Planning approximately 3 weeks next June inn Portugal: mainland (2 weeks) and final week in the Azores. My question is for the Azores. Originally planning on 2 or 3 islands but the more I read it may be better to just stay on San Miguel. If my daughter joins us, she'll be interested in an island with interesting geological features. Is it suggested we just stay on San Miguel or take a few days on another island that may suit my daughter's interests as well?
Posted by
Rhode Island, USA
536 posts
Without knowing precisely what types of geological features interest your daughter, all the islands would be interesting just as you drive and walk around. However, the islands differ in what is provided/offered by Mother Nature and the sights you can visit with a small cost or free entry. Here are my highlights worth visiting that have a cost:
Sao Miguel
1. One of the thermal baths (Poca da Dona Beija, Parque Terra Nostra, Centro de Interpretacao Ambiental da Caldeira Velha)
2.Observatorio Vulcanologico e Geotermico dos Acores
3. Fumaroles Lagoa das Furnas
4. Caldeiras das Furnas
5. Gruta do Carvao
6. Convento de Santo Antonio (enter through Biblioteca Municipal Tomaz Borba Vieira). There is a multimedia exhibit about the formation of the islands from different volcanos.
Santa Maria
1. Casa dos Fosseis/Centro de Interpretacao Ambiental Dalberto Pombo
2. Monumento Natural da Pedreira do Campo (free)
Terceira
1. Museo Vulcanoespeleologico
2. Algar do Carvao
3. Furnas do Enxofre
4. Gruta do Natal
Faial
1. Vulcao dos Capelinhos
Pico
1. Centro de Visitantes da Gruta das Torres
2. Casa dos Vulcoes
Graciosa
1. Furna do Enxofre Caldeira
With only one week, you have more than enough to keep everyone happy and busy just on Sao Miguel. There are countless scenic overlooks that will take your breath away. All the other islands have their fair share of scenic overlooks. One in particular on Santa Maria is the top of Pico Alto, where you can spin 360 degrees and see the entire island! No other island in the Azores has something like this.
If you can reply here or send a private message to me with more specifics, I can point you in the right directions.
Posted by
221 posts
For just a week, São Miguel will have more than enough to offer. It is the largest and most diverse - plus getting to another island will take up at least half a day each way, all things considered.
The one thing that would be hardest to find on São Miguel will be the size of the crater on Faial, which is enormous (but cannot be entered, unlike some on São Miguel). Still as you see in the previous post, most things will be covered on São Miguel. Add also some crater lakes like Lagoa do Fogo, Sete Ciudades, and places where thermal water flows right into the ocean.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Seems like just staying on San Miguel is our best bet for this first trip and plenty to keep everyone happy. I'll do more research and come back with any additional questions.
Posted by
19 posts
If it's your first visit, I'd recommend spending the whole week on São Miguel. It has the Azores' most famous volcanic landscapes, including Sete Cidades, Furnas, and Lagoa do Fogo, so there's plenty to keep a geology enthusiast interested.
If your daughter is especially interested in geology, consider adding 2-3 days on Terceira to visit Algar do Carvão, a volcanic cave that is unique in the Azores. Otherwise, a full week on São Miguel is hard to beat.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Are there day trips to Terceira from San Miguel? I think my daughter will love the Algar do Carvao.
Posted by
Rhode Island, USA
536 posts
You would have to plan the trip yourself. Here are the logistics to consider…
Take a 30 minute morning flight to Terceira and then an evening return flight. The airport arrival time should be 90 minutes for each flight. The cost of the round trip flight is at least $150.00 USD p/p. Hopefully there would not be any weather delays or cancellations.
Algar do Carvao has limited afternoon visiting hours. It could be closed for any reason at any time. https://www.montanheiros.com/en/algarcarvao/
A guided tour would be optional with pick up and drop off at the airport in Terceira. The guide would need to know this in advance. Many options are available at multiple websites, including GetYourGuide. Figure at least $100.00 p/p for a full day island tour (specifically one that visits the cave), lunch excluded. A taxi to the cave and back is probably around 40-50 euros. I would spend time in Praia Vitoria before returning to the airport, 7-10 minutes away by taxi.
Ferry service between Sao Miguel and Terceira does not exist. Even if it did, it would be a very long sailing each way, which would not make sense.
- If you really want to visit the cave, plan on staying in Terceira for at least one night, and stay at a hotel in either Angra do Heroismo or Praia da Vitoria. A car rental would be optimal.
Posted by
221 posts
We were just two weeks ago as part of a stay on Terceira. It is nice, but I don’t think it would be worth the hustle of a day trip.