With nine exotic islands just four hours' flying time from the UK, the Azores archipelago has plenty of fascinating things for visitors to see and do. Here are 10 of the best attractions
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The mild climate in the Azores makes these islands ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, especially walkers. Photograph: Jorge Cardoso/ Getty/ Flickr RF
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1. Have a whale of a time
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Almost a third of all known cetaceans have been recorded in the waters of the archipelago, which is one of the world's foremost whale- (and dolphin-) watching destinations. Sperm whales and several species of dolphin are resident all year round in the islands' waters, while migratory species of whales, dolphins and turtles pass the islands at various times throughout the year. These giants of the sea are best spotted by boat, which you can prebook on the islands of Sao Miguel and Faial. Or, for a truly exceptional experience, the Azores offers controlled swimming with wild dolphins from Faial and São Miguel.
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2. Marvel at the landscapes
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Portugal, Azores, Faial, Horta, Atlantic ocean, Nossa Senhora do Carmo church towards Pico Active travellers can make the five hour trek to the peak of volcanic Mount Pico, the highest mountain in Portugal. Photograph: Günter Gräfenhain/ Huber/www.4cornersimages.com
The reliably mild climate makes the Azores ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, especially walkers. There is something to suit all tastes and abilities, from a five-hour trek to the peak of volcanic Mount Pico (the highest mountain in Portugal at 2,351m) or a gentle stroll along coastal paths, or around the crater lakes. The island of Flores, in particular, with its hidden waterfalls and subtropical vegetation, offers tranquillity and escapism. Meanwhile, the picturesque fajãs (flat terrains created by coastal landslides and erosion) on São Jorge offer the perfect excuse to strap on your walking boots and enjoy a stunning landscape marked by dense coastal vegetation. Near Faial da Terra in the east, tracks lead into the volcanic interior of the island: it's wild and forested, with many endemic plant species, as well as the endangered Azores bullfinch or priolo.
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3. Get inside the islands – literally!
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The volcanic islands of the Azores have a craggy landscape above ground and are riddled with underground caves. Companies on Flores, Sao Miguel and São Jorge offer canyoning, which involves descending into the islands' wet, slippery chasms via pools and waterfalls. Subterranean wonders on Terceira include the colourful stalagmites and stalactites of the Algar do Carvão lava tube, which is an easy tour. Meanwhile, on Graciosa, a spiral staircase descends into the domed Furna do Enxofre (sulphur cave), with its bubbling-hot sulphurous spring.
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4. Catch sight of the local birds
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Widely recognized as a superb birdwatching destination, the Azores archipelago is home to some 300 species, both visiting and resident. São Miguel is home to one of Europe's rarest birds - the 'Priolo' or Azores bullfinch (Pyrrhula murina). It is endemic to just a small area of only this island, the Serra da Tronqueira in the east, and is an elusive creature that draws enthusiasts hoping to catch a brief glimpse. Graciosa sees breeding colonies of Monteiro's storm petrel (Oceanodroma monteiroi). Corvo is a regular stop for many American vagrant species, and its small size gives an excellent chance of seeing some of them. Other species that can be seen around the islands include the Cory's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea borealis), the common buzzard (Buteo buteo rothschildi), the roseate tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii), and the common tern (Sterna hirundo).
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5. Wine and dine like a native
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A jug of verdelho wine from Pico Island, Azores Verdelho wine from the island of Pico was a favourite of Russian tsar Nicholas II, and is popular with visitors too Photograph: Luis Davilla/Getty Images
The quality and range of fish and seafood on the Azores is extraordinary. Look out for caldeirada de peixe (fish stew) across the islands, as well as the sweet, doughnut-like malassadas. On Faial you can enjoy torresmos de vinha-de-alhos (spare ribs with garlic, wine and pepper sauce), on Terceira, alcatra (a slow-cooked pot roast), while on São Miguel you'll find the unique cozido nas caldeiras das Furnas, a meat and vegetable stew cooked in the hot springs at Furnas. Visitors are welcome at many of the Azores vineyards, which produce some very good wines, particularly verdelho from Pico, a favourite of the Russian tsar Nicholas II. After he was deposed and executed, wines from Pico were found in the imperial cellar.
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6. Take a peek under the waves
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Warmed by the Gulf Stream and teeming with fish, the waters around the Azores are a scuba diver's heaven. Off the island of Terceira there are unique underwater rock formations and an anchor graveyard. At Vila Franca, on São Miguel, shallower canyons and channels are home to octopus and grey triggerfish. Another iconic dive site is in Santa Maria, where it is possible to dive with dozens of graceful devil rays. Snorkelling is popular off all the islands and dolphin sightings are common – and as the Azores have been linked with the legend of Atlantis, you might see more than just marine life.
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7. Step back in time
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The Azores' historic association with whales and whaling is depicted in several museums on Pico, at Lajes do Pico, São Roque and São João. The Horta Regional Museum on Faial houses an excellent interpretation centre dedicated to the Capelinhos volcano eruption of 1957-58. It was shortlisted for the 2012 European museum of the year award. Meanwhile, the Angra do Heroísmo Museum on Terceira, housed in a 17th-century convent, has a fine collection of artefacts that document the archipelago's history.
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8. Go on an urban adventure
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Ponta Delgada church with festival decoration in Azores, Portugal Ponta Delgada church with festival decoration in Azores, Portugal Photograph: Holger Leue/Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images
Terceira's largest town, Angra do Heroísmo, is a Unesco world heritage site, with wonderful 17th- and 18th-century architecture that offers a real insight into its noble history. The island is also known for its brightly painted chapels. Ponta Delgada on São Miguel, with its cobbled streets and long coastal promenade, is the largest town in the archipelago and provides a glimpse into the islands' trading heyday in the 16th century.
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9. Take the plunge
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Warm air and water temperatures make the islands a popular place for swimming. At Ponta da Ferraria on São Miguel, a hot spring feeds into the sea to make a pleasant bathing spot, while numerous volcanic lakes are dotted around the islands. The hot springs at Furnas are a must-visit. On the island of Graciosa, you can visit Carapacho, a seaside spa complex dating from the 19th century. The warm, sulphur waters are visited for their healing properties and its tidal thermal water pool is also an attraction.
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10. Sleep in style
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On Flores island, Europe's most westerly point, Aldeia da Cuada is an abandoned coastal village, restored and transformed into comfortable accommodation. The Hotel do Colégio, in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel, was once a school and sometime music academy, but is now a stylish hotel and each room is named after traditional music of the Azores. If a 16th-century former fortress is more your thing, try the luxurious Pousada de Santa Cruz, in Horta on Faial marina.
