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Introducing the Azores

Dormant volcanoes, lush vegetation, great hikes, and dramatic views are attracting a fast-growing number of travelers to this archipelago of 9 volcanic islands in the North Atlantic.

Best time to visit
While the Azores can be visited year-round, the climate is best from March to October, with the peak summer months (July and August) attracting the biggest crowds. March to June are best for watching dolphins and whales.  

Things to do
Adventure seekers and families alike visit the Azores for world-class whale watching, hiking, and mountain biking on trails with sweeping views, canoeing in volcanic lakes, and canyoning through beautiful waterfalls. To recharge after these adventures, enjoy food cooked in the ground using the energy of volcanoes, stroll through romantic gardens and enjoy a nice glass of Azorean wine by the ocean. 

How to get to the Azores
With many direct flights from Europe (2 - 5 hour flights depending on where you fly from) and an increasing number of direct flights from the US (only 4 hours from Boston) the Azores are easy to reach.

Explore trips by duration: 5 days · 7 days · 10 days

The Azores Tours & Itineraries

Get inspired by trips other travelers have loved
Hike around the caldera at Sete Cidades
Map of Azores Adventure: Best of São Miguel - 7 Days
Azores Adventure: Best of São Miguel - 7 Days

São Miguel is the biggest of the nine islands that compose the Azores archipelago, and you'll spend a week getting to know its lakes, towns, and geothermal calderas on this guided tour. From your base in beautiful Ponta Delgada, discover the island's highlights and hidden gems through hiking, cycling, and off-roading expeditions—with plenty of time to relax in natural hot pools and beaches along the way.

Sunset over the coastline of Terceira
Map of Self-Drive Azores Adventure: São Miguel & Terceira - 8 Days
Self-Drive Azores Adventure: São Miguel & Terceira - 8 Days

The volcanic landscape of the Azores archipelago is a nature lover's paradise. Begin on São Miguel, which is a hot spot of geothermal activity. Dip in thermal springs, kayak across a lagoon, and eat stew cooked from the heat of rocks before flying to the smaller but equally lush island of Terceira nearby. Marvel at Terceira's brightly colored buildings, relax on its epic lava formations, and get lost in the fog of its ancient laurel forest.

Sete Cidades in São Miguel Island
Map of Island Hopping in the Azores: São Miguel, Faial, Pico & Terceira - 15 Days
Island Hopping in the Azores: São Miguel, Faial, Pico & Terceira - 15 Days

Explore the volcanic landscapes of the Azores on this 15-day self-driving tour that highlights four of the Portuguese archipelago's islands. Start in São Miguel, where you'll kayak across crater lakes and try stew made with geothermal heat. Then, hop between Faial, Pico, and Terceira to hike dormant volcanoes, explore deep magma chambers, and swim in natural pools made of solidified lava.

Drive at your own pace along the stunning  São Miguel coastline
Map of Natural Wonders of the Azores: São Miguel & Terceira – 7 Days
Natural Wonders of the Azores: São Miguel & Terceira – 7 Days

Discover the stunning beauty of two islands in the Azores during this weeklong tour. First, touch down on the largest island in the archipelago, São Miguel. With a rental car, you'll hike and kayak among shimmering crater lakes, soak in hot springs, and explore the Furnas Valley's geothermal landscapes. Finish on Terceira Island, where you'll stay in the UNESCO-listed city of Angra do Heroísmo, check out colorful temples, and bathe in pristine rock pools.

Immerse yourself in the volcanic landscapes of Pico Island
Map of Azores Two-Island Adventure: São Miguel & Pico - 10 Days
Azores Two-Island Adventure: São Miguel & Pico - 10 Days

Escape to one of Europe's most remote and remarkable corners on this active 10-day tour of the Azores. Start on the Atlantic archipelago's largest island of São Miguel, where you'll discover its dramatic volcanic landscapes with 4WD and hiking tours, then hit the water for whale watching and diving experiences. Get off the beaten path next as you hop over to Pico, exploring this sparsely-populated island with a trek up Portugal's highest peak and a tasting tour of its UNESCO-listed vineyards.

