Azores, Portugal – Europe’S Best-Kept Secret Island Chain
When most people think of Portugal, they imagine Lisbon’s yellow trams or the sun-soaked cliffs of the Algarve. Fair enough. But somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic, far from the crowds and clichés, lies a place that feels like another planet — The Azores.
Nine volcanic islands. Endless green. Lakes in craters. Steam rising from the earth. It’s wild, raw, and utterly unforgettable.
Landing Somewhere That Doesn’t Feel Real
The moment I landed on São Miguel, the largest island, I knew this wasn’t going to be a “standard” trip. The air smelled like rain and earth. The hills were neon green, like they’d just been photoshopped. And everywhere I looked, nature was loud — not in a flashy way, but in a quiet, powerful one.
I rented a small car (a must), and within 30 minutes was driving past volcanic peaks, tea plantations, and hydrangeas that practically lined the roads like fences.
Hot Springs, Crater Lakes & Other Surprises
Furnas: A town built over geothermal activity. You literally see steam hissing out of sidewalks and lakes that bubble. Locals cook Cozido, a stew, by burying it in hot volcanic soil. I had lunch straight from the earth — it was smoky, tender, and unforgettable.
Sete Cidades: Possibly the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. A twin-lake system inside a massive crater — one lake blue, the other green. The story goes they reflect the eyes of two separated lovers. Whether myth or not, it felt real up there.
Terra Nostra Gardens: I floated in an iron-rich thermal pool surrounded by a jungle of 200-year-old trees. The water was rusty orange and 40°C. It felt like therapy.
Whale Spotting with an Ocean That’s Alive
The Azores are one of the top whale-watching spots in the world. I went out on a tiny boat and within 20 minutes, there they were — sperm whales, dolphins, and a horizon that just kept stretching. There was no crowd. Just us, the sea, and creatures the size of buses surfacing with a calm that humbled everyone onboard.
How I Stayed (And Why It Mattered)
No chain hotels here. I stayed at a restored stone cottage overlooking the ocean. Mornings were misty, and cows grazed across the road like they owned it. Breakfast was fresh bread, local cheese, pineapple grown right on the island, and a feeling of “you don’t get this anywhere else.”
If You Go (You Should)
Best Time: April–October for good weather and full access to hikes and swimming.
How to Get There: Direct flights from Lisbon, Porto, and some major EU cities to Ponta Delgada (São Miguel).
Must-Haves: A rental car, rain jacket, sturdy shoes, and an open mind. This isn’t a party island — it’s an experience island.
Final Thought
The Azores aren’t loud. They don’t shout their beauty. They whisper it — through the steam of hot springs, the quiet of crater lakes, and the mist that rolls across volcanic hills.
If you want to feel small in the best way, if you want your travel to mean something again — go here.
Before the world catches on.
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