Updated October 2026 • 9 min read
The Azores suit travelers over 60 well: non-stop flights of about five hours from Boston and Toronto, a mild climate, short drives and many of the best views reachable from the road. For a first trip, choose São Miguel and stay in one hotel in Ponta Delgada for a week, with guided day tours that collect you at the hotel and involve only light walking. Add a second island only if you have at least ten days, and avoid the remote western islands in winter. Expect hills, cobblestones and changeable weather, and buy travel medical insurance: Medicare and provincial plans such as OHIP cover little or nothing abroad.
Every traveler over 60 is different. This guide is written for those who want a comfortable pace, and it notes where more active travelers can push further.
Which Island to Choose
São Miguel is the best first island for most travelers. It has the most hotels, restaurants and tour departures, the main hospital of the Azores in Ponta Delgada, and the archipelago's best-known sights within an hour's drive: the crater lakes of Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo, the hot springs of Furnas and the tea plantations of the north coast.
Terceira is a good alternative or second island. Its main town, Angra do Heroísmo, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a compact, mostly gentle historic center, and Terceira also has a public hospital. See our Terceira guide.
Faial and Pico work well together for travelers who are comfortable with a ferry crossing and smaller hotels. Horta, on Faial, has the third public hospital of the islands.
Flores and Corvo are the most remote islands. Flights there are more often delayed by weather, medical services are limited, and they suit independent, flexible travelers better than anyone on a fixed schedule.
Stay in One Hotel, Not Five
The simplest way to enjoy the Azores is to unpack once. A week in a downtown Ponta Delgada hotel lets you walk to the waterfront, restaurants and the old town in the evening, and join day tours to the rest of the island without changing rooms. Each extra island adds a flight, a check-out and a check-in, and flight times between islands can change with the weather.
If you do want two islands, give each at least four nights, and choose islands connected by direct flights, such as São Miguel and Terceira. Our guide to inter-island flights explains how they work.
A WEEK ON SÃO MIGUEL, NO DRIVING
Seven nights in a downtown Ponta Delgada hotel with breakfast, airport transfers and four guided group tours with hotel pick-up: the city, Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo, Furnas with a cozido lunch, and whale watching. The tours involve light walking at viewpoints and villages.
See the São Miguel group tour →How Much Walking to Expect
The Azores are volcanic islands, so hills are part of every visit. The good news is that many of the classic views are next to a road. On São Miguel, the Vista do Rei viewpoint over Sete Cidades, the Ponta do Sossego garden viewpoint in the northeast and Ponta do Castelo on the south coast are listed with parking, toilets and access for reduced mobility. Lagoa do Fogo can be seen from roadside viewpoints on the crater rim without hiking down to the lake.
In towns, the traditional black-and-white stone paving is beautiful but can be uneven and slippery after rain, and some streets in Ponta Delgada and Angra climb steeply away from the waterfront. Ponta Delgada's seafront promenade is generally level, which makes it the easiest place for a long walk. Good walking shoes with grip matter more than any other item you pack.
For guided tours, ask about walking before you book. On our São Miguel group tours, the island tours involve light walking at viewpoints and villages, with van transport between stops. There is also a Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo tour in a van adapted for reduced mobility.
Active travelers in their sixties and seventies hike the crater rims, walk the official trail down to Lagoa do Fogo (about 6.3 miles, four hours) and even climb Mount Pico, Portugal's highest mountain. Pico is a serious climb of about three to four hours to the summit on loose volcanic rock, with registration and a GPS locator required; go with a certified guide.
Hot Springs, Whales and Gentle Experiences
Some of the best Azores experiences take little effort. The thermal pools of Furnas, such as the iron-rich pool at Terra Nostra and the Poça da Dona Beija pools, are open all year; ask about steps and handrails before you go, as access varies. A cozido lunch, the stew cooked in the volcanic ground of Furnas, a tea plantation visit and a food tour in Ponta Delgada are all easy on the legs. See our guide to the hot springs.
Whale watching is possible all year from Ponta Delgada. Choose a catamaran rather than a small inflatable boat: it is more stable, has seating and a sheltered area, and is easier to board.
WHALE WATCHING ON A STABLE CATAMARAN
Three hours on a catamaran from the Ponta Delgada marina, with marine biologists on board. The comfortable option for anyone who prefers a dry, sheltered boat.
