Horta

2247 km²
(0,054x the Netherlands)

UTC +2

Portugese

Pico - 2351 m

The Azores flag largely resembles the flag of Portugal from 1830 to 1910. When the islands were discovered, they thought they saw a lot of hawks and that's why the bird pictured on the flag. However, it is a subspecies of the buzzard but it was decided to keep the hawk anyway. The nine Stars represent the nine inhabited islands.

The euro was introduced simultaneously in 12 European countries, as well as in Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City on 1 January 2002. This was the largest monetary exchange operation of all time. On the front of the note is a gate or window and a bridge on the back. These are all fictional. The euro replaces the Lire, introduced in 1861, which was known as the least valuable currency in Western Europe.

The Azores are an archipelago of nine inhabited and eight uninhabited islands in the Atlantic Ocean, forming an autonomous region of Portugal. The archipelago is located 1370 km in the Atlantic Ocean off Lisbon. The distance between the islands of Corvo and Santa Maria is 500 km. The islands are of volcanic origin.

São Miguel

Ponta Delgada is the largest city in the Azores and it is located on São Miguel, the largest island in the archipelago also nicknamed the green island. The island was populated since 1444 and Ponta Delgada was founded as a fishing village in 1450. It is the administrative capital of the Azores. By far the most tourists visit this island. It is a versatile island with tea, pineapple, banana and tobacco plantations. At Furnas you can visit the hot springs. There are a few beautiful parks near the village and by the lake, including the Parque Terra Nostre where you can bathe in the warm brown, ferruginous water. Thomas Hickling, Consul of the United States built his summer residence here in 1775, Yankee Hall, and laid out a 2 ha garden. In the middle of the 19th century, the plot was expanded and the house became a hotel. In the 1930's, the park was bought by Vasco Bensaude. The park reached an area of 12.5 ha. The swimming pool with brown water (iron) with a temperature of 25 to 38 °C was built in 1780 by Thomas Hickling and it was expanded in 1935. On the east side of the village you can visit the fumaroles. Corn is being cooked in some of these wells.

What should not be missed is a walk on the edge of the caldera of the volcano Sete Cidades. In clear weather you are treated with a beautiful view of the blue and green lake in the caldera from the Vista do Rei viewpoint. The caldera measures 6 by 5 km. The depth of the caldera varies between 200 and 500 metres. The volcano collapsed 35,700 years ago, the northwestern part of the caldera collapsed 28,750 years ago, followed by the collapse of the northern and northeastern parts 15,740 years ago. The only tea plantation in Europe is located on the north coast of the island near Porto Formoso. Here you can visit an extensive plantation and the small factory with authentic machines. Of course you can also taste and buy the tea.

Terceira

In 1432, Gonçalo Velho Cabral, sailing on behalf of the Portuguese Prince Henry the Navigator, landed on Terceira. From the 15th to the 17th century, the Azores were also referred to as 'Flemish Islands' because of the attraction of settlers from the County of Flanders to populate the islands. On January 1, 1451, the settlement of Vila da Praia was founded by Jacob van Brugge. Tercecira is the third largest island and the third island that was discovered. In 1581, the inhabitants managed to chase away the Spaniards with the help of bulls in the battle of Salga. Angra do Heroismo, on the southside of the island is the oldest city of the Azores and was founded in 1478. Due to its favorable location on a natural bay, Angra do Heroismo became an important trade center. The whole town was rebuilt after an earthquake in 1980. UNESCO has placed the old town on the World Heritage List.

The Algar do Carvão, a lava cave, right in the middle of the island, is also the main attraction. Descend 100 meters into the shaft and be overwhelmed.

São Jorge

The island of São Jorge is 53 km long and 8 km at its widest. It was created from a series of volcanic eruptions and remained isolated for centuries. The island has 9,000 inhabitants and 30,000 cows. The capital Velas was founded in 1470 and has 2000 inhabitants. The port gate dates from 1799. The Morro Grande is a volcano on the outskirts of the town. Part of the volcano has collapsed on the west side. Here you look more than 150 meters into the depth from the edge.

From Serra de Topo you can take a beautiful walk to Fajã de Cubres on the north side. It is mainly descending. The slopes on the north side are 45 to 55 degrees steep. Fajãs are small flat tongues of land created by subsidence or lava. There are more than 70 fajãs on the island, which is why São Jorge is also called the island of fajãs. In clear weather, a walk on the ridge of the island is recommended. You walk past countless volcanoes with views to both sides. The only disadvantage is that you can encounter cars on this route as it is a gravel road.

Pico

This is the second largest island and also the youngest. It was formed 300,000 years ago by the volcano Pico. The Pico is the highest mountain in Portugal with 2,351 meters. Climbing this volcano is best booked well in advance because only a limited number of people are allowed. On the flank of the volcano you can visit the small lava cave Furna do Frei Matias. Bring a flashlight and be careful not to hit your head. The island's capital is Madalena, which was founded in 1723. In the church of Santa Maria Madalena you can admire two beautiful tiles opposite the altar.

