Azores: 7-Day São Miguel & Terceira — Two Islands Discovery

Azores: 7-Day São Miguel & Terceira — Two Islands Discovery

Combine two of the Azores’ most captivating islands on this expertly designed 7-Day Two Islands Discovery package. Begin on São Miguel, the largest and most diverse island, exploring volcanic crater lakes, thermal springs, and searching for whales in the deep Atlantic. Then hop across to Terceira, the “Lilac Island,” where the UNESCO World Heritage city of Angra do Heroísmo tells the story of Portugal’s maritime empire. With inter-island flights, guided tours, and seamless logistics, this package delivers the perfect balance of nature, culture, and island-hopping adventure across the central Azores archipelago.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival in São Miguel

Touch down at João Paulo II Airport (PDL) on São Miguel and meet your driver for a private transfer to your hotel in Ponta Delgada. After check-in, the day is yours to explore at leisure. Walk through the historic center and its distinctive Portuguese calçada pavements, visit the Fort of São Brás, and sample local delicacies at the Mercado da Graça. In the evening, consider dining at one of Ponta Delgada’s excellent seafood restaurants, where the catch of the day is often still glistening from the Atlantic. Overnight in Ponta Delgada.

Day 2 — São Miguel: Sete Cidades Van Tour

After breakfast, join a full-day shared van tour to the magnificent Sete Cidades volcanic complex. Your guide will lead you through winding mountain roads to the Vista do Rei viewpoint, offering an unforgettable panorama of the Blue and Green twin lakes separated by a narrow bridge. Descend into the caldera to explore the lakeside village, walk along the crater rim trails, and visit lesser-known viewpoints including Lagoa de Santiago and the Grota do Inferno. Enjoy lunch (own expense) before continuing along São Miguel’s scenic northern coast, passing through hydrangea-fringed villages and lush dairy pastures. Overnight in Ponta Delgada.

Day 3 — São Miguel: Furnas & Whale Watching

A packed day of São Miguel highlights. Begin the morning with a half-day whale watching excursion, heading offshore with marine biologists into some of the richest cetacean waters in the North Atlantic. After witnessing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, transfer to Furnas Valley for the afternoon. Witness the geothermal activity at the village caldeiras, visit the Terra Nostra Botanical Garden and its iconic thermal pool, and breathe in the steamy atmosphere of this volcanic wonderland. Return to Ponta Delgada in the evening. Overnight in Ponta Delgada.

Day 4 — Fly to Terceira & Angra do Heroísmo

After breakfast, transfer to Ponta Delgada airport for your short inter-island flight to Terceira (approximately 45 minutes). Upon arrival at Lajes International Airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Angra do Heroísmo, the historic capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walking tour through the beautifully preserved streets of Angra, lined with colorful 16th- and 17th-century buildings. Visit the Sé Cathedral, the Duke of Terceira Garden, and the São João Baptista fortress, a massive 400-year-old Spanish fortress still in use by the Portuguese military. Overnight in Angra do Heroísmo.

Day 5 — Terceira Island Van Tour: Algar do Carvão & Biscoitos

Today’s full-day van tour reveals the geological wonders and coastal beauty of Terceira. First stop: Algar do Carvão, an extraordinary volcanic vent where you can descend into the hollow interior of a dormant volcano, walking through fern-draped tunnels into a cavern with a crystal-clear underground lake. Continue to the Furnas do Enxofre, a geothermal field where steam vents and sulfur deposits create a dramatic landscape. Head to the north coast to visit the Biscoitos natural lava-rock swimming pools, where the black volcanic coastline has been sculpted into perfect ocean-fed bathing pools. Sample the local Verdelho wine produced from grapes grown in the distinctive currais (stone-walled plots) before returning to Angra. Overnight in Angra do Heroísmo.

Day 6 — Free Day on Terceira

A full free day to explore Terceira at your own pace or enjoy optional activities. Hike the Mistérios Negros trail through native Laurissilva forest, visit the island’s interior patchwork of pastures and volcanic cones, or take a boat trip along the dramatic coastline. Culture enthusiasts can explore more of Angra’s museums, including the Angra Museum housed in a former Franciscan convent. Alternatively, simply relax at a café on Praça Velha, the main square, and soak in the atmosphere of this UNESCO city. Overnight in Angra do Heroísmo.

Day 7 — Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Lajes Airport for your departure flight. Your journey through two distinct Azorean islands leaves you with memories of volcanic lakes, whale encounters, historic Angra, and island hospitality that will call you back to the Atlantic.

Inclusions

• 6 nights accommodation: 3 nights Ponta Delgada (São Miguel) + 3 nights Angra do Heroísmo (Terceira), 3-star hotels
• Daily breakfast
• All airport/hotel transfers (private on each island)
• Inter-island flight: São Miguel → Terceira (Day 4)
• Full-day shared van tour: Sete Cidades (Day 2)
• Half-day whale watching (Day 3)
• Half-day guided visit: Furnas Valley (Day 3)
• Guided walking tour: Angra do Heroísmo UNESCO (Day 4)
• Full-day shared van tour: Algar do Carvão & Biscoitos (Day 5)
• English-speaking guides throughout
• 24/7 local support

Exclusions

• International flights to Ponta Delgada / from Terceira
• Travel insurance
• Lunches and dinners (except breakfasts)
• Entrance fees: Algar do Carvão (~€10), Terra Nostra Park (~€10)
• Optional activities on Day 6
• Personal expenses and gratuities

Tour Data