananás e maracujá)
  • Tea Gorreana (Chá da Gorreana)

The most important festivities of San Miguel são:

  • Festivities of the Espírito Santo : are held annually between May and September throughout the archipelago of the Azores
  • Feast of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres : are held every year on the fifth Sunday after Easter
  • Cavalhadas of São Pedro : are held annually in June

Places to visit on the island of São Miguel

Cascade Caldeira Velha, Sao Miguel Island, Azores
Cascade Caldeira Velha, Sao Miguel Island, Azores
  • Caldeira Velha : is a hot waterfall located in Ribeira Grande . The big attraction is the waterfall that descends toward the Lagoa do Fogo
  • Chapels: is a village which is located in the northeast of the island of São Miguel. The Village is a reference due to the whaling tradition and the Belvedere Vigia
  • Ermida do Monte Santo : the chapel is located in Água de Pau . According to believers was in this chapel that Nossa Senhora appeared in 1910
  • Thermal Resort Ferraria : is a resort located in the west of the island. It includes spa, a restaurant and a natural pool of hot water
  • Tea factory Gorreana: where the famous tea Gorreana the Azores is produced. The Gorreana tea is produced and exported from the Azores and appreciated around the world
  • Furnas : parish with about 1500 inhabitants. The main attractions are the hot springs, the caldeiras , the lagoon of Furnas , the Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias , the Church of Santa Ana , the viewpoint of the Pedras do Galego and cozido das furnas - a unique culinary specialty in the world
  • Church of Nossa Senhora da Estrela : it is a church that was built in the sixteenth century. The main attractions are the Chapel of the Reis Santos Magos , the Chapel of the Santíssimo , the high choir and a museum of sacred art
  • Church of the Santo Cristo : it is a church located in Ponta Delgada. The main highlight is the image of the Santo Cristo dos Milagres .
  • Islet of Vila Franca : is a small island situated near Vila Franca do Campo , is classified as a Nature Reserve. You can visit it during the summer season
  • Romantic Gardens: Featured garden designed by landscape architect Azorean António Borges and the garden Jose do Conto . Gardens of the nineteenth century, where you can find rare species of flora
  • Lagoa Azul : is a pond that is located in the Sete Cidades . It is the proper place for water sports
  • Lagoa de Santiago : is the third lagoon of the Sete Cidades
  • Lagoon Congro : is a lagoon on the island of São Miguel that inspires peace and quiet. The main attractions are the crystal clear waters and the surrounding forest
  • Lagoa das Furnas : a unique place in the world that inspires peace and tranquility to those who visit. The main attractions are the natural ovens where the cook up cozido das Furnas
  • Lagoa do Fogo : the pond located in the Serra da Água de Pau - is the highest of the island. Offering views of Ponta Delgada and the volcano of the Seven Cities
  • Viewpoint of the Lagoa do Canário : It is a viewpoint that lets you enjoy one of the most beautiful landscapes of the island of São Miguel. You can have access by car to the viewpoint
  • Viewpoint of Ponta do Sossego : the gazebo located in Lomba da Pedreira in the south of São Miguel. Includes the largest garden northeast of the county, a panoramic view over the Fajã do Araújo and Beach Lombo Gordo and several grills for picknic available to visitors
  • Viewpoint of Ponta do Escalvado : the gazebo located in Ginetes parish, overlooks the Ponta da Ferraria and on the islets of the Mosteiros
  • Gazebo Pico da Barrosa : the gazebo located at the highest point of the island of São Miguel - the Pico da Barrosa 900 meters. Here one can see the clouds from above and the lagoon of Fogo
  • Viewpoint of the trunk of the elephant: this viewpoint is dubbed with this name due to the shape of the cliff that can be seen in front. The view is great, with some of the cliff and the Atlantic Ocean picture to infinity
  • Viewpoint Vista do Rei : is a viewpoint that provides a unique view of the Lagoon of Sete Cidades
  • Mosteiros : is a small town located in the northeast of the island of São Miguel . It deserves a visit due to the natural pools and is located on a promontory
  • Park Caldeirões : is a park on the east coast of Sao Miguel. The main points of interest are the river, the water mill, a waterfall, a café and a gift shop
  • Parque Terra Nostra : includes a garden - into one of the largest collections of camellias in the world - and a pool of hot and ferrous water - have a brown color due to the high concentration of iron and temperatures around 25 ° C
  • Poça Dona Beija : a spa complex is located in the rising stream of Lameiros. It includes five hot water pools with temperatures of about 40 ° C
city ??gates in Ponta Delgada in the Azores
city gates in Ponta Delgada in the Azores
  • Gates of the city of Ponta Delgada : are a monument simbola terrestrial defense of the city. The doors are situated in the center of Ponta Delgada. The main highlight of the city gates is seen after sunset, with the lighting and city background
  • The beach Moinhos : the beach is located in the parish of Porto Formoso
  • Praia Areal de Santa Bárbara : includes the most extensive beach of the island of São Miguel and is very popular for surfing
  • Quinta Augusto Arruda : is a farm with Amanas plantation which is located in the Faja de Baixo. The main attraction is the opportunity to visit a large greenhouse pineapple production
  • Ribeira Grande : is a city located on the north coast of the island. The main points of interest are the central garden and the bridge arches
  • Ruins of the Hotel Monte Palace : is a hotel that has been in operation for a year and a half in the late 1980. The ruins are one of the points of interest of the Sete Cidades due to the recent use of space to create art by the artists arts festival Walk & Talk
  • Salto do Cabrito : is an area located near Ribeira Grande . The great attraction is a waterfall of approximately 40 meters high
  • Sete Cidades : it is an ex-libris parish of the island of São Miguel due to two known pools - blue lagoon and green lagoon.
  • Vale das Furnas : is where the village of Furnas is located. The main highlights are the panoramic views and the tracks where we advise the ride

Experience to experience the island of São Miguel

  • Drinking water directly from the spring in Furnas
  • Canoeing
  • Diving: local island diving main ones are: Amora , Âncoras do Ilhéu , Arcos da Caloura , Hydrothermal sources, Islet Vila Franca do Campo and Lourenços
  • Experience whale watching
  • Visit manufacture of ceramics Vieira
  • Enjoy the urban art of the island
  • Sailing on the island's coast

Santa Maria Island

The island of Santa Maria is located approximately 55 km south of the island of São Miguel, with 5500 inhabitants, it has a width of 9.5 km and a length of 17 km. The island is administratively organized in a municipality, Vila do Porto, divided into five parishes:

