The Azores are 9 lush islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. They are about 1.500 km off the coast of Portugal and are far enough away from each other, with the exception of the three islands of Faial, Pico and São Jorge (the Azores Triangle). So, if you have a limited amount of time for your vacation, what is the best Azores island to visit? Which group of islands should you visit?
Shearwaters are a group of small to medium sized seabirds belonging to Petrel Family. The species Calonectris Borealis (Cory’s Shearwater) nests in the Azores in spring. In October the SOS Cagarro campaign is launched every year to rescue stranded birds and release them into the Ocean.
The island of Faial has an extensive network of well-marked hiking trails and paths for every kind of hiking enthusiast, from unexperienced to ultra-fit.
Here’s the 10 best hiking trails in Faial
There are a number of beaches and natural pools in Faial, one white sandy beach, a handful of black sand stretches and various natural or semi-natural pools that should be enough for almost every traveller’s relax, sunbathing and swimming need.
The Morro de Castelo Branco (White Castle Hill) is a fascinating and curious whitish rock formation that lies on the south-west coast of the island of Faial, close to Horta Airport in the freguesia (civil parish) of Castelo Branco.
Just 65 years ago the island of Faial, in the Azores, was 2,4 square kilometres smaller, and had more than twice the population it has today.
Capelinhos, the volcano, was just one of the thousands of submerged dormant cone off the coast of the island of Faial, in the Azores archipelago
Horta is the municipality and the major city of the island of Faial, Azores with around 7000 inhabitants. Founded in 1467 by Josse van Huerter, is now a major stop for yachts and vessels sailing across the Atlantic Oceans due to its naturally sheltered harbour and its Marina, which is one of the main attractions for tourists too.
Most of the traditional Pico houses are done like this also on other Azorean islands, but for some reason, probably due to the typical surroundings, people tend to associate them with this beautiful island.
The island of São Miguel is well known for tea in the Azores. It is also home to thermal springs whose mineral-rich waters give tea an intense purple color.
Cambodia? Thailand? No, Europe! The Azores hot springs paradise is less than 5 hours flight from Europe/4 hours from USA. About 1500 km off the coast of Portugal, in the middle of the North Atlantic, lie the nine volcanic islands that form the Azores.
In Faja Dos Vimes, on the island of São Jorge, Azores Islands, a family produces and serves its own coffee since generations in the characteristic Café Nunes
