The 9 Azores Islands
The Azores are split into three groups, separated by hundreds of kilometres of ocean: the Eastern Group (São Miguel and Santa Maria), the Central Group (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial) and the Western Group (Flores and Corvo). Each of the nine islands has its own landscape, pace and identity — visiting the Azores means, in practice, discovering nine different destinations within the same archipelago.
Eastern Group
São Miguel, the largest island and the archipelago’s main air gateway, combines volcanic lagoons, natural hot springs and the city of Ponta Delgada in a single territory. Santa Maria, the geologically oldest island and the one closest to a Mediterranean climate, has golden sand beaches rarely found elsewhere in the Azores.
Central Group
Terceira stands out for the historic centre of Angra do Heroísmo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. São Jorge is the island of fajãs, flat strips of land by the sea formed by landslides or lava flows. Pico has Portugal’s highest mountain and a vineyard landscape that is also a World Heritage Site. Faial, known as the Blue Island for its hydrangeas, is home to Horta Marina, one of transatlantic sailing’s best-known meeting points. Graciosa, the smallest island in the group, hides one of the archipelago’s most striking geosites inside Furna do Enxofre.
Western Group
Flores, often considered the most beautiful of the Azores islands, has more waterfalls per square kilometre than any other island. Corvo, the smallest and most remote, has a single village and a volcanic caldera that dominates the entire landscape — a destination for anyone seeking real quiet and authenticity.
Explore by activity
Beyond exploring island by island, you can also plan your trip around a type of experience: whale watching, walking tours, geotourism, or simply chasing the archipelago’s best landscapes and viewpoints.
- Whale Watching in the Azores
- Walking Tours in the Azores
- Geotourism in the Azores
- Landscape of the Azores
