RegionOutline guide

Azores

Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic

Photo: Guillaume Baviere from Helsingborg, Sweden, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

The archipelago of the Azores (Portuguese: Açores) is an autonomous region of Portugal. This group of islands of the Atlantic Ocean is an ultra-peripheral area of the European Union.

Getting there and around

Getting there

By plane
The main entry point is Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL)—also called João Paulo II Airport—on the island of São Miguel.
By boat
The Azores are a common stopover for small craft crossing the Atlantic, especially when crossing from west to east.

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Getting around

By plane
SATA Air Açores offers flights between each of the islands. The cost for each flight is capped at around €90 by the authorities.
By ferry
Ferries connect each of the islands and are operated by Atlanticoline. There are several lines that operate:
By hitchhiking
Azoreans readily pick up hitchhikers. Given the poor bus service on the islands hitch-hiking is often the easiest way to get around for those without a car.
By car
Renting a car is the easiest way to get around the islands, with companies providing cars and scooters on every island. Given limited inventory, make sure to reserve ahead of time.
By bus
On most islands there are bus services, crossing the main villages. On the smaller islands, however, the buses may have only a few runs per day or none at all on certain days (Sundays, holidays).
By taxi
Taxis are centrally regulated throughout the islands so visitors pay the same rate as locals.
By bicycle
Cycling around the islands is possible if you are in great shape, and don't mind a lot of hill climbing.

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Airports and nearby hotels

Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.

São Jorge Airport

Velas · Regional · SJZ

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Read before you go to Azores

Articles and travel topics about Azores and Portugal.

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Full travel guide

Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.

IslandsThe Azores consist primarily of 9 main islands:

UnderstandThese nine volcanic islands are situated in the northern Atlantic, about 1500 km from the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula and about 3900 km from North America.

TalkThe official language in Azores is Portuguese, which is spoken by the native population with a very particular accent, which varies a bit from island to island.

Get inThe Azores are part of Portugal and therefore of the European Union and Schengen Area.

Get aroundRenting a car is by far the easiest way to get around the islands. In paid parking areas (main towns), use coins in the pay-and-display machines.

SeeSee the Regions section above for points of interest in each island.

DoMany activities and sights are accessible only through private tour companies. Half-day and all-day tours start at €50-60 and can cost upward of €100. The tours are generally very high quality and worth it.

BuyThe euro (€) is the currency of the Azores. Restaurants and shops usually can't take MasterCard or Visa cards, however ATMs are widely available.

EatThere is a "meat and potatoes" mentality when it comes to the cuisine and vegetables can sometimes be hard to come by.

DrinkAs in Portugal generally, wine is the main drink. Local wine from the Azores is widely available, mostly dry white wines from Pico, and smaller quantities from Terceira (DOC: Biscoitos, meaning “biscuits”) and Graciosa.

SleepCamp-sites are available on every island. They are typically well equipped and cheap or free. The VisitAzores website provides an up-to-date list of the available camp-sites.

Stay safeThere is very little crime in the Azores. What little crime exists is mostly drug-related. There are no reports of crimes against tourists.

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Azores" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Azores", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Guillaume Baviere from Helsingborg, Sweden, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Improve this guide on Wikivoyage

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Azores" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Summary from the Wikipedia article "Azores", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia

Photo: Guillaume Baviere from Helsingborg, Sweden, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Improve this guide on Wikivoyage