The Azores in 3 days
Nine volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic, where the crater lakes of Sete Cidades sit near the steaming vents of Furnas and the UNESCO-listed vineyards of Pico. Hike calderas lined with hydrangeas in the morning, look for sperm whales and dolphins in the afternoon, and end the day in a hot spring.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- Morning
Sete Cidades lakesfree · about 1 hTwo joined lakes, one blue and one green, fill a caldera 5 km across, seen from above at the Vista do Rei viewpoint.
- Afternoon
Ponta da Ferrariafree · about 1 h 30On São Miguel's western tip, a volcanic hot spring flows into the ocean, so every wave changes the temperature of the rock pool.
Day 2
- Morning
Whale watching2 to 3 hResident sperm whales, large pods of dolphins and, from March to June, passing blue whales, found with help from shore lookouts called vigias.
- Afternoon
Lagoa do Fogofree · about 1 hA wild crater lake on São Miguel with no buildings, clear water and a pale sand beach, protected as a nature reserve since 1974.
Day 3
- Morning
Furnas and its calderasfree · about 2 hA village inside a volcano where the ground steams in the street and pots of cozido stew are buried to cook in the hot earth.
- Evening
Poça da Dona Beija hot springsan eveningFive open-air stone pools of iron-rich water at about 39°C in Furnas, set among ferns and bamboo, and good for a soak after dark.
Further afield (over 130 km from the base hotel), best as a separate stop: Climbing Mount Pico, Capelinhos volcano.
Where to sleep in the Azores
- Nook Hostel · €30 a night
- Azores Dream Hostel · €27 a night
- Hotel Alcides · €80 a night
- Hotel Talisman · €110 a night
- Azoris Royal Garden · €105 a night
- Hotel Camões · €100 a night
- Terra Nostra Garden Hotel · €220 a night
- Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico · €180 a night
- Octant Furnas · €200 a night
Plan this trip
Hotel prices per room per night, checked when written. Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.