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The Azores is an incredible and unique archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It continues to increase in popularity among nature lovers and those seeking a historically rich and culturally authentic travel experience. While you could spend months exploring the Azores (which we have), we recommend that visitors stay at least 10 days to get a feel of the region. This 10-day Azores itinerary will give you enough time to see the most famous island while also hopping to some less touristy.
Days 1-4: São Miguel
No Azores itinerary is complete without spending time on the incredible island of São Miguel. As the largest island and a popular gateway to the Azores, São Miguel is the perfect starting point for your Azores adventure. Spend time soaking in breathtaking viewpoints, exploring volcanic landscapes, discovering local villages, and swimming in natural pools. Four days on São Miguel will allow you to savor the best of the island’s offerings.
Use this 4-day São Miguel itinerary to optimize your time and experience the best things to do on São Miguel.
Days 5-10: Island hop between Faial, Pico, and São Jorge
After four days in São Miguel, we recommend jumping over to the so-called “triangle islands” of Faial, Pico, and São Jorge. We recommend spending two days per island to evenly split your time between these islands. This schedule allows enough time to rent a car and drive around each island, stopping at the main attractions.
Use this 2-day Faial itinerary to optimize your time and experience the best things to do on Faial. With two days on Faial, you can see Horta, the caldeira, the volcanic interpretation center, and more.
Use this 2-day Pico itinerary to optimize your time and experience the best things to do on Pico. Two days on Pico will allow enough time to explore the lava tubes, Mount Pico, Madalena, and more.
Use this 2-day São Jorge itinerary to optimize your time and experience the best things to do on São Jorge. This itinerary includes hiking Santo Cristo, visiting the Beira cheese factory, swimming in natural pools, and exploring the fajas.
If you prefer a more relaxed pace and less frequent changes in accommodations, you can choose one island as your base and take day trips to the other islands. The beauty of island hopping within the triangle islands lies in the convenience and speed of travel. With Atlanticoline ferries operating daily between all three islands, you can tailor your itinerary to suit your preferences and schedule.
With this 10-day Azores itinerary, you’ll have the opportunity to dive deeper into the Azores. This itinerary gives you the best of both worlds by visiting the most popular island of São Miguel and giving you the time to rub elbows with locals on Faial, Pico, and São Jorge.