Best Time to Visit the Azores

July is peak bloom, but hydrangeas bloom over a long period and there should be plenty in June, especially in the latter half of June.

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply!

Thanks for reading my posts, and I would add some pertinent observations...

Not all of the nine islands compare with hydrangea blossoms. For me, the top choices would be Sao Miguel, Terceira, Faial, and Flores. The others have lots of them, but not as spectacular.

The more southern the islands, generally the earlier the blooming season. However, weather can play an important roll depending on rainfall, either too much or too little. After the first half of June has better odds, as Balso pointed out.

It can be humid any time of the year. The summer days and nights can certainly have warm, moist air. Nights without an air conditioner makes for restless sleep. June and July have been equal on my many visits.

The festas (feasts) are best in July and August, but it depends on which islands. Terceira in June, with Sanjoaninas, is phenomenal.

The Azores are continually getting more popular with tourism. Make it a point to make reservations at anywhere that accepts them, including restaurants. I have made reservations many months ahead of time for places I really wanted to visit. The thermal baths in Sao Miguel (Poca da Dona Beija and Caldeira Velha) are a couple of examples that now require them. So are the lava tubes on Pico (Gruta das Torres-currently closed) and Sao Miguel (Gruta do Carvao). Algar do Carvao in Terceira will not reopen until mid 2026...hopefully. Museums never need reservations and are seldom busy. For dinner reservations, especially restaurants on the islands of Sao Miguel, Pico, and Terceira, an email or phone call a week or two before visiting is suggested. I have scrambled for places to eat dinner many times in Ponta Delgada, since normally we are a very big group. For the smaller islands, a couple of days beforehand should suffice. I have never made lunch reservations on any island.

Carl,
Thank you so much for all the tips. They are much appreciated. I have been considering a trip to the Azores for several years and have been reading your helpful posts for quite a while. I am planning to purchase your guide.

I had no idea there is not A/C in accommodations. Now I’m wondering whether I should give up my dream of seeing the hydrangeas and visit in May. Is May a lot more comfortable than the second half of June?

Not all accommodations have air conditioning, but many do. The vast majority of windows do not have screens, either. Creepy-crawly or flying visitors might see an "open" invitation, and will try to share your room if you do not have air conditioning. Outside noise can also be a negative factor with open windows. I don't mind being woken up by cows mooing or roosters crowing, if sleeping in rural locations, but cars and motorcycles roaring through the streets in Ponta Delgada at all hours of night is downright annoying. Be sure when researching to use the filter option for all your wants and necessities.

If seeing the hydrangeas is YOUR main factor for this trip, I would stick with June. May is not considered more comfortable than June, based on the weather. There is so much natural beauty all over, that will still be jaw dropping, no matter when you visit.

Many, many, factors go into MY reasons for a specific time period when we visit. We have been there on different trips between April through October. One 2-week trip in October, 2014 was specifically for genealogy research in Sao Miguel, so it did not matter how much rain or cool temps it was. My only concern was having libraries and churches open and accessible. My 2024, month-long trip, was based on when the Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres feast in Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel would be (early May). That was amazing and memorable for the rest of my life! Another almost month-long trip in 2018 was based on when the Semana do Mar festa was held in Horta, Faial (early August). I really wanted to see the regatta sail into Horta. Other visits in 2010 and 2022 have been specifically for family reunions in Santa Maria. These are a few examples of my Azores trips since 1994, among other years.

This is why you really should follow YOUR original June plan, if July or August are not feasible and would then certainly guarantee your success in hydrangeas blooms.

As I have told thousands of travelers who have contacted me for help with Azores information, I am always a private message or email away for specific questions or help with fine-tuning your planning.

:-)

Carl,
I really appreciate your comments. You are extremely generous with giving your time to help people on this site plan their Azores travel. I have been filing away your posts for the last 7 years. So excited to finally be planning a visit! Thanks for your help!

Hi Carl,
Thank you for your many excellent replies with good advice about travel to the Azores.
Do you organize tours?
Or who is good in the RI area?
Or south east MA?
Can you please text or call me at
4017875158
:-). Yes we live in RI. Near Bristol.
Thank you for your advice

Gary L.

Hi Gary,

I have been asked many times, but I do not organize tours.

The information in my Azores guidebook contains all that is needed to plan a trip, except booking excursions such as horseback riding, ATV riding, whale watching, etc.. I suggest TripAdvisor or Getyourguide for those.

I have no suggestions in RI or MA for businesses who organize tours. Travelzoo works with some agencies that offer good package deals for flights, hotel, and rental cars. The optimal method for touring the islands is on your own with a car.

The best method to contact me is here through a private message, or by reading the “sticky post” for Azores Travel advice, located at the top of the Portugal forum. From there you can find my email address after clicking the link to my digital, Azores guidebook. *The post was written by the Rick Steves webmaster, not me, in case anyone reading this believes I am breaking the rules for self-promotion or financial gain. :-)

I am in Sao Miguel, Azores right now, visiting family, and doing more research for a possible third edition Azores guidebook. The weather is beautiful! This is my first time visiting in November, and unless a visitor is here for the hydrangeas (they peak in the summer), the beaches (too cold in November), or the hundreds of summer festas (feasts), it is perfect for vacationing. Three cruise ships docked here yesterday! That means around 12,000 visitors got a taste of paradise who will no doubt want to return for an extended stay.

The weather can be an issue at any time of the year, even in the summer, but prices right now are very low compared to the summer. Yesterday and today, the sun is shining with daytime temps in the mid-60s. Tomorrow should be the same.

Lucky me!