The Azores: Why This Is Europe's Most Underrated Destination
Volcanic lakes, lush green landscapes, and almost no crowds. The Azores might be the best-kept secret in European travel.
I tell people about the Azores and they almost always say the same thing: "Where?"
Nine volcanic islands in the middle of the North Atlantic, about 900 miles off the coast of Portugal. Technically Europe. Practically another world. And still, somehow, under the radar for most American travelers.
That's changing. And honestly? I'm torn about writing this, because part of what makes the Azores special is that they're NOT overrun with tourists. But they're too good not to share.
What Makes the Azores Different
The Azores look like what would happen if Hawaii, Ireland, and Iceland had a beautiful baby. Volcanic craters filled with turquoise lakes. Rolling green pastures dotted with hydrangeas. Dramatic coastlines where black lava rock meets deep blue ocean. Hot springs heated by underground volcanic activity. And all of it wrapped in some of the cleanest air in Europe.
It's a nature destination, but it's not rugged in the way that deters comfort-seeking travelers. The towns are charming and well-kept. The food is excellent — fresh-caught seafood, Azorean beef, and a traditional stew (cozido) literally cooked underground by volcanic heat. The people are warm and welcoming, with a pace of life that reminds you that not everything needs to move fast.
São Miguel: Where Most Visitors Start
São Miguel is the largest island and home to the regional capital, Ponta Delgada. It's the easiest to reach (direct flights from Boston, and connections through Lisbon) and has enough to fill a week.
Sete Cidades is the crown jewel — twin lakes of blue and green nestled inside an ancient volcanic crater, surrounded by lush green ridgelines. The viewpoint from Vista do Rei is one of those landscapes that makes you put your camera down and just stand there. It doesn't look real.
Furnas Valley is where you find the volcanic hot springs. The entire valley steams and bubbles. You can soak in thermal pools surrounded by a botanical garden, visit geothermal cooking holes where locals slow-cook cozido in the earth, and smell the sulfur that reminds you this island is very much alive.
Tea plantations — the Azores are home to the only tea plantations in Europe. Gorreana and Porto Formoso both offer tours and tastings. Walking through rows of green tea bushes with the Atlantic in the background is surreal.
Whale watching is world-class here. The Azores sit along migration routes for sperm whales, blue whales, and several dolphin species. Local operators use land-based spotters to locate animals before boats head out, making sightings remarkably consistent.
Beyond São Miguel
If you have more time, the other islands are worth exploring:
Faial is known as the "Blue Island" for its hydrangea-lined roads. The marina in Horta is legendary among transatlantic sailors — Peter Café Sport is a must-stop, filled with decades of sailing memorabilia. From Faial, you can take a short ferry to Pico, where the dramatic volcanic peak — Portugal's highest point — towers over vineyards that are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Terceira has the most architectural charm, with the rainbow-colored city of Angra do Heroísmo (also a UNESCO site). Its "impérios" — small, brightly painted chapels — are unique in the world.
Flores is the most remote and arguably the most beautiful. Waterfalls cascade from cliffs into the ocean. It's tiny, quiet, and completely unspoiled. If you want to feel like you've reached the edge of the world, Flores delivers.
Why Go Now
The Azores are having a moment — but a slow, sustainable one. Direct flights from the US East Coast have made access easier. Hotels and restaurants have improved without losing their character. The islands have invested heavily in sustainable tourism, earning a "Best Sustainable Destination" award.
But the Azores haven't been "discovered" the way Iceland was a decade ago. There are no mega-resorts. No cruise ship crowds (yet). No Instagram-saturated overtourism. You can hike to a volcanic lake and be the only person there.
That won't last forever. But right now, the Azores offer something increasingly rare in European travel: authenticity without crowds, natural beauty without the price tag of more famous destinations, and a pace that lets you actually breathe.
Practical Details
Getting there: Direct flights from Boston (SATA/Azores Airlines, ~5 hours). Or fly through Lisbon on TAP Portugal. Inter-island flights connect the nine islands. For a detailed island-by-island breakdown, check out my Azores 2026 guide.
Best time to visit: June through September for the best weather, though spring (April-May) is gorgeous with hydrangeas in bloom and fewer visitors. The Azores are mild year-round — rarely below 50°F or above 80°F.
How long: Minimum 5-6 days for São Miguel alone. 10-14 days to island-hop and see 2-3 islands properly.
Budget: Significantly cheaper than mainland Portugal, which is already affordable by European standards. Meals run $15-25 per person. Mid-range hotels are $80-150/night.
Language: Portuguese is the official language, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas and by younger locals.
**The Azores feel like a secret. The kind of place you tell your closest friends about and ask them to keep it quiet. I can't promise they'll stay this way. But I can promise that if you go now, you'll see them at their best.