* Explore the Açores *

>> Europe // Portugal // Açores

Highlights: The Açores // Tea Plantations // Furnas // Lagoa do Fogo // Sete Citades // Hot Springs

The Azores are famous for their natural beauty, extensive hiking trails and plentiful agriculture. In January of 2025, in the middle of European winter I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful islands of the Azores. The Azores are a truly hidden gem in Europe, and are worth visiting even out of season. Whilst we had to contend with milder temperatures, and some windy weather, the lack of visitors truly made up for it making many parts of the island feel our own. In this post, I've summarised some highlights from our trip, which may help you plan yours!

Introduction about the Islands:

About the Azores:

The Azores are a stunning archipelago of nine volcanic islands located in the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,500 kilometres west of mainland Portugal. Known for their dramatic landscapes, lush greenery, and vibrant hydrangea-lined roads, the islands are a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers. With a mild subtropical climate, the Azores offer year-round opportunities for hiking, whale watching, and exploring geothermal wonders like hot springs and volcanic craters. Rich in culture and history, the islands are also celebrated for their unique agriculture, tea production, pineapples, and dairy products. The Azores truly offer a perfect blend of natural beauty, tranquillity, and authentic experiences.

Climate in the Açores:

The Azores enjoy a mild, subtropical climate, making them a year-round destination. Temperatures typically range from 14°C (57°F) in winter to 25°C (77°F) in summer, with plenty of humidity due to their location in the Atlantic Ocean. The islands experience frequent changes in weather, often described as having "four seasons in one day," so it's best to be prepared for sunshine, rain, and everything in between. This unique climate supports lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and ideal conditions for agriculture, including tea, dairy, and pineapples.

How to get here:

The Azores are accessible all year round by air. Frequent flights from Lisbon are available with TAP, Azores Airlines and Ryanair. There are nine main islands with the main one called São Miguel. Travelling between the other islands is possible by air, however on our visit we found the airfares to be excessive so decided to focus our time on São Miguel.

Getting Around:

By far the best way to get around is by car, with plenty of car hire options available at the airport. Roads around São Miguel are at a good standard, so we simply hired the cheapest small car we could get, which got us everywhere without any problems. The island is around 65km long, so we chose to base ourselves out of a seaside town on the northern shores of São Miguel called Ribeira Grande. The relatively small size of the island and accessible roads make is very easy to explore, and don’t make it necessary to book multiple accommodations.

© OpenStreetMap

Cha Gorreana:

Gorreana is a tea factory established in 1883, and is home to europes oldest tea plantation. Easily accessible by car on the E1, around 15 minutes west of Ribeira Grande, its a great stop on any tour. You can start off with an easily accessible Hike from the car park, which takes you around the tea plantations with some pretty views. If the weather is poor, you can do a quick 15 minute tour through the factory, with a guide explaining each stage of the tea making process. Most impressively, they still use machinery which is over 100 years old, and the tea making process has not changed. Given the machineries age, much of the tea making process remains manual. The giftshop offers an excellent opportunity to purchase some tea straight from the factory. After the tour, you can indulge in some free tea tasting, paired with a cake or pastry from the cafeteria. Best of all, the tour, hike and car park are completely free.

> Cha Gorreana > Google Maps

Nordeste:

Continuing on east we stumbled over Nordeste. Portuguese for north east, is unsurprisingly located on the north eastern side of Sao Miguel. The village features a stunningly beautiful bridge, with a beautiful little square featuring the Igreja Matriz de São Jorge (Mother Church of Sao Jorge). Well worth a little detour on your way around the island.

> Google Maps

Farol da Ponta do Arnel:

On the eastern tip of the island lies the stunning Farol da Ponta do Arnel. "Farol" translates from Portuguese to "lighthouse," and there are several scattered across the island, though this one is perhaps the most iconic. Perched at the bottom of a steep slope, reaching the lighthouse requires a 15-minute hike down a winding road. As you wander along the descent (driving is strongly discouraged), you’re enveloped by breathtaking ocean views, creating the feeling of walking along a dramatic coastal road.

Along the way, you’ll also catch sight of the Ponta do Arnel waterfall. Unfortunately, during our visit, the windy conditions caused the water to disperse into a misty cloud before it could reach the bottom. Nevertheless, the experience was unforgettable, and despite the challenging climb back up, the incredible views made it all worthwhile!

> Google Maps

Furnas:

The city of Furnas is an essential stop on any visit to São Miguel. It’s renowned for its abundant geothermal activity and hot springs, which are fascinating to explore. As you drive into the town, you’ll notice numerous caldeiras (Portuguese for "boilers") emitting steam, accompanied by the unmistakable smell of sulphur—a hallmark of geothermal hot springs. In the main town, you can wander around the many geysers and pools of bubbling hot springs. There are also accessible outlets where you can fill up on fresh drinking water. The temperatures in the hot springs can exceed 100°C, and some taps provide water at around 70°C, offering visitors a chance to experience the natural geothermal waters up close.

