The Azores is a group of nine islands off the coast of Portugal. These nine gems are known as a haven for nature lovers. The beautiful islands each offer something special for nature lovers to enjoy. Learn more about the things to do on the Islands of the Azores.

The smallest island of the group is Corvo. Corvo is really the crater of an old volcano. There are two lakes on the island that are simply beautiful to visit. The cliffs along the island are truly breathtaking, and along the coast, there are unique windmills on the to of the cliffs. When visiting Corvo, take a hike up Monte Grosso, the tallest mountain on the island, and take a look at the breathtaking view of the island and the surrounding sea. The island has one town, the Vila Nova, with approximately 300 inhabitants. A trip to Corvo is a chance to reconnect with nature.

Another small island in the Azores is Graciosa. Graciosa is the least humid of all the islands, and boasts stunning white mountains. While on Graciosa, nature lovers will want to visit the Furna do Enxofre. Located in the interior of a volcanic crater, this cave goes into the mountain about one hundred meters, and opens into a huge vault with an underground lake! This is the most stunning cavern on the island, but there are many others to explore. Take a hike up the Timao summit, the highest point on the island. You will have extraordinary views of the island. One other attraction is the Carapacho, or Hot Springs Baths. Visitors can soak up the medicinal waters of the hot springs. Bird watchers will want to take a short boat ride to the many islets along Graciosa’s coasts, where sea birds reside.

The next smallest island is Santa Maria. Santa Maria offers an interesting landscape, with plains on the west and mountains on the east. Pico Alto is the highest point on the island. Visitors to Santa Maria enjoy the stunning mountains along the turquoise sea, and the stunning white architecture of the houses on Santa Maria.

Flores is one of the most beautiful of the islands of the Azores. The coastline is framed by rugged mountain ranges, with both gentle and sharp cliffs. One of the most popular attractions on Flores are the seven extinct craters, extinct volcanoes that have filled with water to make beautiful lakes. A visit to Flores is not complete without seeing the Ribeira Grande waterfall, which falls over 300 meters. The Rocha dos Bordoes crag is truly spectacular. The highest point on Flores is the Morro Alto, which offers spectacular views of the lakes and mountains.

Faial has been called the Blue Island. The ocean here is astonishingly blue. One of the most spectacular nature retreats on Flores is the Calideira do Faial, which is the crater of the volcano that the island originated from. It is a Natural Reserve due to the unique vegetation that grows there. The hike up the Cabeco Gordo offers stunning views of the island’s west side. As you leave the mountain, plan to have a picnic lunch in the Forest Park of Capelo. If you want to camp, consider reserving a spot at the Praia do Almoxarife beach, which has a public campground.

Continuing your tour of the Azores, you will visit Sao Jorge. The coastline of Sao Jorge features steep and rugged cliffs as well as fajas, or sloping coastal areas. The fajas are a unique place to visit because they were cased with the cliffs collapsed into the sea. The fajas offer a beauty you will not find elsewhere in nature. Be sure to visit the many Forest Reserves, including Sete Fontes, Silveira, and Ribeira Seca while on Sao Jorge. These national parks offer visitors the chance to unwind and reconnect with nature. The center of Sao Jorge is a 1,053-meter high plateau. At the top of the plateau you can view a large amount of unique botanical life, as well as a gorgeous panorama of the island.

Next you will tour Terceira. Terceira is a beautiful island that is known for its stunning architecture. On Terceira you will want to spend some time exploring the ocean. Take a whale watching tour, go fishing, snorkeling, or scuba diving. This well populated island offers many water sports for their visitors.

Pico is the second largest island of the Azores. Here you will find the highest mountain in the country of Portugal, Mount Pico. At the base of the mountain you can enjoy thick forests until about 1500 meters of altitude. Beyond the forest, the mountain is dried lava flow. A hike to the peak is not for the faint of heart, but seeing the sunrise from the mountain peak is unforgettable! There are three major lakes on Pico, the Capitao, Caiado, and Paul, as well as several smaller lagoons. Nature lovers will enjoy exploring the many lava flows on the island. There are many caves, including the Frei Matias, Silveira and Montanheiros.

The biggest island of the archipelago is Sao Miguel. On Sao Miguel you can explore the Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande, a location with hot springs in a lush green grove. Or you can drink the refreshing mineral water in the valley of Lombadas’ carbonated spring! The Lagoa do Fogo, or Fire Lake, fills an ancient crater. The contrast of the blue lake with the surrounding emerald mountains is breathtaking. There are paths for hikers to get to the lake. Sao Miguel is also a great place to participate in some water sports!

Whatever you desire to do, if it is nature-related, you can do it in the Azores. Mountain climbing, hiking, nature trails, bird watching, and water sports, the Azores have it all! Plan your nature getaway in the Azores today!