Book the catamaran trip →When to Go, and When to Avoid Island Hopping
May, June and September offer the best balance: warm days with highs in the low to mid-70s °F, fewer crowds than July and August, and lower prices. Winter is mild, with highs around 63°F in Ponta Delgada, and the hot springs are at their best, but rain and wind are more frequent and inter-island flights are more often delayed. If you travel between November and March, stay on one island, ideally São Miguel. See our month-by-month guide.
Health, Insurance and Assistance
The Azores have three public hospitals, in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel, Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira and Horta on Faial, plus a private hospital, the Hospital Internacional dos Açores, in Lagoa on São Miguel. Smaller islands have health centers, and serious cases are transferred by air.
Buy travel medical insurance before you go. Medicare states that it usually does not cover health care while you travel outside the US. In Canada, coverage depends on your province: Ontario's OHIP, for example, stopped covering out-of-country medical expenses in January 2020. Check that your policy covers medical evacuation and any pre-existing conditions.
If you need help at airports or on board, request it in advance. Azores Airlines and SATA ask for mobility assistance requests when booking or up to 48 hours before departure, and wheelchairs, walkers and crutches travel free in addition to your baggage. Inter-island planes are smaller than transatlantic aircraft, so check the dimensions of mobility equipment. Atlânticoline ferries ask for assistance requests at least 24 hours before sailing. For safety more generally, see our guide to safety in the Azores.
US and Canadian citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Bring a passport valid for your whole trip, and read our guide to ETIAS and the new EU entry rules.
Traveling Solo After 60
Many travelers over 60 come on their own. A guided group format helps: you have company on tour days, a local guide handles the logistics, and the free days are yours. Our solo package for São Miguel uses the same guided tours as the group trip, with whale watching included, and is priced for one traveler.
TRAVELING ON YOUR OWN
Seven nights on São Miguel, flights, airport transfers and our best-selling guided group tours, from Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo to Furnas, with a cozido lunch and whale watching. Designed for solo travelers.
See the solo trip →A Simple Plan for a First Week
| Day | Plan | Walking |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Ponta Delgada, transfer to the hotel, evening on the seafront | Easy |
| 2 | Ponta Delgada: old town, market, pineapple greenhouses | Easy, some hills |
| 3 | Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo viewpoints, lunch | Light |
| 4 | Free day: rest, food tour or thermal pool | Easy |
| 5 | Furnas: fumaroles, cozido lunch, Terra Nostra garden | Light |
| 6 | Whale watching by catamaran, afternoon free | Easy |
| 7 | Tea plantations on the north coast | Light |
| 8 | Transfer to the airport | Easy |
Prefer a second island? Our Terceira group tour follows the same format on Terceira, with four guided tours of its volcanoes, traditions and Angra do Heroísmo.
Easy-pace experiences
Plan it your way
Custom Your Trip
Tell our local travel advisors which islands, dates and experiences you want and we build the itinerary around you.
Start your custom trip →Limited time
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Book now →The Azores After 60: FAQ
Is the Azores a good destination for seniors?
Yes, for most travelers over 60. Flights from Boston and Toronto take about five hours, the climate is mild and many viewpoints are next to the road. Expect hills, uneven paving and changeable weather.
Which Azores island is best for older travelers?
São Miguel, for a first trip. It has the most hotels, restaurants and tours, a public hospital in Ponta Delgada and the main sights within an hour's drive.
Do I need to be fit to visit the Azores?
No. You can see the crater lakes, hot springs and whales with light walking. Longer hikes and the climb of Mount Pico need good fitness.
Are there guided tours of the Azores for seniors?
Yes. Guided group tours on São Miguel and Terceira collect you at your hotel and involve light walking at viewpoints and villages. Solo versions are available.
Does Medicare cover me in the Azores?
Usually not. Medicare states that it usually does not cover health care outside the US, so buy travel medical insurance. Canadian provincial plans also offer limited or no coverage abroad.
Are there hospitals in the Azores?
Yes. There are public hospitals in Ponta Delgada, Angra do Heroísmo and Horta, and a private hospital in Lagoa on São Miguel.
Can I get wheelchair assistance on Azores flights?
Yes. Request it when booking or up to 48 hours before departure. Mobility equipment travels free, but inter-island planes are smaller, so check its size.
