Trip Moments Recommendations
Azores islands - the best kept secret
“Where is it?” - most of my friends was puzzled and questioned when I tell them I’m going to Azores in Easter. Indeed, Azores is arguably the best hidden gem in Europe and its beauties has not exposed to the public.
Located in the middle of North Atlantic and consists of 9 ilsands, after 2.5 hours flight from Lisbon, I discovered a magic island Sao Miguel where I see a remarkable & scenic landscapes. Beaches, mountains, volcanos, volcanic craters, lakes, forest, and hot springs, are all condensed in this little island.
You can explore hiking trails that lead to breathtaking viewpoints, go whale watching to spot various species of whales and dolphins, or indulge in water sports like diving and surfing.
The local cuisine in the Azores is known for its fresh seafood, including fish, shellfish, and octopus. There are quite a few decent Sushi buffet restaurants under 18euros per person providing a best value meal. When you get 1 hour, you can also visit the local pineapple farm and taste a refresh pineapple.
Overall, the Azores islands offer a unique and enchanting experience for travelers seeking natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Day 1: breath-taking Mountain View’s
Day 2: sea coast view
Day 3: relaxing in the hot spring
Day 4:hiking in the forest
Day 5: Sao Miguel town walk
Day 6: down to the valcano and walk in the lava tunnel
#mytravelhacks #familytrip #historicallandmarks #Azores
Getting There - flights from Lisbon, Porto
Attractions - Sao Miguel
Pico Day Trip
We went to Pico island for a day trip from neighboring Faial.
⛴️ We got the boat over to Pico. They have several throughout the day and a return ticket cost 7 euros.
🚐 We did a van tour with other tourists. The guide was knowledgeable and many your operators work from outside the boat arrivals terminal.
👀We visited the World Heritage site of the Pico vineyards, the Whaling Museum, Captain’s Lake and lots of volcanic scenery around the island. The whaling museum was interesting. It was a big part of Azorean history, however it would have been nice to see a move towards whale conservation now as a result of the past.
⛰️ We didn’t get to go to the tip of Pico island but we will be back to hike this mountain for sure!
#summervacation #azores #awesomepic #portugal
48 hours in Horta, Faial
Horta is a beautiful city on the island of Faial. The island has lots to do and Horta, although small has plenty to offer too.
✈️ We arrived here on Azorean Airlines from Ponta Delgada. The flight took 45 minutes. The airport was 15 to 20 minutes from Horta.
🏨 We stayed at the Azoris Garden Hotel. We loved the location and the hotel. The food was good and the rooms were spacious. It is 3 minutes away from the marina. The pool has a bar with a great variety of food.
🚐 We chose not to do a tour of the island instead focusing on whale watching.
🐋 We went out to whale watch with two companies DiveAzores and Norberto Divers. Although we saw more wildlife with our trip with Norberto Divers we enjoyed both companies equally. There are more whale watching companies by the marina some more reasonably priced than others.
🍽️ Lots of restaurants to eat at. Make sure you check out Peter’s Sport Cafe (so busy and popular) and Trigo Azul pizza place (they do take out).
👀 Make sure you check out the sailing tags painted onto the marina wall. Anyone who passed through Horta marina on a boat gets to paint a tag on the wall. We loved checking out boat names, dates and creativity. We also did a walk along and up and down Horta to give us an idea of the town. Beautiful Pico is just across the water and you can get a boat from the terminal to both Pico island and São Jorge.
🍦Best ice-cream can be found at Gelados do Atlântico.
#tripblazers #travel #portugal #summervacation #azores
48 hours in São Miguel, Azores
We lucked out with super weather when visiting this island! Sunny and warm both days ☀️
✈️ we flew with Azores Airlines from Porto to Ponta Delgada
🏨 we stayed at Marketplace Apartments. They have a kitchen, living room and terrace and accommodated 1 adult, one 13 year old and one 11 year old. The apartment was clean and well located.
🚐 We chose to tour with Pure Azores on both days opting for the West Island tour and the East Island tour. Our favorite was the West Island tour however if you can do both you should. The East Island tour shows more volcanic activity. Guides were excellent and your groups were a maximum of 9 people.
🍽️ so many restaurants to choose from. We are vegetarian and were always catered for.
👀 so many things to see! From traditional Portuguese architecture to whales, forests and steam holes.
🍦 Best ice cream shop was Gelataria Abracadabra. Yummy selection with clearly labeled dairy and non-dairy flavors.
#summervacation #passionpassport #azores #portugal
summervacation
passionpassport
São Miguel, an amazing Azorean island!
#newyearadventure
São Miguel is the largest island in Azores, Portugal.
