These nine Azores islands, lost in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, undeservedly bypass the attention of Russian-speaking tourists. Most of those who have been there consider this trip one of the most memorable in their lives and call it paradise on Earth.

There are three groups of islands in the Azores archipelago: western, central and eastern groups.

Eastern group: Sao Miguel and Santa Maria islands

Central group: islands of Faial, Pico, Graciosa, São Jorge and Terceira.

Western group: Flores and Corvo

It is still unknown exactly when the Portuguese discovered the Azores, but their settlement by the Portuguese coincided with the era of geographical discoveries and began in the 15th century.

All the islands are very different, despite the fact that the distances between the islands of one group are very small and standing on one island, the other can be seen with the naked eye.

Not only nature and geography differ, but even culture, traditions and dialects Portuguese language. The thing is that the islands were settled gradually, and by people not only from different regions continental Portugal, but also countries. All this greatly influenced the culture and language.

We will write in more detail about each of the islands in separate articles.

How to get to the Azores

You can only get to the Azores by plane or private yacht; ferries from the continent do not go there.

There are local rental offices on other islands. They are usually located in ports, but their opening hours are strange; they often open when the ferry arrives. Car rental costs on the islands are usually higher than on the mainland.

Since the islands are volcanic in origin and hilly, the car is more powerful. Driving on the islands requires the ability to start with a handbrake, drive along serpentines and drive on roads with a steep slope.

Azores weather

The ideal time of year to visit the Azores is from the second half of June to September.

In winter, the storm season begins and the weather becomes completely unpredictable. And so they say about the Azores that even in summer all seasons can change during the day.

Ocean water in summer is +24 C.

Average monthly temperature (day and night) in the Azores

Where to stay in the Azores

Modern hotels have only recently begun to appear in the Azores, as until recently the flow of tourists was small. Flights were expensive, and few people knew about this lost paradise in the middle of the Atlantic.

Now everything is gradually changing. You can get to the islands by low-cost airlines quite inexpensively, and modern hotels and more have begun to appear. There are eco-hotels, you can stay in a restored mill or in a house built from lava stone, or even in a yurt! Every year there are more and more options.

Cafes and restaurants in the Azores

The cuisine of the Azores differs from the continental one, but since its roots are from there, it is possible to find commonalities.

For example, in central Portugal there is a dish called chanfana. There it is prepared from goat meat, and in Terceira from beef. It is also stewed with wine, onions and spices for many hours over low heat in the oven.

Or the popular Cusido a Portuguesa is prepared in San Miguel on the volcano and is called Kuzidu das Furnas.

Each of the islands boasts its own special dish. So on San Jorge, in fajas, in one of the lakes into which sea water flows, special bivalve mollusks are grown, which, like the famous noodles, you should definitely try it.

If I am asked to briefly talk about what to eat in the Azores, the first thing that comes to mind is their famous cheeses and beef, which go so well with Pico wine. Shellfish noodles and Azorean pineapples.

What to see in the Azores

Each of the islands has many interesting places to visit. In addition to the stunning subtropical forests laurisilva, flowers and other pearls of the world biosphere, the migration route of 23 (!) species of whales and sperm whales passes through the Azores.

The Azores Islands, located in a group in the Atlantic Ocean, invariably attract travelers with the opportunity to have an excellent holiday in silence, solitude, and tranquility. Each island is amazing world picturesque flora, unique natural monuments, wide possibilities for sea fishing, sailing, surfing, diving. The attractions of the Azores are primarily associated with natural phenomena and beach activities.

The amazing beauty of San Miguel Island

This is the largest San Miguel (Azores), whose sights are simply amazing, boasting lush vegetation, clean natural lakes and thermal springs. The unique landscape of the Terra Nostra Nature Park is preserved on 12 hectares. Lagoa do Fogo appears to tourists in all its glory - a lake located in the depths of a volcanic crater. Hence the second name of the lake - “fiery”.

The Vale das Furnas valley attracts travelers with thermal springs and a sky-blue lake, freely located in open space. Island monasteries carefully preserve the culture and history of San Miguel:

• A museum has been established in the monastery of St. Andrew (Ponta Delgada), which displays valuable ethnographic and biological exhibits.
• The Esparanc Monastery is famous for its original 17th-century tiles and the statue of Christ the Wonderworker, the patroness of the grand annual religious festival.

