Hi everyone, I'm a local resident in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores, and I’ve noticed many questions here about the island. Let me help clarify a few things.

First, a quick note for those comparing the Azores and Madeira:
They are completely different places. While Madeira has a long tourism tradition going back to the 17th century — even Winston Churchill used to visit — the Azores have only recently gained more visibility on travel routes.

The main difference is that Madeira, although very beautiful, has been significantly shaped by human development. In contrast, the Azores maintain a raw, volcanic beauty. Our landscapes are natural, largely untouched, and we are often ranked among the best sustainable travel destinations in the world.

For general travel information, the best source is the official Azores Government website:


For car rentals, I recommend using a search engine that consistently finds the best offers:

It usually offers better prices than those found directly at rental desks.


The best time to visit is between September and June, when the island is quieter and mo

Lagoa do Fogo, São Miguel Azores