Azores
Description
The Azores - or Açores as the Portuguese say - are nine beautiful islands, perfect for walking. The lush vegetation, exotic fruits and flowers, abundant birdlife, and fascinating volcanic phenomena create the ideal destination for nature lovers.
The islands are situated exactly on the spot where three tectonic plates meet: the American, Eurasian and African plate. Volcanism comes in thousand forms: towering stratovolcanoes, wide calderas (a caldera is a crater of an exploded volcano), lakes, pumice cones ... you name it.
Winds from the North Atlantic bring rain and mist year round, but less so in the months May - August. For your ease: it may rain part of the day, but the sun will be back soon. Four seasons a day, as they say. It’s a good idea to carry warm clothes and rainwear and walk on sturdy shoes.
All nine islands are great for walking. Some are large and varied. Others are small and carry a unique atmosphere. Some are rugged and wild. Others are friendly and rural. Follow your taste. Facilities are good: accommodation in the small villages, transportation by boat and on road, marked trails, topographic maps.
The nine islands in order of size:
- São Miguel, 759 km2 - fascinating caldera and lake Sete Cidades
- Pico, 446 km2 - 2.350 m high volcano and its spine of small volcanoes and lakes
- Terceira, 403 km2 - rural atmosphere and old towns
- São Jorge, 246 km2 - a razor blade in the sea with isolated coastal communities
- Faial, 173 km2 - rural island, wide and deep caldera, new land formed during 1957 eruption
- Flores, 143 km2 - wild and rugged, high falls in dense forest: Ribeira Grande
- Santa Maria, 97 km2 - beaches and resorts
- Graciosa, 62 km2 - huge caldera and lava grotto Furna do Enxofre
- Corvo, 17 km2 - isolated volcano in the ocean, large caldera
Links
Facts
Reports
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
Books
United Kingdom
- Azores - 6th ed.
- The Azores in the Sunflower Landscapes guide series; exploring the best walking and touring possibilities in the region or area. Detailed information about touring by hired car or public transport, as well as on foot, is provided, helping walkers to navigate and plan day-trips. Shorter strolls are also included as an alternative for each main... Read more
United Kingdom
2015
- Azores: Car Tours and Walks
- The Azores in the Sunflower Landscapes guide series; exploring the best walking and touring possibilities in the region or area. Detailed information about touring by hired car or public transport, as well as on foot, is provided, helping walkers to navigate and plan day-trips. Shorter strolls are also included as an alternative for each main... Read more
United Kingdom
- Azores Tour & Trail Super-Durable Map
- For the best adventures, use the best map. Azores Tour & Trail Super-Durable Map is the most detailed, accurate, toughest, large scale map of these 9 islands that you can buy. Super-Durable Maps now come with a 2 year adventurous use wear and tear guarantee, see Discovery Walking Guides website for details. 1:60,000 scale for each island, Sao... Read more
United Kingdom
2019
- Azores Bradt Guide
- Bradt`s Azores is the only comprehensive guidebook to the nine-island archipelago, a nature-lovers` wilderness perched at the western extremity of Europe in the mid-Atlantic, and one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Thanks to the experience of expert botanist and author David Sayers, and the ongoing involvement of author... Read more
United Kingdom
2021
- DK Eyewitness Portugal
- Welcome to Portugal, a sunseekers` paradise.Whether you`re looking for world-renowned beaches, serene hilltop villages, verdant islands, or captivating cities, your DK Eyewitness travel guide makes sure you experience all that Portugal has to offer.Small but immensely varied, Portugal offers countless opportunities for adventure. From the... Read more
United Kingdom
2018
- Azores Sunflower Landscape Guide
- The Azores, nine islands in the Atlantic halfway between the Old World and the New, rise above sea level from a depth of several thousand metres. They are all volcanic in origin and all are covered in this guide.They are not the remains of the legendary continent of Atlantis, which is said to have sunk in the ocean once upon a time.... Read more
- Also available from:
- The Book Depository, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
2018
- Azores Sunflower Guide
- 60 long and short walks with detailed maps and GPS; 5 car tours with pull-out map Read more
United Kingdom
2019
- Walking on the Azores: 70 routes across Sao Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores and Corvo
- A comprehensive guide to walking in the Azores. The guidebook is divided into three island groups: Eastern Group (covering São Miguel and Santa Maria); Central Group (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial); and Western Group (Flores and Corvo). Most the 70 routes presented here use the Azores` official waymarked trail network and range... Read more
- Also available from:
- The Book Depository, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
2019
- Walking on the Azores
- 70 routes across Sao Miguel, Santa Maria, Terceira, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Pico, Faial, Flores and Corvo Read more
United Kingdom
- Azores
- The Rother walking guide to the Azores explores some of the finest walking opportunities on the coast and in the mountains of the nine Azorean islands; Santa Maria, Sao Miguel, Pico, Faial, Sao Jorge, Terceira, Graciosa, Flores and Corvo. Introductory sections profile the destination, with background information on the inhabitants of the... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium
Netherlands
- Azores
- The Azores, previously known primarily in connection with weather maps, has drawn more and more visitors in recent years. Nine different islands of volcanic origin belong to this archipelago, which, politically, belongs to Portugal. Corvo, the smallest of the Azores, measures only 17 square kilometres, compared to São Miguel at 757. The island... Read more
Belgium
- Azores
- The Azores, previously known primarily in connection with weather maps, has drawn more and more visitors in recent years. Nine different islands of volcanic origin belong to this archipelago, which, politically, belongs to Portugal. Corvo, the smallest of the Azores, measures only 17 square kilometres, compared to São Miguel at 757. The island... Read more
Netherlands
- Canary Islands Travel Guide
- The Canary Islands (Spanish: Islas Canarias) are an Atlantic territory of Spain on the west coast of Africa, near to Morocco, Cape Verde and the archipelagos of the Azores Islands and Madeira Islands.Gran Canaria The largest island by population, its capital city (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) has the shared title of capital of the Canaries.... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
- Canary Islands Travel Guide
- The Canary Islands (Spanish: Islas Canarias) are an Atlantic territory of Spain on the west coast of Africa, near to Morocco, Cape Verde and the archipelagos of the Azores Islands and Madeira Islands.Gran Canaria The largest island by population, its capital city (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) has the shared title of capital of the Canaries.... Read more
Netherlands
- Ultimate Wildlife Destinations
- This book combines the desire for ever more adventurous activities with our long-standing passion for wildlife, all the while infused with responsible travel themes and conservation topics. From tracking jaguars in Brazil to snorkelling with whale sharks in Honduras, and from hiking in Transylvania's Carpathian Mountains in search of European... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
- Ultimate Wildlife Destinations
- This book combines the desire for ever more adventurous activities with our long-standing passion for wildlife, all the while infused with responsible travel themes and conservation topics. From tracking jaguars in Brazil to snorkelling with whale sharks in Honduras, and from hiking in Transylvania's Carpathian Mountains in search of European... Read more
Netherlands
2012
- Azoren
- Neun grüne Perlen mitten im Atlantik - das sind die Azoren. Viele Träume und Geschichten umranken die Vulkaninseln, den Rest des sagenumwobenen Atlantis. Auf halbem Weg zwischen alter und neuer Welt liegt der weit verstreute Archipel fernab vom portugiesischen Mutterland in den Weiten des wilden Ozeans. Weit weg vom Massentourismus sind die... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
2012
- Azoren
- Neun grüne Perlen mitten im Atlantik - das sind die Azoren. Viele Träume und Geschichten umranken die Vulkaninseln, den Rest des sagenumwobenen Atlantis. Auf halbem Weg zwischen alter und neuer Welt liegt der weit verstreute Archipel fernab vom portugiesischen Mutterland in den Weiten des wilden Ozeans. Weit weg vom Massentourismus sind die... Read more
Netherlands
- Island Interludes
- "Romantic islands in the sun. Dreams of Sicily, Canary Islands, Malta, Cyprus, Madeira, and even further north to the distant Azores lying in the Atlantic Ocean. All of these I hungrily devoured from the pages of travel articles and over many years of looking at an atlas of the world. Everything seemed a distant dream until life had other... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
- Island Interludes
- "Romantic islands in the sun. Dreams of Sicily, Canary Islands, Malta, Cyprus, Madeira, and even further north to the distant Azores lying in the Atlantic Ocean. All of these I hungrily devoured from the pages of travel articles and over many years of looking at an atlas of the world. Everything seemed a distant dream until life had other... Read more
Netherlands
2016
- Rother Wandelgidsen - Azoren
- De Rother wandelgids Azoren beschrijft de mooiste kust- en bergwandelingen voor een fantastische wandelvakantie in dit Portugese natuurparadijs. De Azoren bestaan uit de eilanden São Miguel, Santa Maria, Faial, São Jorge, Pico, Terceira, Graciosa, Corvo en Flores. Er zijn veel verschillende wandelmogelijkheden op de eilanden; van wandelingen... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
2016
- Rother Wandelgidsen - Azoren
- De Rother wandelgids Azoren beschrijft de mooiste kust- en bergwandelingen voor een fantastische wandelvakantie in dit Portugese natuurparadijs. De Azoren bestaan uit de eilanden São Miguel, Santa Maria, Faial, São Jorge, Pico, Terceira, Graciosa, Corvo en Flores. Er zijn veel verschillende wandelmogelijkheden op de eilanden; van wandelingen... Read more
Netherlands
2017
- 33 Wanderungen Azoren
- Die Azoren als letzte (oder erste) Bastion Europas mitten im Atlantik sind noch eine wahre Naturdestination. Wanderer k nnen auf alten K stenpfaden gehen, tiefgr ne Krater umrunden oder auf den h chsten Berg Portugals steigen. Das Buch beschreibt die sch nsten Wanderungen der Inseln, darunter auch echte Geheimtipps der hier beheimateten... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
2017
- 33 Wanderungen Azoren
- Die Azoren als letzte (oder erste) Bastion Europas mitten im Atlantik sind noch eine wahre Naturdestination. Wanderer k nnen auf alten K stenpfaden gehen, tiefgr ne Krater umrunden oder auf den h chsten Berg Portugals steigen. Das Buch beschreibt die sch nsten Wanderungen der Inseln, darunter auch echte Geheimtipps der hier beheimateten... Read more