  1. Almagreira
  2. Santa Bárbara
  3. Santo Espírito
  4. São Pedro
  5. Vila do Porto

Places to visit on the island of Santa Maria

  • Baía dos Anjos : is located in the north of the island, it stands out because he is surrounded by volcanic rocks. It includes a natural pool and a fishing port. It is classified as Natural Reserve and Ecological
  • Maya Bay: is a bay located in the southeast of the island of Santa Maria, there is the landscape of vineyards spread over the hillside.
  • São Lourenço Bay: is a bay with water at an average temperature of 25 ° C, it stands out because he is wrapped in cultivated terraced vineyards - a rare beauty landscape
  • Formosa Bay beach: it's a bay that includes a beach of white sand very popular in the Azores due to be distinct from the other beaches of the Azores archipelago. The beaches in the Azores tend to be dark sand because they are of volcanic origin
  • Barreiro da Foneca e Costa Norte: is a landscape in a protected area 8,35km extension known as "Red Desert". The main attractions of this area are the bay of Raposo, Bay Tagarete and Bay Cré
  • Chapel Nossa Senhora dos Anjos : it is the oldest religious temple of the Azores. According to tradition, include that Christopher Columbus have prayed here after returning from the trip to the American continent. The main highlights are the tiles and an altar
  • Environmental Interpretation Center Dalberto Pombo: the center includes the collection of the naturalist Dalberto Pombo. The Center has a House of fossils with a 3D center that provides a virtual journey through the geological formation of the island
  • Church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção is the mother church of Vila do Porto , it is one of the oldest churches in the Azores. It has been subjected to looting, destruction and reconstruction over the centuries
  • Islets of Formigas : are the islanders classified as Natural Reserve with an area of 52393 hectares. Located approximately 20 nautical miles from the island of Santa Maria, is the habitat of corals and several species, including the fish-dog, the mere, the kingfish and is migratory passage of animal zone as the turtle-silly, the hammer shark and others.
  • Museum of Santa Maria: a museum with a collection of religious art as the main attraction. The museum of Santa Maria was established in 2005
  • Ribeira Maloás: is a unique geological formation, its main highlight a waterfall of approximately 20 meters

Activities to experience the island of Santa Maria

  • water - skiing
  • Diving: the island of Santa Maria is a favorite destination for diving with manta rays. One of the main places where one can see this marine animal is in Ambrose fishing grounds
  • Hiking: hiking trails recommended by the Municipal Council of Vila do Porto:
    • North Coast
    • Pico Alto / Anjos
    • Between the hills and the sea
    • Santo Espírito / Maia
    • South coast
  • paragliding
  • surf
  • windsurfing
  • sail

Characterization of the island of Santa Maria in the Azores

Santa Maria and an island with varied landscapes. Almost half of the territory consists of arid plains, with a mixture of mountainous reliefs of lush greenery - the highest peak is the Pico Alto with a height of 591 meters. The climate is more temperate in the Azores and is the island with the most sunshine during the year. The annual average temperatures ranging between 12ºC and 25ºC in winter the summer.

Brief History of the island of Santa Maria in the Azores

The exact date of the discovery of the island of Santa Maria is unknown, but we know that it was inhabited in the fifteenth century. Vila do Porto was the first settlement of the Azores to receive a charter, even in the fifteenth century. The settlement of the island was made by settlers coming from the Algarve, Alentejo and the Portuguese region of Beira . The economy of the island of Santa Maria was based on the culture and export of wheat, pastel and urzela between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The attacks by pirates were frequent, having been occupied for a period of five days in the sixteenth century. In 1901, the island was visited by King D Carlos and Queen Amelia D. In 1908, still with the monarchy established in the Portuguese mainland, the island of Santa Maria created the first town hall of the Azores - Vila do Porto .

The crafts of the island of Santa Maria includes:

  • pottery: Land potters due to the abundance of clay,
  • wool works: sweaters manufacturing, wool strips handmade and linen cloths,
  • wickerwork: wicker baskets and other household goods and labor.

The cuisine of the island of Santa Maria, Azores

The gastronomy of the island of Santa Maria includes unique dishes in the country, namely:

  • Broths of Turnips (Caldos de Nabos)
  • Sopas of the Holy Spirit (Sopas do Espírito Santo)
  • Pan cake (Bolo de Panela)
  • Caçoila (Caçoila)
  • Stewed Octopus or Roast in wine smell (Polvo Guisado ou Assado em vinho de cheiro)
  • Brandy biscuits (Biscoitos de Aguardente)
  • Cookies Popped (Biscoitos Estalados)
  • Cookies-of-ear (Biscoitos-de-orelha)
  • Christmas Eve cookies (Bolinhos de Consoada)
  • Casket (Cachão)
  • Be sensitive (Melindres)
  • Cavacas (Cavacas)
  • "Biscoitos de orelha (Encanelados)
  • Slow cooked (Tigelada)
  • Strawberry or Vinho de Cheiro (Morangueiro ou Vinho de Cheiro)

Festivities

The most important festivities of the island of Santa Maria são:

  • Festas do Espírito Santo : are held annually between May and September in the archipelago of the Azores
  • Festival Maré de Agosto : is held annually in August
  • Harvest Festival: takes place annually in September

Central Group of the Azores

Faial Island

The Faial Island has about 15,000 inhabitants, is located west of the island of Pico and the island of São Jorge , has a length of 21 km and a maximum width of 14 km. The landscape of the island is dominated by the volcanic cone of Caldeira . The highest peak is the Cabeço Gordo situated 1043 meters above sea level.
The climate of the island of Faial is moderate, with an average annual temperature of 24ºC. It is the applicant the existence of showers, especially between the months of October and April. The island includes only one municipality - City Council of Horta - divided in thirteen parishes:

  1. Angústias
  2. Capelo
  3. Castelo Branco
  4. Cedros
  5. Conceição
  6. Feteira
  7. Flamengos
  8. Matriz
  9. Pedro Miguel
  10. Praia do Almoxarife
  11. Praia do Norte
  12. Ribeirinha
  13. Salão

The discovery of Faial has no right record date, however the settlement of the island began in 1465 with the arrival of Flemish and Portuguese settlers. In 1468 the Flemish Josse van Huertere was named captain-donee by D Afonso V. The Valley of the Flemings was created at this time in Horta. The pastel cultivation became the main crop of the island from the fifteenth century. The Spanish rule in the sixteenth century, the constant attacks of pirates and the volcano eruption in 1672/73 destroyed much of the island.

From the seventeenth century, the city of Horta became an important port of call situated between Europe and America due to the unique conditions of the bay and the growth of export of wine from the island of Pico. Exports to Britain and continental Europe were of great importance to the island's economy, notably brandy, wine from the island of Pico - was exported from the city of Horta - and orange - one of the main products produced in the Azores until the nineteenth century. The port of Horta served as a stopover for ships of the US Navy during the nineteenth century.

