19 Reasons to Visit the Azores in 2024

Visit the Azores in 2024. At the start of the new year, it’s always a good time to mark your calendar or make plans for a trip and other goals you want to achieve in the next 365 days. Let’s hope we can experience the Azores more intensely in this new year.

(C) Aerial World Visions

If you haven’t traveled to the Azores Islands yet, 2024 might be the ideal year to do so. There are several reasons that can help you make this decision. To make it easier, we’ve listed some points and tips to start planning your 2024 trip to the Azores.

Lagoa do Fogo – A rapariga de vermelho
Fotografia de Lchacal

01 – Book your trips now and get the best prices

The most important thing starts precisely with planning the dates of your trip and consequently purchasing your flight tickets. Take advantage and keep an eye on these travel promotions to the Azores. This way, you can plan your trip calmly and still save some money.

The peak season is June, July, and August. Therefore, travel and accommodation prices during this time of year may be a bit higher than in other months. Due to the current pandemic situation, not all airlines are making their calendars available for many months in advance.

You can travel to the Azores with airlines such as Ryanair, Azores Airlines/SATA, and TAP.

See also: 10 things you should know before traveling to the Azores

02 – Experience nature

The Azores are undeniably synonymous with nature. On any of the nine islands of the archipelago, you can enjoy pure nature through its lush fields, lakes, lagoons, waterfalls, craters, and other simply magnificent elements.

Colar de nuvens
Fotografia de Maria Couto

Enjoy everything Mother Nature has to offer for a dream vacation in a magical destination.

Desfrutando da Natureza – Sete Cidades
Fotografia de Bruno Sousa

See also: Poço do Bacalhau Waterfall – Flores Island

03 – Carnival in the Azores

Carnival in the Azores is synonymous with celebration, festivity, and joy. It is celebrated in various ways, and each island has different traditions. In São Miguel, you can participate in one of the most famous Carnival balls at the Coliseu Micaelense, an event that attracts thousands of residents and tourists each year. In Pico da Pedra, you can watch a parade of allegorical cars with political and humorous satires.

On Terceira Island, there is room for marches, dances, and “bailinhos” that also attract thousands of residents and tourists. Throughout the other islands, there are various themed balls and parties. During this season, traditional sweets such as “filhoses”, malassadas, and “cuscorões” are made, along with local liqueurs and drinks.

Don’t forget the traditional children’s parades that enliven the streets of the main towns and parishes on the nine islands. A great reason to visit the Azores in 2024, don’t you think?

04 – Magnificent Lagoons

In this paradise located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, you can admire the most beautiful lagoons, with over 60 lagoons spread across the various islands.

Lagoa das Furnas
Fotografia de Nuno Vieira

Lagoons on São Jorge Island

• Lagoa da Fajã de Santo Cristo
• Lagoa da Fajã dos Cubres
• Lagoa do Pico do Bernardino
• Lagoa do Pico Alto
• Lagoa do Pico da Esperança
• Lagoa do Pico Pinheiro

Lagoons on São Miguel Island

Lagoa do Congro vista aérea
Fotografia de Lchacal

• Lagoa das Sete Cidades
• Lagoa de Santiago
• Lagoa Rasa
• Lagoa do Fogo
• Lagoa do Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo
• Lagoa das Furnas
• Lagoa das Éguas
• Lagoa do Congro
• Lagoa do Canário
• Lagoa Empadadas
• Lagoa de Pau Pique
• Lagoa do Carvão
• Lagoa de São Brás
• Lagoa do Areeiro
• Lagoa dos Nenúfares
• Lagoa do Peixe
• Lagoa do Charco da Madeira
• Lagoa das Canas
• Lagoa da Prata
• Lagoa das Achadas
• Lagoa do Caldeirão Grande
• Lagoa do Caldeirão Norte
• Lagoa do Junco

Lagoons on Terceira Island

• Lagoa Negra
• Lagoa do Negro
• Chã das Lagoinhas
• Lagoa das Patas (or Lagoa da Falca)
• Lagoa do Ginjal
• Lagoinha
• Lagoa Funda
• Lagoa do Pico do Alpanaque
• Lagoa do Pico do Areeiro
• Lagoa do Escampadouro
• Lagoa do Junco
• Lagoa do Labaçal

Lagoons on Graciosa Island

• Lagoa da Vila

Lagoons on Pico Island

• Lagoa da Prainha
• Lagoa do Capitão
• Lagoa do Paul
• Lagoa Corre Água
• Lagoa do Landroal
• Lagoa do Caiado
• Lagoa Seca
• Lagoa dos Grotões
• Lagoa da Rosada
• Lagoa Negra
• Lagoa do Peixinho
• Lagoa do Ilhéu
• Lagoa do Paúl
• Lagoa da Barreira

Lagoons on Faial Island

• Lagoa da Caldeira

Lagoons on Flores Island

• Lagoa Funda or Lagoa Negra
• Lagoa Funda das Lajes
• Lagoa Branca
• Lagoa Comprida
• Lagoa Seca
• Lagoa da Lomba
• Lagoa Rasa
• Lagoa dos Patos

Lagoons on Corvo Island

• Lagoa do Caldeirão

05 – Viewpoints with incredible views and landscapes

There are hundreds of viewpoints in the Azores, each with unique characteristics and views. You can enjoy nature and the Atlantic Ocean panoramically. The Miradouro da Grota do Inferno on São Miguel Island is one of the most well-known and popular, used in various marketing campaigns for the Azores destination.

