Which Azores Island to Visit First? A Guide to All 9 Islands

Essential Tips Before Planning Your Unforgettable Trip to the Azores

Often referred to as Europe's “Best Kept Secret”, the Azores have become an increasingly popular destination with year-round appeal for travelers. This cluster of nine idyllic islands 900 miles off the coast of Portugal is an off-the-beaten-path destination packed with natural beauty, striking landscapes, and tangible authenticity. 

Though the islands are similar to one another, each has its own distinct set of characteristics that set it apart from the rest. What makes each island unique? And, how do you know which island(s) you'll enjoy visiting the most? We break down each of the 9 islands of the Azores here with this mini guide.

1. São Miguel — The Best First Island for Most Travellers

São Miguel is the largest island in the Azores and the most visited, and for good reason. It has the most direct international flights, the widest range of activities, and some of the most dramatic volcanic landscapes in the entire archipelago.

The twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades, the geothermal valley of Furnas, the pristine Lagoa do Fogo, and the natural lava pools of the west coast are all within a single day's drive. Ponta Delgada, the island's capital and the capital of the Azores, has an excellent restaurant scene, vibrant cultural life, and easy access to the island's main attractions.

Best for: First-time visitors, families, travellers who want maximum variety in a single island, whale watching, hiking, hot springs.

Not ideal for: Those seeking remote, uncrowded experiences in peak season.

2. Santa Maria — The Sunniest Island in the Azores

Santa Maria is the southernmost and oldest island in the Azores, and the only one with long golden sand beaches. It receives significantly more sunshine than any other island in the archipelago, making it the closest thing to a traditional beach destination in the Azores.

Beyond the beaches, Santa Maria has a distinctive character: reddish volcanic cliffs, terraced vineyards, and a slower, more southern pace of life. Praia Formosa is the most famous beach, and Praia de São Lourenço is the most dramatic. The island is small enough to explore fully in 2 to 3 days.

Best for: Beach lovers, sun seekers, couples, travellers who want to combine a beach holiday with volcanic scenery.

Not ideal for: Those primarily looking for dramatic volcanic landscapes or extensive hiking trails.

Terceira is the second most visited island in the Azores and one of the most rewarding. Its capital, Angra do Heroísmo, is a UNESCO World Heritage city — one of the most beautiful in the Atlantic — with 16th-century architecture, baroque churches, and cobblestone streets that feel genuinely historic rather than touristy.

Beyond Angra, Terceira offers extraordinary natural attractions: the Algar do Carvão lava tube, the Mistérios Negros hiking trail through ancient moss-covered lava fields, and the Serra do Cume viewpoint with its iconic mosaic of green fields. The food is outstanding, particularly the alcatra — a slow-braised beef stew in a clay pot that is Terceira's signature dish.

Best for: Culture and history lovers, foodies, hikers, travellers combining islands with São Miguel.

Not ideal for: Beach-focused holidays (though Praia da Vitória offers a good sandy beach on the east coast).

4. Graciosa — The Quiet Island

Graciosa is the smallest and flattest of the central Azores islands, and one of the least visited. That is precisely its appeal. The island moves at its own unhurried pace, with whitewashed villages, windmills, and a landscape that feels untouched by mass tourism.

The island's standout attraction is the Furna do Enxofre — a vast volcanic cave containing a sulphurous subterranean lake, one of the most remarkable geological features in the archipelago. Graciosa is also known for its exceptional local wine and its tradition of lace-making.

Best for: Travellers seeking an authentic, uncrowded Azorean experience, wine lovers, those who want to slow down.

Not ideal for: First-time visitors expecting dramatic volcanic scenery or extensive activities.

5. São Jorge — The Island of Fajãs and Dramatic Cliffs

São Jorge is long, narrow, and dramatically steep — a spine of volcanic rock rising over 1,000 metres from the sea, with sheer cliffs dropping to isolated coastal platforms called fajãs that can only be reached on foot. It is one of the most physically dramatic islands in the Azores and a paradise for serious hikers.

The fajã of Caldeira de Santo Cristo, at the end of one of the Azores' most celebrated hiking trails, contains a unique saltwater lagoon that produces the only cockles in the archipelago. The island also produces one of the finest cheeses in Portugal, the Queijo de São Jorge — a semi-hard, aged cow's milk cheese with a distinctive peppery flavour.

Best for: Experienced hikers, adventure travellers, cheese lovers, those seeking something off the beaten path.

Not ideal for: Families with young children or travellers with limited mobility.

Pico is defined by one thing above all others: its mountain. At 2,351 metres, Mount Pico is the highest point in Portugal and one of the most striking volcanic forms in the Atlantic, rising almost vertically from the sea. From neighbouring Faial, it dominates the horizon in a way that few mountains in the world can match.

Beyond the mountain, Pico has a landscape of extraordinary character: ancient black lava vineyards protected by UNESCO, natural lava pools, and a whaling history that shaped the culture of the entire Azores. The island is quieter and less visited than São Miguel or Terceira, making it ideal for those who want a more authentic experience.

Best for: Hikers, wine lovers, whale watching, those who want a quieter and more rugged experience.

Not ideal for: Travellers who prefer urban amenities or a wide range of activities and restaurants.

7. Faial — Sailing Culture and the Capelinhos Volcano

Faial is known as the Blue Island for its abundance of hydrangeas, but its character is shaped by the sea. Horta, the island's capital, has been a crossroads of Atlantic sailing routes for centuries, and its marina is one of the most storied yachting ports in the world. Peter's Café Sport — founded in 1918 — has been a gathering point for sailors, explorers, and travellers ever since.

At the western tip of the island, the Capelinhos volcano last erupted in 1957 to 1958, adding a new peninsula of black lava to the island and burying a lighthouse in volcanic ash. The landscape today is stark and extraordinary, completely unlike anywhere else in the Azores. Faial also has excellent whale watching and one of the best natural swimming beaches in the archipelago at Porto Pim.

Best for: Sailors and maritime history enthusiasts, whale watching, combining with Pico, travellers who want culture alongside nature.

Not ideal for: Those expecting a beach-focused holiday.

8. Flores Island - A Paradise of Waterfalls and Lush Greenery in the Azores

Flores is widely considered the most scenically extraordinary island in the Azores. Waterfalls cascade into crater lakes. Hydrangeas line every road in summer. The western coast drops to the sea in a series of dramatic cliffs and isolated bays. The island feels genuinely remote — because it is.

Flores is harder to reach than the central islands, requiring a connection through São Miguel or Terceira. But for travellers willing to make the journey, it delivers some of the most memorable landscapes in the entire Atlantic. Fajã Grande, the westernmost village in Europe, and the Poço do Bacalhau waterfall are highlights that justify the journey alone.

Best for: Nature lovers, photographers, travellers seeking remote beauty, those with more time to spare.

Not ideal for: Short trips or first-time visitors who want maximum efficiency.

9. Corvo Island: The Captivating and Remote Enchantment of the Azores

The smallest of the Azores, Corvo Island has only one village, which is home to 468 locals — one of the smallest communities in Europe. The properties are divided by the same black basalt rocks that many of the homes are built out of, and locals still speak in a medieval dialect of Portuguese. Corvo is also a favorite among bird-watchers, as many rare migratory species can be spotted here, and divers who visit for the skylit caves full of submerged lava formations.

Are you already in love with the Azores? Take a look at our stress-free packages that allow you to book your ultimate island adventure. All our packages are carefully curated by our team of local Azorean Experts so that you don’t need to worry about any details – just enjoy your trip!