Split your time between the islands of São Miguel and Terceira
Map of Best of the Azores: São Miguel & Terceira - 5 Days
Best of the Azores: São Miguel & Terceira - 5 Days

This five-day itinerary combines two Azorean islands for a quick taste of the archipelago's landscapes and culture. Start on São Miguel with a tour of its natural highlights and a kayaking adventure on its famous lagoons. After exploring the hot springs and mud pits of the Furnas Valley, hop over to Terceira, a peaceful island known for its lush climate and sustainable agriculture. Here, you'll visit a working farm, try your hand at milking a cow, and sample local dishes and wines on a gastronomic tour.

Make the Most of Your Time in the Azores

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
Viewpoint at Ponta do Sossego, São Miguel Island
How Many Days to Spend in the Azores

Seven or eight days is an ideal amount of time to spend in the Azores. Travelers with only a week to explore the Portuguese archipelago can focus their time on the island of São...

The Azores Travel Advice

Read our detailed insights to make sure you have the best trip

Our Latest the Azores Content

Discover the beauty of the Azores on this family trip to São Miguel
Map of Family-Friendly Azores Adventure: Volcanoes, Wildlife & Beach Time - 7 Days
Family-Friendly Azores Adventure: Volcanoes, Wildlife & Beach Time - 7 Days

This weeklong family tour of Portugal's Azores archipelago centers on the island of São Miguel and offers hikes to massive volcanoes, white-sand beaches, and plenty of wildlife sightings. Arrive in Ponta Delgada and start by visiting the sulfurous steam vents of the Furnas Valley. Then, explore the island's beaches or take the kids on an adrenaline-fused canyoning excursion. Hike the blue-green crater lakes of Serra Devassa, sea kayak along rugged coastlines, and end with a cooking class that teaches the art of preparing food in a volcano!

Marvel at Pico Island's natural beauty, including the summit of Piquinho
Map of 5 Days in the Azores - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in the Azores - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With five days, you can visit 1-2 Azorean islands or include a stop in Lisbon. Culinary travelers will enjoy wine tasting on Pico Island and a geothermal cooking class on São Miguel. Outdoor enthusiasts can kayak the Sete Cidades lagoons, soak in hot springs, and hike through one of Europe's last subtropical rainforests. Travelers keen on history and culture can visit Lisbon's historical sites, experience soulful fado music, and join a walking tour of Ponta Delgada's ornate churches and Micaelense architecture.

Savor fresh shellfish, local wines, and artisan cheeses on this food-focused tour of the Azores
Map of Cuisine & Culture in the Azores - 5 Days
Cuisine & Culture in the Azores - 5 Days

Explore the Azorean island of São Miguel through your taste buds on this five-day culinary adventure. Visit one of Europe's only tea plantations, get hands-on as you learn to whip up local dishes cooked with volcanic heat, and try the archipelago's tastiest offerings—from local wines to artisan cheeses and fresh seafood. In between memorable meals, hike along the rim of a crater, swim in hot springs by night, and witness smoking fumaroles and calderas in the geothermal Furnas Valley.

the Azores Travel Maps

Get the lay of land, and understand distances between the places you want to visit
Map 1 Week in the Azores - 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in the Azores - 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Map 10 Days in the Azores - 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in the Azores - 3 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Map 5 Days in the Azores - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in the Azores - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for the Azores
Travel specialist Marina Courtaut
active 2 days ago

Marina Courtaut

Can you think of a better way to live adventures than traveling? When we travel we open our minds to new experiences and learn new cultures by making the destination we visited our home for a...

read more...
Travel specialist Beatriz De Pablo Rocha
active 16 mins ago

Beatriz De Pablo Rocha

The combination of the two places where I grew up (Madrid and a small village in Badajoz, Extremadura) has made me a passionate traveler almost from birth. Unknown destinations visited by travelers...

read more...
Travel specialist Marta Trzeciakowska
active 22 mins ago

Marta Trzeciakowska

From a very young age, I have grown up in an international environment since my parents moved to Spain from Poland. This meant that every year we traveled across Europe to visit our family and...

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Travel specialist Tiago Filipe
active 16 hours ago

Tiago Filipe

I've always traveled extensively with my family and from a very early age developed a strong taste for it. Portuguese were once sailors and discoverers and I like to think of myself as one too: a...

read more...

