Sete Cidades twin lakes, São Miguel, Azores
Collette Explorations

The Azores

Jewels of Portugal

13 Days / 12 Nights
São Miguel • Faial • Terceira • Lisbon
Small Group (max 24)
Activity Level 3 - Active

Island-hop through volcanic landscapes, swim in natural hot springs, and taste stew cooked by geothermal heat on this unforgettable journey through Portugal's Atlantic archipelago.

Island Guides

Your Destinations

Four unique destinations — volcanic islands, UNESCO heritage, and Portugal's vibrant capital. Tap the + on any item to build your wishlist and send it to Marley.

São Miguel
Days 2-54 Nights

São Miguel

The Green Island

17-26°C / 63-79°F/ 13-20°C / 55-68°F
Mild, changeable

The largest Azorean island is a paradise of volcanic craters, hot springs, and lush green landscapes. Experience four seasons in one day — pack layers and embrace the unpredictability.

Tour Highlights

  • Sete Cidades twin lakes viewpoint
  • Cozido das Furnas — stew cooked underground by volcanic heat
  • Terra Nostra botanical gardens or thermal pools
  • Traditional basket weaving demonstration
  • Home-hosted dinner with local family

Where to Eat

O Calheta
Ponta Delgada

Modern petiscaria by chef Hugo Ferreira. Seasonal share plates with island produce. Wouldn't be out of place in Lisbon.

Contemporary Azorean cuisine

Boca Aberta
Lagoa Marina

Mammoth terrace with sea views. Fresh catch-of-the-day — they refuse to serve frozen seafood.

Best seafood terrace

Bar Caloura
Caloura

Tables perched above the ocean. Breathtaking views, sound of waves, salty breeze. A dream spot.

Most scenic lunch

Tasquinha Vieira
Ponta Delgada

Local favorite. Some of the best meals on São Miguel.

Where locals eat

Associação Agrícola
Ponta Delgada

Famous for massive Azorean beef steaks. Not for light eaters.

Carnivore paradise

Craft Breweries

Vulcana Brewery
Ribeira Grande

Industrial zone location but sleek interior with indoor trees. IPAs, pilsners, ales, stouts. Tanks named after The Beatles. Hosts live music.

Best brewery atmosphere

Azores Brewing Company
Ponta Delgada area

Founded by Tara (chemist) and Edmundo (engineer). Tara is one of the few female brewers in Europe. Offers tours.

Pioneer craft brewery

Bars & Nightlife

Whale Watching Bar
7th floor, Azor Hotel, Ponta Delgada

Creative cocktails with views. Try the Samurai: vodka, Azorean pineapple, lime, wasabi, ginger beer.

Best cocktails on the island

Suplexio
Rua de Pedro Homem 68, Ponta Delgada

Local craft beer selection in the city center.

Central craft beer spot

3/4 Café
Rua do Dr. Guilherme Poças 12

Good craft beer selection, casual vibe.

Relaxed drinks

Free & Budget Activities

Ponta da Ferraria

Natural ocean lagoon heated by geothermal activity. Go at LOW TIDE for best warmth. Free access, 25km from Ponta Delgada. Steep road.

Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego

Jaw-dropping flower gardens with ocean views in Nordeste.

Sineira Tower

360° views of Ponta Delgada. Climb 100+ steps, free entry.

Pineapple Plantations

Free tours with tastings. Unique greenhouse cultivation.

Mosteiros at Sunset

Best sunset on the island — sun sets between dramatic islets.

Local Food to Try

Cozido das Furnas (volcanic stew)Grilled limpets (lapas grelhadas)Azorean beef steakSweet bread & tangy cheeses
Faial
Days 6-72 Nights

Faial

The Blue Island

18-23°C / 64-73°F/ 14-18°C / 57-64°F
Cooler, wetter

The third most visited Azorean island punches above its weight. Horta's famous marina is a legendary stopover for Atlantic sailors, and the ash landscapes of Capelinhos feel like another planet.

