Portugal

To learn about our adventures in Portugal you can read our blog post Gem of the Atlantic – The Azores.

AZORES INFORMATION

Resources: 

https://www.visitazores.com/en

  • Information on each of the 9 islands.
  • Things to do (such as hiking, kayaking, whale watching)
  • Getting here and around
  • Accomodation
  • Useful information

https://www.visitazores.com/en/webcams

  • Cameras have been set up around the islands. On this website, you can view beaches, hiking trails, and viewpoints. Very helpful for determining what the weather is like before setting off on a hike for a view that might be in the clouds, such as Lagoa do Fogo on the Island of Sao Miguel which is often in the clouds.  

https://www.atlanticoline.pt/p/p/

  • Ferry service linking the nine islands. Tickets may be booked online or via email. I emailed them several times – when it appeared our flight between islands would be canceled due to a SATA airline strike –  and they were very responsive. No need to reserve tickets in advance unless for a long route. For day trips from Pico to Faial, or from Pico to Sao Jorge, it can easily be done in person at the ticket counter.
  • At the time of travel (August 2017) it was 7.2 euro per adult for a round trip ticket from Madalena, Pico to Horta, Faial and 3.6 euro per child. Seniors receive a discount. Buy tickets 30-60 minutes before departure. Must arrive 15 minutes prior to departure.
  • Although Atlantico is a car ferry, we were not allowed to transport our rental car to another island.
  • Atlantico ferry terminals have tourism offices. The offices we visited on Pico and Faial had brochures and a representative answering questions. Very helpful!

Tips:

  • Book your whale watching tour upon arrival. There are several companies to choose from. Since we booked ahead of time, we paid a wire transfer fee as deposit, which was unnecessary. It also made it difficult to change our whale watching tour date due to the potential of inclement weather. Since the weather changes frequently, it is better to book upon arrival.
  • On the Island of Pico, the rental car offices, whale watching tours, and dive shops are located across the street from the ferry terminal.
  • On the Island of Faial, there is a taxi stand outside of the Atlantico ferry terminal. Negotiate a rate for your taxi tour of the island. We hired a driver (minivan taxi) for three hours and paid 65 euros – (August 2017).
  • There are ATM machines located at the airport on Sao Miguel Island and Pico Island.

Services:     

  • Markets:  Spar in Lajes, Hyperspar in Lajes, Sol Mar in Madalena.
  • Rental Car Agencies:  Autatlantis, Varela Rent a Car, Ilha Verde.

We rented with Autatlantis on Pico Island and Varela Rent a Car on São Miguel. We needed a seven seat passenger van to accommodate our group. Not all rental car companies can offer one. Both companies we booked through were professional. The vans were clean and well maintained.

  • Whale watching:  CW Azores – Contact them for excursions such as whale watching and scuba diving. www.cwazores.com
  • Thermal springs:  Poca da Dona Beija
  • Kayaking: Hawaiian Canoe Tours  – Contact them for rentals. Email: hawaiian.canoe.garoupa@gmail.com
  • Restaurants:  (Some require reservations ahead)

Restaurants:

Lajes do Pico, Pico

  • Casa de Pasto Troca a Nota (Rua Padre Manuel Jose Lopes 13-A) – offering Italian and Portuguese food.

Madalena, Pico

  • Quiosque Carapinha (located across from the ferry terminal) – snack stand offering ice cream and waffles! 

Ponta Delgada, São Miguel  

  • La Cantina (Portas do Mar Loja 2, Avenida Infante D. Henrique) – offering Italian, Mediterranean, and sushi.
  • Abracadabra (Rua Gil Mont’Alverne Sequiera 2) – offering artisanal ice cream as well as waffles.    

Sete Cidades, São Miguel  

  • São Nicolau (Rua da Igreja, 20) – offering snacks, European, and Portuguese food.

Furnas, São Miguel

  • Restaurante Tonys (Largo do Teatro) – offering a traditional cozido dish. This dish consists of beef, pork, chicken, chorizo, cabbage, kale, yams, carrots, and potatoes. In the Furnas Valley, it’s cooked in a pot and placed in the ground. It is heated by volcanic steam. Quite the popular place!