The Azores are shaped entirely by volcanic activity — crater lakes, thermal springs and dramatic Atlantic cliffs, all within a compact, green archipelago. Here are the 14 best things to do in 2026.
A blue lake and a green lake sitting side by side inside a massive volcanic crater on São Miguel — one of the most photographed views in Portugal.
The Azores are one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world, with sperm whales, dolphins and dozens of other species passing through Atlantic waters year-round.
Volcanic thermal pools and the famous cozido das Furnas — a stew slow-cooked underground using natural volcanic heat, then dug up and served fresh.
A pristine crater lake in the centre of São Miguel, considered one of the Azores' most beautiful and least-developed natural sites.
A UNESCO World Heritage wine landscape — vines grown in small volcanic stone enclosures right beside the ocean, unlike any other wine region in the world.
Portugal's highest peak, an active (dormant) volcano rising straight from the Atlantic — a serious but achievable day hike for reasonably fit visitors.
A legendary stop for transatlantic sailors, covered in decades of hand-painted murals left by visiting yacht crews — a unique piece of maritime tradition.
A beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage town, once a key stop on transatlantic trade routes — colourful colonial architecture and a historic fortress.
São Miguel's capital — the black-and-white basalt-paved streets, the Portas da Cidade city gates and a genuinely walkable old town.
São Miguel's dramatic, rugged eastern coast — miradouros (viewpoints) overlooking terraced hillsides and the open Atlantic, far less visited than the west of the island.
A natural park of waterfalls and volcanic pools, popular for guided canyoning adventures — one of the more active ways to experience the island's landscape.
São Miguel is home to the only commercially grown tea in Europe — a low-key, uniquely Azorean half-day visit.
A dramatic, still-visible 1957 volcanic eruption site with a half-buried lighthouse and an excellent visitor centre explaining the Azores' volcanic origins.
Grown in greenhouses using a centuries-old method, it's sweeter and different from tropically-grown pineapple — a genuine local specialty worth seeking out.
Currency: Euro. Card payment is widely accepted, though cash helps in rural areas.
Getting around: A rental car is close to essential — public transport doesn't reach most of the best sights.
Language: Portuguese. English is widely spoken in tourism.
How many days do you need in the Azores? 5 days covers São Miguel's essentials. 7–10 days lets you explore at a relaxed pace or add Pico and Faial.
Is the Azores safe? Yes — among the safest destinations in Europe.
Do I need to book whale watching in advance? Yes, especially in summer — trips are weather-dependent and popular slots fill up.
Top experiences sell out fast — compare and book now
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