Portugal’s far-flung Eden-like archipelago – the Azores. Piercing the Atlantic Ocean, these nine volcanic-yet-verdant specks show off some of mother nature’s finest work, and the best things to do in the Azores are as adrenaline-pumping as they are effortlessly soothing.
Surfers especially are spoilt for choice, with swell favourites including the Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara on São Miguel or the Fajã de Santo Cristo on São Jorge – although the latter will involve lugging your board.
Thankfully, more than one island has accessible lava tubes. On São Miguel, the Gruta do Carvão is on the outskirts of Ponta Delgada; Terceira has Gruta do Natal; and on Pico, you’ll find Gruta das Torres – the longest found in Portugal and my favourite of them all.
No trip to São Miguel would be complete without visiting Furnas, the fiery heart of the island. As well as the previously mentioned thermal springs, there are plenty more chances to embrace the geothermal activity.
My favourite place for hiking is São Jorge, a long and thin ridge-like island that dramatically spills downwards into the Atlantic Ocean. Azoreans have a specific word for these – faja – which describes the flat part of the land which meets the ocean, usually formed by lava spill cooling on contact with the water.
For golden sands and dazzling bays, you’ll want to head to Santa Maria Island. Here, São Lourenço Bay shines with the stone-walled vineyards behind it, while Praia Formosa is equally inviting.
Long a port of call for those sailing – and smuggling – between the two continents, the archipelago has been scripting seafaring stories for centuries. More recently, however, the isles have become an in-the-know sanctuary from the modern world – something I can testify to since I made Portugal my home.
While sipping wine is certainly not an adventure activity, the art of growing them very much is in the Azores. Not only is this one of the most extreme places to cultivate wine, but it’s also one of the most visually impressive.
One of the most tranquil things to do in the Azores is to explore the vineyards on the island of Pico, which are one of Portugal’s UNESCO sites in their own right. Weathered vines rise from the basalt volcanic rock, telling the back-breaking story of creating viniculture in such an adverse setting.
São Miguel island is home to nearly all the Azores’ hot springs and thermal pools, and one of the most popular things to do in the Azores is to visit the Terra Nostra Hot Springs in Furnas. This large, round, and paid-access bathing pool is a murky brown due to the minerals, yet the botanical gardens which envelope it are far prettier.
Delve deep underground in lava tubes
When the navy waters of the Atlantic surround you, there’s no question that you’ll want to include a boat excursion when planning your Azores’ outdoor activities. Luckily, all of the islands offer trips out into the deep blue, as one of the most popular things to do in the Azores is to try to spot marine mammals.
Still, it doesn’t matter which island you’re based on; you’ll be able to find companies offering whale-watching trips across the archipelago, including regular departures from Pico Island, Horta on Faial Island, and on glass-bottom boats from Terceira.
On Graciosa Island, you’ll find a less attractive hot spring option – it’s more like a traditional pool – at Carapacho.
Unlike Pico, Santa Maria’s wines are not exported due to legal reasons. Therefore the wines are only fermented for local consumption. So, if you can find a glass of it during your visit, you’ll taste something impossible to find elsewhere.
Seek out Cascata do Aveiro on Santa Maria, while São Jorge’s Cascata do Cruzal is a more tame affair. São Miguel also shines in waterfalls, with various impressive tumbles to be found.