ARE THE AZORES WORTH VISITING? 10 PROS AND CONS TO CONSIDER.
“The Azores may not be uncharted territory anymore, but they retain a rare, genuinely unspoiled beauty that makes every visit feel like a proper adventure. This made us feel like discoverers from the old times. And I won’t be told otherwise.”
Lotus Eaters Travel
Of all the destinations we’ve visited in recent years, the Azores are probably our favourite. In fact, after spending three weeks island-hopping across the archipelago, it’s hard to think of anywhere else that left such a lasting impression.
So, full disclosure: I’m completely biased. We loved the Azores.
The islands felt wild yet peaceful, remote yet welcoming. There were moments when we felt as though we’d stumbled upon a forgotten corner of the world, and others when we simply sat back and admired some of the most beautiful landscapes we’ve ever seen.
That said, the Azores aren’t for everyone.
As much as we adored them, there are certain friends and family members I wouldn’t recommend them to. Their remoteness, unpredictable weather, and slower pace of life can be a dream for some travellers and a frustration for others.
In this guide, I’ll share the reasons I believe the Azores are absolutely worth visiting, along with a few drawbacks that might make you consider a different destination.
First, what are The Azores?
The Azores are a group of nine volcanic islands sitting in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, roughly 1,400km west of Lisbon, and closer to Canada than they are to mainland Europe. They’re an autonomous region of Portugal, which means you get the ease of EU travel but with a geography that feels genuinely remote.
Most people fly into São Miguel, the largest island, and either stay there or use it as a base to island-hop. In summer, there are direct flights to São Miguel from the UK, Europe and the USA. Otherwise, it’s best to fly via Lisbon. The other commonly visited islands – Terceira, Pico, Faial, and São Jorge – each have their own personality, their own landscapes, and their own reasons to go.
It is not a quick trip. It is not the cheapest trip. But for us, it was absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt, worth it.
The case for visiting the Azores
Here are the 7 reasons we we think the Azores are worth visiting.
1/ The landscapes are unlike anywhere in Europe
I’ve hiked in a lot of places. But the Azores offers something else entirely.
On São Miguel, we stood at the rim of a twin caldera and looked down at two lakes sitting in the belly of an ancient volcano. On Pico, we climbed a volcano that rises almost 2,400 metres out of the sea. We didn’t quite make it to the top, but the views were still epic.
On São Jorge, we took clifftop walks to isolated coastal hamlets called fajãs. And on Faial, we walked the rim of a caldera so perfectly round it looks like someone deliberately put it there.
These natural phenomena are genuinely one of a kind. You won’t find anything similar elsewhere in Europe, certainly not in the same quantity and variety.
2/ It’s surprisingly affordable
This is the thing that caught us most off guard, in the best possible way.
When we visited in December, we were regularly eating dinner for two, proper sit-down meals with wine, for around €20. A round of drinks cost €5. Accommodation came in at €30-50 a night for a comfortable room.
Granted, prices will rise during peak season, but visiting off-peak and not spending a fortune is entirely doable. Yes, inter-island flights and ferries add up if you’re hopping between islands. But the day-to-day cost of being in the Azores is genuinely low.
Caveat: prices in Ponta Delgada, the capital of São Miguel are higher than elsewhere. There are many more fancy restaurants and cocktail bars.
3/ The thermal and natural pools are mind-blowing
The thermal pools are one of the things the Azores are most famous for, and they truly do make the trip special.
The island with the best-known pools is São Miguel. Ponta da Ferraria is quite something: a natural ocean pool where volcanic vents warm the water from below. It’s like sitting in a hot bath, but in the Atlantic. Many pools can be visited at night too, which adds a whole other atmosphere.
The natural pools are worth your time as well, even if a little chilly. I spent an afternoon on Pico at Barca, soaking up the sun, dipping into the natural bath, and staring out at the Atlantic. I had the pool entirely to myself.
4/ There’s a wildness to it
There’s a real upside to the Azores being so remote: they feel less like a tourist destination and more like islands that have simply got on with things out in the Atlantic, which is exactly what they are.
We loved the quiet. Cows seemed to outnumber tourists on Terceira. Roads were often empty. And locals were genuinely, warmly welcoming.
Travelling off-peak helped, no doubt, but we frequently had hiking trails to ourselves, stood alone on beaches, and never once queued at a viewpoint.
5/ There’s so much variety
We visited five of the nine islands, and I hope one day we can go back for the rest. Each one is entirely its own thing.
Take what’s grown on each island. Pico is known as the “wine island”, it’s hotter and more fertile, and wine actually grows there. São Jorge and Terceira are both dairy producers; we loved stopping at cheese factories and sampling everything in front of us. On São Miguel we visited a vast, beautiful tea plantation, and on Terceira, a coffee farm.
And then there’s just general island “vibe.” Each one felt different, almost like they had their own colour scheme. The capital of Horta is quirky and full of sailors, whilst Angra Do Heroismo (the capital of Terceira) feels full of history and culture and Ponta Delgada more polished.
