Azores Photos That Will Inspire You To Finally Book That Trip!

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Photos are often the first thing that captivates someone’s mind and lures them into visiting a destination. The Azores were no different for me. 

Most travelers think that an Azores vacation is completely out of reach and something that cannot be done easily. 

Are you planning your trip to Sao Miguel (and the Azores) last minute?

If youʻre booking your trip to Sao Miguel and the Azores last minute, we have you covered. Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more!

🌋 Top Experiences and Tours in Sao Miguel:

  1. São Miguel WEST: Full-Day Tour with Lunch (my top pick!)
  2. São Miguel EAST: Full-Day Tour with Lunch (but also do this one!)
  3. Dolphin and whale watching on Sao Miguel (#1 selling whale tour!)
  4. Furnas Hot Springs at Night with Dinner (unique option)
  5. Furnas Valley Full-Day Volcano and Tea Plantation Tour

🛌  Top Hotels/Lodging in Sao Miguel:

  1. Sao Vicente Lodge – Atlantic Retreat (I stayed here and LOVED it!)
  2. Octant Furnas (Central Sao Miguel)
  3. Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico (Eastern Sao Miguel)

🚗  Looking for the best way to get around the Azores? Click here to check rental car rates for the Azores islands!

More flights exist to the Azores now than ever before and it is a feasible trip for those in North America and Europe.  At the end of this post, I will tell you how to book that Azores vacation!

The landscapes in the pictures of the Azores I had seen just seemed so magnetic and lush.  I knew I was going to visit one day, but I never knew when. 

Fortunately, I had the opportunity to visit a few months ago and I am still mindblown at the scenery of Sao Miguel as that was the only island I had time for on that trip.

The northern coast of Sao Miguel is dramatic, yet peaceful. 

I stayed at the Sao Vicente Lodge in Sao Vicente and I reckon some of the most beautiful scenery on the island was within walking distance of my accommodation. 

The water’s color varied depending on the color of the sky. 

Sometimes it was a deep, cerulean blue and other times it was a misty, turquoise color that glistened against the reddish-brown volcanic rock that riddled the landscape.

But it was never ugly or harsh on the eyes.  In fact, it was hard to pull your eyes from it. 

And don’t even get me started on the lakes.  The Azores have lakes that will undoubtedly be the most beautiful lakes you have ever seen.  And those waterfalls……….

Near Capelas on Sao Miguel in the Azores

Sao Miguel in the Azores

Sete Cidades crater volcanic lake Sao Miguel, Azores from above

<above Lagoa de Santiago near Sete Cidades on Sao Miguel>

Sete Cidades crater volcanic lake Sao Miguel, Azores from above

<Lagoa das Sete Cidades>

Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeiroes waterfall in Sao Miguel, Azores

<Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeiroes>

Near Capelas on the northern coast of Sao Miguel, Azores
Salto do Cabrito waterfall Sao Miguel in the Azores

lake in Sao Miguel, Azores

<Lagoa do Fogo as seen from above>

While the water was clearly what garnered my attention, the homes and architecture was an immediate second.  The housing styles of the northern coast varied, but all were colorful and photo-worthy. 

We set off on a beach hike from the Santa Barbara Lodge where we were staying to Capelas, a village about fifteen minutes away by foot or so. 

That walk took us two hours usually as we couldn’t help but stop to admire the sea and the vibrant homes along the way.  Capelas should definitely be on your Azores itinerary.

colorful home in sao miguel, azores

Near Capelas on the northern coast of Sao Miguel, Azores

street art ponta delgada on sao miguel azores

<there is so much street art in Ponta Delgada!>

Near Capelas on the northern coast of Sao Miguel, Azores

<Santa Barbara Lodge in Sao Vicente- my home for a few nights!>

Near Capelas on the northern coast of Sao Miguel, Azores

church in sao miguel azores

<Church Ermida da Nossa Senhora da Paz at Sao Miguel near Vila Franca do Campo>

ponta delgada on sao miguel azores

Near Capelas on the northern coast of Sao Miguel, Azores

Near Capelas on the northern coast of Sao Miguel, Azores

One of the best things about the Azores is that a vast amount of the flora can only be found in the Azores and nowhere else in Europe. 

You don’t often hear of pineapple plantations in Europe… but you have greenhouse pineapples on the Azores. 

And it will likely be the best pineapple you ever put in your mouth (and you can’t eat it anywhere but the Azores as they keep it on the islands).  They also grow their own tea in the Azores.

If you head to Gorreana, you can taste it.  It is delicious and most are exported to Portugal.  The lush and dense forests on Sao Miguel are almost like something out of a movie; it doesn’t even seem real. 

The islands are known for their geothermal properties and it is everpresent on the islands- whether it be from the boiling springs or the way that food is cooked using geothermal heat underground.

Sao Miguel fern in the Azores

<inside Terra Nostra gardens>

Sao Miguel in the Azores

Sao Miguel in the Azores

<Arruda Pineapple Plantation in Sao Miguel outside of Ponta Delgada>

Sao Miguel in the Azores

Sao Miguel hot springs in the Azores

<Furnas, Sao Miguel>

Gorreana tea plantation in sao miguel azores

azores hot springs sao miguel

flower in sao miguel azores

forest in sao miguel azores

Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeiroes forest in sao miguel azores

<Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeiroes>

flower in sao miguel azores

sao miguel azores

Getting to the Azores

Depending on where you’re coming from, there are several ways to get to the Azores.  Currently, four airlines fly to the Azores: TAP Portugal, SATA / Azores Airlines (I flew with them), Ryanair, and EasyJet.  From North America, there are direct flights from Boston and Toronto to Ponta Delgada.

I have found the easiest routes in Europe would fly directly from Lisbon or London (but they leave from several areas- even here in Frankfurt!) 

I will be booking tickets back to the Azores for later this year and they are currently $61 round trip from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada.  You couldn’t get a better deal if you tried.

I actually think the best thing about the Azores is that there are different ways to have an awesome Azores vacation. 

You can travel the islands independently, or you can book something with a tour company.  The tour companies in the Azores are reputable, experienced, and a great way to see the best of the islands in a convenient and easy manner. 

Click here for the best Azores tours.  Click here for Azores whale watching tours.  Click here for Sao Miguel hotels.

Before heading to the Azores, be sure to have the right camera equipment and accessories.  If you are looking for accessories or gifts to partner with your photography kit, hover here for more info.

Are the Azores on your list?  Have you ever been before?

14 thoughts on “Azores Photos That Will Inspire You To Finally Book That Trip!

  1. LC says:

    Those thousands of photos look like they were well worth going through! I love the one of the bee. Anywhere with waterfalls and architecture like that would have my complete attention too – I can see why you loved it so much.

  2. Erin says:

    Awew Megan I feel as if I went back there again. Recognized many of your photos from my own trip. In fact I think my family lives in the very village where you stayed. Thank you for posting these. P.s you can buy those pineapples at the airport when you leave and bring them home. They are not cheap though lol.

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