South Santa Maria Island

At a distance of 82 kilometers south of San Miguel is the small island of Santa Maria. One of the very first settlements of the pioneers who settled the Azores was formed here. The island's attractions confirm the ancient origins of Vila Do Porto.

Here you can see ancient houses built in the 15th century, unique ancient mills, a chapel and the Temple of the Holy Spirit against the backdrop of the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Santa Maria is famous for hosting famous rock festivals every August.

Faial Island in the heart of the archipelago

The attractions of the Azores in the central part of the archipelago are concentrated on the island of Faial. A relict beech forest has been preserved here. Whales and sperm whales swim to the shores of Faial, and dolphins frolic freely near the coastline. The coastal zone provides an excellent opportunity for diving and underwater photography. On the island on high level Conditions have been created for horse riding and golf.

Pico: a unique volcano on the island of the same name

7 kilometers from Faial lies the island of Pico, 42 km long and 15 km wide. The peak of a volcano from the Guinness Book of Records soars above the island. Its height above the surface of the island is small - only 2351 meters. But the underwater part is truly gigantic - 6098 meters. The volcano is active. Despite the fact that it erupted in 1963, fresh traces of lava flows are visible on the slopes.

Pico is a real asset that the Azores can boast of. The attractions, photos of which are presented in the article, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their unique volcanic landscape and unique vineyards.

Sao Jorge

Situated in the middle of the archipelago, São Jorge, together with the islands of Pico and Faial, forms a kind of triangle. Stretching 53 km long (with a width of 8 km), the island looks like a ship cutting through the waters of the Atlantic. On Sao Jorge, the sights of the Azores are represented by ancient buildings built in the 17th-18th centuries. Island towns and villages greet tourists with narrow streets lined with ancient temples, churches, and the town hall. In coastal Urseline, a bell tower rises from solidified lava. It was built on the site of a church that was buried by fiery lava during a powerful volcanic eruption.

Paradise for lovers - Graciosa

Graciosa, opened in the 15th century, is small and cozy. Its remoteness is the main value for tourists dreaming of a calm, secluded holiday. Here you can reliably hide from civilization and from people. The only one locality- Santa Cruz Da Gracioza.

The landscape, dazzling with its whiteness, the white walls of ancient houses sparkling in the sun - the world around us gives travelers a feeling of joy and delight. A striking silence accompanies tourists. Lush greenery, a sparkling world against the backdrop of a vast ocean, a bottomless sky overhead - a true paradise for couples in love and romantics.

The attractions of the Azores Islands are concentrated here under the status of a biosphere reserve, where you can see the crater of the Furna Da Caldeira volcano with an underground lake from the outside and inside, visit the incredibly bizarre Sulfur Cave, thermal and hydrogen sulfide springs.

Terceira - island treasure

Terceira Island, one of the first to be discovered by Europeans, appeared as a result of the eruption of four volcanoes. One of them - Santa Barbara - still remains active. The island town of Angra Do Heroismo is the historical capital for which the Azores are famous. Sights associated with the ancient buildings of the city are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The magnificent island beaches are conducive to a relaxing holiday; large waves attract surfers and yachtsmen. There are a huge number of beautiful places on the island. Among them are the 100-meter-deep Algar Do Carvao cave with an internal lake, stalactites and stalagmites, natural parks, the Misterio Dos Negros lake reserve, and Monte Brasil mountain. The island is also famous for its colorful festivals and festive processions.

Flores Island

The western island of Flores was one of the last to be discovered by Europeans. It is interesting for its thermal springs, popular among tourists, and lakes in the craters of dormant volcanoes. The Ribeira Grande waterfall falls picturesquely from the mountain slopes. Among the natural monuments is the Enshareus Grotto. The island celebrates the Feast of the Holy Spirit on Sundays throughout the summer.

Corvo Island

To the north of the island of Flores is Corvo (translated as “raven”), which is home to 430 people. A natural feature of the island is two bright blue lakes spilling into the old crater of the volcano. On the island, tourists can visit a 16th-century church, stroll along ancient streets, and admire the amazing panorama opening from a high hill.

Ancient mills line the coastline. They are built from volcanic tuff - black as a raven's wing, and the triangular blades are sewn from canvas. The design of windmills is unique, they turn after the wind, no matter from which direction it blows.

