by Azores Getaways Team

June 30, 2026 • 7 min read

Ultimate 3-Day Guide to Flores Island, Azores: Must-See Attractions

Flores is the Azores island that tends to produce the strongest reactions. It has more waterfalls per square kilometer than anywhere else in the archipelago, a volcanic lake route that runs through the interior of the island, and a western coastline that faces the open Atlantic with nothing between it and North America. It is also the least visited of the main Azores islands, which means that everything described below — the crater viewpoints, the waterfall pools, the coastal roads — you will typically have to yourself.

This guide covers three days on Flores, organized by geography to minimize driving time and maximize what you actually see.

Santa Cruz das Flores is the island's main town, small enough to walk in an hour but worth more time than that. The center is well preserved, with low whitewashed buildings, a harbor view, and the kind of unhurried pace that makes clear you're a long way from the more visited islands. Start here before heading out to the natural sites — it grounds the rest of the trip in the human side of Flores, which is part of what the island is about.

Natural Swimming Pools of Santa Cruz das Flores

At the edge of town, the natural lava rock pools are one of the best swimming spots on the island. The volcanic rock creates a series of protected pools directly at sea level, calm enough for easy swimming and dramatic enough to make an afternoon out of. These are used by locals as much as visitors, which tells you something about their quality.

Alagoa Bay

On the southwest side of the island, Alagoa Bay has a landscape that looks more like a film set than a real place — a cluster of sea stacks rising out of shallow water, ringed by green cliffs, with a small picnic area above. If you end up taking a boat trip to Corvo, you'll pass these from the water, and the sea-level view is even more striking than from above. Both are worth seeing.

Port of Ponta Delgada (Flores)

Not to be confused with the capital of São Miguel, Flores' Ponta Delgada is a small fishing village on the northern tip of the island with a working harbor and one of the more photogenic coastlines on Flores. The cliffs here are dramatic in a way that the waterfalls aren't — it's a reminder that the island's appeal isn't only about the interior.

Poço do Bacalhau in Fajã Grande

The northwest corner of Flores, centered on the village of Fajã Grande, is where the island's most concentrated natural scenery is found. Start at the Fajã Grande bathing area at the base of the sea cliffs before making your way up to Poço do Bacalhau — a 90-meter waterfall that drops into a clear pool at the base, open for swimming. Timing matters here: arriving in late afternoon puts you in position for the sunset, when the last light hits the cliffs above the pool and the whole scene changes character.

Then, make your way to Poço do Bacalhau to set a meeting with a 90-meter-high waterfall that creates a lovely lake at the base, inviting for refreshing swimming in those clear waters. Insider tip: you’re at the right place to assist in the sunset. As the sun starts to set, its last rays lighten up the mountains and the scenario gets even more beautiful. 

Day 2: The Lakes Route and the Island's Interior

The Lakes of Flores Island

Seven lakes sit in the interior of Flores, connected by a scenic road that crosses the island. The most visited are Lagoa Negra and Lagoa Comprida, best seen from the viewpoint above that looks down on both simultaneously — one dark green, one lighter, separated by a narrow strip of land. The viewpoint is the single most photographed spot on the island and earns it. Lagoa Rasa and Lagoa Funda, further along the route, see fewer people and are worth the extra time.

The "Reta" Road

The longest straight road on the island cuts through the island's forest interior, passing through terrain that has no equivalent on the more agricultural islands of the central group. Several viewpoints along the route look out over the wild western slopes. The drive itself is the activity.

Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro

The most striking sight on Flores is not a single waterfall but a confluence of them. Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro — also called Poço das Alagoinhas — is reached by a short trail and delivers a scene of more than 20 waterfalls converging into a single pool, surrounded by moss-covered walls and tree ferns. The sound alone is worth the hike. Plan this for mid-morning before any afternoon clouds build over the interior.