A short walk along the main road, past a charming hotel and garden, leads to a small hot spring pool where you can dip your toes and relax. However, be cautious, as the water is quite warm—take your time easing in. If you need to cool off, the nearby stream offers refreshingly cool waters.

Just a short drive uphill from the town is Lagoa das Furnas (Lake of Furnas). The area features a paid car park (€3 per person) and offers more geysers and bubbling hot springs to explore. This is also where you can experience cozido, a traditional Portuguese dish made with a variety of meats and vegetables. In Furnas, this dish is prepared in a truly unique way: the ingredients are placed into the ground and cooked using the heat from the geothermal waters, a process that takes several hours.

The lake is also the starting point for several scenic hikes, including trails leading to waterfalls where you can take a refreshing dip. If the weather is favourable, it’s worth hiring a kayak or paddle boat to explore the lake and enjoy the serene surroundings.

> Furnas Google Maps > Poça da Tia Silvina Google Maps > Fumarolas Furnas Lagoon Google Maps

Lagoa do Fogo:

Lagoa do Fogo, or "Lagoon of Fire," is a stunning crater lake located in the heart of the island. As the highest lake on São Miguel, it sits nearly 3,000 feet above sea level, and the drive to reach it is an experience in itself. Along the way, be sure to stop and take in the breathtaking views. During our visit, the peak was shrouded in clouds, made it feel all the more mysterious. On a clear day, however, you can enjoy spectacular vistas and even catch some beautiful sunsets.

The road winds along the lake, offering plenty of opportunities to pull over, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and marvel at the scenery. For those who love the outdoors, there are several accessible trails and hikes to explore around the area. However, during our visit, strong winds rendered some of the trails inaccessible, reminding us of the unpredictable nature of the island’s weather.

> Lagoa do Fogo Google Maps

Lagoa das Sete Cidades:

One of the most iconic locations in the Azores is Lagoa das Sete Cidades, or "Lagoon of the Seven Cities". Situated in the northwestern part of São Miguel, this stunning natural wonder features two freshwater lakes connected by a narrow strait, which can be crossed via a picturesque bridge. The twin lakes lie within the crater of a dormant volcano and offer some of the island’s most breathtaking views.

There are countless ways to explore the lagoon, whether it’s hiking the 20km trail around the crater or driving up to the various viewpoints. There’s truly something for everyone, and even a simple drive to the viewpoints will reward you with spectacular scenery.

The most popular and accessible viewpoint is Miradouro da Vista do Rei (View of the King), which boasts a conveniently located car park. From here, you can admire both lakes and witness the island’s famously fast-changing weather patterns.

This viewpoint is also home to one of the island’s most intriguing landmarks: the abandoned Monte Palace Hotel. Once a luxurious establishment, the hotel closed in November 1990, just 18 months after opening, despite having received the prestigious “Hotel of the Year” award in Lisbon. Today, the deteriorating structure is a favourite spot for adventurous tourists who wander through its hauntingly empty rooms. Although signs forbidding entry are posted, and the building is in a state of disrepair, many visitors are drawn to its eerie charm and history.

> Lagoa das Sete Cidades Google Maps

Geothermal Activity & Caldeirão verde & Other Hot Springs:

São Miguel, along with the other islands in the Azores, is home to a variety of natural hot springs, thanks to the region's geothermal activity and volcanic origins. The water in these springs is heated by the Earth’s natural geothermal energy, offering not only a soothing and enjoyable bathing experience but also a range of health benefits due to its warm temperatures and rich mineral content.

Scattered across the island, there are numerous hot springs to discover, some free to visit, while others come with a modest entrance fee. Unfortunately, many of these springs are closed during the winter months for maintenance or cleaning. However, one of the springs that remained open during our visit was Caldeirão Verde.

For an entrance fee of €10 per person, visitors can enjoy up to 1.5 hours at this picturesque location. The springs offer a selection of baths at varying temperatures, along with the added bonus of a stunning waterfall at the very top. We were particularly taken with the setting—surrounded by lush greenery and dense forest, it truly felt like an escape into nature.

While we would have loved to explore more of the island’s hot springs, our time at Caldeirão Verde was more than enough to leave us feeling refreshed and content.

The hot springs are very popular, even off season and we had to pre-book our entrance.

> Caldeira Velha Google Maps

Plantação de Ananases Arruda // Arruda Pineapple Plantation:

The Azores' unique climate makes it ideal for a variety of agricultural products, with tea, dairy, and pineapples being some of the island's most famous exports. While I've already shared our visit to Chá Gorreana, the oldest tea plantation in Europe, a trip to a pineapple plantation is another experience you simply cannot miss!

Located conveniently in Ponta Delgada, the Arruda Pineapple Plantation is the perfect destination, especially on days when the weather isn't ideal for outdoor activities. Here, you can explore the various greenhouses and learn about the different stages of pineapple growth—remarkably, it takes nearly two years for a pineapple to fully mature!

Throughout the island, you’ll also have the chance to sample local pineapple in a variety of forms, such as delicious pineapple cake. The plantation also features a charming shop where you can pick up a range of pineapple-themed souvenirs, making it a great spot to take home a unique memento of your visit.