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
531 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
202 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
4 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.