Tour Highlights

  • Horta Marina — walls covered in sailor paintings
  • Capelinhos Volcano ash landscapes
  • Peter Café Sport — 80+ years serving sailors
  • Monte da Guia panoramic viewpoint

Where to Eat

Peter Café Sport
Horta Marina

LEGENDARY. Open 80+ years. Mandatory stop for Atlantic sailors. Great gin, views of marina and Pico Mountain. Scrimshaw museum upstairs.

The most famous bar in the Azores

Genuíno Restaurante
Horta

Owned by the first Portuguese man to sail the world solo. Living museum restaurant with views over Porto Pim beach.

Unique nautical history

Canto da Doca
Horta

Cook your own food on a hot lava stone at the table. Popular with locals and tourists.

Interactive dining experience

Praya Restaurant
Horta

Famous starters: homemade olive butter, rump croquettes, tuna steak in bolo lêvedo. Chocolate mousse made with Peter Café gin.

Best starters on Faial

Boca Santa
Horta Market Hall

Street food spot. Best burgers in the Azores, served on traditional Bolo Lêvedo buns.

Best burgers

Bars & Nightlife

Peter Café Sport
Horta Marina

THE bar in Horta. Gin specialties, sailor atmosphere, 80+ years of history.

Mandatory pilgrimage

Free & Budget Activities

Horta Marina Murals

World-famous walls covered in paintings by sailors. Tradition says leaving a painting brings good luck.

Monte da Guia

Best panoramic view over Porto Pim Bay and Horta.

Porto Pim Beach

One of the most popular swimming areas. Calm, crystal clear water.

Ribeirinha Lighthouse

Destroyed in 1998 earthquake, left as memorial. Haunting and beautiful.

Local Food to Try

Bolo Lêvedo (sweet bread)Fresh grilled fishGin cocktails at Peter Café

Pro Tips

  • Book dinner reservations ahead — few restaurants, tiny island
  • Most restaurants open at lunch, then 7pm-11pm
  • Limited afternoon dining options
Terceira
Days 8-103 Nights

Terceira

The Festive Island

16-22°C / 61-72°F/ 12-16°C / 54-61°F
Cooler, more rain

Home to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira combines historic architecture with volcanic adventures. Descend into ancient lava tubes and swim in natural rock pools.

Tour Highlights

  • Angra do Heroísmo UNESCO World Heritage city
  • Algar do Carvão lava tube descent
  • Biscoitos natural volcanic swimming pools
  • São João Baptista fortress

Where to Eat

Fumeiro de São João
Angra do Heroísmo

New but quickly became a top spot. Classic Azorean charm with contemporary interior. Must-try: Alcatra and grilled limpets.

Best new restaurant

Taberna Roberto
Angra do Heroísmo

Family-run, cozy, intimate. No fixed menu — dishes made with freshest ingredients available.

Most authentic experience

Tasca das Tias
Angra do Heroísmo

Traditional tavern with sophistication. Great wine list. Famous for Alcatra Açoriana (rump stew). Open 7 days.

Best Alcatra

Ti Chôa
Western Terceira

Living museum in a stone house. Regional meat dishes: morcela, torresmos, liver.

Traditional meat feast

Beira Mar
Porto de São Mateus

Fishing village seafood paradise. Family-run. Crabs, lobster, catch of the day.

Freshest seafood

Cafés & Pastries

Verde Maçã Café
Corner of Rua Direita & Praça Velha

Late breakfast, light lunch, great coffee. Beautiful 1815 building.

O Forno
Angra do Heroísmo

Best place for Queijada da Dona Amélia — famous local pastry.

Loja do Gelado – Quinta dos Açores
Angra do Heroísmo

Creamiest ice cream on the island. Made with fresh Azorean milk.

Bars & Nightlife

Tasca do Camões
Towards Monte Brazil

Friendly, no-nonsense bar snacks, cold local beer. Best views overlooking Baia de Angra. Open until 2am. Closed Tuesdays.

Best sunset views

A Barrica
Rua de Sao Joao

Good for lunch or afternoon people-watching. UK pub atmosphere evenings.

