– Travel Stories –
The Azores
A Journey Through Volcanic Beauty
Getting There and First Impressions
The Azores is an archipelago of nine volcanic islands scattered across the North Atlantic Ocean. You can reach them easily by flying from Portugal or the U.S. They’re often described as Europe’s best-kept secret — lush, remote, and breathtakingly beautiful. Naturally, they had to be checked out!
My travel buddy on this trip was Lutz, who had 11 days available, so we planned an itinerary covering three islands. We flew in via Lisbon, and our first stop was São Miguel, where we spent four nights exploring with a rental car.
São Miguel – The Green Heart of the Azores
The scenery? Absolutely stunning. It was October, and the weather was… let’s just say, entertainingly unpredictable. Sunshine, rain, and shifting temperatures often played tag throughout the day — sometimes even between different parts of the island. Pro tip: use the webcams across the Azores to plan your day and stay flexible. The islands reward those who go with the flow.
Since it was off-season, we had a lot of places almost to ourselves. We joined a whale and dolphin watching tour — the whales must have been on holiday that week, but we were greeted by a playful pod of dolphins swimming under a perfect rainbow. Pure magic.
The Azores in one photo: sunshine, clouds, and magic all at once.
Since it was off-season, we had a lot of places almost to ourselves. We joined a whale and dolphin watching tour — the whales must have been on holiday that week, but we were greeted by a playful pod of dolphins swimming under a perfect rainbow. Pure magic.
Another highlight was visiting the hot springs of Furnas, where we enjoyed a cozy dinner and a nighttime soak in one of the thermal baths — the perfect Halloween-season experience, surrounded by steam and flickering lights.
We spent our days driving around São Miguel, stopping at volcanic craters, lush hillsides, and hidden viewpoints. Then, on a whim, we booked a coasteering tour — something we hadn’t planned but absolutely loved. Coasteering is a mix of swimming, climbing, and jumping off coastal rocks. Some call it “light canyoning,” but a few jumps definitely tested our courage.
São Jorge – Cliffs, Rock Pools, and Quiet Beauty
After São Miguel, it was time to fly to São Jorge, where we stayed three nights. Another beautiful island, known for its dramatic cliffs and natural rock pools perfect for swimming in the otherwise rough Atlantic.
We explored at our own pace, including a visit to Cave Natal, and agreed that while São Jorge might not have the grandeur of São Miguel, it was every bit as charming and authentic.
Terceira – Food, Relaxation, and Final Impressions
Our final stop was Terceira, also for three nights — again with a trusty rental car. Terceira is lovely, though compared to the other two islands, perhaps a little less spectacular. The weather wasn’t entirely on our side, but that gave us time to relax and enjoy our cool apartment — and some of the best food of the trip.
Finally, we returned to São Miguel for one last night before flying home via Lisbon. For Lutz and me, it was an unforgettable journey — full of wild landscapes, unpredictable weather, laughter, and the joy of discovering the Azores far from the tourist crowds.
Rough nature outside, good beer and great food inside — no complaints.
If you’re craving nature, adventure, and tranquility all in one trip — the Azores deliver. Go off-season if you can, stay flexible with your plans, and don’t let the unpredictable weather scare you away. That’s part of the magic.