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Trip Reviews for the Azores

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

The Azores
the Azores | Oct 30 - Nov 7, 2024

C
Carol W.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Nov 13, 2024
We followed up a weeklong hiking trip on Sao Miguel through Portugal Nature Trails with a week in Terceira, Pico and Faial. Tiago managed the details for this week of travel and it was wonderful. The plans were perfect and went flawlessly from the car rentals to the accommodations to a full day ferry trip to Faial with a great nature guide. We especially loved the Lava Homes but found the personnel everywhere we stayed to be helpful and courteous.
As for Tiago, he was the best! He listened...
Read more

We followed up a weeklong hiking trip on Sao Miguel through Portugal Nature Trails with a week in Terceira, Pico and Faial. Tiago managed the details for this week of travel and it was wonderful. The plans were perfect and went flawlessly from the car rentals to the accommodations to a full day ferry trip to Faial with a great nature guide. We especially loved the Lava Homes but found the personnel everywhere we stayed to be helpful and courteous.
As for Tiago, he was the best! He listened as we planned, was always immediately responsive to our questions and checked in with us to see how things were going. He is an amazing person and did a stellar job, before and during the trip.
Thank you, Tiago and KimKim.

Hotel Reviews
Lava Homes
Pico

Beautiful setting, fabulous restaurant and wonderful staff. Highly recommend.

Authenticity & Character
Location, wonderful homes and restaurant
Location
Somewhat remote but restaurant provides excellent food and drink. Homes are lovely.
Staff
Everyone was extremely helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Zenite Boutique Hotel & SPA

Very comfortable accommodations and good location. Only recommendation would be an in-house restaurant.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful views from window, quiet street
Location
Easy to walk places
Staff
Front desk folks were helpful and The bartender was great.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Faial Island guided tour
Faial Island guided tour
Faial Island

Our guide Luis was extremely knowledgeable and we learned a lot on our day tour. I would recommend his company.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Covered a lot of sites throughout the day.
Local specialist: Tiago Filipe
Tiago
Tiago Filipe
Local specialist in Lisbon | Replied on Nov 14, 2024

Dear Carol, (or I should better say, dear Carol, Suzanne and Millie),

Thank you so much for your very kind and sweet words. It was a pleasure helping you with this trip and I can only say that I'm very sorry that I never got to meet you in person.

But this is just a simple response to your review. We'll talk more personally in our Whatsapp group!

Best,

Tiago

I'm very sorry that we never got to meet in

Family Trip to Azores outstanding!
the Azores | Aug 3 - Aug 11, 2024

Amy
Amy P.
Panama | Reviewed on Aug 14, 2024
Rita collaborated with me and my family every step of the way and was very flexible. She found a trip itinerary that was pleasing to multiple age levels ranging from age 83 to age 11. Our time in the Azores was fabulous. It is heaven on earth. She arranged guided tours for two days, a beach tour, a sunset boat cruise, and a walking food and wine tour. She also helped with other suggestions throughout our time there and responded quickly to any questions or concerns. I found the process to be... Read more

Rita collaborated with me and my family every step of the way and was very flexible. She found a trip itinerary that was pleasing to multiple age levels ranging from age 83 to age 11. Our time in the Azores was fabulous. It is heaven on earth. She arranged guided tours for two days, a beach tour, a sunset boat cruise, and a walking food and wine tour. She also helped with other suggestions throughout our time there and responded quickly to any questions or concerns. I found the process to be very smooth.

Activity Reviews
Sete Ciudades Jeep Adventure
Sete Ciudades Jeep Adventure
São Miguel Island

Natasha and Jose our drivers were very knowledgeable. The sights were out of this world. I think that it might have been nice to give the young people in our group the option to do the hiking portion (boca do inferno) while the older group members just do the lookout point but we were not aware that this was an option. If I were doing it again, I would have asked to have us split up possibly for that portion. Also, our description from Kim Kim that day did not say anything about going swimming at termas de Ferraria. So on the day of our tour, Natasha had us go grab our things for swimming. It wasn’t a big deal, but I felt like the Kim Kim description and the detailed itinerary from our in country guide didn’t quite match. Better communication advised for this in the future for this excursion and for all of the excursions.

Quality of Experience
Good drivers with good knowledge and great English speaking
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We could maybe have used two larger vehicles for more leg room, or perhaps three smaller?
Sunset Boat Experience
Sunset Boat Experience
São Miguel Island

Great! They provided good food and wine, and the guides even let our kids try out their fishing poles for a while. We brought our own music. If I could do it again, I may have wanted to do this on our second night since we were tired from traveling but we all loved it!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Furnas & Lagoa do Fogo Full Day Experience
Furnas & Lagoa do Fogo Full Day Experience
São Miguel Island

Loved seeing the fumaroles in furnas. Guides were excellent again, Natasha and Jose. We were supposed to go to a thermal baths but these were closed due to a bacteria. Lagoa do fogo was breathtaking. Lunch at alabote was delicious in ribiera grande, on the coast delicious seafood.

