Four Island Azores Tour

On this 10-day itinerary, visit the Lilac Island of Terceira, the Green Island of São Miguel, the Blue Island of Faial, and the Mountain Island of Pico - all on one trip!

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1:

Welcome to Terceira, the Lilac Island

Upon arrival to Terceira Island, a driver will meet you at the airport and take you into town to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angra do Heroísmo. Walk the streets of town and feel transported back in time. Angra's snug harbor is protected by a volcanic cone which made it a major staging point for European ships bringing back the wealth of their New World colonies during the 16th-18th centuries.

Day 2:

Tour of Terceira Island

Meet your driver guide in the hotel lobby for a full day tour of the island. The tour starts with an ascent of Monte Brasil for a wonderful view of Angra and the bays. Heading north, you will see lava fields that have been cultivated into vineyards before continuing to Biscoitos. After lunch in a traditional restaurant, you will visit the island's wine museum. On the return to Angra do Heroísmo, you will visit the Algar do Carvão lava tube. This unique geologic feature can only be found in a few places in the world, including on Sao Miguel and Terceira.

Day 3:

Your Day to Explore

Enjoy a day at leisure in Angra, a a wonderful city to explore on foot. If you’d like to book another tour, we have many that may interest you: from guided walking tours to snorkeling to more sightseeing on the western side of the island.

Day 4:

Welcome to Faial, the Blue Island

After a quick inter-island flight, you will arrive to Horta Airport on Faial Island. Your driver will transfer you into town, where you will spend the next 3 nights. Many conflicts between colonizing nations (Portugal, Spain, and England) took place near Horta. Today Horta is famous for its yacht harbor, a haven for trans-Atlantic yachts and sailboats and the starting point of most of the island’s regatta races. Visiting crews paint the harbor walls with names and pictures of their vessels, so be sure to walk down to the marina and explore this art.

Day 5:

Tour of Faial Island

Driving northwest from Horta, you will come to the Caldeira, the remains of a massive stratovolcano. The volcanic cone is covered by laurel forest and the inside of the crater is a truly unique ecosystem. Next, visit Capelinhos volcano on the western side of the island, the site of the Azores' most recent volcanic eruption. As the tour continues, you will visit the Espalamaca viewpoint, the Vale dos Flamengos, and the island's south side.

Day 6:

Day Trip to Pico, the Mountain Island

Dominating the view out to sea from Horta, the island of Pico is just a short, 30-minute ferry ride away. Home to Mt. Pico, the highest peak in Portugal, Pico offers breathtaking landscapes, dark black basalt cliffs, lava flows, and historic vineyards. On this full-day tour, you will learn how grapes are grown in ancient lava flows, stop at viewpoints along the dramatic coastline, and see the endemic flora in the laurel forest. After lunch in one of the island’s small towns, the tour continues in Lajes, visiting the Museu dos Baleeiros (the whaling museum). At the day's end, return to Faial by ferry, enjoying the late afternoon sun on the ocean.

Day 7:

Welcome to São Miguel, the Green Island

After another quick inter-island flight, you will arrive to Ponta Delgada Airport on São Miguel Island. Your driver will transfer you into town, where you will spend the next 3 nights. São Miguel, the largest and most geographically-diverse of the islands is a perfect last stop in exploring the archipelago. Ponta Delgada is the largest town, as well as one of the three capital cities of the Azores.

Day 8:

Eastern Sao Miguel/Furnas Tour

This scenic tour of the eastern side of Sao Miguel begins with a stop in the beautiful seaside town of Vila Franca do Campo to taste the famous Queijadas de Vila Franca, a traditional pastry refined by nuns in convents during the 1600s. You will continue to Terra Nostra Park to visit the award-winning botanical gardens and you will have a chance to soak in the geothermal hot springs. The tour continues to Furnas Lake, where you will be able to watch your traditional cozido lunch being prepared using the island’s geothermal energy. After lunch, you will continue to the viewpoint of Pico do Ferro, where you will see the archipelago’s oldest crater. On your return journey to Ponta Delgada, you’ll stop at a tea plantation and at the Santa Iria viewpoint to take in the breathtaking views.

Day 9:

Free Day

Today is yours to explore Sao Miguel on your own: continue to stroll through Ponta Delgada, or perhaps head out of town to another part of the island. The second-largest city of Ribeira Grande, the Gruta do Carvão lava caves, and the Caldeira Velha hot springs are just a few of the options.

Day 10:

Until Next Time

After breakfast, you’ll have some time to shop for souvenirs or simply relax with the locals at an oceanfront café before your transfer back to the airport for your flight home.

Testimonials

We had an amazing time in the Azores! The food was by far my favorite part of the trip. The natural beauty of the islands was so impressive and I felt like a professional photographer as every picture I took looked like it could go in a catalogue. The trip details were planned from start to finish and we felt taken care of along the way by our Quest Travel Adventures account manager and all the people they connected us to along the way in the islands. I think that the day trip to Pico island was my favorite part, as it was so different from all the other islands. I highly recommend Quest Travel Adventures to arrange your Azores trip and I can't wait to go back.

Traveler G , Azores - 2021

We had a wonderful trip. The accommodations were great and the transfers were on time and the tour guides very knowledgeable.

Collette M, Azores - 2023