2 Best Sights in Faial, The Azores

Located toward the center of the island (and therefore best accessed by car), this stunning ancient volcanic crater with a diameter of 2 km (more than 1 mile) and a depth of 1,312 feet started forming at least 400,000 years ago, with the last volcanic event taking place 1,000 years ago. There’s a scenic viewpoint to snap a few pictures, or opt for the fairly easy hike around the 7-km (4-mile) circular trail that winds around the rim’s perimeter; there are some narrow sections, so bring your hiking shoes. The perimeter walk takes two to three hours to complete and offers lovely views of the lush laurel forest and, if you’re lucky and the day is clear, to Mt. Pico in the distance.

When the Capelinhos Volcano erupted in the 20th century, it completely changed not only the landscape of Faial, but the population as well. The undersea eruption created a lunar-like island that extended the coastal land mass, and resulted in about half of the population leaving Faial, never to return. Today you can visit the innovatively designed Volcano Museum at the site of the volcano—created underground to respect the landscape above—to get a better sense of what happened at that time, as well as to learn more about the geological history of the Azores. If time permits, start with the 10-minute film for an introductory background on volcanoes. Afterward, you can climb to the top of the lighthouse, partially buried during the eruption, for panoramic views. Once back outside, you have the option of taking the steep climb up the volcanic ridge to get an even better sense of the desolate terrain.