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São Jorge Island is a gem of the Azores and a haven for nature lovers. Between natural pools, cheese factories, coffee plantations, and more, two days on the island will show you what makes it unique. It’s one of our favorite islands to explore simply because it still feels wild and untouched by tourism.
This two-day itinerary assumes that visitors base themselves in the main town of Velas, which is the starting point for each day. It is also dependent on visitors renting a car, which we always suggest for visitors to the Azores.
Day 1: Cheese, Villages, and Churches in São Jorge
Breakfast at a café
Feel free to grab breakfast at any local café close to your accommodations. I personally enjoy stopping in at a café near the Jardin da República. Some options include Flor do Jardim, O Suspiro Pastelaria, or Tasca dos Sabores.
Velas
After breakfast, spend some time exploring the Velas. Start at Jardim da República (what I also call wifi park—yes, they have free wifi). Then, stroll down the cobblestone streets, stopping in at the small shops along the way. You can even peek into one of the village churches, Igreja Matriz de Velas.
Pack a Picnic
Before leaving town, stop at a market to grab some food for a picnic! Euro Velas is the largest grocery store on the island and is just a little walk from the Jardim da República.
Tour the Cheese Factory in Beira
Make your way out of Velas towards your first main stop of the day, União de Cooperativas Agricolas de Lacticínios de São Jorge. Wow, that’s a mouthful (but good to know to find it on Google Maps). Simply put, you’ll head to the Beira cheese factory where the famous Beira and São Jorge cheeses are made. São Jorge Island is known for its cheese, making this a must on your 2-day São Jorge Island itinerary. If you time it right, you can take a guided tour of the factory to learn all about the cheese-making process. Whether or not you go on the tour, you can sample and purchase cheese for yourself. This is a top souvenir for people traveling to the Azores (some of my family members will even fill a carry-on bag with cheese to bring home!
Rosais
Rosais is more of a stopover to your next destination. Yet, it is worth stopping at some of the viewpoints (miradouros), churches, or even the tiny Núcleo Museológico da Ponta dos Rosais (if it’s open).
Picnic in Parque das Sete Fontes
Now it’s time to use that packed picnic! Your next stop is Parque das Sete Fontes. The park offers a serene setting to enjoy a peaceful lunch among nature. Find a bench to enjoy your meal, then spend some time exploring the area. It’s a great setting to take a stroll or enjoy the company of the ducks or deer.
Explore villages like Toledo, San Antonio, and Outeiroda Cruz
Part of what makes the Azores so charming are the small villages dotting the islands. While it’s easy to skip over and pass up these small towns, they are the areas where you’ll get a better feel of Azorean local life. Take a short road trip along EN1 and EN3, stopping for anything that piques your interest. You’ll pass through quaint villages like Toledo, San Antonio, and Outeiroda Cruz. Almost every village has a church you can stop by to see if nothing else catches your eye. In the village of Outeiroda Cruz, you’ll switch from EN1 to EN3 to head south towards Urzelina. Along the way, stop at Miradouro da Transversal for more beautiful views. Be prepared; the road may be rough with many switchbacks, so there is always the option to backtrack through Beira to get to the next stop, which will take about the same time.
Fajã das Almas
Fajã das Almas is a hidden gem of São Jorge Island. To access this fajã, drive down until the road plateaus into a small parking lot. From there, access the village by foot to explore the area and churches. With the village’s population steadily decreasing, you’ll likely feel as if you’ve stepped into a ghost town of the past. Be sure to stop at Miradouro da Fajã das Almas to snap a scenic photo or Poça da Fajã das Almas for a refreshing swim.
Visit Santa Barbara Church in Manadas
Santa Barbara Church is the most renowned church on the island. Its original construction dates back to the 18th century. Although the church has been reconstructed since then, the stones are still original. The historical significance and unique baroque style make this church a popular attraction on São Jorge Island.
Urzelina
Urzelina is a small village with a fascinating history. The scars of the 1808 eruption of Vulcão da Urzelina are still on display and can especially be seen at the Urzelina church tower (Torre da Igreja da Urezelina). Other attractions to see around town include:
- Urzelina Fort.
- Moinho da Urzelina (windmill).
- Cooperativa de Artesanato Senhora da Encarnaçäo (Lady of the Incarnation Crafts Cooperative).
