Welcome to the island, head to your accommodation today and soak up the local atmosphere. You'll take a taxi to your place to stay and recharge your batteries for tomorrow's flight to one of the local islands.

You already know the airport, get there by a local taxi service and get ready for a flight to a smaller island.

Pick up your car at the airport (according to the instructions you'll receive before your trip) and head off on your adventure.

Marina da Horta is the most famous marina in the Azores, as it was strategically located on voyages to America. There is a tradition here that every sailor who docks there must paint something on the wall of the breakwater – and if they do, they will safely reach their final destination. Worth it, right? Come take a walk here and discover everything that the sailors have managed to create.

We're not done with the sailors yet. The next stop is a 107-year-old bar where sea dogs gather. There is a unique atmosphere and the interior itself will captivate your senses. You can sit outside or inside, each space offering a completely different experience. The most famous drink of this bar is the iconic gin and tonic - they even make their own gin with the poetic name Gin do Mar. You won't go wrong if you order a beer or a steak. You definitely mustn't miss this important place, because it is said that if you don't visit Peter Sport Café, it's like you haven't even been to Horta.

Whales are an integral part of the Azores, and it is even among the TOP 10 destinations in the world to go whale watching. And today you will have a unique opportunity to see these gentle giants with your own eyes! Naturalist works with the University of Lisbon, and a marine biologist will accompany you on the boat, who knows almost everything about whales and will be happy to share anything you are interested in. So let's go to the ocean!

• Observation must be booked in advance here.

The next stop is the Capelinhos peninsula. You will find a landscape like from another planet, which was created during a massive eruption in 1957 and 1958, making it the newest piece of the Azores. Walk through the volcanic dust, visit the old lighthouse that survived the eruption, or visit the underground visitor center, where there is a cafe and an exhibition about the eruption. Depending on your mood, you can take walks of various lengths. Option A is just walking through the volcanic landscape. There is no official trail, just choose a path according to your mood. Options B and C are to the surrounding craters, from which you can see the entire volcanic peninsula nicely. From here you can observe the contrast between the volcanic landscape and the volcanic forests.

• Route A here. ↔ 2.3 km, ↕ 100m, 45 minutes
• Route B here. ↔ 5.7 km, ↕ 300 m, 2 hours
• Route C here . ↔ 7.5 km, ↕ 440 m, less than 3 hours

You can end the day at a viewpoint near the harbor; it's a nice walk, especially for sunset. You can either do a 3-kilometer loop on foot or just drive up.

• Walking route here . ↔ 3.3 km, ↕ 140 m, 1 h

Welcome the morning sun rays at this viewpoint and start your day in the fresh air. From the viewpoint you can see Horto or the majestic Mount Pico on the neighboring island. You can easily drive to the viewpoint by car. 

This massive crater has an impressive diameter of 2 kilometers and is one of the youngest craters in the Azores - it is 'only' 1000 years old. Inside the craters, you will find many species of plants and animals that are found nowhere else on our planet. A walk around the Caldeira do Faial crater is worthwhile in any weather, and if you happen to catch good weather, you can see as far as the neighboring island of Pico with the highest mountain in Portugal.

• The route runs along the edge of the crater, where it is almost impossible to get lost, but just to be sure, the route is here. ↔ 6.7 km, ↕ 140 m, 2.5 h

Walk through pastures, forests, and vineyards to the black beach. This part of the island is important for its microclimate, which has allowed the locals to grow vines here. This walk perfectly illustrates the diversity of Faial Island (and the Azores in general).

• Route here. ↔ 5.2 km, ↕ 260 m, 2 hours

Drop off your rental car here.

To get from the airport to the ferry terminal, you can either take a taxi, which you'll find right in front of the airport, order one by calling +351 292 391 500, or hop on a public bus. You can check the current timetable on Google Maps or on the carrier's website. You can pay contactlessly with a bank card on the buses. 

You can find the current ferry timetable here - from Horta (Faial) to Madalena (Pico). The ferry can be purchased in advance online, but of course also in person directly at the terminal. The ticket price is around 10 euros per person (price from 2026) and the journey takes about half an hour.

First, visit the airport to pick up your rental car (according to the instructions you will receive before departure) so you can travel around the island comfortably.

