-
Ponta Delgada, Portugal
Base for São Miguel's west: hike the Sete Cidades twin crater lakes on Day 1, then drive the Sete Cidades–Mosteiros coastal road for sea-cliff views. Eat percebes and lapas grelhadas at the Mercado da Graça before heading east.
-
Furnas, Azores
São Miguel's volcanic east anchored by Furnas hot springs and the caldeira fumaroles — soak in Parque Terra Nostra's iron-rich thermal pool. Lunch is cozido das Furnas, slow-cooked underground in volcanic heat, then loop Lagoa das Furnas before the evening ferry-prep drive back to Ponta Delgada.
-
Vila do Porto, Portugal
Santa Maria is the Azores' sunniest island with golden beaches rare in the archipelago — hike the Baía do Lagoinhas sea cliffs in the morning and visit Anjos village, where Columbus made landfall. Compact island means one rental car day covers everything; fly in from Ponta Delgada and fly out to Terceira next morning.
-
Angra do Heroísmo, Azores
Terceira's UNESCO-listed capital is the cultural heart of the Azores — walk the baroque streets of Angra before descending into Algar do Carvão's magma chamber, a must-see lava tube open to the public. Pair the afternoon with the adjacent Furnas do Enxofre sulfur vents, then dinner of alcatra beef stew in the old town.
-
Praia da Vitória, Azores
Terceira's east side clusters the Biscoitos natural lava pools for a morning swim and the Serreta viewpoint drive. This is the departure hub for the inter-island ferry or short flight to Graciosa, so position the rental car return here and keep the afternoon light.
-
Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Azores
Graciosa is the Azores' flattest and most pastoral island — rent a scooter or small car to circle it in a day, stopping at the Furna do Enxofre lava lake cavern and the Termas do Carapacho thermal baths. Lunch of grilled wreckfish (cherne) at a Santa Cruz harbourside tasca before the afternoon ferry south toward the Triangle islands.
-
Velas, Azores
São Jorge is defined by dramatic fajãs — flat coastal shelves formed by ancient lava flows — best reached on foot via the Fajã dos Cubres and Fajã de Santo Cristo trails, the latter famous for tiny lagoon clams (ameijoas). The spine-road miradouros offer jaw-dropping views of both Pico and Faial on clear days; stock up on São Jorge's sharp cured cheese at a local cooperative.
-
Madalena, Azores
Pico's port town sits at the foot of Portugal's highest peak — take the pre-dawn Mount Pico summit hike (2,351 m) on Day 1 for crater-rim sunrise views. Spend the afternoon in the UNESCO-listed Criação Velha vineyard landscape where vines grow in black basalt currais; pair a tasting with local limpets and smoked sausage before the short ferry to Faial.
-
Horta, Portugal
Faial's capital is a legendary mid-Atlantic yacht stopover — walk the famous marina murals painted by visiting sailors, then drive west to Capelinhos volcano, the island's raw 1957-eruption moonscape with an excellent underground interpretation centre. End evenings at Café Sport, the classic sailor's bar, with gin and fresh tuna petiscas overlooking Pico's silhouette.
-
Lajes das Flores, Azores
Flores is the Azores' most dramatic waterfall island — the primary anchor is Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro, a multi-tiered waterfall into a hydrangea-lined valley best hiked in the morning light. Spend Day 2 looping the Rocha dos Bordões basalt organ-pipe formation and Lagoa Funda viewpoint; seafood dinner in Santa Cruz das Flores before the morning ferry to Corvo.
-
Vila do Corvo, Azores
Corvo is the Azores' tiniest island with just one village and one unmissable sight: the Caldeirão, a vast caldera with two lakes and islets that mirror the nine Azores islands in legend. Hike the 45-minute crater rim trail first thing, descend if conditions allow, then take the afternoon ferry back to Flores for the return flight to Lisbon via TAP through Faial or São Miguel.