Faial played an important role in the development of telecommunications, telegraph cables were installed in 1893 that allowed communication between North America and Europe, and the city of Horta has been transformed into the world's largest communications centers during first half of the twentieth century. In 1928 the city of Horta came to have fifteen submarine cables linking Britain, USA, France, Canada, Ireland, Cape Verde, Italy and Germany.

Aviation was another important sector in the development of the island. Faial served mandatory stopover for the first seaplane that made the path Europe / USA. The first crossing of the North Atlantic was held on May 17, 1919 with a stop in Horta. Between the 1930s and 1940s, the island of Faial was the preferred place to stop sea planes of airlines of Germany, England, France and the United States.

Places to visit in Faial

  • Aquarium Porto PIM - Live Fish Station: the aquarium is contituido by tanks that are home to the coastal species of the most common fish in the Azores, a permanent exhibition alluding to the Azores Marine Park and a movie with the theme of deep sea continental contiguous platform to the Azores
  • Baía da Horta : is the second largest bay of Portugal, and together with the Setúbal Bay to join the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World
  • Roadman house: it is a house that was built to store road cleaning supplies, is headlining an exhibition on the fauna, flora and geology of Faial
  • House of Dabney: it is the case where the family lived the Consul General of the United States John Bass Dabney between 1806 and 1892. The Dabney specialized in the trade and export of wine and whale oil to the United States of America. The main points of interest are a viewpoint and a wine cellar with permanent exhibition on wine and lifestyle of Dabney
  • Casa Manuel de Arriaga: where lived Manuel de Arriaga, first President of the Portuguese Republic. Casa Manuel de Arriaga was inaugurated on 19 November 2011. The main points to note we have the Foyer , is a collection of portraits and illustrations of the President, global heads of state and family, permanent exhibitions on the First Republic and Manuel de Arriaga, the Citizenship of the room, especially the Atlas of Democracy, an auditorium with a capacity of 65 seats and the gardens that exist in the building's vicinity
  • Castle of São Sebastião : it is a fortress built in the seventeenth century. It is part of the complex of fortifications of the bay of Porto Pim : guardhouse, Castle of San Sebastian, Redoubt Patrol and Bombardeira. It played an important role in the defense of Faial. Noteworthy is the headland overlooking the bay and the eleven gunboats
  • Interpretation Center of the Volcano of Capelinhos : was named best museum in 2012 by the European Museum Forum . The building is under the ground not to interfere with the ecosystem. The main points of interest are the permanent exhibitions in three-dimensional technology on the 1957 eruptions in particular and volcanic eruptions in general
  • Interpretation Center of the Whale Factory: the interpretation center is located in an old processing plant in whale products, has as main attractions the permanent exhibitions of the whaling industry Azores, Virtual Center of Marine Interpretation, shows documentaries about the environment coastal and offshore of the Azores and offers visitors a virtual reality on dives up to three thousand meters of depth
  • Fajã do Varadouro: is located in the southwest of the island of Faial, including the Baths of Varadouro and the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Carmo
  • Church Santíssimo Salvador : the parish church began to be built in 1680. The gilded, the seventeenth - century tiles, the pulpit, the altar and the chest of drawers in the sacristy rosewood are the main attractions
  • Império do Divino Espírito Santo dos Nobres : is a monument built in 1760 as a tribute to the dead of the volcanic eruption of 1672 that covered the whole island of Faial with volcanic ash
  • Faial Botanical Garden: the garden was opened in 1986. It was awarded by Turismo de Portugal in the category of "Redevelopment of public project." The Bank of the Azores seeds and permanent exhibition on the Natural History of the Azores vegetation are among the highlights
  • Garden Florência Terra : a garden is situated in the center of Horta, includes an artificial lake, a gazebo and four statues representing the four seasons
  • Marina da Horta: opened on June 3, 1986, is the fourth ocean marina worldwide with 300 moorings. Marina da Horta is classified with the European Blue Flag since 1987. It is necessary to highlight the works of art painted on the floor - an outdoor art gallery - which, according to legend, who passes by has to paint to ensure safe trip. The marina of Horta is familiar part of the international race route, namely the race Les Sables – Les Azores – Les Sables , the race Atlantique Pogo , the race La Route des Hortensias , the race ARC Europe , the race Ceuta – Horta and the race OCC Corrida Perseguição Açores
  • Monte da Guia : the protected landscape of Monte da Guia includes a set of two volcanoes - one located in the sea and another located on land. The main highlights are the sand dunes, one of the few places where there are sand dunes in the Azores, the birds that live there and nest, and a prime location for bird watching, and panoramic views over the bay of Porto Pim and the historic center of Horta
  • Horta Museum: Museum is created in 1977 in the former Jesuit College building. Exhibits on the history of the port of Horta, on the submarine cable stations on sacred art and a permanent exhibition from fig tree pith are among the highlights
  • Scrimshaw Museum: a museum opened in 1986 on the top floor of the Peter Café Sport . It has the largest collection of scrimshaw art world, the art is to carve or paint on teeth and whale bones. The decorative pieces in ivory and whale bone, photographs, maps and documents on the themes of Whaling and navigation are among the highlights
  • Faial Nature Park: it covers 18% of Faial in the area and was created with the purpose of protecting the thirteen protected areas. The volcanic crater of Caldeira , the Monte da Guia , the desolate landscape that was created after the eruption of the volcano Capelinhos , the Volcano Interpretation Center of Capelinhos , the Botanical Gardens - unique in the archipelago of Açores-, Old Factory of the Whale, house roadman - is Faial Caldeira Interpretation Center, the eight viewpoints: the viewpoint of the Caldeira , the viewpoint Cabouco , gazebo of Nossa Senhora da Conceição , gazebo da Ribeira das Cabras, White Castle Hill viewpoint, Volcano viewpoint of Capelinhos , gazebo of Caldeirinhas and gazebo Dabney - are the main highlights of the Park
  • Clock Tower: the tower which is situated in the historic center of the city of Horta, is what remains of the ancient Church Town Matrix

Activities to experience in Faial

  • Big Game Fishing
  • Canyoning
  • Hiking
  • Rustic Golf: play golf in the middle of a pasture, a volcano or a farm field
  • Scuba diving
  • Swim with dolphins
  • Bird watching
  • Whale watching
  • Horse rides
  • Boat trips
  • Mountain biking
  • Jeep Tours
  • cruise sailing

The Faial cuisine includes specialties such as:

  • Soups of the Holy Spirit (Sopas do Espírito Santo)
  • Rice with limpets (Arroz de lapas)
  • Fish stew (Caldeirada de peixe)
  • Limpets Afonso sauce (Lapas de molho Afonso)
  • Sausage with yams (Linguiça com inhames)
  • Wet flesh (Molha de carne)
  • Black pudding (Morcela)
  • Stewed Octopus with vinho de cheiro (Polvo guisado com vinho de cheiro)
  • Greaves of vineyard d'alhos (Torresmos de vinha d’alhos)
  • Rice pudding (Arroz doce)
  • Corn cake (Bolo de milho)
  • Cute (Fofas)
  • Cheese (Queijo)

Faial Island Festivals and Fairs

  • Festivities of the Espírito Santo : are held annually between May and September in the archipelago of the Azores
  • Feast of São João : is held annually on July 24
  • Feast of Nossa Senhora das Angústias : is held annually on the sixth Sunday after Easter. It is the most important festival of Faial
  • Sea Week festivities: is held annually the first week of August

Graciosa, Azores

Graciosa is an island with about 5000 inhabitants, is 12.5 km long and 8.5 km at its widest. It is integrated in the central group of the Azores. Graciosa is known as White Island (ilha Branca) and is administratively organized a town hall, Santa Cruz Graciosa, divided into four parishes:

  • Guadalupe
  • Luz
  • Santa Cruz
  • São Mateus

Getting to Graciosa

Graciosa Island is connected by plane and boat. The flights are carried out daily from Terceira Island to last approximately twenty minutes. The connection by boat takes approximately three hours and is available between the months of May to October. Graciosa has a temperate climate and the island less humid in the archipelago of the Azores. The highest mountainous terrain is Timon peak with 398 meters high.

The year of Graciosa Island discovery is unknown, but records indicate that the first settler of the island was Vasco Gil Sodre, a native of Montemor-o-Velho. The first captain-donee of Graciosa was Pero Correia da Cunha in 1475. Santa Cruz Graciosa was elevated to a town in 1486 by John D II. The island of Graciosa was attacked by pirates in succession between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The nineteenth century was marked by a period of intense drought that caused a great impoverishment of the population. In the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, there was a mass emigration to the United States.

Attractions to visit in Graciosa

Santa Cruz da Graciosa: is a village located in the northeast of the island. It has about 4400 inhabitants is also the only county. Santa Cruz Graciosa maintained own characteristics over time: the silence, the white houses, tranquility, security, proximity to the people and the rural. In the historic city center is time travel possible, stepping back two hundred years. Fontes Pereira de Melo Square is the nerve center of Santa Cruz da Graciosa, especially the two large water tanks that were built in the twentieth century to supply the population and livestock.
Places to visit in the municipality of Santa Cruz Graciosa are:

  • Graciosa Airport: This airport was opened on 11 July 1981. It has air links to Terceira Island and the island of São Miguel during the entire year, except during the winter
  • Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda : is a chapel located in Alto do Monte da Senhora da Ajuda , built in the sixteenth century and restored in 2012. From here you can enjoy a panoramic view over the sea and the village of Santa Cruz da Graciosa
  • Chapel of São João : it is a chapel built in the sixteenth century at the top of Monte da Senhora da Ajuda . The Hermitage is known for being the procession of the exit point dedicated to Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe , who travels the longest distance in the Azores. It is held annually on May 24
  • Fortress of Calheta also called Forte Corpo Santo , was built to withstand the pirates and privateers attacks.
  • Church of Santa Cruz is a church built in the sixteenth century, deserves a special mention because of the facade and the altar
  • Monte de Nossa Senhora da Ajud to: located approximately 280 meters above sea level, including the shrine of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda , the ermida de São Salvador and the chapel São João
  • Graciosa Museum: a museum inaugurated on 6 December 1983. The main attractions of the museum are: the recreation of a typical house of Graciosa, the island's defense guns a small museum dedicated to whaling and a mill typical island
  • Natural Pools: pools located near the center of the village of Santa Cruz da Graciosa. The pools are very frequented during the summer months
  • Bullring: The bullring is in located in a crater of a volcano
  • Tower of Nossa Senhora dos Anjos : the bell tower that remains of the church of Nossa Senhora dos Anjos of the eighteenth century. The tile panel is the main attraction
  • Barro Vermelho : is a recreation area that includes a park picnic
  • Caldeira da Graciosa : is a circular depression with about 1600 meters in diameter and 350 meters in depth, it is classified as Regional Natural Monument. The Furna Sulfur, rare species of flora and landscape are the main points of interest
  • Lighthouse Ponta da Barca : is the tallest lighthouse in the archipelago of the Azores. the climb is advised to the top of the tower to enjoy the panoramic view
  • Furna do Enxofre: with a unique phenomenon in the world, you can visit a volcano situated 100 meters deep. The cave includes a dome 80 meters high with stalactites, an underground lake and a 183 step staircase built in 1939. It is an essential visit to anyone visiting the island of Graciosa
  • Furna da Maria Encantada
  • Ilhéu da Baleia : is a small island located off the northern coast of the island of Graciosa. The bay and the crystal waters are the main highlights
  • Ilhéu da Praia : is a small island with about twelve hectares, includes one of the largest seabird colonies in the archipelago of the Azores.
  • Ilhéu de Baixo : is a small island with about 74 hectares, it is a nesting site for some species of birds, including roquinhos and pinkish-tarn
Typical windmills of Graciosa Azores
Typical windmills of Graciosa Azores
  • Moinhos da Graciosa : more than twenty mills across the island and all have a similar feature, the roof is red. The mills are built in large quantities due to the production of cereals, and assigned to the title Graciosa Azores barn
  • Porto Afonso : is an ancient fishing port. The main attractions are the caves and natural beauty
  • Beach São Mateus : is a beach located in the eastern part of the island of Graciosa is the only sandy beach on the island. It is very popular with scuba divers
  • Spa Carapacho: located in the village of Carapacho there since 1750. The waters have unique capabilities in curing various diseases, including rheumatism, colitis and skin diseases. The infrastructure of the spa also includes a natural pool

Activities to experience in Graciosa

  • Kayak
  • Climbing
  • Diving: Graciosa Island features over forty locations indicated for diving. The ilhéu do Topo and Baixa dos Rosais off the island Graciosa, also have unique conditions for the practice of nautical activity
  • Hiking
  • Horse rides
  • Riding bike / mountain bike
  • fishery
  • surf
  • windsurfing
  • cruise sailing

Festivals and Fairs in Graciosa Island

  • Festivities of the Espírito Santo : are held annually seven weeks after Easter
  • Party Santo Cristo : are held annually in August and include regattas and bullfighting

typical cuisine of Graciosa

  • Fish stew (Caldeirada de peixe)
  • cavacas (Cavacas)
  • capuchas (Capuchas)
  • Escomilhas (Escomilhas)
  • Queijadas Graciosa (Queijadas da Graciosa)
  • Graciosa wine (Vinho da Graciosa)

Pico Island

The Pico Island is the second largest island of the Azores with approximately 14200 inhabitants, it is deeply marked the landscape of wine culture with lava fields where stand the vineyards protected by stone walls and the Pico Mountain, the highest mountain in Portugal with 2530 meters of height and nature reserve since 1972. the Pico island is 42 km long and 15.2 km wide. The island has hourly connections to the island of Faial, one of about thirty minutes trip. The silence, the landscape, the blue orchids, the sound of the waves hitting the rocks and the singing of shearwaters mark the island of Pico. d is an island with a rich cultural and musical activity, including through folklore, with the existence of seven groups of folk dancers, and thirteen brass bands on the island.