This small lake is a popular destination for all tourists visiting this island. Everyone hopes that they will have a clear day, which often happens, and take an iconic photo of the lake with the Pico volcano towering fearlessly. Come and try your luck too, and maybe the clear sky will honor you with its presence! 

At the easternmost cape of Pico Island, a white lighthouse contrasting with the black rock and beautiful ocean views will welcome you. You can walk along the coast through lava fields that look like a lunar landscape. The trail is 8 km one way, so you can walk as much as you feel like and be hypnotized by the waves.

• Route here. ↔ 16 km, ↕ 50 m, 5 hours

A short walk awaits you to this viewpoint, which will reward you with a wonderful view of the surrounding cliffs. 

• Route here. ↔ 900 m, ↕ 30 m, 30 minutes

This viewpoint rises 400 meters above the ocean and offers beautiful views of the wooded hills, Sao Jorge Island, and, in favorable conditions, even Terceira Island. 

Before you start tasting the authentic Azorean wine, it is worth visiting the wine museum, where the specific way in which grapes are grown on Pico is described. This method is so unique that the vineyards on Pico have even been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2004. Admission to the museum costs about €2.

Most of the wines produced in the Azores are white wines – specifically the Arinto dos

Açores, Verdelho, and Terrantez varieties. You can taste these wines and many others at the Azores Wine Company, for example. You can either just stop by for a glass, buy wine for the evening, or book a tasting or even a guided tour of the winery. Book tastings and tours online here. 

If you still haven't had enough wine, you can take a walk through the UNESCO lava vineyards and reach the ocean.

• Route here. 

Here you'll return the car and fly over to the main island.

Finally, pick up your car and head out to explore.

Come visit one of the main historical botanical gardens on the island of Sao Miguel. Don't be afraid to get lost in the intricate paths and soak up the tranquility of the ubiquitous greenery. 

This church dominates the city center. It is built from a combination of elegant white stone and black basalt - a combination that you can see literally on every corner in the Azores, but you simply can't get tired of it. The church dates back to the 15th century and is an important historical and cultural heritage.

Be sure to rummage through the streets around the church to soak up the atmosphere of Ponte Delgada.

You can end the day in these beautiful thermal springs in Furnas. The pools are fed by natural hot water rich in iron, which springs from the Furnas volcano. Bathing in this water has many health benefits and will really relax you. 

The thermal baths are open until 11 p.m., so you also have the option of an evening bath. 

It is better to book an evening swim online to make sure there is space for your time slot. You can make your reservation here. Admission is limited to 1.5 hours.

And a final warning - the ferrous water can stain, so it's better to pack older or dark swimwear with you. 

You can make a reservation here.

This viewpoint offers a stunning view of the most iconic spot in all of Sao Miguel - Sete Cidades, or Seven Cities. It is a huge 2 km crater of a dormant volcano, which houses the vast twin lake Lagoa das Sete Cidades. The two lakes are connected by only a narrow 50-meter strait, so each of the lakes maintains a different color - one is more blue and the other is more green. 

The place is breathtaking in itself just from the viewpoint, but if you want to stretch your legs, you can take a walk from here. 

You start the walk at the viewpoint near the dilapidated hotel – a megalomaniacal project,

that went bankrupt, and you walk along the ridge overlooking the entire Sete Cidades until you descend

down to the town of the same name. From there, you can take a taxi back to the car. Directly in the town of Sete Cidades there is a taxi rank that will take you back to the

viewpoint to the car.

• Taxi point here .
• Walking route here . ↔ 7.9 km, ↕ 34 m, 2 hours

This walk will show you how moody the island of Sao Miguel can be. Don't despair if the sky isn't azure blue, as the mist will add to the mysterious atmosphere and enhance your authentic Azorean experience. And if you happen to have azure skies, incredible views of volcanic lagoons and craters await you.

• Route here. ↔ 4.7 km, ↕ 140 m, 1.5 hours

This viewpoint is probably the most famous on the island, so you definitely can't miss it! You will have a landscape of all shades of green beneath you, the exemplary volcanic lake Lagoa de Santiago in a small crater, and in the distance, for great success, the double lake Lagoa das Sete Cidades once again.

The viewpoint is more of a walk through easy terrain, only at the end is there a bit of a hill down. It starts from the same parking lot as Serra Devassa, so you can combine it into one trip.

