The Azores - island information
Sao Miguel
Sao Miguel is the largest (67km long and 16km wide) and most populated island (130,000 inhabitants). It is a very beautiful and varied island of green hills, thermal springs, waterfalls, lakes, lagoons, forests and small settlements and fishing villages. Flowers, especially azaleas and hydrangeas, are everywhere and there is a botanical garden in the Spa town of Furnas. Agriculture is the mainstay and there are vineyards, tea and pineapple plantations and dairy and hill pasture farming. There are hotels to suit all tastes and the island is ideal for long stays, fly-drive and two centre Sao Miguel holidays. Favourite activities include whale watching, diving, swimming with dolphins, walking and golf.
Faial
Known as the "Blue Island" Faial is 14km long and is dominated by a volcano of 1043m spreading into gentle hills which are resplendent with blue hydrangeas in the summer months of June to August - hence "Blue Island". With a population of 15000 Faial has one small port, Horta, and a few hotels. Peter’s Café on the harbour front is renowned amongst the world’s sailing fraternity.
Terceira
Terceira is a 29km long and 17 km wide island and has mountains rising to 1205 metres and a population of 57000. Angra do Heroismo is a picture-postcard town of traditional houses and cobbled streets. The town has been proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Around the island there are many pretty villages and harbours contrasting with the wilder interior. It has beautiful scenery and a wide variety of activities. Exploration is suitable on foot or by car.
Pico
Beautiful Pico is 42km long and 15km wide and is dominated by its 2351m winter-snowcapped volcano, Mount Pico, the highest mountain in Portugal. There are guided walks to the summit. The population is 15000 and it is established as a main centre for whale watching.
Sao Jorge
Formed by a succession of volcanic eruptions São Jorge is a long narrow island, some 56km long and 8km wide with steep cliffs dropping vertically into the ocean. It is craggy and mountainous with a spine averaging 700m rising to a highest point of 1053m.
Santa Maria
Santa Maria has the longest history of the islands with records showing it was first populated in 1430 and was the refuge of Columbus in 1493. It is 17km long, 9km wide and has a population of 6000, many living in the main town of Vila do Porto, the oldest town in the Azores, which is set dramatically above its harbour. There are superb walking
opportunities on Santa Maria, encompassing hillside and coastal paths and also some wonderful nature reserves.
Flores
This is the "Garden Island", 17km long and 12km at its widest it is the most westerly point in Europe and has a population of 4500. It is a wild garden of hydrangeas, with green pastures, many lakes, high waterfalls, stunning views and settlements dating back to the 15th century.
Graciosa
A distinctly peaceful island even by Azores standards, Graciosa is relatively flat in the north
and is just 12km long and 8 km wide with a highest peak of 398m. It is reached by ferry in 1 ½ hours from São Jorge or by air in 20 minutes from Terceira.
Corvo
Corvo is the smallest and most remote of the islands, being 6km long and 4km wide with one small settlement, 400 inhabitants and a spectacular 300m deep and 2km wide crater.
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