keithman

My wife and I are traveling to Azores for 7 days in the end of May. We are flying from Boston into PDL. We're looking to explore, photograph, site see, a little adventure (maybe sailing?), and great eating (mostly seafood). I'm looking for suggestions on which islands we want to visit and any restaurants/places-to-stay suggestions. Think we want to limit hotels and stay in local houses/cottages. Open to any suggestions you might have. Thanks in advance!

Robert2533

You'll find a list of rural homes, like Adegas do Pico on Pico island (www.adegasdopico.com), and Casa Ti´ José Borges on Terceira (www.tijoseborges.com/) at: www.visitazores.com

You can't do too much island hopping in seven days, but on Terceira, the second most populous island, where you'll find the Guilherme Moniz Caldera and Algar do Carvão, a volcanic chimney and other sites, great for photographs.

Pico is the second largest island. The highest point of the island, on Montana do Pico, is 2350 meters, making it the highest point in Portugal.

Bedar

7 days isn't very long. Lots to see on Sao Miguel. We also like Terceira, graciosa, and Faial. You can take a ferry over to Pico from Horta, Faial. On Faial we liked the Pousada de Santa Cruz and the Quinta de Bunganvillas. On Terceira in Angra the Hotel Beira Mar and in Praia da Vitoria the Hotel Teresinha and the Residencial Zig Zag. which also has wonderful food. Enjoy the spectacular floral display on all islands.

davispeets

I thought Sao Miguel was the most beautiful of the 4 islands I went to (San Miguel, Terceira, Faial, and Pico).

If you want more than one island, I would choose:
(1) Sao Miguel/Terceira or
(2) Sao Miguel/Faial/Pico (a short ferry ride from the Horta Harbor).

If you choose Faial, the Horta Harbor would have sailing opportunities. There were many travel operators with kiosks operating right at the harbor. Faial has (1) the volcano museum, (2) hike down into the Caldeira, (3) short ferry to Pico - wine museum - interesting volcano landscape/walls.

My husband and traveling companions did a guided hiking tour to the top of Pico - I opted out after seeing how high and barren the tip of the mountain was out the window of the plane when we landed in Faial. The peak was above the clouds! I believe the hike up and down took most of the day.

Check the flights to see which logistics work best for you - that might help you choose which islands you want.

The natural swimming holes created at rocky points at various beaches that I saw in Pico and Faial were so cool!

I've only been once and it was a few years ago - but thought I would share since the Azores isn't discussed here much.