I’ll be honest — I thought I was done with Europe. Then a friend dragged us to the Azores (aka the “Hawaii of Europe”), and wow… no regrets. The islands don’t feel like Europe at all. Each one has its own personality, its own surprises. Words don’t do them justice, but let me try.
We didn’t climb Pico Mountain (we bailed halfway 🙃), but we did soak in hot springs, mess around in volcanic mud, and eat stew cooked underground in steam vents. The point is: whatever kind of traveler you are, the Azores have a reply ready for you.
Want whales?
Answer: Whale-watching.
One-third of the world’s whale species pass through here. From the Pico–São Jorge channel you can spot different giants gliding past. On Santa Maria, you might even see whale sharks. Imagine a massive whale cruising calmly right beside you. Surreal.
Want diving?
Answer: Shipwrecks + wild sea life.
The Azores have temperate waters most of the year, with visibility up to 30m in summer and fall. It’s a diver’s playground: rich biodiversity, caves, and wrecks — like the WWII ship Dori, resting just 20m below the surface. No pro gear required, just guts.
Want mountain highs?
Answer: Volcanoes + craters.
Pico Island is home to Portugal’s tallest peak at 2,351m. You can join guided night hikes — no ropes or ice axes, just a solid walk straight into the clouds. We didn’t summit (3 hours in, we turned back 😂), but people from around the world do. Even from below, the volcano is unforgettable.
Want healing?
Answer: Hot springs + waterfalls.
On São Miguel, the village of Furnas is all steaming pools, mud baths, and stress-melting waters inside a volcanic crater. Locals cook meat stews underground with geothermal steam — weird, tasty, unforgettable. Add in Japanese cedar forests and crater lakes like Lagoa do Fogo, and you’re basically in a dream.
Want surf?
Answer: Big waves.
All nine islands have surf spots, but Santa Maria and São Miguel are known for long point breaks, while São Jorge delivers epic reef breaks. These are some of the longest rides in the Atlantic. We didn’t surf (yet) — just watched with envy.
And this is just scratching the surface. Canoeing, canyoning, paragliding, horseback riding, rafting, trekking — it’s all here. Even if you’re not a hardcore adventurer, the Azores will get under your skin. Food, people, landscapes — it’s another world.
