São Miguel Island, Faial Island & Pico Island
Explore the breathtaking Azores Islands, often called the “Hawaii of Europe” for their stunning coasts, lush greenery, and volcanic landscapes. Begin on São Miguel Island, exploring Ponta Delgada’s historic sites. Discover Faial Island, known for its vibrant blue hydrangeas and the stark Capelinhos Volcano. On Pico Island, enjoy unique handicrafts, traditional cheese, and a whaling village. Visit Europe’s oldest tea plantation and sample local delicacies. Relax in Furnas Valley’s thermal baths and explore its botanical gardens. Our premium packages include many meals, top-notch hotels, and expert local Tour Directors, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
Itinerary at a Glance
2025 Tour Itinerary:
- 2 nights in Ponta Delgada (São Miguel Island)
- 4 nights in Horta (Faial Island)
- 2 nights in Ponta Delgada (São Miguel Island)
Tour Highlights
- Walking tour of Ponta Delgada
- Capelinhos Volcano
- Traditional Handicraft House (Pico)
- Pico Island Cheese Tasting
- Wine tasting & tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site (Pico)
- Nordeste & Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park
- Tea Plantations Tour & Tasting
- Furnas Valley Lake & Botanical Garden
- Swim in natural thermal pool
- Cozido das Caldeiras Lunch (Furnas Stew cooked by volcanic heat)
- Bolo Levedo (sweet muffin cake) Tasting
Your Tour Includes
- All intra-tour flights and transfers
- Inter island ferry tickets
- Ground transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Accommodations at first-class hotels
- 13 meals: 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 3 dinners
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours and entry fees as per itinerary
- Experienced, English-speaking Tour Director
Explore our day-by-day itinerary to see the experiences that await on each day of our tour.
Welcome to Ponta Delgada, the capital and heart of the Azores Islands! Often called "the Hawaii of Europe," this mid-Atlantic gem is known for its stunning coasts, lush greenery, and volcanic rock formations. Located on São Miguel Island, the largest in the archipelago, Ponta Delgada is a reflection of the mixtures of styles that have influenced the Azores. Tonight, we'll gather with our tour Director and fellow travelers for a welcome dinner and orientation, setting the stage for our unforgettable adventure in this enchanting destination.
Accommodations: Hotel Marina Atlântico or similar
Meals: Dinner
After breakfast, our Tour Director guides us on a walking tour through the narrow streets of Ponta Delgada's historic center. Highlights include the iconic Portas da Cidade "City Gates" Monument, the 16th-century Church of the Matriz with its Gothic and Manueline elements, and baroque Paços do Concelho “Town Hall.” We’ll also visit St. Joseph’s Church and the Capela de Nossa Senhora da Esperança, home to the revered image of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres ("Holy Christ of Miracles"). Our tour concludes with a visit to the vibrant Graça Regional Market. The rest of the day is at leisure, or we can opt for an optional excursion to the scenic Sete Cidades and a local pineapple plantation.
Meals: Breakfast
Today, we'll check out of our hotel and fly to Faial, named "the Blue Island of the Azores" for its vibrant blue hydrangeas in summer. Here, Horta, the cosmopolitan “Sea City,” awaits us. Horta’s cosmopolitan harbor is a hub for travelers, offering bars and restaurants where travelers can swap stories as well as stunning views of Pico and São Jorge Islands. This afternoon is free to explore independently, or we can join an optional walking city tour of Horta. Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner together at our Horta hotel.
Accommodations: Hotel do Canal or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, we'll visit Capelinhos Volcano and its underground Interpretation Center. The landscape, formed by the 1957/58 eruption, resembles a lunar scene with arid, black volcanic ash in stark contrast with the green fields of the Azores. Afterward, we'll return to Horta with the balance of the day free for independent exploration. In our free time, we can visit Horta's restaurants, and bars, admire the maritime mural wall along the shoreline, or learn more about the whaling industry at the Fábrica da Baleia, a former whaling station with a collection of original machinery.
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, we’ll ferry to Pico Island for a day of exploration. Our first stop is the Regional Handicraft House to admire works made from fish scales, teeth, whale bone, lace, and embroidery. We’ll then savor Pico Island cheese at a traditional farm and meet the farmer behind our delicious tasting. Next, we’ll visit Lajes do Pico, the charming whaling village, before enjoying lunch in Lagoa do Capitão. On our way back, we’ll pass the stunning lava fields of Mistério das Bandeiras and the Arcos do Cachorro lava tunnels. Our final stop is a family-owned, UNESCO World Heritage Site winery for a tour and tasting where we'll learn about their special techniques. We’ll return to Horta for the evening by ferry.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, we have a free day in Faial to explore the Horta harbour or visit the dark gray sand beaches. The more adventurous among us might consider a full-day optional tour exploring São Jorge Island where we can hike to the spectacular Caldeira de Santo Cristo. Our hike offers a physical challenge, and the chance to admire the island's scenic views, lush landscape, and waterfalls.