Miradouro Serra do Cume
Fotografia de Nelson Almeida

Check out the complete list of viewpoints in the Azores and enjoy unique moments.

See also:

• Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo – São Miguel
• Serra do Cume – Terceira

06 – Typical regional cuisine

If you enjoy good food, you will undoubtedly be delighted with the various typical dishes of the Azores, with flavors and characteristics that you won’t be able to resist. Starting with the typical Azorean Limpets and fresh cheese with “pimenta da terra”, moving on to dishes like Bife à Regional, Alcatra from Terceira Island, and ending with the sweet and sour taste of the famous Azorean Pineapple.

But that’s not all, let’s see some typical dishes by island:

Santa Maria

(C) diariodalagoa.com

Dishes: Sopas do Espírito Santo and Caldo de Nabos;
Desserts and sweets: Cavacas, suspiros, melindres, encanelados, and biscoitos de orelha. Also, the delicious Santa Maria Melon, divine;

São Miguel

Dishes: Cozido das Furnas and Bife à Regional;
Desserts and sweets: Bolo lêvedo, Queijadas da Vila, and Pineapple;

Terceira

Dishes: Alcatra from Terceira Island;
Desserts and sweets: Queijadas da Dona Amélia, coscorões, cornucópias, and arroz doce;

Graciosa

Dishes: Fresh fish baked or in caldeirada;
Desserts and sweets: Queijadas da Graciosa, cavacas, escomilhas, capuchas, pastéis de arroz, and encharcadas de ovos;

São Jorge

Dishes:

Clams. In addition to the delicious clams from Caldeira de Santo Cristo, you can’t miss the famous and typical São Jorge Cheese.

Pico

Dishes: Stewed octopus with vinho de cheiro, Pico sausage with yams, molha de carne, and fish broths.

Faial

Dishes: Stewed octopus with wine, fish broth, and caldeirada.
Desserts and sweets: Fofas do Faial

Flores

Dishes: Yam with sausage, watercress soup, baked albacore, and conger eel caldeirada.
Desserts and sweets: Araçá

Corvo

Dishes: “Erva do Calhau” Tortas and “barça” cabbages

These are some of the various dishes you can enjoy during your stay. Don’t forget the fresh fish available on all islands.

07 – Try the famous Peter Café Gin – Faial

Peter’s Sports Cafe, Horta
Fotografia de Tricia Walters

In Faial, you’ll find the famous gin at the Peter Café, a meeting point for sailors from around the world. This place also has unique decor, with various elements left by those who visit the island on their sailboats or boats. With so much history in this famous spot, it’s definitely worth a visit.

08 – See whales, sperm whales, and dolphins

Golfinhos – Observação de Cetáceos
Fotografia de Lchacal

If you’re in a nature destination, nothing beats watching marine species like whales, sperm whales, and dolphins. Whale Watching is a unique experience. Depending on your expedition – there are several tourism companies in the Azores specialized in this activity – you can also swim with dolphins.

Book here: Buy tickets for Whale Watching

09 – Angra Jazz Festival

The Angra Jazz Festival, created in 1999, takes place annually in October on Terceira Island. It attracts thousands of jazz enthusiasts who can enjoy four nights of jazz with internationally renowned artists.

10 – Hiking trails

If you enjoy hiking and hiking trails, get ready to discover the most beautiful trails in the Azores. We guarantee at least two things: adventure and beauty. There are hundreds of trails available, well-documented and marked, so you can enjoy a walk through nature and appreciate the most beautiful landscapes and places. Gear up and let’s go!

Access the: complete list of hiking trails in the Azores >

11 – Climb Pico Mountain

On the fantastic Pico Island, you can climb the highest point in Portugal (2351 meters in altitude) and experience something unique. Always do this with a certified company. Climbing the mountain should preferably be scheduled in advance due to high demand and the visitor limit.

Ilha do Pico
Fotografia de Jorge Rodrigues

Although the journey is quite challenging, the view you will have of all the Central Group islands will undoubtedly be worth the effort.

12 – Festas do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres

The Festas do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres is one of the largest religious festivities held on the fifth Sunday after Easter on São Miguel Island. It attracts thousands of visitors and emigrants who take this time to return to their homeland. On Sunday, a large procession takes place, involving thousands of devotees of the Senhor Santo Cristo image.

The flower carpets along the procession route are also a highlight for tourists and visitors.

13- Summer Festivals

The Azores provide all the conditions for you to enjoy and have fun at the Summer Festivals. Besides exploring the various islands, you can enjoy several shows and artists that attract thousands of people for nights of fun.

