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Portugal Vacation Package

Azores 5-Island Self-Drive Adventure: 15-Day Island Tour

15 Days/14 Nights: Explore five Azores islands independently with rental cars and suggested scenic drives.

This printable guide is intended as a convenient reference. Final vouchers, confirmations and travel documents remain the official record of services included in a reservation.

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.

Map of five island self-drive tour of the Azores

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.

What's Included

Hotels

Note: Hotels shown are for reference only. We reserve the right to change hotels based on availability, group size or other factors. Should an alternate hotel be required, it will be of the same or a better rating.

Comfort Hotels

Hotel Cruzeiro

Angra do Heroismo

Located in Angra do Heroísmo, a 7-minute walk from Zona Balnear da Prainha Beach, Hotel Cruzeiro features views of the city. Featuring a bar, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom.

Hotel Cruzreiro provides room service, a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage for guests. At the hotel, all rooms have a closet. Selected rooms will provide you with a kitchen with a fridge, a dishwasher and an oven. All guest rooms in Hotel Cruzeiro are equipped with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries.

Hotel Cruzeiro offers a continental or American breakfast. Silveira Beach is 1.2 miles from Hotel Cruzeiro. The nearest airport is Graciosa Airport, 80 miles from the hotel.

horta, faial, azores, portugal wine view pico mountain

Hotel Horta

Horta - Faial Island

Located in the old Azorean town of Horta, the newly-renovated Hotel Horta offers views of Pico Island. It features rooms with balconies, a large garden and an outdoor pool. Horta’s rooms are decorated in neutral colors, and have wooden furniture. Each of the air-conditioned rooms has a cable TV and a private bathroom with a hairdryer.

The hotel’s panoramic restaurant offers international and regional dishes. The bar and the lounge offer views of the outdoor pool, the pool bar and the garden. Guests can rent a bicycle to explore the surrounding area.

Horta is famous for the whale watching and the volcanoes of Capelinhos and Caldeira. Horta Airport is 4.3 mi away, and the hotel provides free private parking on site. A car rental service is also available.

hotel ocidental flroes pool

Hotel Ocidental

Santa Cruz das Flores

Hotel Ocidental offers fine accommodation in Santa Cruz das Flores. The city center is 10 minute walking distance from the hotel. The property offers 36 guestrooms appointed with climate control, cable TV, a balcony and direct dial phone. Restaurante Rosa are situated in a natural area, about 1000 meters from the venue. The hotel enjoys an ideal location within 5 minutes' drive from Santa Cruz airport.

Hotel Ponta Delgada

Ponta Delgada

Hotel Ponta Delgada is 5 minutes by car from the airport and 5 minutes walking distance from the historical city center.
The hotel has 98 rooms with city view, bar, restaurant, jacuzzi, sauna, steam bath and an elevated indoor pool with a panoramic terrace.
All rooms open into a private balcony and are equipped with air-conditioned, double-glazed windows. Rooms also include cable TV, a private bathroom with amenities, a hairdryer, and a telephone.

Superior Hotels

hotel ocidental flroes pool

Hotel Ocidental

Santa Cruz das Flores

Hotel Ocidental offers fine accommodation in Santa Cruz das Flores. The city center is 10 minute walking distance from the hotel. The property offers 36 guestrooms appointed with climate control, cable TV, a balcony and direct dial phone. Restaurante Rosa are situated in a natural area, about 1000 meters from the venue. The hotel enjoys an ideal location within 5 minutes' drive from Santa Cruz airport.

pousada forte da horta room

Pousada Forte da Horta

Horta

Just an 8 minute walk from the beach, The Pousada Forte da Horta is set in a 16th century fortress with a view of Horta Bay and Pico island. This Pousada features air conditioned rooms, a swimming pool, and a regional restaurant. Most of the rooms offer a view of the marina. 

Classified as a National Monument since 1947, the Pousada Forte da Horta offers modern rooms with cable TV and a minibar. Each private bathroom is stocked with a hairdryer and bathrobe.

A breakfast buffet is served daily on the poolside veranda terrace. Guests may taste fried pork, tuna and passion fruit pie in Pousada Forte da Horta’s restaurant.

The swimming pool area is furnished with sun beds, tables and parasols. Indoors, there is a lounge with various seating areas and a bar with a piano.

