Azores

Beach Trips

Explore the impressive landscapes and amazing panoramas on a hiking trip to São Miguel. Bathe in the natural pools in the stunning Lagoon of Lagoa do Fogo. Start your trail on a short dirt road, that will lead you to Lagoa do Fogo. Bathe in the pools of Lagoa, in the thermal baths of Caldeira Velha, or in the grandiose waterfall of Salto do Cabrito. Get stunning panoramic views of Lago do Fogo and the north coast of the island of Sao Miguel while traveling along “Cumeeira Norte”. Pass through several small streams surrounded by incredibly green and untouched forests, before reaching the characteristic pumice-stone beach of the lagoon. Enjoy a pleasant picnic lunch of regional products. Return to the starting point while enjoying another perspective of the south coast and the Atlantic Ocean. Visit the bathing zone of Caloura, or Agua D’Alto Beach, where you can practice snorkeling.

Savor a hiking trip through nature on Lomba de São Pedro’s Moinho do Félix Waterfalls Trail. Listen to cascading rivers and waterfalls and encounter historical structures. Tour a working tea farm where you'll be able to sample their products.  Enjoy coastal views at the start of the hike. Descend to the Cascata do Homem waterfall before an uphill hike through the forest. The trail weaves through the trees before reaching the Moinho do Félix watermill at the base of Cascata do Teófilo. Find some peace and quiet walking to the Cascata da Gruta. This waterfall also features a natural pool called Poço da Truta. From there, head back to the village and pass by many of the springs which once supplied the residents with water. From the village, ride out to the family-run Chá Gorreana Tea Factory and Plantation. It is both the oldest and only such facility in Europe. Discover the whole process that brings tea from the plantation to your cup then taste it for yourself. End the tour with a stop at one of the beaches along the Northern Coast. Relax and enjoy the distinctly dark sands of the island. Listen to the ocean waves crash nearby before returning to your hotel.

Start the tour by visiting Monte Brasil, where you can see the Fortress of São João Baptista, built by the Spanish during their conquest of the Azores. Enjoy fantastic views of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Angra do Heroísmo. Proceed along the southeast of Terceira Island towards the villages of Ribeirinha, Feteira, and São Sebastião. See beautiful natural landmarks such as Serra da Ribeirinha and the Ilhéus das Cabras, culminating in a visit to the island's oldest church. Next, stop at Serra do Cume, a viewpoint located in Terceira's largest "caldeira". Observe the vast expanse of agricultural fields spread out the island. Enjoy some free time in the charming town of Praia da Vitória. Continue along the northern coast of the island and visit the Biscoitos Natural Swimming Pools. Have an optional visit to Algar do Carvão, an empty volcanic chimney, and Gruta do Natal (lava tube) which take about 30-40 minutes each. The tour is concluded by visiting the Queijo Vaquinha Cheese Factory and São Mateus Fishing Port with drop-off back at your accommodation.

Enjoy a swim with the Azores' resident dolphins on an ethical and sustainable tour. Get the opportunity to swim with Risso’s dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and common dolphins in their natural habitat. You may also have the opportunity to spot Atlantic spotted dolphins, striped dolphins, and rough-toothed dolphins. The dolphins you will see during the tour are 100% free and living in their natural habitat. Start your tour with an important briefing from your marine biologist guide. This briefing will help ensure your safety in the water whilst also giving you an understanding of how to protect the dolphins during your swim. Then, simply dive in and follow your guide's instructions to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

On this full-day tour, visit the Sete Cidades Massif, a field of alkali-basalt cinder cones and lava flows, and an area very popular for its lakes and surrounding hills. Departing from Ponta Delgada, travel up the mountain top that forms the caldera of a volcano where the lakes are located. Additionally, you will visit Empadadas and Carvão lakes, which will give you the opportunity to admire the beauty of untouched nature. Learn more about how volcanic activity formed the landscape. At lunchtime, stop off at a typical restaurant in the village of Sete CIdades, where you will eat a traditional meal. Then continue on, passing Vista do Rei, one of the island's top tourist destinations. Next, head to the Mosteiros, famous for its natural swimming pools, fishing harbor, and sandy beach of black basalt. On the way back to Ponta Delgada, you will also see the hot bathing spots caused by fumaroles on the coast.