The Pico is formed by the main island and 31 islets lies at a distance of 8.3 km from the Azores, 15 km St. George Island. Pico is administratively organized into three municipalities and seventeen parishes:

  1. São Roque do Pico Town hall - is divided into five parishes:
    1. Prainha
    2. Santa Luzia
    3. Santo Amaro
    4. Santo António
    5. São Roque do Pico
  2. Madalena Town hall - is divided into six parishes:
    1. Bandeiras
    2. Criação Velha
    3. Candelária
    4. Madalena
    5. São Mateus
    6. São Caetano
  3. Lages do Pico Town hall - is divided into six parishes:
    1. Calheta de Nesquim
    2. Lajes do Pico
    3. Piedade
    4. Ribeiras
    5. Ribeirinha
    6. São João

The date of the discovery of the island of Pico is unknown. The population of Pico began in 1431 with the coming of settlers from the north of Portugal. In 1501, Lajes do Pico received the town charter. Agriculture played an important role in the economic activity of the island, in particular the wheat crop, pastel culture, a dye plant, and the production of wine. Fishing and whaling were other important sectors of the economy. The village of Madalena was elevated to a town in 1723. The island suffered a serious recession in the nineteenth century with the plague of mildew, a fungus that attacks the vines. The economic recovery has just begun the process with the presence of American whalers and with the emergence of a new activity: the whale hunting.

Places to visit on the island of Pico

  • Lajes do Pico: is the capital town of the island of Pico, is situated on the south coast of the island, with about 1800 inhabitants. The capital of the island of Pico is a center of whaling tradition. The village of Lajes do Pico was the first town to be founded on the island by Fernando Alvares Evangelho. It became a town in 1501. In 1960 rose a celebratory pattern of village foundation.
    Places to visit in Lages do Pico:
  1. Calheta Nasquim: one of the main ports of the Azores for whaling and hunting site of the first frame to the sperm whale in 1876. The main attractions are the House of Botes Baleeiros , the Parish Church of São Sebastião , the Windmill of Mourricão the village Fetais de Cima , with houses built in volcanic stone black
  2. Chapel of São Pedro : hermitage is built by the island's first settlers
  3. Church: Church built in the twentieth century to replace the old temple of the sixteenth century, which was ruined. The altar and the stone columns are among the main attractions
  4. Museu dos Baleeiros : Museum opened on August 28, 1988, is organized into five sections:
  5. Núcleo do bote açoriano
  6. Núcleo da tenda do ferreiro
  7. Núcleo da construção naval
  8. Núcleo da arte baleeira
  9. Núcleo do baleeiro em terra - is the most visited museum of the Azores, with approximately 28,000 visitors per year.
  10. Poço de maré : and a well that previously was used for public water supply
  • São João : it is a place known for cheese São João . The Church of São João Batista the São João Batista and the windmills are the main attractions
  • Adegas do Cachorro : it is the place where you can sample typical liqueurs of Pico Island
  • Gruta das Torres : is the country's largest lava tube, with 5150 meters, is classified as Regional Natural Monument includes the Interpretation Center
  • Lajido da Criação Velha : The rola-pipas , a hermitage, vineyards, tidal wells, back-roads, stills and traditional wineries are the main points of interest of Lajido da Criação Velha . The Verdelho wine is produced in this wine region
  • Lajido de Santa Luzia : one of the most emblematic places of the cultural landscape and wine responsible for the UNESCO World Heritage classification in 2004. The Interpretation Center of the Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard, the Museum Center of Lajido are the main attractions
  • Lagoa do Capitão is visited by the environment and to view lava formations in the form of dog
  • “Mistérios” : are the lava poured camps due to volcanic eruptions, there are all over the island of Pico
  • Pico Mountain: is the highest mountain in Portugal with 2351 meters of altitude. The climb to the top of the mountain is made by western slope a distance of five kilometers clearly marked and takes about four hours. The structure of volcanic peak is about 750,000 years
  • Forest Park Matos Souto : aka Agricultural Training Center Matos Souto , is located in the village of Piedade, in Lajes do Pico municipality. Gardens, plant nurseries, agricultural land and pastures are among the points of interest of this center
  • Parque Forestal de Prainha do Norte : is a forest park that covers an area of ??11.97 hectares and an extension of 2068 meters. The typical flora of the island, the belvedere, a typical winery, a camping area and a multi-sports field are the main attractions
  • Forest Park Quinta das Rosas : is a park located at 150 meters altitude in an area of ??three hectares. The main highlights are: the Forest Research and Dissemination Center and the more than 250 forest and ornamental species - some of them very rare
  • São João Pequenino Forest park : located approximately 100 metres of altitude, the forest park covers an area of 212 acres. The interpretation centre Mistério de São João , the bird-watching, the practice of outdoor sports activities are the major highlights of this park
  • Santo Amaro do Pico : this is where the large shipbuilding center of the Pico and the Azores is located
  • Vila Madalena: Azorean is a village located on the western tip of the island of Pico, with about 2500 inhabitants. Vila was previously known by the two islets - Deitado and em Pé . In 2017 Madalena do Pico village was elected the Portuguese city of wine in 2017 by the Association of Portuguese Municipalities Wine.
    The main attractions of Madalena the village are:
    1. Hermitage of Santa Isabel (Ermida de Santa Isabel)
    2. Wine Museum (Museu do Vinho)
    3. Museum of sperm whales and squid (Museu dos Cachalotes e das Lulas)
    4. Santana mill (Moinho de Santana)
    5. Solar of Arriaga (Solar dos Arriaga)
    6. Bathing area Sand Blow (Zona Balnear da Areia Funda)
    7. Pools of St. Matthew (Piscinas de São Mateus)
    8. Algar of Ginjas (Algar das Ginjas)
    9. Cave of Torres (Gruta das Torres)
    10. Hats of Morro Cave (Gruta do Morro dos Chapéus)
    11. Cave Tombs (Gruta dos Túmulos)
    12. Surprise cave (Gruta Surpresa)
    13. Largo Belvedere Eira Mill (Miradouro do Largo da Eira do Moinho)
    14. Rail São Caetano (Trilhos de São Caetano)
    15. Old Creation of vineyards (Vinhas da Criação Velha)
    16. Cais do Mourato (Cais do Mourato)
  • Vila de São Roque do Pico : is a village located on the north coast of the island of Pico, with approximately 1300 inhabitants. It was elevated to the category of county in 1542. The village is representative of an old whaling tradition originating from the XVIII century. The main points of interest are the São Miguel Arcanjo church, Nossa Senhora das Dores church, São Roque caves, Caiado lagoon, Peixinho lagoon, Rosada lagoon and the Museum of the Ancient Factory of the Balearic Islands .
  • Special Protected Area of Furnas de Santo António : is located near the coast at a distance of approximately twenty five minutes from the village of Madalena. This place is especially suitable for diving, with access through the swimming pools of Santo António . In this zone it is possible to dive to a maximum of 17 meters of depth and to observe several marine species, namely the vejas , the octopuses, the salemas, queen fishes and moreiras. The main attraction of the dive is the underwater arch, approximately eight meters wide and ten meters long. Furnas de Santo António is the ideal place to practice various types of diving, namely night diving, underwater photography, diving baptism and snorkelling in apnea.

