Azores holidays

What you can find in the Azores that you won’t find elsewhere?

A group of Portugese islands floating in the middle of the North Atlantic - almost 1,000 miles off the coast of Lisbon - the Azores offer a wonderfully remote getaway. This little pocket of paradise, often dubbed the ‘Hawaii of Europe’, is perhaps the best-kept travel secret in the Atlantic, and this volcanic region offers adventure aplenty and with nine islands to pick from - Sao Miguel, Santa Maria, Faial, Terceira, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Pico, Flores and Corvo - you're bound to find your dream destination. Our favourites of the nine islands that make up this intriguing archipelago are São Miguel and Pico. São Miguel manages to combine both a thriving foodie culture and bustling University City with awe inspiring wilderness. No trip would be complete without a tour of the capital, Ponta Delgada, exploring and sampling a variety of typical and delicious tapas dishes.

Who are the Azores best for?

If you're pining after a serene sanctuary, somewhere with sublime nature and a whole lot of diversity, Azores holidays are the ideal choice. Fans of hiking and trekking will be in their element. Lava fields, terraced vineyards, green plateaus, exotic gardens, rugged mountains, and cliffs overlooking the sapphire sea will make the Azores your new favourite destination. São Miguel offers a plethora of activities, from all day canyoning trips to 4x4 tours around the island and rock climbing, or channelling your inner Bond and taking a boat out to crater pools. The islands' position at the meeting point of the Eurasian, African and North American tectonic plates make it a hive of geological activity. Even the least geologically minded will be in awe at the hot springs, bubbling molten clay and rugged coastlines.

The best ways to discover the Azores:

Start your holiday on Sao Miguel, the main island of the Azores, which is also the largest and most populated. Here, you can fill up on plenty of culture and history in its charming capital, Ponta Delgada, which is home to an eclectic mix of architecture from the 18th century City Gates to the Gothic St. Sebastian Church and 16th century Fort of Sao Bras. Away from the bright lights of the city, the island is known for its volcanic scenery and rich marine life, including whales so there is no shortage of take-your-breath-away moments here.

Pico, with its distinctive wine culture, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The unique and world famous wines come about thanks to the terroir; vines grow on volcanic soil and are protected from the Atlantic winds and rain by basalt walls. More than just a giant vineyard, Pico Mountain, which stands at 7700ft, is the tallest mountain in Portugal and in 2012 was voted one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. For hikers it offers some truly spectacular options, promising the most unbelievable views across the other islands, an incredible sunset, and the chance to see dolphins and even whales. The islands secret lagoons and caves can be revealed to you in an all day tour, and of course there are plenty of wine tastings on offer.

If you've got time, spend the rest of your Azores holidays island hopping to take in the entire archipelago. Follow in the footsteps (or sailing path?) of Moby Dick with a self-driving adventure between the islands and feel the power of these volcanic marvels while taking in the tranquility of the region’s charm.

Special things to do in the Azores

- Experience the unforgettable thrill of seeing a whale on a three-hour whale watching tour. Seeing these mighty creatures up close is guaranteed to leave you slack-jawed and in complete awe of the majesty of mother nature.

- The diving in the Azores is unquestionably the best in Europe. While the shore dive sites are decent enough, the marine life at the deep water offshore sites is the real draw. Given the currents, these sites are for advanced PADI divers only, but suitably qualified divers are virtually guaranteed manta ray and blue shark sightings, and occasional encounters with super-elusive mako sharks, too.