The Azores: best time to travel, different islands explained and more top tips

The Azores offer richly varied nature and low-key tourism rather than hoards of visitors. With the Mount Pico volcano, crater lakes, an abundance of flora, the largest marine mammals right on your doorstep and even a small desert, the sheer variety on offer in the nine islands that form this archipelago is incredible.

When is the best time to visit the Azores?

The best time to travel to the Azores is between June and September. This is when the weather is at its most stable and temperatures are around 25 degrees Celsius. That doesn't mean you can't go to the Azores at other times of year though – it rarely gets much colder than 15 degrees and the climate is generally considered mild. There are also usually fewer tourists there in the low season too. However, the weather is less predictable in the winter months. Some of the islands lie quite far apart, so their climates and weather forecasts vary.

How long does it take to fly to the Azores?

The Swiss airline Edelweiss flies from Zurich to the main island of São Miguel in 4.5 hours. They also offer flights to Terceira in the high season. From there you can get to the other islands on smaller propeller planes. The flight time from São Miguel in the south-eastern archipelago to Pico in the central archipelago is about one hour. Some of the smaller islands are also connected by ferry, but there are no ferries to and from São Miguel.

What should I pack for a trip to the Azores?

It's a good idea to follow the layer principle: shorts or cropped trousers and fast-drying merino jerseys are a good choice when it gets hot and damp and on warm days. Take a rain jacket with you too, and a fleece for cooler evenings. Make sure you remember sun protection and pack a small first aid kit. Do you want to go trekking or maybe even climb Mount Pico? Then get yourself some hiking boots and an appropriate backpack.

How many days should you plan for a trip to the Azores?

At least one week, but ideally 10 days or two weeks. This gives you time to explore the largest island (São Miguel) and visit one or two other islands in the archipelago. And it’s worth it, because the islands are all very different.

What's so special about the Azores?

The sheer diversity of the Azores is exceptional: barren volcanic landscapes, green jungle, steep cliffs, hydrangeas in every shade and so much more – all in a small area. The archipelago’s location also makes the islands unique, as they are spread across three tectonic plates, in the middle of the Atlantic, between Europe and North America. The nearest place on the European mainland is Portugal, 1,300 kilometres away. Canada, on the other hand, is almost 2,000 kilometres away.

Which island in the Azores is the most beautiful?

It's hard to pick out just one most beautiful island in the Azores: each of the nine islands is different. So you need to ask yourself what you want to do on your holiday and what exactly you are looking for. Here are a few pointers to help.

South-eastern archipelago

São Miguel: The main island in the Azores, São Miguel is also known as the ‘Green Island’. Aside from the lush forests, tea grows here too: the Chá Gorreana plantation is the only tea plantation in Europe. On this island you will also find thermal springs, crater landscapes such as the Sete Cidades and sandy beaches for swimming and surfing. The capital, Ponta Delgada, is also worth a visit, with its plentiful shops, restaurants, beautiful botanical gardens and a bustling harbour promenade.

Santa Maria: Geologically speaking, this is the oldest and first inhabited island in the Azores and it boasts the most hours of sunshine and the lowest rainfall levels in the archipelago. It offers golden sandy beaches and spectacular sunsets and is known for its red desert.

Central archipelago

Pico: Peaking at 2,351 metres above sea level, the Mount Pico volcano is Portugal's tallest mountain. If you hike to the summit, you will be treated to panoramic views – and in good weather you can see as far as the neighbouring islands. Pico is the youngest island in the Azores and many of its volcanic rocks and lava fields have not yet been weathered down, so they are still a deep black. Pico is also a popular starting point for whale watching.

Faial: Faial is also known as the ‘Blue Island’ because of all the blue hydrangeas that bloom there during the summer. But you will find green forests here too, along with brown volcanic landscapes. It is also a famous meeting place for sailors, especially the city of Horta.

Terceira: The island's capital, Angra do Heroísmo, is considered by many to be the most beautiful city in the Azores, with its colourful houses, restaurants and boutique shops. A few kilometres outside the city is the volcanic cave of Algar do Carvão with its natural pools, where you can even plunge straight into the Atlantic Ocean.

São Jorge: This elongated island with its jagged ridge is also known as the ‘Dragon Island’ because its shape is reminiscent of a reclined dragon. What makes this island special are its numerous fajãs. These are flat, fertile coastal plains at the foot of steep cliffs. They are mainly created by landslides and cooled lava flows.

Graciosa: The flattest and second smallest island in the Azores is known for its volcanic cave Furna do Enxofre, which features an underground lake.

North-western archipelago

Flores: This 'Flower Island' is the westernmost point of the Azores. In addition to its magnificent flora, this island offers spectacular waterfalls and plenty of lush, unspoiled nature.

Corvo: Only around 400 people live on this island – the smallest of the Azores – and all of them in one village. Corvo's hallmark feature is the huge Caldeira, an extinct volcanic crater with several lakes in the middle of the island.

Can you swim in the sea in the Azores?

Yes, but not everywhere. There are hardly any sandy beaches like you get on the Mediterranean, and even where there are, the Atlantic waves are a lot bigger and wilder. That’s why surfing is so popular in the Azores, especially in São Miguel. However, there are plenty of natural pools (piscinas naturais) where you can easily go swimming.