At over 5 km, the gruta das torres is the longest lava tube in Portugal and was formed over 1500 years ago by an eruption. Visiting is only possible by reservation and the group size (accompanied by a guide) is limited eight people.

Wine is also produced on Pico, but not like in the rest of Europe. The vines are loose between walls of lava rock that retain the heat and provide protection against the sea. South of Madalena is Criação Velha, an old wine region (987 ha) that is on the World Heritage List of Unesco. Wine was has been produced on this island since the 15th century.

Faial

The island of Faial was populated from 1467 onward. It is also called the blue island because of the many blue hydrangea hedges along the roads. The capital of Horta is located 7 km from Madalena and has about 6100 inhabitants. The Parliament of the Azores is located in Horta. The marina is the most important in the North Atlantic. From here you can make whale watching trips. The first seaplanes on transatlantic flights landed in the bay of Horta in the 20th century. A nice walk with two tough climbs at the end starts along the edge of the impressive caldeira and initially goes down towards Capelo. You will also pass a levada. Then two steeps climbs. First the Cabeco Verde and then a very steep path on the Cabeco do Canto. From here you descend to the Capelinhos volcanic area which was newly formed in 1957 and 1958.

Lisbon

On a flight from Europe to the Azores you have to change planes in Lisbon. A great opportunity to pay a multi-day visit to the vibrant capital of Portugal. The 'Lisboa Card' is useful for a visit. The card can be ordered online via the internet and redeemed at the kiosk at the airport. This card gives 24, 48 or 72 hours free access to public transport such as metro, tram, bus and train. Moreover, a number of museums and attractions are free and you get a discount on lots of other attractions. The advantage of the card is that you avoid the long queues at the machines in the metro and train station. Only useful if you plan to visit many sights. Public transport in Lisbon is very cheap. From the airport you can easily reach the city center by metro (change from the red to the green line at Alameda).

Lisbon is located on the north bank of the Tagus. More than 3000 years ago Phoenicians founded a trading post on this location. The current name could be derived from the Phoenician 'Allis Ubbo' (safe harbour) or from the Roman name of the Tagus, 'Lisso' or 'Lucio'. Lisbon, like Rome, arose on seven hills. The Sete Colinas are called São Jorge, São Vicente, Sant' Ana, Santo André, São Roque, Santa Catarina and Chagas. If you want to explore the city on foot, you have to go up and down a lot. To avoid the many ascents, there are a number of options such as the tram line, which is very popular. There are often long queues, especially on the square Martim Moniz, departure point of tram line 28, a line with historic yellow trams. In 2018, the Escadinhas da Saúde, staircase of health, towards the castle opened right behind this departure point. The escalator is next to the steep stairs. The third option is the 45-meter-high Santa Justa elevator, built in 1902, to the Bairro Alto district. Downstairs there is usually a queue and from above usually not. Finally, you can opt for a ride in one of the countless tuk-tuks. Some of them have very lavish decorations.

Many sights are within easy reach, such as the Torre de Belém and the monastery Mosteiro dos Jerónimos. Transport and entry are free with the Lisboa Card, but here too it is busy with tourists. Take the train from Cais do Sodré station and get off at the Belém stop. From Cais do Sodré you also have a direct route to the seaside resort of Cascais.

The Torre de Belém was built between 1515 and 1521 and served as a defensive tower and as a ceremonial gateway. A visit could be limited to the courtyard. You have to queue in front of the tower and via a narrow staircase you visit a few floors where there is nothing to see, just empty rooms. Construction of the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos Monastery began in 1502 and four master builders later it was completed in 1601. The explorer Vasco da Gama died in India where he was originally buried. In 1539 his remains were brought to Portugal and buried in a tomb of the monastery. There can also be long queues at this monastery. For those who like to take pictures, this is forbidden in the monastery.

Between the Castelo de São Jorge and the Tagus River lies Alfama, the oldest neighborhood in Lisbon. The name 'alfama' comes from the Arabic al hamma, which means something like 'baths' or 'fountains'. It is without a doubt the nicest area of the city with its fado bars and restaurants. There are many winding streets and alleys. During the occupation of the Moors, Lisbon consisted of Alfama only. Mostly poor fishermen lived there. A major earthquake in 1755 barely affected Alfama.

The Castelo de São Jorge is located on the highest hill in the city and overlooks the Tagus (Rio Tejo). It is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Lisbon. The foundation dates from the 6th century BC. In 1147, the castle was captured from the Moors during the Siege of Lisbon. From the castle you have a wide view over the city.

Outside city center, partly accessible by metro (until the zoo), is the beautiful Palácio dos Marqueses de Fronteira. It was built in 1671 as a hunting lodge for João Mascarenhas, the first Marquis of Fronteira. It is located near the Parque Florestal de Monsanto. The garden decorated with many mosaics with a pond with green water and some parts of the house can be visited. Very worthwhile. On the other side of the center is the Museo Nacional do Azulejo. The tile museum is located in the former monastery Madre de Deus built in 1509. It shows the history of the tile from the 15th century to the present day. And this is just a part of the countless sights in Lisbon.