Azores –
Nature at Its Rawest.

Why the Azores?

Europe's Most Unspoilt Island Archipelago.

The Azores sit roughly 1,500 kilometres west of mainland Portugal, straddling the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. The result is a landscape of extraordinary drama: calderas filled with emerald-green lakes, hot springs bubbling out of cliffsides, black lava fields meeting turquoise water, and hydrangea-lined roads running through valleys of almost unreal green. The archipelago's nine islands each have a distinct character – São Miguel is the most visited and most spectacular; Flores is the remotest and arguably the most beautiful.

São Miguel is where most visitors begin. The twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades – one green, one blue, separated only by a narrow bridge – are one of the great natural spectacles of Europe. The Furnas Valley offers geothermal cooking (stew cooked underground in volcanic pots), hot springs to bathe in, and a botanical garden surrounding a lake. Ponta Delgada, the island capital, has a pretty historic centre, good restaurants and ferry connections to the other islands.

Whale watching in the Azores is among the world's finest. Sperm whales are resident year-round; blue whales, fin whales and humpbacks pass through on migration. The whale-watching tradition here goes back centuries – the same lookout towers once used by whalers are now used by spotters guiding boats by radio. Between April and October, a cetacean sighting is almost guaranteed.

Pico Island rises to 2,351 metres – the highest point in Portugal – directly from the sea. Climbing the summit is one of the classic Azores experiences, though it demands an early start and reasonable fitness. The island's black lava vineyards, protected by UNESCO, produce Verdelho wine in one of the most unusual viticultural landscapes in the world. Faial, visible across the channel, has the marina at Horta – the landfall for Atlantic crossings – its walls covered in decades of boat names and flags.

Tips for Your Azores Trip

• 01Best season: May to October – stable weather, whale watching peak season, thermal pools at their best.
• 02Pack for rain: The Azores receive Atlantic weather year-round. A waterproof jacket is essential even in summer.
• 03Island hopping: SATA Air Açores and inter-island ferries connect the islands. Allow at least 7–10 days to visit more than one.
• 04Hire a car: Public transport on most islands is limited. A hire car is the best way to explore the volcanic interiors and coastal roads.