Faial | Guide to The Azores

Caldeira Descent – Private Tour in Faial

Rita Cartageno — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:09:08 +0000

The Caldeira of Faial has been a natural reserve since 1972 (category I – IUCN). It’s a volcanic collapse crater with unique characteristics. Since the Caldeira of Faial Descent is such a special experience, Faial Natural Park controls the access to the bottom, issuing only a limited number of permits. For this reason, a certified guide is mandatory for the Caldeira Descent.

The Caldeira of Faial is one of the last strongholds for the Azores native forest. It’s there that we can find more than 60% of the Azores endemic species and where you can experience how the Azores were before human settlement. The trail is difficult because it is very narrow and steep and, sometimes, scrambling is necessary. The Caldeira bio-diversity is composed of different humid habitats. Therefore, it’s common to find mud and flooded areas at the bottom.

Full Day Private Island Tour – Faial

Pedro Filipe — Tue, 05 May 2026 09:41:49 +0000

Explore Faial Island on a private, flexible full-day tour from Horta, whether you are traveling solo, as a couple, with family or friends!

Although we have our tour pre-established, it is always possible decide the direction on the trip within the time available, and carry out the stops you wish.

We drive along normal roads as well as less known paths and shortcuts to the island’s highlights.

Visit the Caldeira natural reserve framed by blue hydrangeas, enjoy panoramic views from Ribeira das Cabras and Serra of Feteira, and savour a homemade-style lunch at Campo dos Sabores.

In the afternoon descend to the Fajã in Praia do Norte to see small stone houses and local adegas, then discover the dramatic, lunar-like terrain of the Capelinhos Volcano and its Interpretation Centre.

The tour finishes with coastal views at Varadouro and Monte da Guia in Horta.

Itinerary

Depart Horta and drive to the Caldeira natural reserve, surrounded by blue hydrangeas.
Continue to Ribeira das Cabras viewpoint and Serra of Feteira.
Stop for a homemade-style lunch at Campo dos Sabores.
Descend to the Fajã in Praia do Norte to see the small beach and stone adegas.
Visit the Capelinhos Volcano and the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre.
Quick stop at Varadouro to view Morro of Castelo Branco.
Return to Horta and end at Monte da Guia with views over the city and Bay of Porto Pim.

Note that the itinerary of the tour may undergo small changes depending on weather conditions, these adjustments are made in order to provide the best possible service to the customer.

Highlights

Private, flexible full-day itinerary adapted to your preferences
See Faial’s Caldeira surrounded by iconic blue hydrangeas
Visit the most recent volcano in Europe and its dramatic, lunar-like landscape
Experience local culture with a homemade-style lunch and traditional adegas
Enjoy panoramic coastal and viewpoint stops including Monte da Guia
Knowledgeable and passionate guide
Professional and responsible guide

Triple room with private bathroom and kitchen

Daniela Hilário — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 17:07:01 +0000

Triple room with a double bed and a single bed in the adjoining room. This room also has a private bathroom with an Italian shower, as well as a kitchen in the courtyard opposite the room

Private Half a Day Faial, a First Impression

Andreas from Visitfaial — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 21:56:37 +0000

Highlights of the tour:

Monte da Guia
Miradouro da Lajinha
Varadouro
Capelinhos
Caldeira
Miradouro da Nossa Senhora da Conceição

Meeting point / pick up:

This half day tour starts either at 9:00 or at 14:00, please let us know which time suits you. We pick you up directly at your place of accommodation or any place of your choice in Faial. Alternatively we can meet in the city of Horta at the Largo Dr. Manuel de Arriaga on the square in front of Hotel do Canal. Please let us know your preference!