Getting There -
Take a domestic flight from Lisbon and rent a car to explore the island.
Attractions -
1. Sete Cidades is a large crater lake that seems to be divided into two separate bodies: Lagoa Verde (Green Lake) and Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake)
2. Beautiful Town Squares of Ponta Delgada. Don't miss the bell tower!
3. Furnas area for hotspring
4. Authentic Atlantic Spa at Ponta da Ferraria
5. Various miradouros (viewpoints) scattered throughout the island
And many more!!
Hotels -
We stayed at Hotel Ponta Delgada with nice balconies and good breakfast.
Food & Restaurants -
Make sure to try Azorean cuisine at local restaurants. Check out Restaurante Lagoa Azul which serves authentic Azorean cuisine at Sete Cidades.
Another cuisine worth trying is "Cozido dad Furnas" (Furnas geo-cook) cooked by volcanic heat. Available at various restaurants in Furnas.
Shopping -
You can find almost everything at Parque Atlantico, the largest shopping mall in the whole island.
#roadtrip #vacation #portugal #azores #pontadelgada #sãomiguel #island #setecidades #furnas #atlantic #ferraria
#miradouro #azorean
newyearadventure
roadtrip
Tried many authentic Azorean dishes in a meal
#mytripvlog
We stumbled upon this small restaurant when we passed by Sete Cidades during lunchtime. We were really happy that we discovered this hidden gem that serves authentic Azorean food in a lunch buffet. The prices are very affordable. For 15 euros you can eat all you want and it also includes a drink like wine or soft drink and a cup of coffee. We were able to sample different variety of Azorean food in a meal. There were more than 10 dishes available, most of them were meat and seafood. You can surely find some dishes that suit your taste.
Location:
Restaurante Lagoa Azul
R. da Caridade 28, Sete Cidades, Portugal
V664+C8 Sete Cidades, Portugal
#buffet #vacation #portugal #azores #pontadelgada #sãomiguel #island #setecidades #restaurant #seafood
Music: Ayalon
Musician: EnjoyMusic
Authentic Atlantic Spa at Ponta da Ferraria
#mytripvlog
Ponta da Ferraria is a lava delta located in Ginetes on the west coastline of São Miguel Island. There is an underwater geothermal spring that heats up the ocean. The heated water mixes with the cold water of the sea in a small cove to form a small natural thermal pool.
The entrance to the natural pool is free. The timing of visit is vital if you want to experience an authentic Atlantic Spa at Ferraria. The best time to visit is between two hours before and after the low tide when the water is warm. During high tide the current may be too strong and the water is not warm enough. There are ropes for you to hold on as the Atlantic waves are very strong. Swimming is only recommended during summer as there is a lifeguard on patrol.
Location:
Termas da Ferraria (this is the spa next to the natural pool, lots of parking space here)
Rua Ilha Sabrina, Ginetes, 9555-102 Ginetes, Portugal
#roadtrip #vacation #portugal #azores #pontadelgada #sãomiguel #island #ferraria #cliff #pool #spa #naturalpool #atlantic #thermalpool
Music: Heartbeat
Musician: LiQWYD
One of the best bell towers I have climbed!
#mytripvlog
One of the best bell towers I have climbed is in Ponta Delgada. We visited the bell tower at the request of my nephew and it turned out to be the one of the best attractions on São Miguel Island.
The bell tower is 29.6 m high and was built in 1724. It was closed for several years before it reopened in 2013. If you are physically fit, you should not miss the chance to climb the bell tower as it offers spectacular 360° views of the city at the top! The entrance is free. Be prepared to climb 106 eneven steps through narrow and spiralling staircase and watch out for gaps between the steps.
Location:
Torre Sineira de Ponta Delgada
R. do Açoreano Oriental, 9500-056 Ponta Delgada
#townsquare #vacation #portugal #azores #pontadelgada #sãomiguel #island #cityhall #belltower #tower #panorama
Music: Shooting Star
Musician: Gvidon
Beautiful Town Squares of Ponta Delgada
#2023travelwish
Ponta Delgada, on São Miguel Island, is the capital of the Azores archipelago of Portugal. The city centre is small enough to be explored on foot. You certainly won't miss the landmarks such as the Gothic-style Church of St. Sebastian, the 3-arched city gates Portas da Cidade, the town hall of Ponta Delgada and it's bell tower. The fountain, flowerbed and statue on front of the town hall make it a nice place to take insta worthy pictures! If you have the energy, do climb the bell tower as it offers spectacular views of the city from the top!