The 24-hour reception offers car rentals and free on-site parking. The Horta Airport is just 5.4 miles from the Pousada Forte da Horta. 

pousada angra heroismo castelo sebastiao aerial

Pousada Sao Sebastiao

Angra do Heroismo

This property is a 8-minute walk from the beach. Set on top of a cliff, Pousada de Angra do Heroismo Castelo de S. Sebastiao is a modern hotel housed in a 16th century Fortress known as Saint Sebastian's Little Castle.

The Pousada offer rooms and one suite with modern décor and furnishing. The suite and some rooms include terraces with views over the sea and the Monte Brasil. All living units contain LCD TV and internet connection.

There are 2 swimming pools: one for adults and the other for children. Guests can enjoy the regional cuisine while taking in views of the sea and pool area.

The Pousada is located in the village centre of Angra do Heroísmo was classified World Heritage by UNESCO. Angra do Heroísmo also offers many activitiy options, such as marine hunting, diving, sport fishing and boat tours.

Pousada de Angra do Heroismo Castelo de S. Sebastiao is located at a 23-minute drive from the Lajes International Airport.

Vila-gale-S-Miguel-Fachada

Vila Gale Collection São Miguel

Ponta Delgada

Situated in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island, the Vila Gale Collection S. Miguel offers premium accommodations alongside an excellent restaurant, bar, sauna, swimming pool, kids’ club, and private parking.

This 4-star hotel features air-conditioned rooms with complimentary Wi-Fi, each equipped with a private bathroom and located just a short walk from the town center.

All guest rooms come with a flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box, with select rooms featuring a balcony. At Vila Gale Collection S. Miguel, guests will find bed linens and towels provided, and a buffet breakfast is served each morning.

Guests can enjoy access to a sauna and a Turkish bath during their stay.

The friendly and professional reception staff are fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, and are always available to assist.

Booking & Policies

Booking Your Vacation

  • Prices are shown in U.S. dollars. We can also charge in euros using the prevailing daily currency conversion rate.
  • Early booking is recommended. Availability of accommodations and inter-island flights can be limited, especially during the summer months.
  • If a hotel named in the itinerary is unavailable at the time of booking, a similar property of the same rating may be offered. Any change in price will be reflected in a revised quotation.
  • The order in which the islands are visited may need to be changed due to inter-island flight schedule changes.
  • When sightseeing tours are included, unless otherwise indicated, they are operated by private car with an English-speaking driver. Other languages may be available upon request.
  • Quotations requiring different hotels are subject to a non-refundable $50 deposit. This deposit will be credited toward the final booking price.

Booking Your Vacation With Air

  • International airfare is additional to the price shown in the Rates table. Departure cities are limited to those served by Azores Airlines.
  • If you would like airfare included in your quotation, select “Yes” when prompted during the booking or reservation request process.

Booking Conditions

  • A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $350 per person is required to confirm and hold both land and air arrangements.
  • Final payment is due 50 days before departure.
  • You may also choose to pay the full package price at the time of booking.

Cancellation Policy - Land Portion

  • If canceled 50 days or more before departure, the amount paid will be refunded less the non-refundable $350 deposit per person.
  • If canceled 49 to 39 days before departure, 75% of the total amount paid per person will be refunded.
  • If canceled 38 to 31 days before departure, 50% of the total amount paid per person will be refunded.
  • No refunds are provided for cancellations made fewer than 30 days before departure.

Cancellation Policy - Airfare

  • Airfare cancellation terms and conditions are determined by the airline and will be provided to you before the ticket is booked.

Refund Fees

  • For payments made by credit card, any refund will be reduced by a 3.9% credit-card processing fee assessed on the payment. This also applies to deposits refunded because requested services are unavailable for the requested travel dates.

I Want to Book. What Do I Do Next?

  • Click the “Request Quote” button to send us your reservation request.
  • No payment will be collected when you submit the request.
  • One of our travel associates will contact you by email to answer your questions and assist with booking your package.
  • If you are not ready to book, please contact us with any questions about your trip or vacation.

Booking Changes

  • A fee of $35 per person, per transaction, will be charged for revisions or changes made to a reservation after the booking has been confirmed.
  • If the requested change increases the total value of the booking, the $35 per person change fee will be waived.

Travel Insurance

  • We strongly recommend purchasing travel and cancellation insurance.