🏝️ Azores: 10 reasons for an unforgettable trip

I opened the map, looked at the location and decided that it was unlikely that I would be able to find myself in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean in the coming years. But nothing is impossible! I met 2023 on San Miguel, the main island of the Azores archipelago. 

Why are the Azores so attractive? Volcanic activity and humid Atlantic air created a miracle – a corner of evergreen nature with a mountainous landscape, colorful lakes, rocky shores, waterfalls and geysers emerging from the very depths of the earth. 

The climate here is amazing. In winter it’s about +17, and in summer it’s about +25. But the weather is so changeable that a clear sunny sky can be covered with rain clouds in a few minutes. When I flew to San Miguel, the forecast showed continuous downpours, which is typical for the winter period, but in fact, I never unpacked my raincoat – it was dry and warm all seven days. They say I'm very lucky.

Let ‘s move on to the attractions of the island of San Miguel. I can’t wait to tell you about the beauties that make it worth flying to the Azores.

Thermal natural pools 

Upon arrival, I went to the village of Furnas. I decided that it would be great to swim in hot springs in the middle of wild nature on December 31, while salads were being chopped in Slavic countries. 

The Furnas region is known for its volcanic activity, which continues to this day. An incredible sight: in some places cauldrons of boiling water form in the ground, or steam with a strong sulfuric smell simply comes out.

“Can you find dumplings on the island? I know where to cook them,” my husband joked. Local dumplings are not made, but they use natural steamers and simmer meat on them for their version of the traditional Porto Gali dish “Cozido das Furnas”.

In the same village there is the Terra Nostra Park (Parque Terra Nostra). A visit costs 10 euros. Immediately at the entrance you will see an impressive size lake with warm (almost 40°C) red water: its color is due to its high iron content. I warn you: swimming trunks and swimsuits can get stained – wear dark ones or ones that you don’t mind.

After or before your treatments, take a walk through the botanical garden. A reserve of 12.5 hectares with a variety of plants and trees, well-groomed paths and ponds is a paradise. 

Within walking distance of Terra Nostra Park there is another thermal pool – Poça da Dona Beija. Entrance – 8 euros for 1.5 hours. Believe me, the body doesn’t need more: then your head starts to feel dizzy. The complex consists of five small swimming pools. In one you can lie down like in a bath, in another you can have a hydromassage of your shoulders, in the third you can warm your bones on hot stones – it’s a blast! It is very beautiful here in the evening when the lights turn on.

Volcanic cliffs and Arnel lighthouse

I fell in love with this place from the first picture on the Internet. It turned out to be even more beautiful in person. You can see the Arnel lighthouse (Farol do Arnel) from the site near the village of Nordeste, but I recommend going down to it. By the way, this is the first Azorean lighthouse. It was built in the 19th century.

If you go further down the steep road, you will see a tall waterfall. Then you will be greeted by fishermen's houses, a pier with boats and, finally, coal rocks. Here you can even touch and examine layers of solidified lava up close – it’s terribly beautiful! The ocean against the backdrop of volcanic ash sand seems especially azure. Here it is as if you are in contact with all four elements: fire, water, air and earth. This place gives me goosebumps. 

Multi-colored lakes in volcanic craters

The heterochronic lake in the village of Sete Cidades is most etched in my memory: one part of it has green water, and the other has blue water. There are several observation platforms in the mountains from which you can see the reservoir from different sides. I went to the viewpoint Miradouro do Cerrado das Freiras. Hydrangeas bloom along the road in the spring, I think this enhances the impression, but even in January the views here brought tears to my eyes. According to legend, these lakes were where lovers cried – a princess with blue eyes and a shepherd with green ones, because the king forbade them to meet.

If you go to the same viewpoint, be sure to stop at Miradouro da Lagoa de Santiago. From there you will see Lake Santiago. It is surrounded by green mountain slopes – a mesmerizing sight.

In the central part of the island of São Miguel there is another lake formed in the crater of a volcano – Lagoa do Fogo. It is located higher than others – about 950 meters above sea level. You have to admire the reservoir from the very top viewpoint through the fog. But if you go a little lower, there may be no haze. From the observation decks you can see not only Lagoa de Fogo, but also the ocean, from both sides. Delight! Around the “Lake of Fire,” as its name is translated from Portuguese, there are several walking routes.

Near the village that I told you about at the very beginning, there is also a volcanic lake – Furnas (Lagoa das Furnas). With bright green water bubbling along the shores.

The largest tea plantations in Europe

On San Miguel there is the oldest tea factory in Europe – Goreanna (Fábrica de Chá Gorreana). It was founded in the second half of the 19th century. The tea here is hand-picked and made using ancient technology. Then, again, they are packed into boxes by hand.

The production workshop is open to everyone. At first I thought it was a museum, but no – it’s a real factory with antique equipment, where leaves are still dried. After the excursion, you can enjoy a cup or two of local tea while admiring the plantations, steep slopes of the island and the endless ocean. The tea is very tasty – I took a couple of packs with me, I recommend it to you too.

A short drive away is the island's second factory, Porto Formoso (Fábrica de Chá de Porto Formoso). She also offers to taste her tea on the terrace with a stunning view. There is also a museum of the history of Azorean tea at the factory.

Azorean pineapple plantations 

There are many such plantations on the island, but only a few of them are open to visitors. I suggest you look at the one that is located almost in the very center of the capital of the Azores, Ponta Delgada – Plantação de Ananás dos Açores.

The local climate is not native to these plants, so pineapples ripen in greenhouses. You don't have to pay to see them. In addition, at the plantation you will also be treated to a glass of pineapple liqueur with jam. Sooo delicious! Azorean pineapples are said to be low in sugar and high in potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron and bromelain. 

This is just a small part of the beauty of the Azores. I want to return here to “hunt” whales, visit the best beaches, swim in the “hot” ocean, take photographs of the most beautiful waterfalls, stroll along paths strewn with hydrangeas, and see other islands of the archipelago. Yes, during my week-long trip I didn’t see everything, but it was definitely enough to fall in love with the evergreen Azores.