Here are some of the main summer festivals, by island:

Santa Maria

• Maré de Agosto Festival;
• Maia Folk Festival;
• Santa Maria Blues;

São Miguel

• Festa do Chicharro;
• Monte Verde Festival;
• Povoação Festival;

Terceira

• Azure Festival;
• Sanjoaninas;

São Jorge

• Semana Cultural das Velas;
• Festival de Julho;

Graciosa

• Ilha Branca Festival;

Pico

• Festas da Madalena;
• Cais de Agosto;

Faial

• Semana do Mar;

Flores

• Festival do Emigrante;

Corvo

• Festival dos Moinhos;

These are just some of the Summer Festivals in the Azores, there are many more events and parties during the summer, such as the PDL White Ocean where the city of Ponta Delgada (São Miguel) dresses entirely in white.

14- Bathe in hot thermal waters

Jacuzzi Parque Terra Nostra – Love Is In The Air
Fotografia de Lchacal

Have you ever imagined a huge outdoor pool with hot water? In fact, when we are cold and see a

cold-water pool, it is often said that if the water were hot, we might enter it… but in the Azores, with the hot thermal waters, this is possible.

In the Terra Nostra Park (São Miguel), you will find the largest thermal water pool in the Azores. A bit further, you can also enjoy the fantastic Poça da Dona Beija.

Terra Nostra Natural Park
Fotografia de Nelson Almeida

Poça D. Beija (São Miguel)
Fotografia de Susana Martins

But that’s not all, still on the green island, you will find the amazing Caldeira Velha and also the Ponta da Ferraria. With so many places to enjoy a bath in hot thermal waters, it’s best to try them all!

15- Outdoor activities

If you enjoy outdoor activities, the Azores are the perfect choice for practicing various activities such as:

• Hiking trails (already mentioned above);
• Canyoning;
• Surfing;
• Paragliding;
• Mountain biking;
• Sport fishing;
• Diving;
• Canoeing;
• Golf;
• Bird watching;
• Horse riding
• Off-road / 4×4;
• Sailing;
• Stand Up Paddle (SUP);

Sete Cidades
Fotografia de Pedro Piteira

See also: 5 outdoor activities to do on Pico Island

16- Relive history in the Museums of the Azores

In the Museums of the Azores, you will find a lot of history and learn more about various areas. Here are some museums you can visit during your stay:

• Museum of Rural Life on Graciosa Island;
• Whaling Factory of Porto Pim (Faial);
• Carlos Machado Museum (São Miguel);
• Whaling Industry Museum (Pico);
• Horta Museum (Faial);
• Museum of Angra do Heroísmo (Terceira);
• Santa Maria Museum;
• São Jorge Museum;
• Wine Museum (Pico);
• Military Museum of the Azores (São Miguel);

See the complete list of Museums in the Azores and their information.

17- The best beaches are in the Azores

If you enjoy going to the beach, get ready to enjoy the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago. These beaches have dark-colored sand of volcanic origin, a detail that always attracts admiration and curiosity.

Praia do Fogo, Ribeira Quente
Fotografia de ByAçores

Here are some of the best beaches in the Azores:

• Areal de Santa Bárbara (Ribeira Grande – São Miguel);
• Água D’Alto Beach (Água de Pau – São Miguel);
• Praia do Fogo (Ribeira Quente – São Miguel);
• Praia Formosa (Vila do Porto – Santa Maria);
• Praia dos Moinhos (Porto Formoso – São Miguel);
• Praia Grande (Praia da Vitória – Terceira);
• Caloura Beach (Caloura – São Miguel);

Praia de São Mateus
Fotografia de João Leandro

Praia da Caloura
Fotografia de Bruno Sousa

Don’t miss out on the fantastic swimming areas on each island.

See also: The best beaches on São Miguel Island

18- Visit and tour a tea factory

On São Miguel Island, you will find the only two tea plantations in Europe with industrial purposes. They are the Gorreana Tea Factory and the Porto Formoso Tea Factory. At both, you can visit the factory, see, and learn how tea is processed from harvest to your home.

Plantação de Chá Porto Formoso – São Miguel
Fotografia de Bruno Sousa

There is always room for a tea tasting at the end of your visit.

19- Enter and tour a dormant volcano

In the Algar do Carvão Cave, on Terceira Island, you can experience something unique by entering the interior of this dormant volcano. This attraction receives thousands of visitors annually. You can learn more and check opening hours on the Os Montanheiros website.

Gruta do Algar do Carvão
Fotografia de Carla Dias

Algar do Carvão
Fotografia de Maria Couto

Reasons to visit the Azores in 2024

In reality, there are many more reasons to visit the Azores in 2024. We have listed just a few of the main ones in this article to pique your curiosity and encourage you to visit our fantastic islands. One thing is for sure, you won’t regret visiting, getting to know, and enjoying the beauty, people, and places of each of our nine islands.

See also: Why the Azores are the best destination for all types of travelers