Tour Overview
Azores 5-Island Self-Drive Adventure is a 15-day independent island-hopping vacation through Flores Faial, Pico, Terceira and São Miguel. With rental cars and a suggested route, you can discover the islands at your own pace while enjoying prearranged accommodations, daily breakfast and local assistance.
The journey begins amid the crater lakes, waterfalls and dramatic scenery of Flores, then continues to Faial and a ferry day trip to Pico. From there, travel onward to Terceira before finishing on São Miguel. Suggested drives introduce volcanic landscapes, historic towns, coastal viewpoints, vineyards, geothermal areas and some of the best-known natural attractions in the Azores. Optional visits to Corvo and São Jorge may also be possible depending on ferry schedules and local conditions.

Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Flores: Arrival
Arrive on Flores, collect your rental car at the airport and drive to your hotel. Use the rest of the day to settle in and get your first look at Santa Cruz das Flores and the surrounding coast.
Day 2 - Flores: Lakes, Waterfalls & Viewpoints
Suggested drive: spend the day exploring Flores’ volcanic interior and western scenery. Consider stops at crater lakes, waterfalls, Rocha dos Bordões and viewpoints around Fajãzinha and the island’s dramatic valleys.
Day 3 - Flores: Free Exploration or Corvo
Enjoy another day to explore Flores at your own pace, perhaps choosing a short hike, coastal villages or additional viewpoints. When ferry service and weather permit, you may instead consider an optional visit to Corvo. A rental car is not provided on Corvo.
Day 4 - Flores to Faial
Check out of your hotel, return your rental car at Flores Airport and fly to Faial. After arrival, continue to Horta and use the remainder of the day to explore the marina, waterfront and historic center.
Day 5 - Faial: Caldeira & Capelinhos
Suggested drive: cross the island through the green interior toward Faial’s central Caldeira, then continue west to the volcanic landscape of Capelinhos. Return to Horta with time for coastal stops and viewpoints along the way.
Day 6 - Pico: Ferry & Self-Drive Day Trip
Return your Faial rental car at Horta harbor and take the ferry to Madalena on Pico. Collect a car on arrival and spend the day exploring Pico’s lava landscapes, vineyard areas, traditional villages and maritime heritage. Return the car in Madalena and take the ferry back to Faial.
Day 7 - Faial: Day at Leisure
Enjoy a relaxed day on Faial for additional sightseeing, walking around Horta or exploring the coast. In summer, ferry schedules may also make an optional day trip to São Jorge possible.
Day 8 - Faial to Terceira
Check out of your hotel, return your rental car and fly to Terceira. Collect your car at Lajes Airport and drive to Angra do Heroísmo, approximately 24 kilometers away. Spend the rest of the day discovering the historic city center.
Day 9 - Terceira: Island Drive
Suggested drive: explore Terceira’s south coast and interior, with possible stops around Porto Judeu, São Sebastião, Praia da Vitória and Serra do Cume. Continue toward volcanic attractions such as Algar do Carvão when open, then consider the natural pools at Biscoitos before returning to Angra.
Day 10 - Terceira: Angra & Monte Brasil
Spend the day at your own pace. Explore more of Angra do Heroísmo, drive or walk around Monte Brasil for panoramic views, or use the day to visit villages and coastal areas you may have missed.
Day 11 - Terceira to São Miguel
Check out of your hotel, return your rental car at Terceira Airport and fly to São Miguel. Collect your new rental car on arrival and drive to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day exploring Ponta Delgada.
Day 12 - São Miguel: Furnas & the East
Suggested drive: head east through Lagoa and Vila Franca do Campo toward Furnas. Explore the lake, geothermal areas and village, then continue through the north side of the island with stops at scenic viewpoints or a tea plantation before returning to Ponta Delgada.
Day 13 - São Miguel: Sete Cidades & Lagoa do Fogo
Suggested drive: visit the Sete Cidades caldera and Vista do Rei viewpoint, then continue through the western countryside. Later, explore the central part of the island around Lagoa do Fogo, Ribeira Grande and, if desired, Caldeira Velha.
Day 14 - São Miguel: Free Day
Use your final full day to revisit a favorite part of São Miguel or explore somewhere new. You might spend more time in Ponta Delgada, visit additional gardens and viewpoints, enjoy the coast or simply leave the day open for a slower pace.
Day 15 - São Miguel: Departure
Check out of your hotel, drive to the airport and return your rental car before your departing flight.