Azores Island Explorer: 10-Day Terceira, Faial, Pico & São Miguel Tour

Arrive on Terceira and settle into Angra do Heroísmo, one of the Azores’ most historic cities. The historic center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and reflects Angra’s importance as an Atlantic port during the Age of Discovery. Spend the remainder of the day exploring its streets, gardens and waterfront, or walk toward Monte Brasil for panoramic views over the city and harbor.

Discover Terceira on a full-day private guided tour. Travel along the south coast through Porto Judeu and São Sebastião before continuing to Praia da Vitória. After time for lunch, head inland toward Serra do Cume for panoramic views over the island’s patchwork fields.

Continue to Algar do Carvão, one of Terceira’s best-known volcanic formations, when open, and then to Biscoitos on the north coast, known for its natural lava swimming pools. Return to your hotel by way of traditional villages including Altares, Doze Ribeiras and São Mateus.

Enjoy a day to explore Terceira at your own pace. Angra do Heroísmo is well suited to walking, with historic streets, churches, gardens and waterfront areas to discover. You may also visit Monte Brasil for panoramic views and walking trails or use the day to enjoy local cuisine and additional sightseeing around the island.

Fly from Terceira to Faial and continue to Horta, a historic Atlantic port with a long maritime tradition. For centuries, Horta has welcomed sailors crossing the Atlantic, and its harbor later became an important communications point during the era of transatlantic submarine cables. Spend time exploring the city’s waterfront, marina and historic center, or enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Take the ferry from Horta to Madalena on neighboring Pico Island and meet your guide for a full-day tour. Pico is dominated by Mount Pico and is known for dramatic lava landscapes, traditional settlements and vineyards divided by walls of dark volcanic stone.

The day also introduces Pico’s maritime heritage and the history of whaling, an industry that later gave way to whale watching and marine tourism. Return to Faial by ferry.

Explore Faial’s volcanic landscapes with a private English-speaking guide. Travel through the Valley of Flamengos to the island’s central Caldeira, then continue toward Capelinhos on the western end of Faial. The stark landscape at Capelinhos was shaped by the 1957–58 eruption and remains one of the island’s most distinctive geological sites.

Fly from Faial to São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores, and settle into your hotel in Ponta Delgada. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring the historic center, waterfront, shops, restaurants and local food scene. Ponta Delgada provides a convenient base for the volcanic landscapes and natural attractions visited over the next several days.

Meet your private driver/guide for a full-day tour through São Miguel. Travel east from Ponta Delgada through Lagoa, Caloura and Vila Franca do Campo before reaching the Furnas area. Discover Furnas Lake, geothermal springs and fumaroles, including the area where the traditional dish cozido is cooked using natural volcanic heat.

Continue into Furnas for time for lunch and an opportunity to visit its historic botanical gardens and thermal attractions. Garden admission is an additional charge. Later, cross toward the north coast, stopping at scenic viewpoints and a tea plantation before returning to Ponta Delgada.

Spend the day visiting two of São Miguel’s best-known volcanic landscapes. Begin with Sete Cidades and the panoramic viewpoint at Vista do Rei, overlooking the blue and green lakes within the large volcanic caldera. Continue into the village of Sete Cidades before returning toward Ponta Delgada.

The tour also includes Lagoa do Fogo, a dramatic crater lake in the center of São Miguel, with additional stops at Caldeira Velha and Ribeira Grande. Entrance to Caldeira Velha is not included. Brunch is included during the day. Return to your hotel in Ponta Delgada for the evening.

Enjoy your final morning on São Miguel. Depending on your departure time, you may have time for last-minute shopping, a waterfront walk or additional sightseeing in Ponta Delgada before continuing with your onward travel.

Important Notes

• Days 2, 6 and 8 are described in the source itinerary as private guided touring.
• The Day 5 excursion to Pico includes ferry travel from Faial and guided sightseeing on Pico.
• Admission to the Furnas botanical gardens on Day 8 is an additional charge.
• Entrance to Caldeira Velha on Day 9 is not included.
• Brunch is included on Day 9.
• Access to Algar do Carvão and other attractions may depend on current opening conditions.

Traveler Review

“We had a wonderful 10 days in the Azores on the tour you arranged for us. The islands are very beautiful, each with their own character, both scenically and culturally. The hotels were beyond our expectation; the local cuisine in cafes and small restaurants caused some increase to our girths. But perhaps the most enjoyable part of the trip was the personal interaction with our guides who provided insight into the local history, culture, family life, and politics.”

— John Jones, Australia