DESTINATION AZORES

The discovery and settlement of the Azores archipelago, much like the islands of Madeira, is one of the more controversial aspects of the Portuguese Age of Discovery. In addition to many theories, myths and stories written about the Azores there have been various Genovese and Catalan maps produced since 1351 that identified islands in the Atlantic.

Quick Links Pico Island Flores Ponta Delgada Sao Miguel Island

DISCOVER THE AZORES: Corvo Island, Flores, Pico Island, Ponta Delgada, Santa Maria Island,
Sao Jorge Island, Sao Miguel Island,

DISCOVER CORVO ISLAND A small number of Hypogea (earthen structures carved into rocks, that were used for burials) were discovered on the island of Corvo, indicating a history of settlement that may date back 2000 years, and alluding to a presence on the island before the Portuguese. The history of the Azores is linked to non-official exploration during the period of the late 13th century ...

DISCOVER FLORES The economy of the island of Flores is mainly agricultural, with taro and grain. Due to the early settlers being from northern Portugal, the island's houses and streets resemble those found there. Portugal has a military agreement with France permitting France to have a base in the region. The island also has an airport ...

DISCOVER PICO ISLAND Pico Island is an island in the Central Group of the Portuguese Azores noted for its eponymous volcano, Ponta do Pico, which is the highest mountain in Portugal, the Azores, and the highest elevation of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. In the tradition of the Portuguese poet, Raul Brandao, Pico is referred to as the Ilha Preta ('Black Island'), for its black volcanic earth ...

DISCOVER PONTA DELGADA The community of Ponta Delgada located on the northern coast of Flores Island, on a flat rock-bed that extends into the Atlantic Ocean, across from the island of Corvo (Flores' nearest neighbour). On either coast of the village are two islets, Maria Vaz (on the west coast) and João Martins, both named after important settlers during early colonization ...

DISCOVER SANTA MARIA ISLAND Santa Maria, Portuguese for Saint Mary, is an island located in the eastern group of the Azores archipelago (south of the island of São Miguel) and the southernmost island in the Azores. The island is primarily known for its white sand beaches, distinct chimneys, and dry warm weather ...

DISCOVER SAO JORGE ISLAND It is unclear when the first explorers discovered the island of Sao Jorge; as part of the politics of human occupation, the Azores were populated after 1430 (probably 1439) through the initiative of Prince Henry the Navigator. The 23rd of April, known as the feast day of Saint George, has been cited by some historians for the island's name, although this is likely conjecture ...

DISCOVER SAO MIGUEL ISLAND Sao Miguel Island (Portuguese for Saint Michael), nicknamed 'The Green Island', is the largest and most populous island in the Portuguese Azores archipelago. The island covers 759 km2 (293 sq mi) and has around 140,000 inhabitants, 45,000 of these people located in the largest city in the archipelago: Ponta Delgada ...

AZORES HOTELS & ACCOMMODATION

PORTUGAL TOURS, TRAVEL & ACTIVITIES