Top Things To Do In The Azores: Discover Portugal's Hidden Island Gem

Forbes

12-05-2025

Sete Citidades, the Azores
Roughly half way across the Atlantic Ocean between continental Europe and North America are the Azores, a group of nine Portuguese volcanic islands offering a fantastic blend of natural beauty, rich culture and outdoor adventure. With lush landscapes, dramatic coastlines and beautiful lakes, the Azores are an undiscovered gem for nature lovers, hikers and travelers seeking a peaceful getaway. Whether you're exploring the volcanic craters of São Miguel, taking a dip. in hot springs or attending the annual experimental music festival, Tremor, the island of São Miguel, the largest of the Azorean archipelago, is a truly magical destination.
The Zenmenn at Tremor Festival 2025
Tremor, an annual experimental music festival every April, is reason enough to visit the Azores. Portuguese and international artists perform in wonderful indoor settings and spectacular outdoor venues across the island. Tickets for the next festival (24-28 March 2026) are being released in stages and are already available.
Sete Cidades lake in The Azores
If you visit the Azores for Tremor, you'll have plenty of time to explore Sao Miguel as gigs are mostly in the evenings. Start with a private island tour with Get Your Guide. The company's 4×4 Tour from Ponta Delgada Day Tour with Sete Cidades will take you to view crater lakes, volcanic landscapes, with a stop for a traditional village meal. Within a massive volcanic caldera, the twin lakes of Sete Cidades present one of São Miguel's most incredible landscapes, a must for any visit to Sao Miguel.
The derelict Monte Palace, a former French-owned 5-star hotel on the edge of a crater.
Another unexpected highlight of the tour is a visit to the ruined Monte Palace, a former French-owned 5-star hotel on the edge of a crater. The hotel opened in 1991 and closed just over a year later. It's been derelict ever since. Visitors are able to explore five floors of ruined corridors, rooms and balconies unrestricted while marvelling at walls covered in colorful paintings and grafitti.
A sperm whale off Sao Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal.
Situated on a key Atlantic marine migration route, the Azores are a world-renowned whale-watching destination. Futurismo Azores Adventures is a great choice for a whale watching adventure from the harborin Ponta Delgado. With expert biologist guides and spotters working from inland, you'll have an excellent chance of encountering cetaceans, including sperm whales and dolphins, as you embark on an unforgettable boat tour. While it's not guaranteed that you'll see anything (especially whales), if you see nothing, Futurismo allows a second (free) outing. Half day (early morning or afternoon) excursions are 65€.
Arquipélago – Contemporary Art Center
Indeed, Sao Miguel has a thriving contemporary art scene. Arquipélago – Contemporary Art Center just above the seaside at Ribeira Grande is in a 19th-century alcohol and tobacco factory. The imposing volcanic stone building houses several temporary exhibitions each year in an attempt to combine local heritage with contemporary artistic expression.
Vaga, a contemporary art space in Ponta Delgado
Vaga, in Ponta Delgado, is a contemporary art space with engaging temporary shows and events that's also the headquarters of a new art biennial, Walk and Talk that will launch 25 September and run until 30 November 2025. For Gestures of Abundance, invited international artists and curators will consider how we can change our perception of scarcity to one of cooperative abundance.
MAAT, Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, Building, Belem, Lisbon, Portugal.
The Portuguese capital deserves a special mention as you'll likely get your connecting flight to the Azores here. If you fly TAP, you'll have a free stopover to stay a night or two to explore Lisbon. There's plenty to enjoy, and a perfect day could include a visit to the contemporary art museum Maat (Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology) on the outskirts of Lisbon in Belem, a stroll along the River Tagus past the 25 de Abril bridge (commemorating the Carnation Revolution that ended the Portuguese dictatorship and established democracy in 1974) and a stop in the famous cafe and bakery Pasteis de Belem to discover and taste the famous custard tarts, pastel de nata.
O Americo, the Azores
Azorean food is a flavorful fusion of land and sea. From the ocean, you'll find limpets (small shellfish), octopus and tuna on most menus. And from the land, traditional stews like cozido das Furnas, dairy products and pineapples. Baked goods are very particular to the islands, including bolo lêvedo, a soft, muffin-like flatbread from Furnas that's lightly sweet and perfect for breakfast or as a sandwich bun. Many Azorean desserts feature eggs, cinnamon and local cheese, such as queijadas da Vila, a creamy tart from Terceira made with fresh cheese and sugar.
Restaurante Monte Verde on the beachfront in Ribeira Grande is a family-run traditional restaurant that's been serving fish since 1986. The grilled tuna served with tomato rice and potatoes is excellent.
Grilled octopus at O Americo
Grilled Octopus with potatoes is a firm favorite at family-run O Américo de Barbosa in Mosterios: an essential lunch stop when touring the island.
In Ponta Delgada, if you'd like a change from fish, Nonnas serves authentic and delicious Neapolitan pizza using Italian and local ingredients.
Green love is a calm pitstop for coffee and cake (try the sweet cheese tart, queijada San Jorge), while sightseeing in Sete Citades.
Holy Cow guesthouse, Ponta Delagada
Neat hotel is a 3 star, well equipped business hotel in an ideal location near the main attractions of Ponta Delgada. For something with lots of character, The Holy Cow is a cute guesthouse with five guestrooms, a comfortable lounge, terrace and an excellent continental breakfast with local products.
Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal
São Miguel is a two-hour flight from Lisbon and Oporto, and a six-hour flight from Boston. Ponta Delgada's João Paulo II Airport is only ten minutes from downtown and is serviced by several national airlines with both direct and easy connecting flights. With daily flights to the Azores from Lisbon, TAP Air Portugal is a good option. The airline offers flights from London Heathrow and London Gatwick to Ponta Delgada, the Azores, via Lisbon. An optional free stopover in Lisbon on the way there or back is a great way to extend your trip and see more of Portugal. If traveling from North America, TAP flies from Boston, Chicago, Miami, Montreal, New York, San Francisco, Toronto and Washington to the Azores, via Lisbon and offers the same free stopover.
While there are local buses on Sao Miguel, they aren't frequent and you'll waste precious hours getting to places. The roads are well maintained so a better option is to rent a car from an agency like the excellent Azores Easy Rent who will pick up and drop off at your hotel or the airport. All cars come with unlimited mileage and their Super Easy Insurance pack is the best option.