In 2023 I wish to explore another island in the Azores archipelago of Portugal. 😊
Locations:
Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião
Largo da Matriz 62, 9500-094 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
P8RJ+2M Ponta Delgada, Portugal
Torre do Relógio ou Torre Sineira
R. do Açoreano Oriental 4, 9500-036 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
P8QJ+J7 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
#townsquare #vacation #portugal #azores #pontadelgada #sãomiguel #island #cityhall #belltower #tower #church
2023travelwish
townsquare
One of the best viewpoints in São Miguel!
#mytripvlog
In Portuguese, 'miradouro' means viewpoint. There are a lot of miradouros dotted across São Miguel Island. Miradouro de Santa Iria is definitely one of the best and most picturesque Miradouro that you should not miss if you are in the region. This clifftop viewpoint is located in Porto Formoso , municipality of Ribeira Grande, in front of the Santa Iria Bay on the north coast of the island.
It offers spectacular views of the jagged Atlantic coastline. It was raining and extremely windy when we made a stop there. We were blessed because the rain stopped briefly for us to take beautiful pictures of the cliffs before it started pouring again!! 🤣🤣
Location:
Miradouro de Santa Iria
RGFQ+G3 Moinhos, Portugal
#roadtrip #vacation #portugal #azores #pontadelgada #sãomiguel #island #bay #cliff #viewpoint #miradouro #clifftop #atlantic
Music: Higher
Musician: LiQWYD
A park with lots of steam vents!
#mytripvlog
We visited a park with a lot of fumaroles in Furnas, a small town in the southeastern part of São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal. Fumaroles are openings in the earth's surface that emit steam and volcanic gases.
This fumarolic field is part of the Furnas Volcano, a major dormant volcano with a summit subsidence caldera. The local people often cook meals in the hot geothermal soil here. They call this "Cozido dad Furnas" (Furnas geo-cook). If you are lucky, you can try this geothermal cuisine in the nearby restaurants. However it is better to do advance reservation.
Location:
Jardim Público da Courela
Largo das Caldeiras, 9675-045 Furnas, Portugal
#roadtrip #vacation #portugal #azores #pontadelgada #sãomiguel #island #furnas #steam #volcano #park #caldera #geothermal
Music: Bustin Loose
Musician: Jason Shaw
Beach Bar with amazing sea view
🍹🍸🏖️
#mytripvlog
We stopped for a quick bite at a beach bar in Água de Alto, a small village in the southern part of São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal. We were there in winter so the beach was closed. The bar is just by the beach so I can imagine it is frequented by beach goers during summer.
There is a wide variety of appetizers, light meals, burgers, meats, fish, desserts, hot drinks, coffees, alcohols etc on its menu. We tried sangria, a cocktail similar to fruit punch originating from Portugal and Spain. It was so good and refreshing! The prices are very affordable.
Location:
Bar Praia de Água d'Alto
Estr. Regional 1-1, 9680-301 Água de Alto, Portugal
#beachbar #vacation #portugal #azores #pontadelgada #sãomiguel #island #beach #bar #restaurant #sangria
Music: Hey U Cosmic
Musician: EnjoyMusic
Strong waves near the islet of Vila Franca🌊
#mytripvlog
We stopped by a small park near the islet of Vila Franca in Vila Franca do Campo, a small town in the southern part of São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal. The islet is less than 1 km away from this small park. This inhabited islet is primarily composed of basalt and used for recreational purposes like cliff diving and snorkeling in the summer. It has an almost completely circular bay with a diameter of 150 m. It is one of the nature reserves on Azores.
It was cloudy and rainy when we were there. We were awed by the strong waves of the Atlantic Ocean!
Location:
Parque de Lazer Poço Largo
Vila Franca do Campo, Portugal
#roadtrip #vacation #portugal #azores #pontadelgada #sãomiguel #island #driving #islet #volcano #park #vilafranca #atlantic #ocean #sea
Music: Ice cream
Musician: Ilya Truhanov
The only remaining fort in Ponta Delgada
#mytripvlog
There were a few forts in Ponta Delgada in the past but all demolished over time except one, the military fort of São Brás. Forte de São Brás is located near the port of Ponta Delgada. It was a coastal Renaissance fortress dating to 1552. It now houses Military Museum of the Azores. The entrance costs only 1€ per adult.
The Musuem displays a lot of military weapons and tankers used in the past. We climbed to the top of the fort and were awarded with amazing views of the city and the seafront.
Location:
Museu Militar dos Açores
Avenida Infante D. Henrique, Forte de São Brás, 9500-768 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
#vacation #portugal #azores #pontadelgada #sãomiguel #island #museum #military #fort #seaview #cityview
We are on the road between two lakes!
