Landscape Azores

Few destinations offer as much landscape diversity in such a small territory as the Azores. Within a few kilometres you can go from a volcanic lagoon surrounded by lush vegetation to a vineyard plateau born on black lava, from a cliff battered by the Atlantic to a caldera wrapped in cloud. For many visitors, this variety is the main reason to visit the archipelago.

Viewpoints and panoramic views

Vista do Rei Viewpoint, on São Miguel, is probably the archipelago’s most photographed spot, with Sete Cidades Lake — split between a blue side and a green one — spread out beneath an abandoned former hotel. On Terceira, Serra do Cume Viewpoint shows a landscape of fields bordered by stone walls that, from a distance, looks like a genuine patchwork quilt.

Lagoons and volcanic plateaus

Sete Cidades Lake remains the archipelago’s most iconic lagoon, but every island holds its own water-filled craters: on Pico, a high plateau hides small lakes that rarely appear in the best-known itineraries. Pico Island’s Vineyard Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a unique example of an agricultural landscape built on lava: stone-walled plots protecting vines from wind and salt spray.

How to photograph and visit with respect for the landscape

Most Azorean viewpoints and lagoons sit within protected areas, so it’s important to stay on marked trails, avoid picking plants or rocks, and visit the most popular spots outside peak hours (early morning or late afternoon), both for calmer photographs and to reduce pressure on these sensitive ecosystems.

Related articles

• Vista do Rei Viewpoint: the Abandoned Hotel With the Azores’ Best View
• Serra do Cume Viewpoint: Terceira’s Patchwork Seen From Above
• Sete Cidades Lake: the Blue and Green Lagoon Born From a Legend
• Pico Island Vineyard Landscape: Wine Born From Lava

Featured image — Photo: Jules Verne Times Two / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0