The Azores through the eyes of travelers

Tourists who have visited the sights of the Azores leave only rave reviews:

• Stunning impressions remain from the Pico volcano on the island of the same name. The view from the top is breathtaking.
• It is impossible to get enough of watching the dolphins play in the coastal waters of Faial.
• Despite problems with infrastructure and minimal comfort, the Azores inspire admiration and leave only positive emotions.
• A mega-stunning view of the ocean that will be remembered for a lifetime.

True bliss is experienced by a traveler at the ends of the earth, on the shores of the great Atlantic Ocean under a clear blue sky. A unique and rare corner of nature is the Azores. Sights, photos and descriptions of the natural and cultural riches of the archipelago remain forever in the memory of tourists, causing a feeling of joy and happiness.

Spends time in the Azores and calls them his second home. For everyone who is also going there, the guys have collected 34 life hacks on how to make your trip comfortable and memorable.

1. The Azores are a remote, but still part of Portugal, so a regular Schengen visa is required to enter.

2. Best time to visit the Azores: autumn and spring. It is at this time that migrating pods of a wide variety of whales pass through the Azores - the chances of seeing the largest animal in the world will be maximum.

3. The main airport of the Azores is Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel. Most airlines in the world fly here. We highly recommend starting your trip from San Miguel - this is the largest and one of the most interesting islands of the archipelago. This is where you have every chance of seeing whales.

4. There are no direct flights to the Azores from the CIS countries, so be prepared for transfers. The most convenient way to get there is through Lisbon, Porto or Frankfurt. If you have a British visa, take a connection in London. Ryanair flies to the Azores from all these cities, so if you search, you can find tickets for just pennies.

5. Sometimes a flight to the Azores may consist of two connections - in this case better plan a long connection with an overnight stay in Lisbon or Porto. You will relax and at the same time take a walk around one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

7. There is nowhere on the islands without a car. In San Miguel alone, attractions are scattered across the island, and the coolest guesthouses and hotels are located in places far from the cities.

8. The islands have a well-developed infrastructure, in large cities there are supermarkets of the large Portuguese chain Continente. We recommend purchasing groceries there.

9. Azores – Mecca of green tourism. This is where you have the chance to live on a real farm, converted into a guesthouse (we are not talking about a “farm for tourists”, but a real one - with cows, donkeys and fresh milk in the morning). Do not neglect the opportunity to plunge into such an authentic atmosphere if your budget allows or you are traveling with a large group.

10. There are practically no pickpockets or other thieves here. You can leave things on the beach, carry the latest iPhone with you - no one will care about your treasures.

11. Take a drinking water bottle with you. Water in the Azores can (and should) be drunk from any tap.

12. Try local cow cheese in pucks. This is the most local food possible, because there are exactly as many cows as there are people. Azorean cows live free-grazing all year round and eat juicy green grass. Local cheese is environmentally friendly, non-GMO, 100% farm product.

13. On the first clear, calm day, go to the whales. The fact is that you don’t go out looking for whales every day. Whales are much calmer in calm waters with minimal waves. Good visibility is also important, because it is much easier to spot whales if you can see over long distances.

14. Going out to sea to see the whales on your own is not particularly promising. It is very important to negotiate with an experienced local who is familiar with the peculiarities of the region and has all the necessary equipment. You can find such a partner only by trial and error or by personal recommendation. TripAdvisor won't help here.

15. If you want to get as close to whales as possible - choose the Zodiac boat. If comfort is important, you can go whale watching on a catamaran. Even newborn children are allowed there, and the viewing angle on a large boat is wider.

16. Be sure to take an anti-sickness pill before going into the ocean. Even if you think you don't have seasickness.

17. No special clothing is required to go into the ocean– it will be issued on the spot (thick raincoat and life jacket).

18. You can dive into the water to see whales in the Azores only in accordance with a specially obtained license. It is issued only to professionals. Those who want to plunge into the ocean and swim with a whale, rather than look at it from a boat, must obtain a special permit.

19. Accept the fact that the ocean is a separate free world. And on the day you decide to go on a date with the whales, they may have their own plans. It is very rare, but it happens that a trip to the whales turns out to be unsuccessful. This should be taken philosophically.