Start with pickup from your accommodation on São Miguel. First, visit two of the most spectacular viewpoints on the island at Grota do Inferno and Vista do Rei. Then, hike to Miradouro das Cumeeiras and admire fantastic views of the ridge and crater lakes below. After the first portion of the hike, rest and have a picnic lunch in the small village of Sete Cidades. After lunch, walk by the stunning Lagoa Verde (Green Lagoon), up towards the viewpoint of Vista do Rei. Enjoy more time to admire the beautiful crater lakes and surrounding landscape from this perfect vantage point. Continue towards the Natural Thermal Pools of Ferraria or Mosteiros Beach. Enjoy some time to rest in the pools or swim in the Atlantic, depending on weather conditions. Finally, be returned to your accommodation on the island.

Experience moments of pure adrenaline on this Azores tour as you travel across Terceira Island in an all terrain vehicle. Fasten your seat belt, and embark on an adventure through the interior of the island. You will travel comfortably in jeeps suitably equipped for the purpose and able to take you to places you did not even imagine existed. This tour is for those looking for a unique experience and wanting to discover the stunning scenery of the Island of Bruma (Terceira Island) in the most radical way. Routes on secondary roads, which are not part of the usual tourist itineraries, are favored. These consist of narrow, beaten paths, which are used mostly by farmers. They are lined either by blue hydrangeas (Hortenses), large trees or rough walls of basaltic stone, which cut the green pastures. And most importantly, these lesser-known routes lead to breathtaking views. Take the time to stop along the way, step out of the jeep and take a closer look at all the magical nature that surrounds you. Adventure yourself through the interior of the Island, taking in the breathtaking views, and discovering rarely-accessed roads lined with unique flora.

Start the tour by arriving at the meeting point in Ponta Delgada where you will board a comfortable convertible minibus. From here, set off on a scenic ride along the coast towards the small parish of São Roque. First, admire the spectacular dark sand beach and listen as your guide explains the volcanic activity of the island. Make a stop at Forte São Caetano and learn a bit more about the history of the area.  Then, return to the city and head into the newly developed area, admiring the architecture and stunning coastal views. Enjoy a tour of the main monuments, churches, and beaches discovering a bit more about the region's culture. Finish the tour with a drive along the main avenue of the city, Avenida João Bosco Mota Amaral. Finally, return to Ponta Delgada where your tour concludes at the meeting point.

The first stop is in the green area of Praia Vitória, where people have picnics and spend family time. Continue to the empire of charity, the city center, and Matriz Church, before you visit the volcanic sand beach and learn a little about the history of the city. After, go up to the viewpoint of Facho and go through the path between green pastures and cows to the viewpoint of Humberto Delgado where you can observe a wonderful view over the mountain range and the American military base. Finally, return to the starting point at Praia Vitória.

Explore Sete Cidades and the Vista do Rei on this full-day guided tour. Begin bright and early for plenty of time to take in panoramic views, relax in thermal baths and try local liqueur. Depart from your accommodation in Ponta Delgada and head north to start your adventure. Pass by multiple viewpoints located at Pico do Carvão, Lagoa do Canário, Grota do Inferno and the Vista do Rei. Enjoy views over the two volcanic crater lakes of Sete Cidades, and visit the parish located between the lakes. After lunch, visit the Vieira Ceramics Factory located in the city of Lagoa. Then go to the viewpoint at the top of Lagoa do Fogo, for stunning views over the lake. On the journey down the mountain, stop to enjoy the thermal baths in Caldeira Velha. Next, visit the Mulher do Capote factory, and taste Portuguese liqueurs. Continue to Santa Barbara beach in Ribeira Grande. To conclude the trip, visit the pineapple plantation located at Fajã de Baixo in Ponta Delgada, before being dropped off at your accommodation.