7-Day Azores Archipelago Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Azores Archipelago tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaAzores Archipelago travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in São Miguel, incl. Ponta Delgada and Furnas

  A week-long tour of São Miguel showcases the Sete Cidades twin lakes, Furnas Valley's thermal pools, and Nordeste's dramatic coastline. Three full-day tours with expert guides take you through Gorreana tea plantation and traditional villages. Accommodations at a 4-star Ponta Delgada hotel with daily breakfast.

  

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  • Day 1

    Arrival in Ponta Delgada

    Your private transfer will meet you at João Paulo II Airport. Check into your 4-star hotel in central Ponta Delgada. Most hotels are an easy walk from the historic harbor and Portas da Cidade gates. "The hotel was really well located, very close to everything and great for our night walks," one traveler noted.

    
  • Day 2

    Sete Cidades & Lagoa do Fogo

    Visit the biological pineapple plantations unique to São Miguel. Head to Vista do Rei viewpoint to see the famous twin lakes of Sete Cidades - one blue, one green. Go early to avoid afternoon fog that often blocks the view. Have lunch in Sete Cidades village, then visit Caldeira Velha's thermal waterfall. Bring water shoes since the rocks get slippery.

    
  • Day 3

    Furnas Valley Adventure

    Drive to Vila Franca do Campo for their special "queijadas" pastries. Watch how "Cozido das Furnas" is prepared in Furnas - it's a stew cooked underground by volcanic steam. "The Terra Nostra thermal pool experience was incredible - bring a dark swimsuit though, as the iron-rich water can stain light colors," a recent visitor shared. End your day with tea tasting at Gorreana, Europe's oldest tea plantation.

    
  • Day 4

    Whale Watching

    Take a three-hour whale watching trip from Ponta Delgada marina. "Take motion sickness medication before the trip - the Atlantic can get rough. The smaller boats give great views but aren't for everyone," one traveler advised. You'll find the best whale spotting from April through October, with sperm whales and dolphins commonly seen.

    
  • Day 5

    Free Day in Ponta Delgada

    Take time to see the city's black and white basalt architecture. Visit the local market or join a food tour if you like. Make sure to stop at Mercado da Graça for local cheeses and pineapples. "The waterfront restaurants near the marina serve excellent fresh fish - try the local 'boca negra' if it's available," suggested a traveler.

    
  • Day 6

    Nordeste Region

    Spend a full day in São Miguel's most remote area. Visit Ribeira dos Caldeirões waterfall and continue to Ponta do Sossego viewpoint. This eastern route shows off the island's most dramatic coast but takes longer to drive. Bring a light jacket - the mountainous Nordeste area runs cooler and windier than Ponta Delgada.

    
  • Day 7

    Departure

    Check out in the morning for your airport transfer. Most flights leave Ponta Delgada in the afternoon, so you'll have time for one last Portuguese pastry at a local café.

    

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• 7 Day Azores Itinerary, incl. Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande

  The volcanic heritage of the islands comes alive over 7 days at Rabo de Peixe's marine life, Furnas' geothermal wonders, and Vila Franca do Campo's history. Includes 4 whale watching expeditions, visits to Terra Nostra garden, and traditional Cozido lunch cooked by volcanic heat.

  

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  • Day 1

    Arrival in Ponta Delgada

    Arrive at João Paulo II Airport and take a 30-minute transfer to your hotel in Ribeira Grande. Try to book a morning flight since afternoon fog can sometimes delay arrivals to the Azores.

    
  • Days 2-4

    Whale Watching Expeditions from Rabo de Peixe

    Spend three days based in Ribeira Grande for whale watching trips. The boats leave from Rabo de Peixe harbor just 10 minutes from most hotels. Morning tours usually have calmer waters while afternoon trips offer better photo opportunities. Sperm whales are most active from June through September. Remember to take motion sickness tablets since the mid-Atlantic waters can get rough.

    
  • Day 5

    Furnas Volcanic Experience

    Start early at 9 AM from Ponta Delgada to visit Furnas Valley. See the caldeiras (steam vents) in the morning before the afternoon heat makes the sulfur smell stronger. Stop for lunch to try the local "Cozido" stew cooked in volcanic steam underground. Take a swim in the iron-rich thermal pools at Terra Nostra Garden where temperatures range from 35-40°C (95-104°F). Wear dark swimwear since the minerals can stain light colors.

    
  • Day 6

    Final Whale Watch & North Coast

    Make the most of your last whale watching opportunity. One visitor shared: "The sperm whales were incredible, but don't forget to look for dolphins—we saw hundreds of spotted dolphins playing in our wake near Ribeira Grande." The north coast is better for viewing since deeper waters come closer to shore.

    
  • Day 7

    Departure

    Head back to Ponta Delgada airport. Most flights leave around midday so you can enjoy a final breakfast with Atlantic views. Keep watching during takeoff you might spot whales from the plane.

    

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• 4 Day Sao Miguel Island Itinerary, incl. Ponta Delgada and Furnas

  

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  • Day 1

    Ponta Delgada

    Start in Ponta Delgada, the island's capital. Visit Portas da Cidade (City Gates) in the afternoon when tourist numbers drop. Stop by the 16th-century Matriz Church before sunset to see its black and white basalt architecture in the best light. The downtown area is easy to walk around. Bring good shoes since the Portuguese cobblestones can be slippery in wet weather.

    
  • Day 2

    Sete Cidades & West Coast

    Start your morning at the pineapple plantations in Fajã de Baixo. Next, go up to Pico do Carvão viewpoint to see the caldera. Stop at Vista do Rei lookout for the famous view of the twin lakes - one blue and one green. Try to arrive before 11 AM to avoid the usual fog. Have lunch in Sete Cidades village before going to Mosteiros to see its coastal rock formations. Finish your day at Ponta da Ferraria's ocean hot springs. Plan your visit during low tide for the best water temperature. Check local tide schedules in advance.

    
  • Day 3

    Furnas Valley

    Use Furnas as your base to explore the geothermal sites. Visit the fumaroles where they cook the traditional cozido stew underground. Watch them pull up the pots at 12:30 PM. Take a dip in the Terra Nostra Garden's thermal pool but wear dark swimwear since the iron-rich water can stain light colors. Try the different mineral springs around town - each one has its own taste and mineral content. A recent visitor shared: "The sulfur smell takes getting used to, but soaking in the 39°C (102°F) thermal pool while surrounded by century-old trees was incredibly relaxing."

    
  • Day 4

    Departure

    Book an afternoon flight to have time for a morning visit to Ponta Delgada's farmers' market. Local vendors arrive early with fresh island fruits like pineapples and passion fruit. The airport is close to downtown, just 10 minutes away. Add extra travel time if cruise ships are in port as traffic gets heavier.

    

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