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Feedback on Itinerary for Sep 2026 Trip to Azores

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I was born in the Azores while my dad was stationed at Lajes Air Field in the early 70s, but we left when I was two, and I've never been back to visit. My husband and I unexpectedly had some flight credit to use, and we've decided (relatively last minute) to spend two weeks in the Azores in September (we leave two weeks from tomorrow). We love hiking, meeting locals, trying new foods, and generally enjoying nature. I'm interested in seeing a few islands and put together this itinerary (I've confirmed availability/booked lodging and rental cars in each destination). Before I book the interisland travel, I thought I'd see if anyone has feedback on the planned itinerary:

Sep 7: Arrive in São Miguel, stay first night at Grand Hotel Acores Atlantico

Sep 8 - 11: Move to Solar Branco Estate for lodging and explore São Miguel for a few days (Sete Cidades Area Hiking Day, Geothermal Day, Wild São Miguel Day (Lagoa do Fogo + Nordeste)

Sep 11-14: Fly to Pico, Stay at Pico Terra Mar & Spa, Explore the wineries, do Whale Watching, Mt Pico

Sep 14 - 16: Take the ferry from Pico to São Jorge, stay at Quinta de Magnolia, explore the island, do some hiking

Sep 16: Fly from São Jorge to Terceira, spend just one night at Atlantida Mar Hotel (taxi from airport and explore Praia da Vitória); given our dates, we need to stay one night in Terceira in order to get a flight to Flores on 9/17

Sep 17 - 19: Fly to Flores from Terceira, stay at Hotel Ocean Cliff in Santa Cruz (very limited lodging availability and couldn't find anything in Fajã Grande at all). We'll have a rental car and will spend time exploring the island by car and do some hiking

Sep 19: Fly from Flores back to PDL for last night, stay at Grand Hotel Acores Atlantico again

Sep 20: Fly back to the States

We will rent a car everywhere except for Terceira (which is just a one-night stopover), and we're very comfortable with manual transmissions and driving in foreign countries. We like to be active and really want to see a number of different islands, but we're open to feedback and open to suggestions on this route. Given how last-minute we're planning, we were a bit limited in lodging in some locations (particularly Flores), but I'm open to other suggestions on that front too.

Thanks in advance for any help!!

Posted by
1 posts

Because weather is unpredictable, flight delays are not uncommon. I'd choose 2 islands at the most, with a possible ferry trip to visit one. Enjoy your time by slowing down.

Posted by
536 posts

What you have planned is doable as long as the flights do not have any issues.

Your hotel choices for hotels are wonderful, but for me they lack central locations where you can walk out and explore the larger cities and town. You will be needing the cars to drive to restaurants and just about everywhere else. Flores is the outlier for a hotel. There are limited choices to begin with, and all in Santa Cruz das Flores have more negative reviews than positive ones. Keep checking Aldeia da Cuada in Faja Grande in case something opens up last minute.

Whether you are the type to "wing-it" or pre-plan, you have a lot of time to see and do much more in your timeframe. Some sights require a timed entry. September is still high season in the Azores, and you have must-visit restaurants, make reservations once your itinerary is set and not when you arrive.

As long as the islands listed are your must sees, go for it. If not, I would spend more time in Terceira and drop Flores on this trip. Flores and Corvo deserve at least 5 days. Sao Jorge and Pico are breathtaking, and both are very long to traverse. Allot a full day if climbing to the top of Mt. Pico.

You mentioned a geothermal day in Sao Miguel. If you choose Poca da Dona Beija, or Caldeira Velha, you only have up to 90 minutes with your ticket. Only Parque Terra Nova allows more time until 4:30 pm, when it closes to the public and is only available for hotel guests. The gardens alone in Parque Terra Nova could take a few hours to explore.

Enjoy your visit to paradise!

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