The beautiful Azores is an unspoiled, Portuguese North Atlantic archipelago situated 1,500km from the European coast and 3,900km from that of North America. The Azores consists of nine islands, each with its own particular charm. Displaying some amazing scenery and intriguing terrains between them, the natural wonders of the Azores include vast areas covered by colourful hydrangea, lush volcanic mountains, grottoes, caves, mineral hot springs and fertile vineyards. The biggest and most populated island is São Miguel, the island where the Azore’s largest city, Ponta Delgada, is located. The land of the hydrangeas is called Faial, popularly named “the blue island” for that very reason. Apart from its awe-inspiring floral displays, the spot features numerous grottoes, caves, churches, and museums, as well as the lively Horta marina. The island of Terceira, meanwhile, is known for its weaving tradition and extraordinary buildings that span vividly painted imperios (empires) and decorative chapels. Whichever island you go to, the Azores would particularly appeal to nature lovers, and apart from expeditions on foot through the destination’s unique landscapes and well established trails, the marine life on offer shouldn’t be overlooked, such as the worthy whale and dolphin expeditions that are organised regularly.

Getting there
The Azores has three international airports, located in Faial, São Miguel and Terceira, which provide services from continental Europe, the US and Canada. Airlines in operation include Sata International and Tap Air Portugal.
Getting around
The local airline, SATA, provides services between islands, and another option is to use the ferries that operate services running between the islands. There is a limited bus service on most islands, but the best way to get around the Azore is by foot, or by rental car.

Local information

Language: Portuguese
Time: GMT – 1
Climate: The climate of the Azores differ slightly from island to island but overall it’s temperate, with mild winters when average daytime temperatures range from 12-15ºC/54-59ºF, and warm summers, with temperatures hovering around the 22c mark. Humidity is fairly high in the region and the wettest months are October to March.
Tipping: Service is normally included on restaurant bills, but if not, the norm is to offer a tip of 10 percent.
Duty free:
As with all countries within the EU, if you are travelling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragrance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs – all at tax-free equivalent prices. If you are arriving to the Azores from a non-EU country, you may import into Portugal without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1L of spirits over 22 percent or 2L of spirits up to 22 percent; 2L of wine; 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette.
Safety: The Azores are generally safe, but be vigilant when entering crowded places as petty crime is not unheard of.
Currency: Euro
Laws: Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a criminal offence and can result in severe penalties.
Healthcare: Visitors to the Azores from countries within the EU are offered free healthcare through the EU reciprocal health agreements, providing that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is produced.
Socket type: Type C