Quality of Experience
Just dissapointed about the baths but that was not in our control.
Food
Alabote.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Azorean Culinary & Wine Experience & Get to Know Ponta Delgada with a Local
Azorean Culinary & Wine Experience & Get to Know Ponta Delgada with a Local
São Miguel Island

Hungry whales, Fred was our guide and we loved him! He was fun with the kids!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Na
Volcano Cooking Experience
Volcano Cooking Experience
the Azores

The Kim Kim description of this tour was not accurate. Was described as a hands on cooking class, going to market for ingredients, chopping and cooking etc. Luckily we asked for a specific detailed itinerary from the guide as it turns out it was a demonstration and presentation instead. It was also a total repeat of our full day furnas experience. Kim Kim gave us a partial refund and did not charge us for making last minute change. Ended up have the same drivers take us to a beach and some other stops.

Quality of Experience
Better understanding of what the guides are offering
Food
Best food at Bar Caloura which was picked by us.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Manuel was our driver, and valdamar. Neither spoke great English. Lovely people, they were passionate about their culture and wanted to show us a good time. Unfortunately, we kept saying we wanted to explore beaches and instead he took us to one beach and then drove us to see multiple beaches but never stopped at any. He also took us to the tea plantation even though we said we weren’t sure we wanted to go there. He was LOVELY, but he kind of had a plan of his own.
Transport
Cars were perfect
Adventure in Gruta do Carvão
Adventure in Gruta do Carvão
São Miguel Island

We did not end up going here this was a free day

Local specialist: Rita Pagano
Rita
Rita Pagano
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Aug 26, 2024

Hi Amy, thank you so much for your kind words! I'm thrilled to hear that you all enjoyed your trip to the Azores. Your feedback means a lot to us, and I will make sure to forward it to our local guides! It was a pleasure for me to work with you and your family. Hopefully, we will keep in touch for your future family adventures. All my best, Rita 🥰

Raquel was amazing, helpful planned a wonderf...
the Azores | Mar 30 - Apr 6, 2024

C
Chris R.
Ilion, NY | Reviewed on Apr 07, 2024
Raquel was amazing, helpful planned a wonderful vacation for my children. She made sure everything was very well planned out and completely taken care of for them. Read more

Raquel was amazing, helpful planned a wonderful vacation for my children. She made sure everything was very well planned out and completely taken care of for them.

Hotel Review
Vila Nova Hotel
Ponta Delgada

The breakfast is really really good! The rooms were a little stuffy at night, but other than that it was a good stay!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Sete Ciudades Jeep & Hike Adventure Full Day
Sete Ciudades Jeep & Hike Adventure Full Day
São Miguel Island

The view were amazing! And our tour guide, Natasha was the best!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Volcanic Experience: Furnas Lake Full Day Adventure
Volcanic Experience: Furnas Lake Full Day Adventure
São Miguel Island

Natasha, our guide, was great! We loved the different actives and the hike was gorgeous!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Epic Canyoning Adventure
Epic Canyoning Adventure
São Miguel Island

Super fun! The guides were awesome and fun to chat with. The waterfalls and rivers were a lot of fun to canyon in.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Azorean Culinary & Wine Experience & Get to Know Ponta Delgada with a Local
Azorean Culinary & Wine Experience & Get to Know Ponta Delgada with a Local
São Miguel Island

It was cool to see the different restaurants and learn about the wines and cheese.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hiking Experience in Lagoa do Fogo
Hiking Experience in Lagoa do Fogo
São Miguel Island

This was a lot of fun, we loved the different places we got to see and our guide Natasha was wonderful, she was very charming and knowledgeable. 10/10!!!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Raquel Aceituno
Raquel
Raquel Aceituno
Local specialist in Madrid | Replied on Apr 08, 2024

Hi Chris! Thanks so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share the highlights of your kid´s trip to the Azores. I'm so pleased that they had a wonderful trip (even if the weather was not the best )! I will pass your words on to Natacha, who will love to hear that she has contributed to a memorable trip. I wish you and your family all the best and hopefully, we can plan another adventure together in the future 😉x Raquel