The Azores at a glance
The Azores belong to Portugal and consist of 9 islands. Portuguese is the language and the euro is the currency. The islands form three groups: São Miguel and Santa Maria in the east, Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial in the centre, and Flores and Corvo in the west.
Most visitors start on São Miguel. It has crater lakes at Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo, hot springs and steam vents at Furnas, and Ponta Delgada as the main town and airport (PDL). From there you can add whale watching, canyoning, a boat tour, or a flight to another island.
Our picks: Azores tours and boat trips
For most people the West São Miguel day is the one to start with: lakes, lunch and pickup in one go. Add the whale boat or the canyoning half day for something on the water, and the Furnas day for the volcanic east. The jeep tour and the snorkeling hour are the short, cheap ways in.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
West São Miguel by electric van
- Lunch with dessert and coffee
- Electric van
- Pickup and drop-off
A full day around Sete Cidades and the Fire Lake with a local guide, arranged from pickup to drop-off.
Check availability →
Furnas volcano and tea plantation with lunch
- Cozido lunch with dessert
- Furnas lake entry
- Air-conditioned vehicle
A full day in the east with a guide and the lake entry covered. Terra Nostra park and its thermal pools cost extra.
Check availability →
Whale and dolphin trip from Ponta Delgada
- Marine biologist or nature guide
- Life vest
- Rain gear on the Zodiac
Three hours at sea with a guide who explains what you see. Sightings depend on the sea and are never certain, and rough weather can move or cancel the trip.
Check availability →
Canyoning in Ribeira dos Caldeirões
- Wetsuit, harness and helmet
- Photos and videos
- Certified guides
Two and a half hours in a ravine with waterfalls, led by certified guides. You get yourself to the park, and the photos come with the trip.
Check availability →
Sete Cidades half-day jeep tour
- Hotel or cruise ship pickup
- Driver-guide
- Insurance
A 3.5-hour ride to the twin lakes with a driver-guide. A short option if you have only half a day or arrive on a cruise ship.
Check availability →
Snorkeling at the Vila Franca islet
- Mask and wetsuit
- Fees and taxes
A one-hour water activity at the islet, a gentle alternative to the ravine. Meet 30 minutes before the start.
Check availability →Azores tours and whale watching
Boat trips, island tours and outdoor activities on São Miguel and beyond, with live prices and availability.
Plan your Azores trip
Start with the page that matches your biggest question.
Things to do in the Azores
Lakes, hot springs, vineyards and caves, island by island.
Azores tours and day trips
What a São Miguel day tour covers and what is paid on top.
Whale watching
Species by season, boat departures and the rules at sea.
Canyoning
Where it is offered and what one São Miguel trip requires.
São Miguel
The green island with crater lakes and hot springs.
Ponta Delgada
City gates, harbour and the cruise terminal.
Sete Cidades
Twin lakes, the viewpoint and the crater rim walk.
Furnas
Thermal pools, fumaroles and the stew cooked in the ground.
Pico
The mountain, the vineyards and the boats from Madalena.
Terceira
Angra do Heroísmo, lava caves and natural pools.
Islands, seasons and practical pages
The rest of the planning.
All nine islands
Faial, Flores, Santa Maria, São Jorge, Graciosa and Corvo compared.
Hiking
Marked trails and the closures to check before you go.
Weather by month
Temperatures and rain for each month in Ponta Delgada.
Best time to visit
Whales, hydrangeas, hiking and swimming by month.
Where to stay
Areas to base yourself, from Ponta Delgada to Furnas and Madalena.
Getting there
Ponta Delgada airport, direct flights and transfers.
Car hire
Rental conditions, speed limits and parking.
Itineraries
Sample routes for 5, 7 and 10 days.
History
Discovery, settlement and the whaling past.
A few things to know before you go
Details that change how you plan.
Algar do Carvão closes on 1 November 2026
The lava tube on Terceira has run in a special mode since 21 March 2026 while the visitor centre is rebuilt. It closes from 1 November 2026, and reopening is expected in March 2027. A ticket costs €10 and there is no combined ticket with Gruta do Natal.
Terceira guide →Lagoa do Fogo has a summer shuttle
In 2026 the shuttle season began on 1 August. The adult ticket costs about €5 to €8, so check the current price. Do not plan on driving up in high season without checking the access rules first.
São Miguel guide →Tourist tax in Ponta Delgada
The city charges €2 per guest and night for up to 3 nights. Children under 13 are exempt. The tax is set by the municipality, so do not assume the same rule on every island.
Where to stay →Entry rules
US citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days, with a passport valid at least 3 months after departure. The EU plans to start ETIAS in the last quarter of 2026 and it is not yet in operation. The announced fee is €20.
Getting there →Azores: frequently asked questions
Is this the official Azores website?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not run by the regional government, a tourism board, a municipality or a tour operator.
How many islands are there and which should I visit first?
There are 9. São Miguel is the usual first stop because it has the main airport, the crater lakes at Sete Cidades and the hot springs at Furnas. Pico suits whale watching and the mountain, and Terceira has the historic town of Angra do Heroísmo.
When can I see whales?
Sperm whales can be seen all year and are more common in summer. Blue, fin and sei whales pass mainly from April to June. Dolphins are common in summer. No boat can promise a sighting.
How do I travel between islands?
There are inter-island flights, and a ferry network links the central and western islands. Schedules depend on the date and the weather, so check the current timetable before you build a fixed plan.
Do I pay extra at hot springs and viewpoints?
Some places charge, others do not. The historic garden park in Furnas costs €17 for the garden and thermal pools in 2026. The Furnas cooking-hole zone charges €3 per visitor who does not live in the Azores.