Adventure Holidays on the Azores
An Enchanted World of Nature and Culture
The Azores, an archipelago of nine volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, are a hidden gem for adventure holidays. With their diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant gastronomy, these Portuguese islands offer a wide array of outdoor activities, unique local experiences, and family-friendly adventures that promise to create unforgettable memories. Step into the captivating world of adventure holidays in the Azores, where the wonders of nature, cultural depth, and the warmth of its people beckon.
Our Azores Adventure Holidays
Find inspiration in our complete adventure holiday packages to the Azores or let us know your wishes and we will be happy to plant your perfect adventure holiday to the Azores with you!
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The Azores' adventure holidays blend thrilling outdoor activities, rich cultural immersion, and family-friendly experiences to create an unforgettable vacation. As you explore the archipelago's pristine landscapes, savor its unique gastronomy, and connect with its warm-hearted people, you'll be captivated by the beauty and charm of the Azores. Whether you seek a family retreat, daring escapades, or cultural enrichment, this remote paradise guarantees an adventure that will leave you with lasting memories. So, pack your bags and set your course for the Azores - a world of natural and cultural wonders awaits around every corner
Outdoor Adventures on the Azores - an adventure playground of untouched wilderness
The Azores' breathtaking landscapes make them an ideal playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Here are a few thrilling activities to explore.
The Azores offer an extensive network of hiking trails, with some leading to crater lakes and others to the tops of volcanoes. Don't miss the opportunity to hike up Mount Pico, the highest peak in Portugal, when visiting Pico island, but each island of the Azores' comes with it's own unique hiking trails and experiences, including round trails around collapsed caldeiras, mystical tranquil crater lakes or scencic trails along the rugged coastline.
Water adventures are plentiful on the Azores and you are spoiled for choice when exploring the coastline and exploring hidden caves on your way. If you opt for canoeing, kayaing or SUP, wildlife watching tours or coasteering adventures, the islands of the Azores hold the perfect outdoor adventure for you.
Family-friendly adventures on the Azores - indulging in a volcanic wonderland
Many of the scenic hiking trails around the Azores' islands are suitable for families. Explore the stunning twin lakes of Sete Cidades, venture on the volcanic grounds of the Capelinhos volcano on Faial island or wander along the scenic coast of Santa Maria.
Outdoor adventures like coasteering, canyoning or zip-lining are a very special adventure to enjoy on the Azores with the whole family. Explore hidden gems along the rugged coast, following rapid ravies down the mountains or zip-line through lush forests for an exhilarating experience.
The Azores are one of the world's premier whale-watching destinations. Join a boat tour to spot these magnificent creatures, including sperm whales, dolphins, and blue whales. The tours are informative and great for family, even with smaller children. For a more personal encounter with the local marine wildlife, join a swimming with dolphins or snorkeling with Mantra tours.
Snorkeling along the Ilhéu da Vila Franca, a small, volcanic islet off the coast of São Miguel, offers a unique swimming experience in the natural pool formed within its crater. Explore the colourful underwater world around caves and the rocky shoreline.
Local Experiences on the Azores - immerse yourself in Azorean heritage
The Azores are dotted with natural thermal baths and geothermal pools, like the famous Terra Nostra Gardens in São Miguel. Soak in the soothing mineral waters and experience the natural beauty of the islands.
The Azores are known for their cheese, tea, and pineapple plantations. Take a guided tour of these farms, where you can witness the production process and taste local specialties. For a more immersive experience, why not join a local cooking, learn how to make local ice-cream the traditional way or visit the only tra plantation in Europe on São Miguel.
Festivals are being celebrated on the Azores islands all year round. Join in on the local festivities and cultural events, such as the Holy Ghost Festivals, where you can experience Azorean traditions and taste delicious street food.
Get inspired - travel bonanza, tours and stories
About the Azores
The Azores is an archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,500 kilometers west of Lisbon, Portugal. The Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands and is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal, the other being Madeira. The islands of the Azores are known for their rugged natural beauty, with towering mountains, hot springs, dramatic coastlines, and a year-round mild climate. The Azores has a population of around 245,000 people, with the largest city and capital being Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel. Mount Pico - the highest mountain of the Azores - rises to an elevation of 2351m above sea level on the eponymous island, Pico.
Besides their impressive geological structures, the Azores are home to a huge variety of unique flora and fauna, including endemic species that are found nowhere else in the world. The opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers are sheer endless - go for a hike, a bike ride or try out a canyoning or coasteering adventure. In the ocean, you can watch the biggest animals alive on Earth in their natural habitat or swim with dolphins, but also go kayaking, surfing, or just relaxing in hot thermal waters.