20. Before diving with whales or dolphins It's worth practicing your freediving skills. It's cool if you can swim fast without creating splashes or bubbles.

21. Whale watching is completely safe if you follow the boat captain's instructions and guidelines. If you don't jump out of the boat while it's moving, nothing will happen. Over the past 100 years, not a single case of a whale attacking a person has been recorded.

22. If you are not a professional photographer, but just want to see a whale, do yourself a favor and put your phone aside. Look at the whale in the ocean, not at the screen. It's rare that amateurs get truly great shots. And the memories in your head will be preserved for life in maximum quality.

23. If your goal is to photograph a whale, listen to the biologist in the boat. He will tell you when to take out the camera. By the way, all known photographs of whale tails are of sperm whales. Before showing its tail, the sperm whale characteristically sways. If you want such a photo for your collection, when you hear the command “Tail!”, take a photo.

24. Be sure to swim with the dolphins. There are a lot of them here and they are really friendly, not like in dolphinariums. The rules are still the same: mask, fins, wetsuit and ability to swim.

25. Try the local national dish - Cozido das Furnas. You can order it in restaurants or cook it yourself in a steaming furmarole near the town of Furnas (but you need a special pan and a trained person).

26. The above-mentioned is brought as souvenirs from the Azores cheese, local jam and pineapple chutney(there is a plantation here), tea (there is also the only plantation in Europe where you can walk freely), and also bracelets and other lava crafts. And, of course, all sorts of variations on the theme of whales - on T-shirts, in the form of figurines, toys and other things.

27. In the town of Furnas, find a stall with boiled corn– it is prepared directly in boiling mineral springs.

On the edge of Europe, 1,460 km from the coast of Portugal, lies a picturesque archipelago consisting of 9 beautiful islands. This is the last bastion of Europe, then there are the Atlantic and America. The Azores Islands are a tasty morsel for a relaxing holiday amidst untouched nature. Geographically, these green parts of the land are located at the latitude of the capital of Portugal - Lisbon. They are of volcanic origin - there are 1,766 volcanoes on the archipelago, including 9 active ones.

Azores on the world map on Google Earth:

Climate and vegetation of the Azores

This region is subtropical, and there is also an ocean around, hence sea air. All together creates an extremely comfortable atmosphere for relaxation; in summer the air temperature stays at a pleasant +20°C, rarely when the thermometer exceeds +25°C. In autumn and winter there are often long rains, and thick fogs are also typical, especially on the western islands. Coastal waters are quite comfortable for swimming: in summer the water heats up to +23°C, and in winter it rarely drops below +17°C. The beaches covered with black volcanic sand are always filled with tourists.

In ancient times, all the islands were covered with relict trees. Nowadays, evergreen forests cover only the slopes of volcanoes with a dense carpet; there you can find quite valuable trees: English holly, laurel, cedar, Japanese cherry and pine.

9 pearls of Azor

The largest island is called Sao Miguel (747 km²), and the smallest is Corvo (17 km²). The capital of the Azores is the city of Ponta Delgada. At the end of the 20th century, the archipelago was awarded the European Union Prize for its contribution to the preservation of pristine nature and the development of eco-tourism.

San Miguel: green island

It is the largest island (64 km long and 8 km wide), and is home to the capital of the Azores, Ponta Delgada. This is a very picturesque piece of land, pleasing the eye with its green landscapes. Its highest point is Mount Pico da Vara (height 1105 m), at its foot there are dense forests inhabited by a valuable endemic - the Azorean bullfinch.

This bird is recognized as an endangered species, and therefore is under special protection. In the middle of the 20th century, there were only about 100 individuals, but as a result of a program to preserve the species, the population of bullfinches is increasing.

But its main attraction is considered to be a mountain lake, the Lagoa do Fogo nature reserve (947 m above sea level). The lake lies in the hollow of an extinct volcano and can be reached along hiking trails. There are hot springs near the lake.

Pico: volcano island

The second largest is Pico (447 km²) with the 2351 m high mountain of the same name, which can be seen from afar. The island is located in the central part of the archipelago (40 km long, 15 km wide). Mount Pico is an active volcano, it is unique and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. This is the highest mountain in Portugal, and, in addition to the land part, it also has an underwater part with a length of 6098 meters!

