Tour Overview & Itinerary
Combine four of the Azores Islands with Lisbon and some of mainland Portugal’s best-known historic destinations on a 14-day fully private touring program. The Azores portion features private touring on Terceira, Faial, Pico and São Miguel, followed by private sightseeing from Lisbon to destinations including Sintra, Fátima and Évora.
Begin on Terceira with Angra do Heroísmo, Serra do Cume, Algar do Carvão and Biscoitos. Continue to Faial for Horta, Caldeira and Capelinhos, then cross by ferry to Pico for a full-day excursion beneath Mount Pico and through the island’s volcanic landscapes. The Azores portion concludes on São Miguel with private touring to Furnas, Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo.
From Lisbon, continue with private sightseeing through the Portuguese capital and to Sintra, Cabo da Roca, Cascais and Estoril; Fátima, Batalha, Nazaré and Óbidos; and Évora and the Alentejo. This is a fully private program: both your Azores sightseeing and your Lisbon and mainland Portugal excursions are private. Prefer a more cost-effective option with shared open-group touring on the mainland? View our similar 14-day semi-private Azores and mainland Portugal tour.
Azores Itinerary
Azores 4 island, Lisbon and surrounding towns package tour
Day 1 - Terceira: Arrival in Angra do Heroísmo
Arrive at Lajes Airport on Terceira and transfer to Angra do Heroísmo for a three-night stay. The historic center of Angra do Heroísmo is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and reflects the city’s long importance on Atlantic sailing routes. Spend the remainder of the day settling in and exploring the city, its gardens and waterfront at your own pace.
Day 2 - Terceira: Full-Day Island Tour
Meet your driver/guide for a full-day tour of Terceira. Travel along the south coast through Porto Judeu and São Sebastião before continuing to Praia da Vitória. After free time for lunch, which is not included, head inland toward Serra do Cume for panoramic views across the island’s patchwork fields.
Continue to Algar do Carvão, subject to current opening conditions, and then to Biscoitos on the north coast, known for its natural lava swimming pools. Return by way of traditional villages including Altares, Doze Ribeiras and São Mateus.
Day 3 - Terceira: Leisure Day
Enjoy a free day to explore Terceira at your own pace. Angra do Heroísmo is well suited to walking, while Monte Brasil offers additional viewpoints and trails overlooking the city and harbor.
Day 4 - Terceira to Faial
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Faial. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Horta for a three-night stay. Horta has a long Atlantic maritime tradition and remains closely associated with sailors crossing the ocean. Spend the balance of the day exploring the waterfront, marina and historic center.
Day 5 - Faial: Caldeira and Capelinhos
Meet your guide for a half-day island tour. Travel through the Flamengos Valley toward Faial’s central Caldeira before continuing to Capelinhos on the western end of the island. The stark landscape at Capelinhos was shaped by the 1957–58 eruption and remains one of Faial’s most distinctive geological areas. A nearby interpretation center presents the history and geology of the eruption.
Day 6 - Pico: Full-Day Island Excursion
Take the ferry from Faial to Madalena on neighboring Pico and meet your guide for a full-day island tour. Pico is dominated by Mount Pico, Portugal’s highest mountain, and is known for volcanic landscapes, traditional settlements and extensive walls of black volcanic stone.
Learn about the island’s whaling heritage and visit the vineyard landscape recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Madalena for the ferry back to Horta and transfer to your hotel.
Day 7 - Faial to São Miguel: Ponta Delgada
Transfer to the airport for your flight to São Miguel. Upon arrival in Ponta Delgada, transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay. Spend the remainder of the day exploring the historic center, waterfront, shops and restaurants at your leisure.
Day 8 - São Miguel: Furnas and Geothermal Landscapes
Meet your guide for a full-day tour to Furnas. Travel along the south coast through Caloura and Vila Franca do Campo before reaching the Furnas area. Visit the lake and geothermal zone, where the traditional dish cozido is prepared using natural volcanic heat.
Continue into Furnas for a lunch stop; lunch is not included. You will also have an opportunity to visit the botanical gardens and thermal attractions, with garden admission not included. Later, cross toward the north coast, stopping at scenic viewpoints and a tea plantation before returning to Ponta Delgada.
Day 9 - São Miguel: Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo
Spend the day visiting two of São Miguel’s best-known volcanic landscapes. Begin at Sete Cidades and the Vista do Rei viewpoint above the crater lakes, then descend toward the village beside the lakes.
Continue to a pineapple plantation before traveling toward Lagoa do Fogo, with additional stops at Caldeira Velha, Ribeira Grande and scenic viewpoints before returning to Ponta Delgada.
Lisbon & Mainland Portugal Itinerary
Day 10 - São Miguel to Lisbon: Private Half-Day Lisbon Tour
Transfer to the airport for your flight from São Miguel to Lisbon. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in the Portuguese capital.
Meet your guide at the hotel for a private half-day Lisbon sightseeing tour. The program includes stops in the Belém area and a visit to Ajuda National Palace when operating, along with an introduction to Lisbon’s historic quarters and monuments.
Day 11 - Private Sintra, Cabo da Roca, Cascais & Estoril Tour
Travel privately to Sintra, known for its wooded hills, historic estates and Romantic-era architecture. Visit Pena Palace and enjoy time in the village before continuing through the Colares area toward Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe.
Continue along the Atlantic coast past Guincho and Boca do Inferno to Cascais, then follow the Estoril coast back toward Lisbon.
Day 12 - Private Fátima, Batalha, Nazaré & Óbidos Tour
Travel privately to Fátima, one of Portugal’s most important pilgrimage destinations, with time at the sanctuary complex. Continue to Batalha and its UNESCO-listed monastery before reaching the Atlantic coast at Nazaré.
Finish the day in Óbidos, a walled medieval town known for narrow streets, whitewashed houses and its castle, before returning privately to Lisbon.
Day 13 - Private Évora & Alentejo Tour
Travel privately into the Alentejo for a day centered on Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage city with Roman, medieval and later architectural layers. Explore the historic center and major landmarks such as the Roman Temple, the cathedral and the Chapel of Bones.
The excursion also introduces regional products and wine traditions before returning to Lisbon.
Day 14 - Departure from Lisbon
After breakfast, enjoy a private transfer to Lisbon Airport for your departure.
Important Notes
- This is a fully private program: sightseeing tours in both the Azores and mainland Portugal are private.
- The Azores portion includes four islands: Terceira, Faial, Pico and São Miguel.
- The itinerary includes three nights on Terceira, three nights on Faial and three nights on São Miguel before continuing to Lisbon.
- Lunch on the Terceira tour on Day 2 is not included.
- Lunch in Furnas on Day 8 and botanical garden admission are not included.
- The private half-day Lisbon sightseeing on Day 10 begins with your guide meeting you at the hotel.
- Access to Algar do Carvão and other attractions is subject to current operating conditions.