#mytripvlog
Sete Cidades is an attraction that you will not miss if you visit São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal. The Sete Cidades Caldera at the top of Sete Cidades Volcano is the largest freshwater lake in the Azores.
Although, hydrologically, the Sete Cidades Caldera is one large crater lake, most refer to it as two separate bodies: Lagoa Verde (Green Lake) and Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake).
We stopped for a while at the bridge that separated the two lakes and marvelled at the wonders of nature. The lakes appear to have different colours because they reflect the sunlight in different colors.
Location:
Canal de las Siete Ciudades
9-1 14, Sete Cidades, Portugal
V647+3G Sete Cidades, Portugal
#roadtrip #vacation #portugal #azores #pontadelgada #sãomiguel #island #driving #crater #volcano #lake #setecidades #caldera
Music: Happy Strummin
Musician: Jason Shaw
Beautiful Tea House @ Sete Cidades
#mytripvlog
We stopped by CASA DE CHÁ “O POEJO” to have a bite during our visit to Sete Cidades, the most famous attraction on São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal. This beautiful tea house is a hidden gem in the small town. The building was once the family house of the owner from the grandparents generation. It was restored and turned into a small b&b and tea house. There is a very nice garden just outside the tea house where you can get an amazing view of the surrounding mountains.
There is a wide variety of appetizers, light meals, desserts, teas, coffees, juices, alcohols etc on its menu. The prices are very affordable.
Address:
da, R. Eça de Queiroz 203 nº 9, 9555, Rio Tinto, Portugal
#teahouse #vacation #portugal #azores #pontadelgada #sãomiguel #island #setecidades #restaurant
Music: Summer Sidewalk
Musician: Jason Shaw
Road Trip in São Miguel Island, Portugal
#mytripvlog
We rented a car during our vacation in São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal. It is relatively easy to drive in the island compared to driving in the mainland cities like Lisbon and Porto. This is because the island is less populated and the traffic is not that bad.
However there are some challenges as well. This is our first time driving on the right. We are used to driving on the left in Singapore and Malaysia, so we were a little nervous at first. It took us a bit of time to get used to driving on the right. If you are holding a driving license from a non-EU or non-US country, you will need an international driving permit (IDP) in order to drive in Portugal. Some of the streets are very narrow and it was a challenge for our 7-seater car to pass through. Luckily we did not scratch the car. 🤣 It was also very foggy and windy when we were driving on the mountain roads so we had to be extra careful. Overall it was a fun experience driving in Azores!
#roadtrip #vacation #portugal #azores #pontadelgada #sãomiguel #island #driving #crater #setecidades #furnas
Music: Sunny
Musician: LiQWYD
Hotel with nice balcony at Ponta Delgada
#mytripvlog
Hotel Ponta Delgada
Address -
R. João Francisco Cabral 49, 9500-208 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
Ambiance/Facilities -
We like that the room is equipped with a kettle, tea bags and a powerful hair dryer. We can have a cup of tea or a glass of wine and chill in the balcony while enjoying the view.
Highlights -
We stayed 4 nights in this cozy hotel in Ponta Delgada, the largest city in São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal. The breakfast spread is quite standard but generally delicious. There are swimming pool, jacuzzi and sauna. The bar serves good cocktails and the restaurant is nice too.
#hotel #vacation #portugal #azores #pontadelgada #sãomiguel #island #balcony #seaview #restaurant #bar
🇵🇹 Geothermal Cuisine in Furnas, Azores
Using geothermal energy for cooking is a common practice in places where geothermal energy is abundant. Geothermal cuisine can be found in Furnas, a small town in the southeastern part of São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal. The local people call this "Cozido das Furnas" (Furnas geo-cook). There are many restaurants in Furnas serving geothermal cuisine. Caldeiras & Vulcões near the geothermal park in Furnas is one of them. As cooking with geothermal energy takes time and is weather dependent, it is advisable to make reservation 24 hours in advance to avoid disappointment. A typical Cozido das Furnas consists of a mixture of pork, beef, chicken, regional sausages and local vegetables. Vegetarian geothermal meal is also available in the restaurant.
Location:
Caldeiras & Vulcões Restaurantebar
R. Das Caldeiras 36, 9675-045 Furnas, Portugal
QMFV+6M Furnas, Portugal
#thingstodo #geothermal #vacation #portugal #azores #furnas #sãomiguel #island #restaurant #tripblazers
Sao Miguel - Azores
This is Sao Miguel Island in the Azores. We spent one month in there and it was a great time. It is the best spot in Portugal if you enjoy nature, trekkings, beautiful waterfalls and parks, this vulcanic island has it all.
We stayed at Casas do Termo and we recommend it!
#azores #portugal #nature
#summervacation#hikingtrails