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Azores walking holidays

The 9 islands of the Azores are something of a hidden gem, floating serenly in the Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago is known for its volcanic landscape and famous ‘picos’, its incredible natural beauty, and whale watching (the blue whale can be spotted almost all year round). The Azores is also an important producer of tea. Tea has been cultivated here for over 200 years and the plantations are well worth a visit during your Azores walking holidays. 

The official language of the Azores is Portuguese. A walking trip in the Azores is a walk through the colonial past of Portugal, passing through ancient villages and towns that were built by the very first settlers of the archipelago. Discover the unique regional identity of the locals through festivals and religious celebrations to cooking methods and music. The Azoreans are proud of their agricultural heritage. The Azorean cow was brought over to the archipelago by the first settlers in the 15th century. The mild temperatures allow for the animals to live outdoors all year round.  Over 50% of the cattle are dairy cows and produce 50% of the local cheeses !

Are the Azores walkable ?

The archipelago of the Azores is a great playground for hikers! The terrain is diverse and can be very different from one island to the next: the arid, volcanic terrain of Sao Miguel is in stark contrast to the luscious green island of Flores. Most walks are graded easy to moderate and the trails tend to be well marked to ensure the safety of hikers but also to protect the environment and local fauna and flora. Azores walking holidays will have you explore crater lakes and volcanic pools, black sand beaches and waterfalls, and enjoy self-guided coastal hikes with stunning views along paths lined with blue hydrangeas, through pastures and vineyards. 

You can choose Azores walking holidays to suit you, from a 5-day to an 8-day trip, or even combine 2 trips and make it a fortnight getaway ! The constant presence of water in every direction reminds you that you are on just droplets of land in the immensity of the Ocean, a somewhat humbling thought to ponder on your tour.    

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Flores & Corvo: The great wonders of these two small islands!
      • Portugal - Azores
    • Self-guided
    • Walking
      • 5 days
      • From April to October

  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Simple
      • Comfort

Highlights of the trip

  • The discovery of two rarely visited islands: Flores and Corvo with their exceptional nature
  • A choice of hikes in Flores according to the mood of the day
  • Car rental included : to move freely around the island and choose your hikes ! 
  • Domestic flight to Flores, and boat crossing Flores/Corvo included
  • Combine this 5 days trip with one of our trips in the Azores ! 





    Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From 540 € / pers
Terceira & Graciosa: between cultural and natural heritage
      • Portugal - Azores
    • Self-guided
    • Walking
      • 5 days
      • From April to October

  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Comfort
      • Charming

Highlights of the trip

  • The discovery of Angra do Heroismo classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Car rental included on Terceira island allowing you to roam freely around the island and choose your hikes or visits! 
  • Explore the sweet island of Graciosa, rarely visited and classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO
  • Domestic return flight to Graciosa Island as well as all transfers included on the island
  • Combine this 5 days trip with one of our trips in the Azores ! 



    Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From 695 € / pers
Walking in the Azores : crater lakes and volcanic pools of Sao Miguel
      • Portugal - Azores
    • Self-guided
    • Walking
Self drive
      • 8 days
      • From April to October

  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Comfort
      • Charming

Highlights of the trip in the Azores

  • Wild crater lakes and incredible volcanic fumaroles
  • Bathing in natural volcanic pools and hot springs
  • The freedom of the rental car
  • Less frequented, off the beaten track hiking trails





    Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From 880 € / pers
Azores walking holiday: Faial, Sao Jorge and Pico
      • Portugal - Azores
    • Self-guided
    • Walking
      • 8 days
      • From April to October

  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Simple
      • Comfort
      • Charming

Highlights of the trip

  • The discovery of 3 authentic and wild islands far away from mass tourism
  • The diversity of the hikes: on coastal paths, over craters and cinders, through pastures
  • The ascent of Mount Pico (2351 m)  with a local guide, 
  • All transfers included from the airport on day 1 to the airport on day 8
  • Swimming in natural pools dug into volcanic rocks




    Go private or go guided ! Customize your holidays with a local specialist here 

From 975 € / pers
Walking & wellness in São Miguel
      • Portugal - Azores
    • Self-guided
    • Walking
      • 8 days
      • From January to December

  •   Accommodation choice :

      • Superior

Highlights of the trip

  • 4* and 5* accommodations with swimming-pool and spa
  • Active wild crater lakes, incredible volcanic fumaroles and lush tea plantation
  • 4 dinners included
  • Bathing in natural volcanic pools and hot springs
  • Perfect balance between hikes and relaxing time 
  • Wild nature : a paradise for nature lovers & hikers 
  • A "Cozido" experience in Furnas : typical Azores stew 



Customize your holiday by contacting us here 

From 1255 € / pers

The highlights of Azores walking holidays

  1. With 9 very different islands to explore there is bound to be something for everyone ! The diversity of the hikes and the landscapes on each island is quite incredible.
  2. You will have numerous swimming opportunities either in the sea, in the crater lakes and in the bubbling hot springs – a unique experience !
  3. You can visit 2 UNESCO world heritage sites : the city of Angra do Heroísmo on the island of Terceira and the vineyards on Pico that produce some of the finest wine in Europe !
  4. Although the Azores are becoming more well-known with more international flights arriving in Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel, it is still not quite the tourist hotspot. If you are looking for tranquility and calm on your self-guided walking holiday, then this is the place to book !
  5. We include either car rental for freedom of movement on your Azores walking holidays or all transfers from point A to point B so that you do not have to worry about the logistics.

What is the best month to visit the Azores ?

The best time to travel to the Azores is from June through to October. Even in October, the sea is still warm enough for swimming ! During the peak season (July & August) the Azores are not as busy as other European or coastal destinations. If you want to enjoy whale watching on your Azores walking holidays, then April and May are the best months to book.

The year round mild temperatures mean that Azores walking holidays are possible even during the winter months. There is rain, but no real rainy season so to speak of and certainly many sunny days.

 

Why book an Azores walking holiday with Intura ?

We have created all of our Azores walking tours from scratch. We have travelled, explored and walked on the trails and hiking paths of each of the 9 islands and put together a detailed roadbook with directions and highlighted maps so you can be sure to enjoy a self-guided walking holiday in the Azores with a comprehensive written guide. We also ensure that you experience the culture and ambiance of these Portuguese islands and so our trips favour the local economy. We work with family run guest houses and small local hotels and recommend some of our favourite restaurants.

We are the destination experts. We know that if you are looking for a more challenging walking tour then you need to explore the wilderness and curious craters on Sao Jorge island. If you are seeking a more remote location, then we know there is nothing better than the islands of Corvo & Flores. 

The Azores are still something of a hidden gem in the world of tourism and you can be one of the lucky ones to discover the archipelago with an Intura walking trip!