Activities to experience in Pico Island

  • speleology
  • Underwater diving: there are nine sites of excellence to carry out this sport:
    1. Arcadas de São Roque
    2. Arcos da Formosinha
    3. Arcos do Pocinho
    4. Baixa da Barca
    5. Baixa do Norte
    6. Baixa do Sul
    7. Cachorro
    8. Corais de São Caetano
    9. Furnas de Santo António
  • Whale watching
  • Hiking
  • Bicycle tours
  • donkey rides
  • Horse ridings
  • cruise sailing

Cuisine of the island of Pico

The Pico island cuisine includes specialties that reflect the characteristics of the region including:

  • Soups of the Holy Spirit
  • Sausage with yams
  • Watering meat
  • Corn cake
  • Cake vésperas
  • Rosquilhas
  • Cheese
  • brandy
  • Wine

Festivals and Pilgrimages of Pico Island

  • Festivities of the Espírito Santo : are held annually between May and September
  • Feast of Santa Maria Madalena : is held annually in July
  • Cais de Agosto : is held annually on the last weekend of July weekend
  • Week Whalers: is held annually in August
  • Festivities of Bom Jesus Milagroso : is held annually in August
  • Feast of Vindimas : is held annually in September

The island of São Jorge

St. George Island is an island with approximately 9200 inhabitants, is part of the islands of Faial, Pico and São Jorge. Has 54 km long and 6.9 km wide. The highest point on the island of São Jorge is Pico da Esperança with 1053 meters of altitude. The island of São Jorge is divided into two chambers and eleven parishes:

  • City Council Velas : is organized into six parishes:
    1. Manadas
    2. Norte Grande
    3. Rosais
    4. Santo André
    5. Urzelina
    6. Velas
  • Calheta City Hall : it is organized in five parishes:
    1. Calheta
    2. Norte Pequeno
    3. Ribeira Seca
    4. Vila do Topo

The island of São Jorge began to be settled in 1460 with settlers coming from the North of Portugal. By 1470 some localities had already been founded, especially the town of Velas . The island's economy was based on wheat, tuna fishing and cattle pastures. The island was heavily attacked by pirates and corsairs during the 16th and 19th centuries. The island of São Jorge was classified as Demarcated Region for the cheese of São Jorge

.

Gastronomy of the island of São Jorge

The typical gastronomy of São Jorge includes dishes such as conger stew, yams with sausage, meat sauce, clams, véspera cake, horseshoe-shaped sweetmeats, São Jorge cheese, rosquilhas, coffee produced in the fajã dos Vimes and brandy loquat and angelica.

Festivities of the island of São Jorge

The main festivities of the island of São Jorge são:

  • Festivities of the Espírito Santo : are held annually in all the islands of the archipelago from May to September
  • July Festival: takes place annually on the second half of July
  • Cultural week: is held annually in July

Places to visit on the island of São Jorge

Calheta: is a municipality with approximately 4000 inhabitants. Calheta was elevated to a town in 1534, is famous for its white houses and the traditional architecture.
The main attractions of Calheta are:

  • Convent ofSão Francisco
  • Igreja Matriz da Calheta
  • Church ofRibeira Seca
  • Church of theTopo
  • Church ofSanta Catarina
  • Casa dos Tiagos
  • Solar dos Noronhas
  • MuseumFrancisco Lacerda
  • Fajã de Bodes
  • Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo
  • Fajã dos Cubres
  • Fajã da Peneda
  • Fajã de Pontas
  • Fajã de São João
  • Fajã dos Vimes
  • São Jorge Channel : unique place on the island for Whale and Dolphin watching
  • Porto dos Terreiros : a popular beach area for sport fishing and summer holidays
  • Preguiça : it is one of the main bathing areas of the island of São Miguel . It is located in the municipality of Velas
  • Queimada : is an area located south of the parish of Santo Amaro , provides a unique view on the village of Velas
  • Velas : is a municipality of the island of São Jorge with approximately 5 400 inhabitants. This locality has the following points of interest:
    • São Jorge International Airport
    • Velas Wharf
    • Historic center
    • Hermitage of São José
    • Fort of Nossa Senhora da Conceição das Velas
    • Fort of Nossa Senhora do Pilar
    • Mother Church of São Jorge
    • Ribeira de Areia Church
    • Church of Nossa Senhora das Neves
    • Garden of Praça da República
    • Marina das Velas
    • Mirante Mirador
    • Museum of Sacred Art
    • Portão do Mar
  • The Islet Topo : is an islet located to the East of the island of São Jorge, classified as a nature reserve, is a prime location for bird watching
  • Pico da Esperança : it is a volcanic mountain and the highest point of the island of São Jorge with 1053 meters of altitude. On clear days you can see the island of Faial, the island of Pico, Terceira Island and Graciosa Island.

