FIT - Azores Islands

The largest and most developed of the islands of the archipelago, famous for its vast plantations of tea, tobacco and pineapples. Here you will encounter moderate vegetation with subtropical latitudes. There are hotels located in the city, the mountains and the beach, or near a hot volcanic lake where you can swim all year round.

With 62.1 km in length and 15.8 km at its maximum width. More than half of the Azorean population (137.856 inhabitants in 2011) occupies an area of 744.7 sq. km. Together with Santa Maria, located 81 km away, São Miguel is part of the Eastern Group of the Azores Archipelago

This charming little island is located south of the island of São Miguel, and of all islands of this archipelago it is the closest one to Europe. It has beautiful sandy beaches that are frequented by locals and tourists.

With 16.6 km of length, 9.1 km at its maximum width and a total area of 97 km2, the island of Santa Maria has 5,552 inhabitants (2011 data). Together with the island of São Miguel, it forms the Eastern Group of the Azores Archipelago, with the two islands distancing 81 km from each other. Pico Alto, the island’s highest point, reaches an altitude of 587 m.

Because of its beautiful purple sunset that Terceira is also known as the "Purple Island". The incredible beauty of its cave, the underground hot geysers, towns and villages with painted chapels, the bullfights that take place from spring to autumn, bring color and vivacity to this special island! The capital, Angra do Heroismo, protected by UNESCO, is a charming and colorful town that tells stories about distant times of the great maritime discoveries. The best hotels are located near the beach and the magnificent subtropical garden in the city centre.

The second most inhabited island of the Azores, with 56,437 inhabitants (2011 data), the Terceira island has 401.9 sq. Km, with 30.1 km long and 17.6 km at its maximum width. It is the eastern island of the five that form the central group and is the nearest one of São Jorge island, 37.9 km away. The highest point of the island, at 1,021 m altitude, is located in the Serra de Santa Bárbara.

Perhaps the most peaceful of all the islands. A perfect destination for those looking to escape the city and sink into a relaxing atmosphere of farms and vineyards.

The size of Graciosa, with 12.5 km in length and 7 km at its maximum width, provides the island with an elongated shape from the Northwest to Southeast. There are 4,391 habitants (2011 data) living on the island’s surface of 60.66 sq. It is the northernmost island from the five that make up the Central Group of the Azores Archipelago, with São Jorge, 37 km away, being the closest island. At an altitude of 405 metres, this island’s highest point is located in Caldeira.

The first island of the archipelago to be colonized. It is thanks to its famous special microclimate that it has become the huge garden with a variety of tropical fruits that it is today. You will certainly want to try and take home the best homemade cheeses that are made with love by the local residents.

With a length of 54 km and a maximum width of 6.9 km, São Jorge Island features a long volcanic ridge stretching from northwest to southeast. The area of the island reaches 243.9 sq. km, and it is the home to 9.171 inhabitants (2011 data). The island of São Jorge is part of the Central Group and is one of the corners of the so-called "triangle islands" together with Faial and Pico, the latter of which is 18.5 km away. At an altitude of 1,053 m, Pico da Esperança is the highest point of the island.

Pico is the second largest island of the Azores, with 444.9 sq. km and with an elongated shape thanks to its 42 km of length and 15.2 km at its maximum width. It is dominated by the Volcano of Pico on its western half, it is 6 km away from the neighboring island of Faial and is populated by 14.148 inhabitants (census 2011). It is the most southerly island of the Central Group of the Azores Archipelago and part of the “triangle islands.” The highest point of the island, at 2350 m altitude, is also the highest point of Portugal! In addition, the island is also popular for its world-renowned wine that is produced in large quantities on the island.

The destination of many international regattas. Yachtsmen from all over the world meet here. For many years the Island of Faial made its living through whaling. This past activity and its fascinating history can be found in many of the local souvenirs.

The 21 km in length and 14 km at the maximum width provide the 173.1 sq. km of the island of Faial with a pentagonal shape. Faial is the third most populous island of the Archipelago with 14,994 inhabitants (2011 data). The island is part of the Central Group and is the westernmost corner of the so-called “Triangle Islands”, which also include São Jorge and Pico, the latter just 6 km away from Faial. The island’s highest point is the Cabeço Gordo (1,043 m of altitude) in the Caldeira area

Rightfully called the island of flowers. The wild scenic landscapes of the island attract romantically inclined tourists. The large crater lake, surrounded by forests of hydrangeas and white sand beaches, sulfur thermal waters, picturesque green valleys, are some of the fantastic things you can find in Flores.

The island is 16.6 km long and has 12.2 km at its maximum width, which translates into a surface of 141.4 sq. km. Together with the island of Corvo, which is 17.9 km away, it forms the Western Group of the Azores Archipelago. The European Continent has its westernmost point on this piece of land where 3 793 people live (2011 data). At an altitude of 911 metres, the Morro Alto is the island’s highest point

The smallest island of the Azores is 6.24 km long and has 3.99 km at its maximum width. Corvo Island is interesting for its tranquility, history of colonization, and the complete absence of traces of a modern economy. An ancient fortress still remains on the island which in the past protected it from pirates.

This oval shaped island stretches from north to south and has an area of 17.1 sq. km, with 430 people (2011 data) living there. The island of Corvo and the island of Flores, 17.9 km away, make up the Western Group of the archipelago. The highest point of the island, at an altitude of 720 m, is located in the area known as Estreitinho