Netherlands
2016
- Azores
- The sixth edition of the only full-blown guide to the beguiling islands of this mid-Atlantic Portugese archipelagoBradt's Azores guidebook is the only comprehensive guidebook to the nine-island archipelago, a nature-lovers' wilderness perched at the western extremity of Europe in the mid-Atlantic, and one of the best places in the world for... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Belgium
2016
- Azores
- The sixth edition of the only full-blown guide to the beguiling islands of this mid-Atlantic Portugese archipelagoBradt's Azores guidebook is the only comprehensive guidebook to the nine-island archipelago, a nature-lovers' wilderness perched at the western extremity of Europe in the mid-Atlantic, and one of the best places in the world for... Read more
Maps
United Kingdom
- S. Miguel - Ponta Delgada - Azores 32
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:25,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation.Map legend and a glossary of terms used on the maps include English.To see all the titles in this series please click on the series link. Read more
United Kingdom
2022
- Azores F&B
- This large double-sided road map of the Azores, at 1:50,000 from Freytag & Berndt, shows the islands both individually and as a group and comes with an attached index and concise leisure guide booklet. This map shows main and minor roads, motorways and toll roads, sections under construction or closed to traffic. Conveniently highlighted are... Read more
United Kingdom
- Pico - S.Roque do Pico - Azores 8
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:25,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation.Map legend and a glossary of terms used on the maps include English.To see all the titles in this series please click on the series link. Read more
United Kingdom
- S. Jorge - Norte Grande - Azores 16
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:25,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation.Map legend and a glossary of terms used on the maps include English.To see all the titles in this series please click on the series link. Read more
United Kingdom
- Terceira - Angra do Heroismo - Azores 24
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:25,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation.Map legend and a glossary of terms used on the maps include English.To see all the titles in this series please click on the series link. Read more
United Kingdom
- S. Miguel - Vila Franca do Campo - Azores 33
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:25,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation.Map legend and a glossary of terms used on the maps include English.To see all the titles in this series please click on the series link. Read more
United Kingdom
- Flores North - Azores 1
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:25,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation.Map legend and a glossary of terms used on the maps include English.To see all the titles in this series please click on the series link. Read more
United Kingdom
- Pico - Prainha de Cima - Azores 9
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:25,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation.Map legend and a glossary of terms used on the maps include English.To see all the titles in this series please click on the series link. Read more
United Kingdom
- S. Jorge - Urzelina - Azores 17
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:25,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation.Map legend and a glossary of terms used on the maps include English.To see all the titles in this series please click on the series link. Read more
United Kingdom
- Terceira - Ribeirinha - Azores 25
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:25,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation.Map legend and a glossary of terms used on the maps include English.To see all the titles in this series please click on the series link. Read more
United Kingdom
- Flores South - Azores 2
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:25,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation.Map legend and a glossary of terms used on the maps include English.To see all the titles in this series please click on the series link. Read more
United Kingdom
- Pico - Candelaria - Azores 10
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:25,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation.Map legend and a glossary of terms used on the maps include English.To see all the titles in this series please click on the series link. Read more
United Kingdom
- S. Jorge - Calheta - Azores 18
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:25,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation.Map legend and a glossary of terms used on the maps include English.To see all the titles in this series please click on the series link. Read more
United Kingdom
- S. Miguel - Bretanha - Azores 26
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:25,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation.Map legend and a glossary of terms used on the maps include English.To see all the titles in this series please click on the series link. Read more
United Kingdom
- Corvo - Azores 3
- Topographic survey of Portugal at 1:25,000 from the Instituto Geográfico do Exército, the country’s military survey organisation.Map legend and a glossary of terms used on the maps include English.To see all the titles in this series please click on the series link. Read more