Activities to experience on the island of São Jorge

  • Speleology
  • Underwater Diving
  • Hiking
  • MTB Tours
  • Sport fishing
  • Cruise Ship
  • Surf

Island Terceira

Terceira Island is an island with 30.1 km of length and 17.6 km of maximum width, is the second most populous island of the Azores, with approximately 57 thousand inhabitants. The highest mountainous relief is the Sierra de Santa Bárbara with 1021 meters of altitude. The island Terceira is administratively organized in two municipal chambers and thirty parishes:

  • Câmara Municipal da Praia da Vitória : it is organized in eleven parishes:
    1. Agualva
    2. Biscoitos
    3. Cabo da Praia
    4. Fonte do Bastardo
    5. Fontinhas
    6. Lajes
    7. Porto Martins
    8. Quarto Ribeiras
    9. Santa Cruz
    10. São Brás
    11. Vila Nova
  • Angra do Heroísmo City Hall: it is organized in nineteen parishes:
    1. Altares
    2. Cinco Ribeiras
    3. Conceição
    4. Doze Ribeiras
    5. Feteira
    6. Porto Judeu
    7. Posto Santo
    8. Raminho
    9. Santa Bárbara
    10. Santa Luzia
    11. São Bartolomeu
    12. São Bento
    13. São Mateus da Calheta
    14. São Pedro
    15. Serreta
    16. Terra Chã
    17. Vila de São Sebastião

The island of Jesus Christ - named after the island of Terceira during the Discoveries - was the third island of the Azores to be discovered. The settlement began in 1450 in the towns of Porto Judeu and Praia da Vitória . Throughout history, Terceira Island has been a center of resistance to the invaders, with special reference to the defeat of the Spanish invaders in 1581 at the Battle of Salga and the victory of the liberals of King D Pedro in 1829, after a violent naval battle in Vila da Praia. From the 19th century, the economy of Terceira Island depended on the porto da Praia da Vitória , the military base of the Lajes of the United States of America, the commercial airport and tourism.

The gastronomy of the island Terceira

The gastronomy of Terceira Island includes dishes such as the fish rump, meat rump, soups of the Espírito Santo , Dona Amélia cakes, coscorões , coruncópias , sweet rice, vinho verdelho dos Biscoitos and liqueur wine Chico Maria .

The most important festivals and pilgrimages are:

  • Carnival dances of Terceira : they are realized annually in the period of the Carnival
  • Feasts of the Espírito Santo : they take place annually between May and September throughout the archipelago
  • Feast of São João : is held annually on June 24
  • Festivities Sanjoaninas: held annually in the second fortnight June
  • Festas da Praia: is held annually in the first fortnight of August
  • Bullfighting: consists of a tauromáquica specific modality of the Azores and is characterized by the race of 4 adult bulls of the brave race of the island Terceira along a camp set up in a street or road - they are realized annually between May and October
  • Outono Vivo : takes place annually in August - it is the largest book fair in the Azores
  • Angrarock Festival: held annually in September
  • Angrajazz Festival: held annually in October

Places to visit on the island of Terceira

Angra do Heroísmo : The city was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on December 7, 1983, with approximately 21300 inhabitants. Angra do Heroísmo is the historical capital of the Azores, was the first parish of the Azores to be elevated to the city in 1534 and was capital of the Portuguese kingdom between 1580 and 1583. From the independence of Portugal in 1640, was considered "always loyal city. The current name of Angra do Heroísmo originated in the nineteenth century liberal wars between D Pedro and D Miguel - Angra do Heroísmo always defended freedom and contributed decisively to the victory of King D Pedro .

The points of interest of Angra do Heroísmo are:
  • Convent of São Francisco
  • Esperança of Esperança
  • Monastery of São Gonçalo
  • Negrito Fortress
  • Fort Grande de São Mateus
  • Fort of São Sebastião
  • Fort of São João Batista
  • Solar of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
  • Bettencourt Palace
  • City Hall
  • Capitão-Donatário House Capitão-Donatário
  • Rua Direita
  • Alto das Covas
  • Reservoir of Santa Bárbara
  • Baía da Salga
  • Casa dos Botes Baleeiros Museum
  • Bullfighting Museum
  • Angra do Heroísmo Museum
  • Interpretation Center of the Christmas Grotto
  • Ethnographic Center of Quinta do Martelo
  • Ethnographic Museum of Ribeirinha
  • São Sebastião Mother Church
  • Church Shrine of Nossa Senhora dos Milagres
  • Church of São Mateus da Calheta
  • Church of Nossa Senhora da Guia
  • Chapel of Santo António da Grota
  • Grota do Medo
  • Serra do Morião
  • Serra da Ribeirinha
  • Viewpoints
  • Viewpoint of Ponta da Serreta
  • Miradouros of the Sierra de Santa Bárbara
  • Viewpoints of Serra da Ribeirinha
  • Veredas Viewpoints
  • Miradouro da Memória
  • Pico dos Cruzinhos
  • Islet of Cabras
  • Negro Lagoon
  • Cerro Lagoon
  • Lagoa do Pinheiro
  • Lagoa Funda ou Joaninha
  • Negra Lagoon
  • Lagoa da Falca
  • Lagoinha
  • First Lagoon of Vale Fundo
  • Second Lagoon of Vale Fundo
  • Third Lagoon of Vale Fundo
  • Cave of Algar do Carvão
  • Grotto of the Agulhas
  • Christmas Grotto
  • Monte Brasil
  • Ponta das Contendas
  • Pico Matias Simão
  • Ponta da Serreta
  • Ribeira do Além
  • Serra de Santa Bárbara
  • Terreiro

Praia da Vitória : is a city with approximately 7 thousand inhabitants, place of the greater bay of the Azores. The birthplace of the notable Vitorino Nemésio, began to be settled between 1456 and 1474. The current name arose after the battle of 1829 - withstood the fleet of D Miguel with 21 ships. A new port and a military airport in the 20th century contributed to the development of the city. Praia da Vitória receives the Windsurfing World Championship annually.

The main highlights of Praia da Vitória are:
  • Terceira Island Golf Course
  • Hermitage of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
  • Forno da Telha da Boa Vista
  • Mother Church
  • Church of Nossa Senhora da Guadalupe
  • Church of São José
  • Marina Praia da Vitória
  • Casa Vitorino Nemésio
  • Carnival Museum
  • Vinho dos Biscoitos Museum
  • City Hall
  • Caldeira Viewpoint
  • Miradouro dos Moinhos
  • Viewpoint of Canada dos Sousas
  • Viewpoints of the Serra do Cume
  • Facho Miradouro
  • Humberto Delgado Lookout
  • Paisagem Ramo Grande
  • Paúl da Praia da Vitória
  • Paúl da Pedreira
  • Paúl do Belo Jardim
  • Praia Bay
  • Riviera Beach
  • Caldeira das Lajes Swimming Pool
  • Bathing Zone of the Escaleiras
  • Balnear das Quatro Ribeiras Zone
  • Biscoitos Zone
  • Porto Martins Bathing Zone
  • Classified Zone of Alagoa da Fajãzinha
  • Costa das Quatro Ribeiras Classified Zone

