PICO OR FAIAL ISLAND: WHICH AZORES ISLAND SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?
If you’re heading to the Azores and have narrowed it down to the triangle islands, Pico, Faial, and maybe São Jorge, you might be wondering: should I go to Pico or Faial? I visited both, and while they’re only 25 minutes apart by ferry, they each offer something quite different.
Here’s a breakdown based on key categories to help you decide which is better for you (or whether to visit both).
Things to Do
Pico
Pico feels a little more rugged and dramatic – it’s home to Mount Pico, after all. If climbing Portugal’s highest peak is on your list, then Pico is the obvious choice. But even if you’re not scaling the volcano, there’s plenty to do:
- Walk the Criação Velha vineyards trail, through UNESCO-protected wine country.
- Visit natural pools carved from volcanic rock.
- Check out coastal towns like Lajes do Pico with its maritime history, or São Roque.
- Stop at volcanic rock formations like Cachorro or Arcos Vulcânicos.
- Tour wine museums and sample local Verdelho or Arinto.
Faial
Faial feels softer and more manageable in a few days, but no less rich in sights:
- The Capelinhos Volcano area is otherworldly – genuinely moon-like.
- You’ve got natural pools (like Varadouro) and serene black sand beaches.
- The Caldeira offers a stunning crater hike with panoramic views.
- And of course, Horta town itself is a gem – buzzing marina, murals, Peter’s Café Sport, and a few good museums.
Verdict:
Pico wins for drama and diversity in natural landscapes, especially if you like wine or volcano hikes. Faial is better if you want a good mix of town life and nature without packing your days too tightly.
Best for Food and Drink
Pico
Pico has a handful of proper wine tasting spots – including Azores Wine Company for fine dining and wine flights, and the Wine Museum with beautiful dragon trees. There are great local bars and restaurants scattered around the island, including some stellar local beef and fish dishes.
Faial
Horta has the best concentration of food options. Peter’s Café Sport is iconic for drinks (especially gin), but you’ve also got little wine bars like Botequim do Mercado and restaurants like Cantinho das Provas for tapas and wine flights. There are some decent local Azorean spots dotted around the island too, especially in Praia do Norte.
Verdict:
Pico probably edges this if wine is your thing – there’s a deeper wine culture here. But if you want the option of tapas and lively bars in a walkable area, Horta in Faial might be the better call.
Beaches and Swimming Spots
Pico
This island doesn’t have many sandy beaches – it’s mostly rocky lava pools. But they’re beautifully rugged, especially places like Piscinas Naturais da Barca which has the calmest water and fantastic views.
There’s also Praia do Canto do Areia, one of the few sandy beaches (black sand), which is quiet and scenic.
Faial
Faial has a couple of swimmable natural pools (Varadouro, Capelinhos), but also Praia do Porto Pim, which is calm and protected, and Praia do Almoxarife, a wide beach with a view across to Pico.
In good weather, these are easily some of the best beach spots among the triangle islands.
Verdict:
Faial is the better bet if swimming and beach time is important to you. Porto Pim and Almoxarife are excellent for a dip, and easier to access.
Hiking Opportunities
Pico
If you want a challenge, Mount Pico is the headline act. It’s not for the faint of heart – the full summit hike can take 7–8 hours and involves serious scrambling. You can do a shorter crater hike or partial climb if the summit feels too much.
There are also lower-key walks, like the PR10PIC trail along the north coast or the Criação Velha vineyard path, which are beautiful without being punishing.
Faial
Faial’s Caldeira trail is probably the most satisfying “intermediate” hike of the two islands. It’s a loop around a volcanic crater with brilliant views across the island and even to Pico. There’s also the Levada trail, an easy forest hike, and Morro de Castelo Branco for a shorter jaunt.
Verdict:
If you’re a mountain goat, Pico is the clear winner. For gentler hikes with variety and views, Faial is easier to explore on foot.
Accommodation and Base Towns
Pico
Madalena is the main town, but it’s quite sleepy – especially compared to Horta. It’s functional and has a few nice places to stay, cafes, and bars, but not a huge nightlife scene. The rest of the island is very spread out, so having a car is essential.
We stayed in an apartment just outside town and loved the peace and quiet.
Faial
Horta is more of a proper town – marina cafés, a lively promenade, sunset bars, and plenty of accommodation. You could easily explore most of Faial while basing yourself here. It has more of a pulse than Madalena.
Verdict:
Faial is the better option if you prefer a town with things going on in the evening and want to walk to restaurants and bars. Pico is quieter – good for getting away from it all.
Getting Around
Both islands are small, and you’ll need a car on both to get the most out of them. Buses are infrequent and not always well-timed. Roads are quiet and easy to drive on, though Pico’s are more coastal, while Faial’s loop around the island’s centre.
Verdict:
No major difference – plan to rent a car on both islands if you want to see more than just the main town.
Overall Vibe
Pico feels wilder, darker (literally – lots of black rock), and more elemental. It’s a landscape of lava fields, vines, and the ever-present peak of the volcano. For me, I found the landscape absolutely fascinating. Pico looks totally different to the other islands, or anywhere else I’ve seen in Europe for that matter. It is uniquely “Pico.”
Faial feels softer, greener, with more obvious “places to go” and a more social atmosphere around Horta. Faial is comfortable, easy to explore and beautiful at the same time.
If you can, visit both – they’re so close and so complementary. But if you only have time for one:
- Choose Pico if you: love wine, want to climb Mount Pico or explore lava landscapes, and are happy with a slower pace.
- Choose Faial if you: want to swim, enjoy hiking without full-on mountaineering, like the idea of a vibrant town, and want a balance of scenery and relaxation.
Itineraries for Pico and Faial
Whichever you choose, you can find our detailed itineraries for both islands below.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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