Meals: Breakfast
We'll enjoy a relaxed morning at leisure before flying back to Ponta Delgada in the early afternoon. Upon arrival, our motorcoach will whisk us away to the Nordeste e Tea Plantations. First, we'll visit Gorreana Tea Plantations, which is the oldest tea plantation in Europe. Our tour continues to the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park where we'll be surrounded by waterfalls, watermills, and lush, diverse vegetation. Late this afternoon, we’ll stop in Povoação, a historic village where the first Portuguese navigators arrived more than 500 years ago. Here, we’ll snack on the local sweet, “Fofa da Povoação,” before returning to our hotel.
Accommodations: Hotel Marina Atlântico or similar
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, we’ll drive to Vila Franca do Campo, the former capital of São Miguel Island, known for its stunning landscapes and famous sweets. We’ll continue to Furnas Valley for an optional morning thermal bath in the Terra Nostra botanical garden with its swimming pool and natural jacuzzis. We’ll visit the Caldeiras on Furnas Lake’s shore and enjoy a traditional “Cozido das Caldeiras” lunch, where the Furnas Stew is cooked by volcanic heat. Then, we’ll explore the village’s boilers and fumaroles and taste “bolo levedo,” a sweet muffin cake. On our way back, we’ll stop at Pico do Ferro and Santa Iria viewpoints. Tonight, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning.
Meals: Breakfast
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Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a date above to see the rates for that specific departure.
For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Eastern) at 1.800.337.7773.
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made online or by phone (1.800.337.7773) and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the time of reservation. Deposits are $300 per person. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Space and prices subject to availability. Please see the smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete booking information.
Featured Accommodations
Av. João Bosco Mota Amaral n.º1, 767
9500-767 Ponta Delgada
Website
Largo Dr. Manuel de Arriaga,
9900-026 Horta, Portugal
Website
Optional Tours
Enhance your trip with these optional tours. Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book when you reserve your trip and can be added to your reservation up to final payment. This is the best option to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour! Optional tours require a minimum number of participants. Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.
Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and may cost extra. The payment methods and currency information to purchase tours in-destination will be provided on final documentation.
Day 2 Afternoon Tour
Discover enchanting Sete Cidades, a scenic wonder with two stunning turquoise lakes. We'll journey to the island's westernmost area, home to the majestic Sete Cidades mountains and lagoon. At the Vista do Rei viewpoint, we'll enjoy panoramic views overlooking the famous lagoon nestled in a vast volcanic crater. On our return, we'll visit pineapple greenhouses to learn more about the unique cultivation of this tropical fruit in the Azores. Along the way, we'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Day 3 Afternoon Tour
Our city tour takes us to the city's historical monuments, quintessential locales, and beautiful gardens and greenspaces. Our tour walks past the 16th-century Santa Cruz Fort, Carmo Church and Convent, the famous Clock Tower, Florêncio Terra Garden, and Faialense Theatre. We'll also pass the Town Hall and hear the history behind it. Horta Marina is a highlight with its fresh sea air and and we'll learn more about the city's important maritime history. Our tour also takes us inside the Horta Museum where we'll discover collections related to the island’s history, works by local artists, and by other Portuguese artists like António Dacosta, Sousa Pinto, and Vieira Lusitano.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Day 6 Full-Day Tour
Embark on a full-day adventure to hike to the spectacular Caldeira de Santo Cristo on stunning São Jorge Island! We'll begin our hike at Serra do Topo and descend a wide trail, with an option to detour to a beautiful waterfall. Then, we'll continue along a cobbled path towards Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo, enjoying unforgettable views along the way with each sight more breathtaking than the last. We'll follow the trail to the natural debris field of Fajã dos Cubres and explore the lagoon while we learn about the flora and fauna of the region. Along our hike we'll stop to enjoy an included boxed lunch.
Note: Travel to/from São Jorge Island by ferry. This optional includes a 6.2 mile hike that includes hiking down to a fajã (flat land plateau formed by lava) with steep terrain which will require balance and strong ankles. Hiking boots and raincoat are recommended for this tour.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
What to Expect
Max Group Size: 24 travelers
Activity Level: Level 3
Expect most included touring to require walking and standing periods of up to 4 hours at a time (up to 2 times per day). Included touring may feature hikes, stairs, and/or climbs which may be on hilly and/or uneven terrain at potentially high altitudes. Learn More
Pacing Level: Balanced
Expect either half-day or full-day tours most days with a free day or free half-day to explore independently in most cities. There may be a few early mornings or long travel days by bus (don’t worry—there are always comfort stops!), and you may expect to stay in most accommodations for 3+ nights. Learn More
New in 2025: ETIAS Visa Waiver Required for U.S. Passport Holders
A valid passport is required for international tours. Effective for travel in 2025, U.S. passport holders are required to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver. Please visit our Passports & Visas page to learn more about any required actions, next steps, and additional costs.
Travelers will expect some uneven surfaces, stairs, steps, and significant slopes. Paved pathways and sidewalks use marble stones that can be slippery when wet. Flat, non-slip shoes are recommended.
For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit our Before You Depart section.