Western Group of the Azores

Corvo Island

Corvo Island is the smallest island of the Azores, is 6.29 km long and 3.99 km wide, is inhabited by 430 people. Corvo Island is administratively organized in Corvo's only town hall. It is commonly known as "The Island of Peace", having been discovered in 1452 by Diogo de Teive. The settlement began in 1548 with the sending of slaves from Cape Verde, farmers and cattle ranchers. The locality of Corvo was elevated to the category of town on June 20, 1832 by King D Pedro IV. Emigration to the United States of America and to Canada increased from the 19th century. Corvo Island has always been a secluded island, but the inauguration of Corvo's Aerodrome on September 28, 1983, has changed the isolation of the island. Currently the flights are made on a Dornier 228-212 aircraft from SATA Air Açores. There are air links to the neighboring islands of Santa Cruz das Flores - Santa Cruz das Flores ilha das Flores - Horta town on the island of Faial - and the town of Lajes on ilha Terceira . Corvo Island has been classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO since 2012. This classification was awarded with the aim of promoting the island as a world example of conservation and sustainable development.

The island of Corvo has only one restaurant, " O Caldeirão ", a campsite located next to Praia da Areia - and a residential, Guest House Comodoro with eight rooms.
The most important festivals and pilgrimages on Corvo Island are:

  • Feasts of the Espírito Santo : they take place annually between May and September throughout the archipelago
  • Farmer's Party ( Agricultor ): held annually in June
  • Feast of Nossa Senhora dos Milagres : held annually in August

Places to visit on Corvo Island

  • Caldeirão : is a large crater of the extinct volcano that gave rise to the island. The Caldeirão has a depth of three hundred meters and a diameter of 5500 meters. It is the great landscaping attraction of Corvo Island
  • Vila Nova do Corvo : is the only locality of the island of Corvo. It is the smallest village in Portugal with only 430 inhabitants. The historical area of ??Corvo village is a unique place in the Azores, where it is possible to observe low houses without locks. Place where you can cross the " canadas ", narrow and winding streets. It is recommended a visit to Matriz street, the oldest one of the town
  • Camada da Rocha : is a place where there is a small belvedere where you can see the Port of the House and the Atlantic Ocean
  • Casa do Bote Baleeiro : is a house-museum built with the aim of publicizing the island's past whaler. It includes a whaler boat and a collection of approximately 500 photographs of Prince Albert I of Monaco from when he was on Corvo Island on a scientific mission
  • Centro de Interpretação do Corvo : includes the last "atafona", a water mill powered by animals or humans, a toy library, an ecoteca and a medieteca
  • Church of Nossa Senhora dos Milagres : it is the only church on the island with an image of Flemish origin of the 16th century island patron saint
  • Viewpoint of the Portão : it is a belvedere that gives a view on the village of Corvo, on the whole island and on the Atlantic ocean
  • Windmills: located in the coastal strip of the island, have the particularity of having been built with black stone
  • Praia da Areia : the only black sand beach on the island
  • Underwater diving: the main dive sites are Baixa da Ponta do Marco , Baixa do Buraco , Caneiro dos Meros , Gamela and Moldinho
  • Bird watching
  • Hiking
  • Cycling tours

Island of Flores, Azores

  • The island of Flores is 16.6 km long and 12.2 km wide, with approximately 3800 inhabitants. The highest peak of the island is the Morro Alto with 911 meters of altitude. The island of Flores is administratively organized in two municipal councils - Lajes das Flores and Santa Cruz das Flores - and eleven parishes:
  • Lajes das Flores is administratively organized in seven parishes:
    1. Fajã Grande
    2. Fajãzinha
    3. Lajedo
    4. Lajes das Flores
    5. Fazenda
    6. Lomba
    7. Mosteiro
  • Santa Cruz das Flores: it is administratively organized in four parishes:
    1. Caveira
    2. Cedros
    3. Ponta Delgada
    4. Santa Cruz

The island of Flores is the most western territory of Europe and owes its name to the variety and abundance of plants and flowers. The main features are the great cliffs and the many waterfalls that exist throughout the island. Flores Island has been part of the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve Network since 2009 due to coastal zones, islanders and the forest.

The island of Flores was discovered by Diogo de Teive in 1452. The settlement began to be made in the 16th century. In 1587 it was attacked by ships of the English navy. Whaling hired the island's economy during the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century due to the presence of whaling vessels from the United States of America. The island grew economically with the construction of a new port and an airport. There is a presence on the island of a French telemetry station.

Places to visit on the island of Flores

  • Aldeia da Cuada
  • Cascade Ribeira Grande
  • Fajã Grande : is a bathing area of ??the island of Flores and one of the most western points of Europe
  • Hotel das Flores Inatel : four-star tourist establishment located in the area of ??the Boqueirão in Santa Cruz das Flores. Its main highlight is the magnificent view over the Atlantic, the coast of the island and the island of Corvo
  • Grotto of the Galo
  • Branca Lagoon
  • Pond Comprida
  • Lagoa daLomba
  • Lagoa Funda
  • Caldeira Negra
  • CaldeiraRasa
  • Lagoa Seca
  • Ponta da Vista Viewpoint: provides a panoramic view of the east coast of Flores Island
  • Poço da Lagoinha
  • Restaurant Por do Sol : located in Fajãzinha has the main attractions of the typical gastronomy, the fried seaweed are one of the highlights of the island and a terrace in a belvedere that allows to enjoy a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and some of the cliffs of the island
  • Rocha dos Bordões : is a geological phenomenon characterized by huge columns of basalt
  • Vila Lajes das Flores

Quick facts about the Azores

  • Population: approximately 250,000 inhabitants
  • Administrative Capital: Ponta Delgada
  • Region: autonomous region of the Azores
  • Airports: 4
    1. Ponta Delgada airport
    2. Horta airport
    3. Santa Maria airport
    4. Flores airport
  • Airfields: 5
    1. Graceful
    2. Peak
    3. São Jorge
    4. Raven
    5. Flowers
  • Golf courses: 4
    1. Batalha Golf Course – São Miguel island
    2. Furnas Golf Course – São Miguel island
    3. Pitch and Putt – São Miguel island
    4. Terceira Golf Course – Terceira island
  • Five-star tourist Establishments: 2
    1. Hotel Azor-258 beds available
    2. Pedras do Mar Resort Hotel – 250 beds available
  • Marinas: 3
    1. Marina de Angra - has 260 berths,
    2. Marina da Horta - has 300 berths
    3. Marina de Ponta Delgada - has 640 berths