The Azores are a Portuguese archipelago located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) west of Lisbon and about 3,000 kilometers (1,860 miles) east of North America. The nine islands that make up the Azores are: São Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira, Pico, Faial, São Jorge, Graciosa, Flores, and Corvo.
São Miguel is the largest and most populous island in the Azores. It’s home to the capital city of Ponta Delgada and the largest airport in the archipelago. Other major towns on São Miguel include Ribeira Grande and Vila Franca do Campo. The island is known for its lush green landscape, volcanic lakes, and hot springs.
Santa Maria is the second largest island in the Azores. It’s a popular destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Other attractions on Santa Maria include the village of São Roque do Pico and the black sand beaches of Praia Formosa.
Terceira is the third largest island in the Azores. It’s home to the historical city of Angra do Heroísmo, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Other attractions on Terceira include the Monte Brasil fortress and the Lajes das Flores cliffs.
Pico is the second most populous island in the Azores after São Miguel. It’s known for its wine production and for being the tallest mountain in Portugal. Other attractions on Pico include the whale watching opportunities in the waters around the island and the black sand beaches of Lajes do Pico.
Faial is the most westerly island in the Azores. It’s known for its Horta Bay, which is a popular stopover for yachts travelling between Europe and North America. Other attractions on Faial include the Capelinhos volcano and the Caldeira do Faial crater lake.
São Jorge is the fourth largest island in the Azores. It’s known for its rugged coastline, fertile valleys, and medieval villages. Some of the most popular villages on São Jorge include Velas, Calheta, and Monsanto.
Graciosa is the smallest and least populated island in the Azores. It’s known for its white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and vineyards. Some of the most popular villages on Graciosa include Santa Cruz da Graciosa and Achada.
Flores is the easternmost island in the Azores. It’s known for its wildflower meadows, lava fields, and lakes. Some of the most popular villages on Flores include Lajes das Flores and Santa Cruz das Flores.
Corvo is the smallest and most remote island in the Azores. It’s known for its steep cliffs, rugged coastline, and small villages.
This article is a part of the guide : Discover all Azores islands that you should discover !