Afternoon hangout

Free & Budget Activities

Biscoitos Natural Pools

FREE entry. Black volcanic rock pools on north coast. Pools range from protected to open ocean. Changing rooms, showers. Water shoes recommended.

Angra do Heroísmo Walking Tour

Start at Praça Velha → Igreja da Misericórdia → Harbor → Alto da Memória viewpoint.

Monte Brasil Hike

See São João Baptista fort (17th century), great bay views, memorial cross.

Silveira Natural Pools

More volcanic swimming pools near Angra.

Local Food to Try

Alcatra (traditional beef stew)Queijada da Dona Amélia (famous local pastry)Bifana (pork sandwich)Grilled limpets
Lisbon
Days 11-122 Nights

Lisbon

City of Light

20-30°C / 68-86°F/ 15-22°C / 59-72°F
Warm, sunny

End your journey in Portugal's vibrant capital. The Belém district showcases the Age of Discovery with its iconic tower and monastery, plus the world-famous custard tarts.

Tour Highlights

  • Belém Tower & Jerónimos Monastery
  • Pastéis de Belém — iconic custard tarts since 1837
  • Panoramic city tour

Where to Eat

Pastéis de Belém
Belém

Iconic. Baking famous custard tarts since 1837 (20,000+ per day). More egg-forward filling, extra crispy pastry.

Mandatory pilgrimage

Ruoto
Belém

Top-tier Neapolitan pizza. Italian ingredients, fresh Portuguese cheeses.

Best pizza in Belém

Pão Pão Queijo Queijo
Near Jerónimos Monastery

No-frills sandwich bar. Shawarma, baguettes, wraps.

Quick casual lunch

Craft Breweries

Dois Corvos
Lisbon (beyond Belém)

Many say best beer in Portugal. Long tap list, spacious taproom, great hamburgers.

Best brewery in Portugal

Duque Brewpub
Calçada do Duque

Best selection of Portuguese craft beer in Lisbon. 9 taps + dozens of Portuguese bottles.

Best Portuguese craft selection

Musa Brewery
Marvila neighborhood

Well-hopped beers, endless events, cool vibe, sunny terrace.

Best brewery vibe

Cerveteca Lisboa
Lisbon

15 taps, 300+ bottles/cans. Super chill atmosphere.

Best bottle selection

Bars & Nightlife

TOPO Belém
Top floor, Belém Cultural Centre

Sophisticated. Small plates, specialty cocktails.

Elevated Belém experience

Rio Maravilha
4th floor, old textile factory

Buzzing gastropub. Portuguese-Brazilian fusion. 360° views.

Best panoramic bar

Forte de Belém
Near Belém Tower

Outdoor terrace, river views. Caipirinhas, sangria, beers under €3.

Cheapest drinks with a view

Free & Budget Activities

Belém Waterfront Walk

Stroll from the tower to the monastery along the Tagus River.

MAAT Museum Roof

Free access to the wave-like rooftop with river views.

Local Food to Try

Pastéis de Belém (custard tarts)Bacalhau (salted cod)Ginjinha (cherry liqueur)
Day by Day

13-Day Journey

18 Meals: 11B, 1L, 6D

Day 1

Overnight Flight

Day 2

São Miguel

Arrive Ponta Delgada

D
Day 3

São Miguel

Sete Cidades & Lagoa do Fogo

B
Day 4

São Miguel

Furnas & Cozido

BL
Day 5

São Miguel

Home-hosted dinner

BD
Day 6

Faial

Fly to Faial • Horta Marina

BD
Day 7

Faial

Capelinhos Volcano

B
Day 8

Terceira

Fly to Terceira

BD
Day 9

Terceira

Angra UNESCO City

B
Day 10

Terceira

Algar do Carvão lava tube

BD
Day 11

Lisbon

Fly to Lisbon

B
Day 12

Lisbon

Belém & Jerónimos

BD
Day 13

Tour Ends

Depart Lisbon

B

What to Pack

The Azores are subtropical but unpredictable. These are the things that'll make or break your trip.

Pro Tip: Bring a dark swimsuit specifically for thermal pools — the iron-rich water at Terra Nostra and Poça da Dona Beija will permanently stain light colors!