Out in the middle of the Atlantic, roughly 1,400 km west of Lisbon, nine green volcanic islands rise from the deep blue. The Azores are wild, lush and gloriously uncrowded — a place of crater lakes, hissing fumaroles, whale-rich seas and pastures so green they look painted. Here's how to choose where to go.

The nine, at a glance

  • São Miguel — the largest and most-visited "green island": the twin lakes of Sete Cidades, the geothermal valley of Furnas, and food cooked underground by volcanic heat.
  • Pico — dominated by Portugal's highest mountain and ringed by UNESCO-listed vineyards grown in black lava walls.
  • Faial — the "blue island" of hydrangeas, with the famous Peter Café Sport and a stark recent volcanic landscape at Capelinhos.
  • Terceira — historic Angra do Heroísmo (a World Heritage town) and lava-tube caves you can walk through.
  • São Jorge — dramatic cliffs, the flat fajãs at sea level, and a legendary cheese.
  • Flores & Corvo — the remote, waterfall-laced westernmost islands; Corvo is a single volcanic crater with a tiny village inside.
  • Graciosa & Santa Maria — the quiet ones: gentle, sunny and wonderfully slow.

What to do

Whale watching is world-class — the waters around Pico and Faial are among the best places on earth to see sperm whales, with dolphins almost guaranteed and blue whales possible in spring. Add hiking the crater rims, soaking in natural hot springs at Furnas, and diving or snorkelling in startlingly clear water.

How to hop

The "triangle" of Pico, Faial and São Jorge sits close together and is easily linked by short ferry rides — ideal for a first island-hopping trip. Longer jumps are best done by air; SATA/Azores Airlines connects all the islands. Distances are deceiving, so don't try to do all nine in one trip. Two or three islands over a week is plenty.

When to come

Late spring to early autumn (May–September) brings the warmest, driest weather and peak whale activity. Pack for changeable conditions year-round — these are Atlantic islands, and the famous green comes from frequent, fleeting rain.