Even if you only make it to one island, São Miguel alone, explored end to end, will show you just how wild and varied a single island can be.
6/ It feels like a proper adventure
There’s something about the Azores that makes you feel like you’ve actually gone somewhere. Maybe it’s the mid-Atlantic location, no continent on the horizon, just ocean in every direction. Maybe it’s the fact that the weather does whatever it likes and you have to roll with it.
Or maybe it’s that the islands haven’t been packaged up and made easy. You have to seek things out a little. You have to take a chance on a road that looks interesting.
Whatever it is, the Azores gave us that rare feeling of genuine discovery, the sense that you’re not just ticking off a destination, but actually exploring one. There are only certain destinations that provoke that feeling.
7/ It’s easy to get around each island
It takes real effort to get to the Azores, but once you land, you’re rewarded with ease. We hired cars on five islands and not only was the process smooth, driving around was a genuine pleasure.
Roads are quiet, and we loved the freedom of going from one end of an island to the other on a whim. On Faial, we circumnavigated the entire island in a single day. There’s something wonderful about driving until something catches your eye, which is exactly how we ended up in a cheese factory-slash-coffee shop on Terceira.
Parking was never an issue either. We could get close to all the main sights without any fuss.
Tip: Just stick to the main roads with your hire car. Normally this means driving around the island and not across it. More details on driving in The Azores here.
Other considerations
All of that said, there are some practical considerations when it comes to visiting The Azores. I’m hesitant to call them “downsides” but they are worth factoring into your decision.
1/ The Weather is unpredictable
The Azores sit in the middle of the Atlantic and the weather will keep reminding you of this. The saying “four seasons in one day” might sound trite, but it is something that is very true when it comes to the Azores.
The best weather window is June to September. Outside of that, you need to come with layers, a good waterproof, and a relaxed attitude toward clouds.
That said, if you plan to visit outside of summer as we did, you can still get some good weather. We found it was best to keep our plans flexible. Having a hire car also meant that we could head out as soon as the weather cleared.
2/ Getting between islands takes effort
This is the most common reason people feel the Azores are “complicated.” And they’re not wrong, exactly – it does require planning.
To visit multiple islands, you’ll be booking inter-island SATA flights or ferry tickets in advance, hiring a separate car on each island, and keeping track of more logistics than a single-island trip requires. Our trip to five islands in the Azores was quite possibly one of the most complex I’ve ever organised. For us, it was worth it – we loved the adventure. But for others, it may be overwhelming.
That said, there are a few things that may help. Firstly, the Triangle Islands (Pico, Faial and São Jorge) are very easy to travel between – the ferry takes no time at all. Secondly, it’s possible to hire a car with the same company – this way, you don’t have to do so much paperwork on each island.
And, if you really find the idea of travelling in-between islands off-putting – consider just visiting São Miguel or Terceira – both are big enough to explore over a week or so.
3/ It’s not really a beach holiday
If your idea of a perfect week is sun loungers, cocktails, and warm sandy beaches, the Azores isn’t quite your destination. The beaches are a little more rugged. That’s not to say they aren’t beautiful, but don’t expect pristine.
You can of course still spend time sunbathing, swimming or enjoying a few drinks by the water. But go with the right expectations.
Who is the Azores perfect for?
In short: nature lovers, hikers, adventure travellers, and anyone who wants to feel like they’ve genuinely gone somewhere different.
More specifically, you’ll love the Azores if you:
- Want dramatic volcanic landscapes without flying to Iceland;
- Love hiking but also want thermal pools to soak in afterwards;
- Enjoy slower, more independent travel;
- Are looking for somewhere that doesn’t feel overrun.
Who might be better off elsewhere?
The Azores might not be for you if:
- You need guaranteed sunshine and a classic beach
- You only have a few days and want simplicity
- You prefer a polished, resort-style holiday experience
- The idea of island-hopping logistics stresses you out
In which case, Madeira might be a better fit – similar volcanic drama, easier travel, more reliable weather. I’ve compared them in detail here.
Planning your Azores trip
Here are our detailed guides to each island:
- Two Weeks in the Azores: Our Itinerary
- Three Days on São Miguel
- Terceira Island: Three Day Itinerary
- Faial Island Guide
- Pico Island Guide
- São Jorge Island Guide
- Driving in the Azores
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
British travel writer and long-distance hiker, native to Kent. Emma has walked the Camino de Santiago more than ten times, completed trails across Europe from the Corfu Trail to the Fisherman’s Trail, and covered thousands of kilometres on foot. She always writes from first-hand experience. Her goal? Inspire just one person to go on their first long-distance hike.
More Travel Guides
USEFUL LINKS FOR FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORT
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Please note that some links on our website are partnered with affiliates. Using an affiliate links does not make it more expensive for you to purchase. We receive a small commission whenever you buy something which in turn allows us to keep writing independent travel guides and your support is greatly appreciated.
Leave a Reply