For traditional culture, history, architecture, and local food and wine, vibrant towns and sleepy fishing villages are waiting to be explored.
A bit more about the Azores islands
São Miguel surprises with its geysers, thermal springs, and volcanic lakes, such as Lagoa das Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo. Santa Maria is known for its beautiful beaches, clear waters, local festivals, and rich history, as it was the first island to be discovered by the Portuguese in 1432. Pico, Terceira, Faial, São Jorge, and Graciosa are the central islands. Faial is the island of the bright blue hydrangeas, the colorful marina of Horta, and the extinct volcano of Capelinhos with its lunar-like landscape. Opposite Faial, is Pico Island. On the slopes of Pico Mountain vines are planted in black lava fields and surrounded by low stone walls to protect the plants from the sea wind. The vineyards present a unique landscape that is placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The two western islands, Corvo and Flores, are the most remote but not less beautiful.
Nine small Azores islands, so different between them but all perfect for an adventure holiday.
Travel Tips
When to travel
The Azores can be visited all year round. Even though the Azores High is often responsible for sunny weather across Europe, almost any day on the Azores has four seasons. You will experience short intervals of rain showers and sunshine or strong winds followed by completely calm periods. Especially the northern coasts are exposed and experience turbulent waters and strong winds. The southern sides, especially on the higher islands, generally enjoy calmer and milder conditions. Quite often, the mountain ranges are covered in fog.
The eastern island of Santa Maria is the warmest of the islands and the further you travel west, the rougher the conditions get.
Temperatures on the Azores are moderate throughout the year with fairly mild winters and average around 14 degrees C in February and 28 degrees in August. Temperatures only drop slightly over night. Humidity is quite high with the high summer months July and August being hot and muggy. Rain spreads evenly over the months, but you will find much stronger winds over the winter months. Either way, you should always prepare with a windproof rain coat or jacket and a warm jumper between October and May.
The most popular time to travel to the Azores for many is between June and September with July and August being busy with foreign visitors. Capacity is limited, so it is recommendable to plan ahead if you are planning to travel over the high summer months. April to June and September and October are perfect for exploring the islands and for getting active.
How to travel
The Azores can be reached by plane with Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel being the point of arrival. SATA/Azores airlines offers direct flights from a number of places in Europe and North America and there are also connections from Europe with Ryanair, SWISS or TAP.
SATA/Azores Airlines offers regular flights between the islands for affordable rates, which is the fastest and easiest way to get around. There are also regular ferry connections between the islands, which are a good option for shorter rides, for example between Sao Jorge, Faial and Pico. Some of the ferry services do not operate daily and only in the high season.
The easiest way to get around on the islands is by rental car or chauffeur driven service. We also offer the possibility to offer day trips where the transport is automatically included.
Travelling with children
Portugal is very kids friendly in general, cots and high chairs are available in most hotels upon request. Smaller, kids-sized portions are available in almost any restaurant.
The scenery across the islands is green and lush, making it a fantastic outdoor destination to enjoy nature, volcanic heritage, culture and thermal hot springs. Hiking, cycling and guided walking and sight-seeing tours are suitable for any age, but usually a minimum age of eight years or older is required for some of the more physical activities like canyoning or coasteering. If you have any concerns, please talk to us and we will be happy to help you pick the right activities.
You will not find many beaches on the Azores, but older kids will love to explore the volcanic coastline and the crystal clear waters on snorkeling and swimming adventures. Whale watching tours are leaving from various locations across the islands and make for a wonderful trip to enjoy with the whole family.
What to bring
Temperatures climb well over 25 degrees over the day in the summer months, but the climate remains humid and you should prepare for rainy episodes, so a waterproof jacket should always be at hand. Light clothes are recommended if you are travelling in summer, but you should also pack for some lower temperatures and wind if you are planning on climbing Pico mountain or boarding a whale watching tour. If you are travelling outside the summer months, you should bring a few warm jumpers. Further, a sunhat, sunglasses and sun lotion will be useful.
A proper camera is indispensable to capture the beautiful landscape and the fantastic view. For hiking tours, bring a waterproof backpack to store your essentials and some proper (ideally waterproof) hiking shoes/boots.
Adventure Holidays Destinations
Click below for more useful and practical information on traveling to The Azores.
Adventure Holidays Destinations
Adventure Holidays Destinations