Ribeira Grande Waterfall

Less accessible than the others, Ribeira Grande requires more commitment to reach, but the scale justifies it — it is one of the tallest waterfalls in the Azores and sits in a gorge that isolates it from any other sight. Worth adding if the itinerary has room; worth skipping if Day 2 is already full.

Rocha dos Bordões

A geological formation of basalt columns approximately 20 meters tall, created by volcanic cooling around 570,000 years ago. The columns are visible from the road, and a short stop at the viewpoint above gives the full scale of the formation. In late spring and early summer, the surrounding hillside is covered in hydrangeas — the Azores' unofficial signature flower — which adds considerably to the visual effect.

Morro dos Frades

A smaller but striking sea stack formation visible from the coastal road, easy to miss if you're moving quickly. Worth a brief stop for the geology alone.

Day 3: Boat Trip to Corvo and the Sea Caves

Boat Trip to Corvo Island

Corvo is the smallest inhabited island in the Azores and one of the smallest inhabited places in Europe, with a population of under 500. Most visitors come as a day trip from Flores by boat, which takes roughly an hour each way. The crossing passes Alagoa Bay and the sea caves of Flores from the water, and the arrival into Corvo's small harbor gives the immediate sense of somewhere genuinely remote.

On Corvo, the main draw is the Caldeirão — a large volcanic caldera at the island's center, accessible only on foot or by 4WD track. The crater is roughly two kilometers across and contains several small lakes, with farms visible at the bottom that have been worked continuously for centuries. The hike from the road to the crater rim is short; the crater itself is one of the most striking geological formations in the Azores.

Book your boat tour with included transfers to Corvo Island here!

Sea Caves of Flores

The boat trip from Flores to Corvo passes along a coastline of sea caves carved into the volcanic cliffs by Atlantic swells. These are accessible only by water, which means the only way to see them is from a boat. The caves vary in size — some large enough to enter, some only passable in calm conditions — and the quality of the experience depends on sea state, which on the western Atlantic side of the Azores can change quickly. The boat trip organizers check conditions and adjust accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get to Flores Island in the Azores? Flores is served by inter-island flights from Ponta Delgada (São Miguel), Terceira, and Faial, operated by SATA/Azores Airlines. There is no direct flight from the US or Canada to Flores — you connect through one of the eastern or central group islands. Flight time from Faial (the closest hub) is around 45 minutes. Ferry service from Faial to Flores runs seasonally and takes approximately 7-8 hours; most visitors fly.

How many days do you need in Flores Island? Three days is the minimum to cover the main sights without rushing. Four to five days allows you to add Corvo properly (spending a night on the island rather than a day trip), revisit favorite spots, and account for weather days. Flores in particular benefits from extra time because some of the best natural sites — Poço do Bacalhau at sunset, the lakes route in morning light — are strongly affected by timing and conditions.

Is Flores Island worth visiting in the Azores? Flores is the right choice for travelers who want the Azores' most dramatic natural scenery with the fewest other visitors. The waterfalls and volcanic lakes are genuinely exceptional, the island has almost no mass tourism infrastructure, and the combination of Flores and Corvo is unlike anything else in the archipelago. It requires more logistical effort to reach than São Miguel or Terceira, which is precisely why it remains so uncrowded.

What is the best time to visit Flores Island? June through September is the most reliable period for weather, with the warmest temperatures and lowest precipitation. The hydrangeas that line the island's roads bloom in late May through July, which is the most visually striking time of year. Outside peak summer, Flores is very quiet — accommodation options are limited, and some boat tours to Corvo run seasonally. If visiting in spring or autumn, verify tour availability in advance.

Can you rent a car in Flores Island? Yes, car rental is available in Santa Cruz das Flores, though the supply of vehicles is limited relative to the high summer season. Book in advance, particularly for July and August. A car is essential for reaching Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro, the lakes route, and Fajã Grande independently. The roads are well-maintained and the island is small enough that a full circumnavigation takes under two hours.