Azores
Nine volcanic islands in the mid-Atlantic, about four hours from London, where UK visitors come for crater lakes, hot springs, whale watching and lush hiking country rather than beach lounging. São Miguel is the usual first stop. June to September is the season; the rest of the year is mild but wet, windy and changeable.
Overview
Most first trips spend a week on São Miguel, the largest island, driving between the crater lakes of Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo, the steaming valley at Furnas and the tea plantations of the north coast. With ten days or more, add the central group: Pico for its 2,351 m volcano and whale watching, Faial for the yachting harbour at Horta, and São Jorge for its cliff-foot fajãs. Inter-island flights are short, and ferries link Pico, Faial and São Jorge, with more sailings in summer. Weather changes by the hour all year and cloud often hides the lakes. July to September is warmest, with the sea at 22–23°C; spring is best for blue whales.
Map of Azores
Highlights
- 1Nature
Sete Cidades
Twin lakes, one green and one blue, fill a vast collapsed crater in western São Miguel. Look down from the Vista do Rei viewpoint, then walk part of the rim trail or hire a kayak on the water.
- 2Food
Furnas
A village in a volcanic valley full of fumaroles and hot springs. Soak in the iron-rich thermal pool at Terra Nostra Park, then try cozido das Furnas, a meat-and-vegetable stew slow-cooked in the hot ground beside the lake.
- 3Wildlife
Whale and dolphin watching
Sperm whales live around the islands all year, and blue, fin and sei whales pass through in spring. Boats leave from Ponta Delgada and from Lajes do Pico, a former whaling village with a museum to the trade.
- 4Adventure
Mount Pico
Portugal's highest mountain, 2,351 m, rises straight from the sea. The marked trail from the mountain house takes five to eight hours return; climbers must register and carry a GPS tracker, and summer gives the safest conditions.
- 5Nature
Lagoa do Fogo
A crater lake high in the mountains of central São Miguel, protected as a nature reserve, with no buildings on its shore. Clear mornings give the best chance of seeing it before cloud settles on the ridge.
Where to stay
Ponta Delgada
The islands' main town and airport, with the widest choice of hotels, restaurants and whale-watching boats; the practical base for a first week.
Furnas
A spa village of thermal pools and gardens in eastern São Miguel; suits couples wanting quiet evenings and an early soak before the day-trippers arrive.
Horta, Faial
A sailing harbour town facing Pico, with Peter Café Sport and ferries across the channel; suits island-hoppers and anyone climbing the volcano.
When to go to Azores
Best time: Jun–Sep.
Average climate in Ponta Delgada
How much does Azores cost?
Per person per day excluding flights. Return flights from London typically cost £230 off-peak and £520 in school holidays.
Visas & entry for Azores
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Portugal, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel: as a tourist; to visit family or friends; to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events; for short-term studies or training.
The requirements for working in Portugal are different.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Bat Lyssavirus
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Portugal
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 1 Nov 2026 | All Saints' Day |
| Tue 1 Dec 2026 | Restoration of Independence Day |
| Tue 8 Dec 2026 | Immaculate Conception |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sun 28 Mar 2027 | Easter Sunday |
| Sun 25 Apr 2027 | Freedom Day |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Thu 27 May 2027 | Corpus Christi |
| Thu 10 Jun 2027 | Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Assumption Day |
| Tue 5 Oct 2027 | Republic Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Know before you go
- Check the live webcams for Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo before driving up: the lakes can be clear from Ponta Delgada yet buried in cloud at the viewpoint, or the other way round.
- Hire a car on São Miguel, as buses rarely suit sightseeing, and book early for July and August. Pack a waterproof and warm layers whatever the forecast says, even in midsummer.
Plugs, money, phrases, emergency numbers and more: see our Portugal guide.
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