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Pico is a gem of an island, one I have a strong tie to since my dad’s family is from there. The island is brimming with natural beauty and has plenty to offer visitors. This 2-day Pico itinerary will help you see the best of the island and take you to my favorite spots to explore.
Pico Itinerary Day 1: Madalena
Madalena is the main city on the island of Pico and is where I recommend basing yourself during your stay. The city is close to Pico airport and is home to one of the island’s main ports. The charming town also offers visitors enough to spend an entire day discovering just that area.
In one day, you can explore the longest lava tube in Portugal, photograph Pico’s iconic windmills, swim in a natural pool, taste wine from UNESCO Heritage vineyards, and more! We wrote a 1-day itinerary to help you get the most out of your time in Madalena.
Read about how to spend a day in Madalena, Pico here!
Pico Itinerary Day 2: Island Road Trip
The best way to see Pico Island is by car! From scenic viewpoints and serene lakes to magical caves and unique lava formations, the landscapes of Pico are worth exploring. While you can’t road trip the whole island in one day, you can visit top sights on a mini Pico road trip. Don’t miss top spots like Furna de Frei Matias, Pico da Urze, Lagoa do Capitão, and more.
Read our mini Pico road trip itinerary here!
Optional Extra Day
Two days is a reasonable amount of time to spend in Pico, but three or four days is even better! If you can add a couple of days to your Pico itinerary, add another exciting activity to your agenda.
Climb Mount Pico
For the adventurous types, climbing Pico Mountain is the ultimate Pico Island experience. The climb is no easy feat, but it is worth the effort to summit the tallest mountain in Portugal. While you can do it on your own, I recommend taking on the challenge on a guided Pico Mountain hiking tour.
Whale Watching
Pico is one of the best islands to experience a whale-watching tour, largely thanks to the Marine Protected Area of Ilheus da Madalena (Islets of Madalena). Whale watching is a beautiful experience in the Azores. If you have yet to experience it on the other islands (or even if you have), I recommend taking one of the many incredible tours from Lajes do Pico. While you’re in Lajes do Pico, you can also visit the Whalers Museum to learn about the lives of Azorean whalers.
Local Celebration
One of the best things to do in the Azores is to enjoy local celebrations, also known as festas. Madalena, Pico hosts one of the largest celebrations in the Azores. Aside from the large Madalena festa, there are plenty of other festas around the rest of the island. If you visit the island in the summer, check if your visit to Pico aligns with one of their celebrations.
Between exploring Madalena and taking a mini Pico road trip, you will see some of the best of Pico Island. If you add an optional extra day, you can perfectly round out your 2-day Pico itinerary. This itinerary will help you have the best experience on Pico Island.