Where to Stay in the Azores: Island by Island

The Azores are nine islands spread across the Atlantic, so the first question is which island to stay on, and then which town. Here’s where to stay in the Azores, island by island, whether it’s your first visit or you’re island hopping.

Quick answer: on a first visit, stay on São Miguel. Base yourself in Ponta Delgada for restaurants and easy day trips, and add a night in Furnas for the hot springs. If you’re island hopping, add Pico (stay in Madalena), Faial (Horta), Terceira (Angra do Heroísmo) or São Jorge (Velas). Browse all Azores stays.

How to choose

Most visitors fly into Ponta Delgada on São Miguel, the biggest island, with the widest choice of hotels and the most direct flights from mainland Portugal. If you have a week or less, stay on São Miguel and split your nights between two bases. With ten days or more, add the central group: Faial, Pico and São Jorge, close enough to link by ferry. Terceira is a good extra stop with its own direct flights. Flores and Corvo in the far west suit a longer trip.

• Up to 5 nights: São Miguel only, ideally 3 or 4 nights in Ponta Delgada and 1 in Furnas.
• 7 to 10 nights: São Miguel plus Terceira, or São Miguel plus Pico and Faial.
• Two weeks: São Miguel, the central “Triangle” and perhaps Flores.

São Miguel

Ponta Delgada

The largest town in the Azores, with the most hotels, restaurants and tour departures. It’s the best base for a short stay and for whale watching. Stay near the marina or the historic centre and you can walk to dinner. The airport is only about 3km from the centre. Sete Cidades is about 40 minutes’ drive away, and Furnas a little under an hour. See places to stay in Ponta Delgada. See things to do in Ponta Delgada.

Furnas

A spa village in a volcanic valley. Stay overnight to soak in the hot pools in the evening when the day-trippers have gone, and to try cozido, the stew slow-cooked in the hot ground by the lake. Poça da Dona Beija stays open into the evening, with last entry usually around 9:30pm, so you can soak after dinner. Furnas is often cooler and mistier than the coast, so bring a jacket. See places to stay in Furnas. See the Furnas guide.

Sete Cidades and the north coast

Rural stays near the crater lakes and the tea plantations, for peace and nature. Ribeira Grande, the island’s second town, sits on the north coast near surf beaches and the Gorreana tea estate. A car is essential.

For specific hotels, see the best hotels on São Miguel.

Pico

Stay in Madalena, the ferry port for Faial, with wine country and the lava-stone vineyards nearby. It’s the best base for climbing the mountain. If whale watching is your priority, consider a night or two in Lajes do Pico on the south coast. See places to stay on Pico. See Pico.

Faial

Stay in Horta, the famous sailors’ harbour with Peter Café Sport and painted marina walls. It’s a short ferry ride from Pico, so many people base themselves here and visit Pico for the day, or the other way round. See places to stay in Horta. See Faial.

Terceira

Stay in Angra do Heroísmo, the UNESCO-listed colourful old capital, full of churches, squares and pastel houses. Terceira is known for its summer festivals, so book well ahead for June. For a quieter stay, Praia da Vitória on the east coast, near the airport, has a long sandy beach. See places to stay in Angra. See Terceira.

São Jorge

Stay in Velas for walks down to the coastal fájãs, the flat strips of land at the foot of the island’s steep cliffs. São Jorge is also famous for its strong, tangy cheese. See places to stay in Velas. See São Jorge.

Flores

Small guesthouses around Santa Cruz and Lajes. Book early, as rooms are limited. Flores is the place for waterfalls and green cliffs, and the boat trip to tiny Corvo. Some trails, including the PR01 FLO coastal path, have been closed, so check before you plan walks. See Flores.

The quieter islands

Santa Maria has the warmest weather and the best sandy beaches in the Azores. Graciosa is small, flat and rural. Corvo has a single village and very few beds. All three suit travellers who want peace more than activities. You reach Santa Maria by a short flight from Ponta Delgada, as there’s no passenger ferry from São Miguel. See Santa Maria and Graciosa.

Getting between islands

Inter-island flights link all nine islands, usually via Ponta Delgada or Terceira. Ferries run year-round between Faial and Pico, and connect São Jorge too, with more routes in summer. From about June to September, Atlânticoline adds a few weekly sailings from the Triangle to Terceira and Graciosa. No ferry links São Miguel with the central islands, so you fly. Seas can be rough, so leave a spare day before your flight home.

Tips

• Book early for summer: rooms are limited, especially on the smaller islands.
• Rent a car: essential outside the main towns. Book it with your room in July and August, as cars run out.
• Weather: plan flexible days, as fog and rain can change plans.
• Consider a rural stay: restored stone farmhouses are common, but you’ll need to drive for dinner.
• Tourist tax: most councils on São Miguel charge about €2 per person per night, for up to three nights. Children are usually exempt, so check the rules with your accommodation.

FAQ

Which island is best for a first visit to the Azores?

São Miguel. It has the most flights, hotels and tours, and its crater lakes, hot springs and whale watching are all within about an hour of Ponta Delgada.

Should I stay in Ponta Delgada or Furnas?

Do both if you can: most of your nights in Ponta Delgada for restaurants and day trips, and one night in Furnas to use the hot pools in the evening. If you want a single base, choose Ponta Delgada.

Do I need a car in the Azores?

Outside the main towns, yes. Buses are infrequent and many viewpoints and trailheads have no service, so hire a car or book tours.

Is there a tourist tax in the Azores?

On São Miguel, most councils charge about €2 per person per night for up to three nights, usually paid at your accommodation; children are usually exempt. Ask your host about the rules on other islands.

Landing in Ponta Delgada? Book a fixed-price pickup with Welcome Pickups. An English-speaking driver meets you at arrivals with a name sign, tracks your flight if it’s late, and child seats can be added when you book.

More: Azores island hopping, the São Miguel itinerary and the best tours in the Azores.

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