The Azores are a group of nine volcanic islands located about 1,000 miles off the coast of Portugal. When planning a trip to the Azores, São Miguel is typically the main island people are attracted to. However, if you are able to spend more time exploring, I highly recommend visiting other islands. You will be surprised by how vastly different each island is. So read on! This 2-week Azores itinerary will help you plan your perfect trip!
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AZORES TRAVEL TIPS
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO GO TO THE AZORES
You can visit and use this 2-week Azores itinerary year-round. However, the best time of year to visit the Azores are during the summer months, generally from June to August. Typically the days are warmer and less rainy. Plus the Atlantic Ocean will be swimmable during the summer months!
If you are looking to visit during shoulder season to experience fewer tourists and score lower prices, check out early fall from September to October or late spring from April to May.
WEATHER
One thing to note about the Azores is you can experience all the seasons in a single day. It will be pouring rain, cold, and windy, and then the sun comes out and it feels like a hot summer day.
Since the weather can be so drastic, packing can be a challenge. I recommend dressing in layers, bringing a raincoat, and waterproof hiking shoes.
Check out my Azores packing guide to help you pack for your trip.
GETTING AROUND THE AZORES
PLANE
Arrive to the Azores by plane. The major airport is on São Miguel Island in the capital city of Ponta Delgada. Most international flights will be landing in Ponta Delgada. This is also where the 2-week Azores Itinerary begins and ends.
The easiest way to travel between islands is by plane as well. I highly recommend SATA Airlines. They are relatively reliable, quick, and inexpensive. Make sure to book your flights way in advance, especially during the summer months!
FERRIES
If you are traveling to the Azores in the summer months, you can take a ferry to each island. The only time I suggest taking a ferry on this 2-week Azores itinerary is between the island of Pico and Faial. The ferries are very time-consuming and unpredictable strikes can happen. However, if you prefer to ferry make sure to purchase ferry tickets in advance online.
RENTAL CAR
In my opinion, the only and best way to tour each individual island is by renting a car. That way you have the flexibility to do and see what you want, when you want, and you are able to alter plans due to weather.
Feel free to browse through DiscoverCars for plenty of car rental options. You can filter by car type, price, and more to find the perfect rental car for your trip to the Azores.
BOOK EVERYTHING IN ADVANCE
I cannot stress this enough – Book EVERYTHING in advance! Flights, hotels, rental cars, tours, and even popular restaurants. The Azores are not a mass tourism destination and have limited accommodations. Planning and booking ahead are often essential.
Quick 2-Week Azores Itinerary Overview
- São Miguel Island
- Pico Island
- Faial Island
- Flores Island & Corvo Island
São Miguel Island: 5 Days
Arrive in the capital city of Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island to start off your 2-week Azores itinerary. São Miguel is the largest and most visited island in the Portuguese Azores. The island is filled with lush volcanic scenery, marine life, hot springs, and overall a nature lover’s paradise. Now that there are direct flights from the United States and Europe, it is very easy to get to the Azores.
Read More: The Ultimate São Miguel Azores Itinerary
Pico Island: 3 Days
After spending 5 days touring São Miguel, fly to a totally different type of landscape on Pico Island. Part of the vineyard terrain on Pico is actually a Unesco World Heritage Site. Pico is one of the most magnificent islands in the Azores. Full of lava rock vineyards, swimming holes, trendy restaurants, and the tallest point in Portugal. I promise Pico will not disappoint.
Read More: Spend 3 Days on Pico Island
Faial Island: 2 Days
From Pico, hop on a boat and take the 20-minute ferry ride to Faial Island. Known as the blue island of the Azores, Faial has a unique history and is home to one of the world’s busiest marina ports. Which is quite surprising given the small size of the island. Compared to the other islands, Faial also has a buzzing city nightlife which is a nice change of pace. Faial is most known for Capelinhos Volcano. The last volcanic eruption took place here in 1957 and 1958, which added new earth to the existing land.
Read More: Explore Faial Island
Flores & Corvo Island: 3 Days
From Faial, fly to the most western group of the Azores Islands, Flores. Together with Corvo, these two islands are the remotest, not to mention they might be the most beautiful out of all the islands. Flores truly feels like a fairytale of unspoiled nature.
Read More: Top sights on Flores Island
Depart: 1 Day
Fly back to São Miguel where it all began. Depending on the flight routes, you can either stay another day in São Miguel and tour Ponta Delgada by foot, or fly directly out.
I hope this blog post helps you plan the perfect 2 week trip to the Azores and inspires you to add these remote islands to your travel list! If you use this Itinerary, tag me on Instagram @Mels_Scene and I will happily share your trip on my stories!
If you need any help planning or have any questions, please comment below or message me on my contact page! I would love to hear about how your trip went as well. Which island surprised you the most? Did you have time to visit one of the other islands not mentioned?
Hi there! Came across your blog while looking into a trip to the Azores… wondering if there are additional details? It seems like the blog isn’t fully loading for me — I only get Depart: Day 1 — and none of the other days. Thanks so much! Michele
I am not sure why it is not loading for you! There is a 2-week Azores itinerary with links out to each island (Sao Miguel, Pico, Faial, Flores, Corvo). Maybe try on a different browser or on a computer over a phone. Let me know if that works!
Hi, your photos are beautiful! May I please ask you what you did in Sao Miguel, particularly the hiking. Thank you! Going there in a few weeks!
Thank you! For a detailed guide on São Miguel, I recommend reading my travel blog, “The Ultimate São Miguel Azores Itinerary” (link: https://melscene.com/the-ultimate-sao-miguel-azores-itinerary/). This lists all the hikes I did as well. I also recommend the AllTrails app for more details on all the hikes you can do while there.
Hey! I’m planning a trip waaaaaay ahead of time and I came across your blog. I really liked your writing style. One question, where exactly did you ended up renting cars? Thanks!
Thank you! I always plan WAY ahead too, so I understand. I booked with RentalCars.com and the 2 main companies I used through them were Ilha verde and Autatlantis. I never had any issues with either of them.
Hi Mel,
I’m having the same issue that another person did where I can see only to Day 1.
We would like to go to Flores first week in Sept next year but I’ve read that the weather is quite bad there. Was this your experience?
If we fly from Canada to Sao Miguel, is it ok to then fly to Flores the same afternoon?
thanks in advance!
Janice
Are you looking for more than day 1 in Flores? or Sao Miguel? You need to click on the “read more” link right before the photos of each island to obtain more details. Here is the link to Sao Miguel: https://melscene.com/the-ultimate-sao-miguel-azores-itinerary/ and the link to Flores: https://melscene.com/flores-island-itinerary-azores/ Let me know if that works!
As far as weather – it is honestly just luck. I visited in the peak summer season, and we had some very chilly/cloudy days, then hot summer days. I would just pack in layers.
Yes! If you can make the flight times work, you can easily fly the same day to Flores.
Let me know if you have any other questions!