Terceira: lilac island

It is the third largest (402 km²) and the third most discovered, hence the name. Terceira lies on the westernmost part of the Azores (29 km long and 19 wide), there are 4 volcanoes on it, the oldest, Cinque Pis, is 300 thousand years old, and the youngest, Santa Barbara, is active.

Terceira has beautiful beaches and waves high enough for surfers. In the summer there is entertainment with bulls, which are released into the street on weak ropes. They also organize festivals and celebrations.

Sao Jorge: island of farmers

It is located in the center of the archipelago (area 237 km², 53 km long and 8 km wide), together with Faial and Pico it forms a triangle. The surface of the land is decorated with Mount Esperanza. This is a land of farmers, its useful areas are occupied by farmland - grain and citrus fruits. The population fishes, grows grapes and produces wine. Until the mid-20th century, São Jorge was practically isolated from other islands, until an airstrip and two seaports were built on it in the 1980s.

Faial: blue (beech) island

The next in descending order was Faial with an area of ​​172 km², separated from Pico by a narrow strait. Faial can also boast of its own mountain - Gorda rises 1043 m above the ground. The remarkable thing about Faial is that the main seaport is located in the city of Orta, where ships call on the way from America to Europe. In the center is the crater of the ancient Caldeira volcano with a wide basin, but potential danger represents the Capelinhos volcano. In the middle of the 20th century, it erupted for 13 months, as a result, almost all houses were destroyed, and the surface of the earth was covered with lava. Fortunately, the residents managed to evacuate. Many of them, taking advantage of the force majeure situation, emigrated to America.

Diving is developed on Faial; tourists are invited to look at sperm whales and dolphins coming close to the shore, swim with a mask and take a horseback ride deep into the island.

Other islands of the archipelago

The 4 remaining islands are smaller - Flores, Santa Maria, Graciosa and Corvo. What you can see on them:

• Flores – Ribeira Grande waterfall, ethnographic museum, visit thermal springs;
• Santa Maria – Christopher Columbus set foot on the “yellow” island. The ancient mills, the Church of the Holy Spirit and the chapel are a must-see. Santa Maria is notable for its special weather - if the sun is shining at one end of it, it is always raining at the other;
• Graciosa is a “white” island, there really is a lot of white here, from the beach sand to the whitewashed houses. You can climb to the crater of the old volcano and explore the sulfur cave. There is also a sanatorium on sulfur springs. In 2008, UNESCO awarded Graciosa biosphere island status;
• Corvo is the smallest in the archipelago, notable for two beautiful lakes in the crater of the volcano. In the tiny village of Vila Nova, it is interesting to look at the mills made of volcanic tuff, their blades covered with fabric. The mills are made in the likeness of a weather vane - they turn following the direction of the wind.

How to get to the Azores

There are no direct flights to the Azores; there will definitely be a transfer in Lisbon. It is better to book tickets 3-5 months in advance, so you can buy them at a very attractive price. In addition, you can track price fluctuations and buy promotional tickets.

The capital of Portugal is a very pleasant and atmospheric city. If you plan your trip so that you can spend at least one day between flights, you won't be disappointed. And the very feeling of the road in terms of the feeling of fatigue will smooth out and dissipate, because you will be walking on solid ground, and not always being in the air.

There are regular flights from Ponta Deglada Airport on San Miguel, with an average of 2 flights daily, morning and evening, and there is a ferry service between the islands. Please note that at Lisbon Airport, domestic flights operate from Terminal 2, while international passengers travel through Terminal 1. Therefore, you need to take the airport bus to terminal No. 2.

Flight time to the islands is a little over 2 hours. The cost of a ticket varies greatly between different carriers, depending on the level of comfort, time of year and other conditions, on average up to €100 round trip. The time difference between the mainland and the islands is 1 hour. The most profitable way to fly to the Azores is with SATA airlines; they provide discounts on domestic flights.

Where to stay in the Azores

All islands of the archipelago have a developed infrastructure and are happy to provide guests with hotels of different price levels. But this does not mean that cheap hotels are unsuitable for living, they just have smaller rooms and a more modest package of services. It doesn’t matter which hotel you stay in, you still won’t be able to sit in your room, but will set off to explore unfamiliar paths, to expanses fragrant with the aromas of hydrangea, blown by the ocean winds. You are on the last bastion of Europe, on the edge of the earth, beyond that there is only the ocean.