Important information:

Do not forget your camera and charge it fully
Wear adequate clothing, the weather can change quickly
Wear good and comfortable shoes
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Private guided tour for up to 6 participants
Please contact us directly for larger groups and for children’s rates

Included in the tour:

Lots of stories
Snacks and drinks
Personal accident insurance
Liability insurance

CARAVELA – Double Room, Ensuite Bathroom

Casa BuonVento - Alojamento Local — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 12:53:30 +0000

CARAVELA – Double / Twin Room
Second Floor (no lift)
View on the inner backyard
Ensuite Bathroom

All the rooms at Casa BuonVento are equipped with desk, wardrobe or clothes hanger, fan and/or radiant heater.
Bed linen and towels are provided.

Available for our guests is a shared, fully equipped kitchen (tableware, cutlery, appliances), and a little lounge area with sofa, TV and books.

SERVICES

Cleaning service every 3 days, towel and linen change once per week (extra change on request)
Free Wifi in the whole structure
Beach towels (on request)
Use of the shared kitchen
Free access to the shared little lounge with TV, sofa and books
Booking of transfer service from/to Airport/Terminal Maritimo (on request)
Arrangement of activities on Faial and Pico islands (Whale watching, city and island tours, Pico Mountain climbing, etc. – on request)
Restaurant reservations (on request)
Rent-a-car (on request)
Laundry (on request, additional charge)
Luggage storage

Private Half-Day Hike Around the Caldeira

Andreas from Visitfaial — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 22:19:38 +0000

Highlights of the tour:

Stunning views of Faial and the neighbouring islands
Caldeira do Faial
Cabeço Gordo

Meeting point / pick up:

Important information:

Do not forget your camera and charge it fully
Wear adequate clothing, the weather can change quickly
Wear good and comfortable shoes
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Not recommended for pregnant travellers
Not recommended for travellers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Only recommended in good weather conditions
Private guided tour for up to 6 participants
Please contact us directly for larger groups and for children’s rates

Included in the tour:

Lots of stories
Snacks and drinks
Personal accident insurance
Liability insurance

Full day discovering Faial – Private Tour

Rita Cartageno — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 07:12:06 +0000

Our full-day car tour on Faial will take us all around the island in a fun and engaging way. We will visit Caldeira do Faial, Capelinhos Volcano, Fajã da Praia do Norte, as well as a few other places. Our itinerary is always a surprise.

Since the tour is private, we have the flexibility to adapt each tour to our clients’ preferences and to the weather conditions. Our Guides love to share our island’s history and culture, and their knowledge about Azores in general.

If you’re interested, we are happy to stop for a swim in the ocean during the summer or for a small hike. Our car tour on Faial is an 8 hours tour with lunch included.

Pink House – Horta

Limor Tevet — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 07:51:39 +0000

Peaceful and centrally-located 2 bedroom house, 1 minute walk to Porto Pim – the most beautiful bay and beach in Faial Island.
The house has been fully refurbish in 2022 – New bathroom, kitchen and living room. Each bedroom has a king size bed. You can also view the bay and the marina from the backyard of the house, where you can sit and chill.
The house is in Horta city – a short walking distance to restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, and the marina.
only 15 minutes car ride to the airport.

Coastal Snorkelling

Norberto Serpa — Thu, 07 May 2026 12:52:20 +0000

The Azores are undoubtedly one of the best diving and snorkelling destinations in the Atlantic. Our diving-snorkelling season runs from April to October. Our sites are very diverse and can cater for all preferences and levels of experience, with more than 20 sites between the islands of Faial and Pico.

The most common dive-snorkellink sites are in the “Monte da Guia” marine reserve on the island of Faial. To get to the site we always use a semi-rigid boat, as it’s approximately 5 minutes from our base. The temperature of our waters varies between 20-24ºC in the summer months, so a 5mm or 7mm wetsuit is usually enough.

The marine life on the islands of Faial and Pico is fantastic! You’ll have the chance to spot curious hogfish (Balistes carolinensis), groupers (Epinephelus marginatus), seals (Sparisoma cretense), octopuses and moray eels among the rocks, as well as small species such as colourful nudibranchs, among others.

Double room w/ shared bathroom

Daniela Hilário — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 20:44:06 +0000

Double room with TV, a bathroom with Italian shower and a kitchen shared by two rooms