• Route here.  ↔ 2.5 km, ↕ 80 m, 50 minutes

The next stop is a photogenic old overgrown aqueduct. It's just a short walk from the parking lot, but this place is definitely worth it.

This natural pool is an exceptional place where the icy waters of the Atlantic mix with thermal springs. When else will you have the opportunity to swim in an almost 40-degree ocean? On the Ponta da Ferraria peninsula is this small natural pool into which several thermal springs flow. The water temperature depends a lot on the tides and sea currents, but it is pleasantly warm for most of the year. So come and try it for yourself! I recommend arriving during low tide or halfway between high tide and low tide.

• Route to the pool here. ↔ 1 km, ↕ 10 m, 10 minutes
• You can find the current tide times here. 

Right after dawn, a relaxed walk across the field awaits you, followed by a magical tunnel into the jungle to a waterfall known as the "window to hell." 

If you get hungry after the walk, be sure to stop at the super food truck at the start, where they sell excellent burgers.

• Route here. ↔ 7.5 km, ↕ 250 m, 2.5 hours
• You can find the food truck and its current opening hours here.

Pojďte se pokochat výhledem na Lagoa do Fogo. V překladu "ohňové jezero" vzniklo erupcí v 16. století a postupně bylo zaplaveno srážkovou vodou. Je dokonce obecně považováno za nejkrásnější jezero v Portugalsku - jaký je váš názor? Na jezero můžete buď shlédnout jen z vyhlídky na prakovišti a nebo se vydat i na výpravu dolů k jezeru.

• Trasa dolů k jezeru zde . ↔ 1,5 km, ↕ 250 m, 30 minut

This is the oldest continuously operating tea factory in Europe, founded in 1883. In the early 19th century, tea seeds first arrived in Sao Miguel, and tea gradually replaced the oranges that were grown here before. Come and discover this photogenic oasis, have a cup of premium tea, or view the still-functioning machines from 1840. 

After a long day, come soak in the hot thermal water again and admire the omnipresent jungle. In this small nature reserve you will find several thermal pools that you won't want to get out of. A warm waterfall even flows into one of the pools! 

Admission must be booked in advance for a specific time on the website. Admission is limited to 1.5 hours.

• You can make reservations here. 

Tato kaple patří k nejznámějším památkám na celých Azorech pro svůj nápaditý vzhled. Je to poutní místo pojmenované po Panně Marii míru. Kaple byla postavená v roce 1764 na místě, kde se údajně pastýři zjevila právě ona Panna Marie. Neváhejte se projít po ikonickém bílém schodišti zdobeném typickými portugalskými modro-bílými kachličkami "azulejos" a pokochejte se výhledem na oceán.

Lagoa das Furnas, alongside Lagoa das Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo, is one of the 3 large volcanic lakes on the island of Sao Miguel. At first glance, it may not be as spectacular as its brothers, but it definitely has something to offer. A pleasant walk leads around the entire lake on flat ground through forests and grassy meadows. Along the way, you can admire the Chapel of Our Lady of Victories from the 19th century. The ideal starting point is the volcanic vents Fumarolas Lagoa das Furnas. There is an entrance fee of about €3 to the fumaroles themselves, and a walk along wooden paths through a volcanic landscape with sulfur benches awaits you.

• Route of the walk around the lake here. ↔ 6.5 km, ↕ 90 m, 2 hours

In Furnas, another walk awaits you through a small park with mud lakes, geysers, mineral springs, and sulfuric fumes. This park is where the roots of the “volcanic” dish Cozido das Furnas lie, where beef and vegetables are placed in a pot and slowly cooked in volcanic gases. 

You can end the day again in the hot springs, because it would be a shame not to take full advantage of this natural gift. Terra Nostra Park is perhaps the most beautiful place in all of Furnas. It is a beautiful botanical garden for walking, but especially for bathing in thermal springs. Although the water doesn't look very inviting with its color, it nicely puts you at ease and regenerates sore legs. Be careful - the water is dark and can stain your swimsuit. 

The ticket is valid for the whole day, so you can stay as long as you want. Just keep in mind that the park closes at 4:30 PM.

Did you know that the Azores are the only place in Europe where pineapples are grown? Be sure not to miss the unique opportunity to see this luxurious pineapple plantation, where you can walk through greenhouses full of pineapples and then, of course, you can taste a lot of pineapple products - from liqueur, ice cream, marmalade to flambéed pineapple.