Sunset and Dinner at Art Restaurant Manezinho
Good food and great views… what more can you ask for? Before leaving Urzelina, head over to Art Restaurant Manezinho for a delicious dinner. The oceanfront restaurant offers outdoor seating, perfect for catching the sunset over the water.
After a full day of exploring part of São Jorge Island, get plenty of rest to prepare for the second day of your 2-day São Jorge Island itinerary.
Day 2: Coffee, Hiking, and Swimming in São Jorge
Visit Café Nunes in Fajã dos Vimes
Many people don’t know that the Azores is one of only a couple destinations where coffee is grown in Europe! Coffee is essential to Azorean culture and a must-try drink in the Azores. To see some of this coffee production in action, head to Café Nunes in Fajã dos Vimes. There, you’ll find a small, unassuming café, but go around the back to glimpse where the coffee comes from. In the backyard of the café, you’ll find a small coffee plantation. You may even have the opportunity to get a brief tour to teach you about the growing and production process. After seeing where it comes from, you’ll have to try a cup in the café. While at it, grab some food to fuel yourself for the upcoming hike!
Hike Santo Cristo
Once you’re fueled, you’ll embark on one of the most popular hikes in the Azores. There are two ways to do this hike: one-way or out and back. If you can start and end in two different places (have someone who can drop you off/pick you up), the one-way is a great option. You begin at Serra do Topo and end in Fajã dos Cubres. This 5.7-mile hike takes an average of 3.5 hours. If you need to start and end in the same spot, take the trail from Fajã dos Cubres to Santo Cristo and back. This 5-mile route takes an average of 2.5 hours to complete roundtrip.
Lunch (2 options)
O Spot in Fajã dos Cubres
If you are hungry right away after your hike and don’t want to wait, stop at O Spot in Fajã dos Cubres. With outdoor seating, it is an excellent spot to enjoy the beautiful day (and my preferred place for lunch). They don’t have an extensive menu but have sandwiches and snack-sized dishes to satisfy your hunger.
O Amílcar in Norte Grande
If you want a heartier meal (and enjoy seafood), head to O Amílcar in Norte Grande. This restaurant is a little on the pricier side, but it will fill you up on local seafood. The location is fantastic, right by the water.
Fajã da Ouvidor
Out of over 40 fajãs in São Jorge, Fajã da Ouvidor is one of the most popular. Take some time to enjoy the picturesque views and go for a swim. One of the fajã’s swimming holes, Simão Dias, is our favorite swimming spot and one of the best things to do on the whole island. Although it’s clearly marked and one of the most popular things to do on the island, it still feels sort of like a hidden gem. Tucked away from the main road, you may be lucky to get this spot all to yourself, making it feel like your own secret paradise.
Dinner in Velas
Return to Velas for your evening and try one of the local restaurants for dinner. Some top options include Restaurante BomBife Brasil, Café Restaurante Velense, or Charlie’s Place.
Sunset at Arco Natural de Velas
After dinner, stroll along the oceanfront to relax, soak in the town’s laid-back vibe, and enjoy the sunset. The perfect place to capture sunset photos is from Arco Natural de Velas. Here, you can photograph the unique rock formation with the ocean and sunset-colored sky in the background.
Optional Extra Day
While you can squeeze in the island’s top highlights with a 2-day São Jorge Island itinerary, we always recommend spending extra time to explore deeper. If time allows, spend your extra days seeing other parts of the island or getting better familiar with local culture and customs.
Visit the Lighthouses in Rosais and Topo
While the 2-day itinerary takes visitors to the top sites around the island, they miss the two endpoints of São Jorge. On one side of the island sits Rosais, where you’ll find an abandoned lighthouse and stunning views featuring other Azores islands. On the other side, you’ll discover Topo. The town is home to the factory that produces one of the most famous Portuguese cheeses and another lighthouse. This lighthouse is in much better condition than the ruins of the one in Rosais, and it offers views of nearby Terceira Island.
Attend a festa and bullfight
If you time your trip right, you can experience the significant cultural and religious celebrations that really display local customs and traditions. The Holy Spirit Festivals (festas) often include dancing, eating, drinking, and bullfights. Some of the biggest festas to attend are those in Calheta, Santo Cristo, Beira, and Velas.
São Jorge Island is one of a kind. While I might be biased since my family is from there, I find the island to be a special one. We hope this 2-day São Jorge Island itinerary will show you the best of the island and convince you why it’s such a gem. If you only have a day or prefer to visit with a guide, book a São Jorge Island Grand Tour.