9 Nights / 10 Days
No modern traveler would pass up a chance to discover a destination like one of its original explorers. To feel the thrill of seeing an emerald coastline rising out of the sea and yelling “Land Ahoy!” Right before stepping foot within an unknown paradise, only to call it their own.
That is what you can experience with Portugal by Travelive’s latest escape to the Azores. Because if anything feels like a fresh discovery it’s a glimpse of the cratered lakes, blooming valleys, and striking volcanic landscapes that these Portuguese Islands are known for. So, grab a spyglass, and set your sights on the Azores.
- 3 Nights in São Miguel
- 2 Nights in Pico
- 2 Nights in Faial
- 2 Nights in Terceira
Day 1 — Arrival in São Miguel | The Green Heart of the Azores
Are you seeing emerald ridges rising suddenly from the Atlantic? Then you have arrived in São Miguel, the largest and greenest island in the Azores. After landing in Ponta Delgada, settle into your nature-inspired hotel before wandering the city’s cobblestone lanes, volcanic-stone churches, and harborfront promenade. Come afternoon, enjoy your first brush with the islands’ geothermal soul at Ponta da Ferraria, where the ocean warms with volcanic energy beneath your feet. End the day with a seafood dinner of Atlantic bounty, savoring an early taste of the elemental flavors that define the Azores.
Day 2 — Sete Cidades | The Crater of Colors
It’s time to explore the first of your newly discovered islands. Set course inland toward Sete Cidades, a place that reveals itself like a secret charted only by the boldest adventurers. Walk the rim of this colossal volcanic caldera, tracing the edge of a newly discovered world, as the twin lakes below shift between blue and green. Descend into the crater for a lakeside picnic or glide across Lagoa Azul by kayak, embracing its stillness as if you were the first to uncover it. Close out the day with a dinner in Ponta Delgada or an unforgettable meal overlooking this extraordinary natural amphitheater.
Day 3 — Furnas | Earth, Food, & Fire
Feel the heat of the island’s volcanic heart, as you head east to Furnas, where the mineral-rich earth breathes in wisps of steam. Wander through Terra Nostra Park, its warm, amber-hued thermal pool cradled by lush botanical gardens. Nearby, step into nature’s kitchen and experience the culinary wonder that is Cozido das Furnas, a hearty stew slowly cooked underground by geothermal heat. Then, spend the afternoon tracing the shores of Lagoa das Furnas or visiting Europe’s oldest tea plantation, discovering flavors shaped by the island’s flourishing landscapes and fiery soul.
Day 4 — São Miguel to Pico | The Island of Fire and Wine
Keep that flame of discovery lit as you soar across the Atlantic and plant your flag in Pico, an island carved by fire and crowned by Portugal’s highest peak. After setting up camp in your hotel of choice, go where the lava flows at Gruta das Torres, one of the largest lava tube systems in the world. Then, continue to the UNESCO-listed vineyards of Criação Velha, where geological stone walls shelter vines shaped by wind, salt, and centuries of ingenuity. Meet local winemakers, taste volcanic-born varietals, and feel how Pico’s dramatic landscape flows into every glass, before having one complement a dinner in Madalena to round off the day.
Day 5 — Mount Pico | A Peak into the Island’s Soul
Rise with the morning mist and set your sights on Mount Pico, a volcanic giant whose slopes have captivated explorers for centuries. Whether you trek along its lower trails or join a guided ascent toward the summit, each step reveals sweeping ocean horizons, shifting clouds, and the raw pulse of the island beneath your feet. Come afternoon, return to Madalena for a visit to the Museu do Vinho, where Pico’s winemaking legacy unfolds among vintage presses and basalt terraces. End your day tracing the coast through quiet fishing villages, perhaps raising a toast overlooking the Atlantic at the iconic Cella Bar.
Day 6 — Faial | A Dormant Wonder
With the wonders of Pico jotted down in your explorer’s journal, cross the channel by ferry to Faial, the Blue Island of the Azores. There, check into your hotel and log your first discovery at Caldeira do Faial, a vast moss-covered crater where mist drifts like whispers from the island’s ancient core. Continue to the Capelinhos Volcano, a stark lunar landscape born from the 1957 eruption, before uncovering how this new chapter of creation reshaped the island at the Interpretation Center. Later, wander through Horta’s iconic marina, its walls painted with sailors’ murals from voyages past, and enjoy a dinner at its maritime crossroads.
Day 7 — Faial | The Natural Rhythms of a Paradise
Ease into Faial’s softer side with a visit to Porto Pim Bay, where calm waters and a crescent of pale sand offer the perfect pause amid your explorations. Then, watch it blossom at the Botanical Garden of Faial, a living archive of endemic plants that reveal the islands’ verdant allure. Spend the afternoon drifting through Horta’s artisan shops or tracing the coastline on a leisurely drive, stopping for views of Pico rising across the channel. As the sun dips, enjoy a seaside dinner in conversation with the waves.
Day 8 — Terceira | Heart & Heritage
Follow the pulse of the Azores with a flight to Terceira, touching down on an island where culture and nature greet you at every turn. Settle into Angra do Heroísmo, a UNESCO World Heritage city of pastel facades and azulejo-tiled balconies that illustrate centuries of Atlantic crossings. Wander its historic squares, step inside its cathedral, and follow the scent of pastries into family-run bakeries that have perfected their craft through generations. Spend the afternoon exploring Monte Brasil, a volcanic peninsula offering commanding views over the harbor and town. As evening falls, enjoy dinner in Angra, savoring the island’s tasteful blend of tradition and gentle charm.
Day 9 — Terceira | Into the Earth’s Cathedral
Uncover the divine powers of nature with a visit to Algar do Carvão, Portugal’s very own “underground cathedral.” Descend into this ancient volcanic chimney and hear your steps echo across ancient lava formations, creating an almost spiritual resonance throughout its chambers. Back above ground, continue to Serra do Cume, where the island’s patchwork fields stretch across the plateau like a map drawn by the winds. Spend the afternoon embracing Terceira’s rural rhythm, perhaps with a stop at a small adega to sample homemade wine or liqueur. Let the evening invite reflection on a day shaped by wonder both below and above the earth.
Day 10 — Departure
Greet your final morning in the Azores with a slow breakfast overlooking the Atlantic, watching the horizon that guided explorers for centuries. If time allows, take one last stroll along Angra’s harbor or browse its lively market, letting the island’s rhythm settle into memory. When it’s time to depart from Lajes Airport (or via São Miguel for international connections), carry with you the essence of these extraordinary isles: volcanic landscapes sculpted by fire, a hospitality shaped by quiet tradition, and the rare luxury of a place that still feels like a true discovery.
