Hi all,
My wife and I will be flying from Canada this week, arriving at 06:50. I've seen older posts saying arrival, passport control and customs was all super quick, but haven't seen anything that provides an update post-implementation of the EES.
Is it still a quick arrival and entry? Or are we in for the huge lines that many travelers have experienced at other airports in the EU?
Was hoping to go to Azores mid june for about 7-10 days but just looked at the forecast and it’s saying it will be cloudy. i was hoping for warmth and sun to do some swimming and hiking. i don’t mind rain but not everyday!! and i don’t want to be cold! should i look to go somewhere else?
One thing people don’t tell you before visiting São Miguel:
Your weather app is basically a lottery ticket 😂
You can wake up with blue skies, get hit by heavy rain 20 minutes later, then somehow end the day in a hot spring while steam rises around you like a damn movie scene.
And honestly? Rain here does NOT automatically ruin your trip.
Some of my favorite rainy-day things in São Miguel are actually:
I ended up writing a small no-BS guide with ideas for rainy days in São Miguel, especially for people panicking because their forecast suddenly turned gray:
https://azoresbyrui.com/blog/what-to-do-in-sao-miguel-when-it-rains-local-tips-that-actually-help
And yes, if you’re going to the hot springs while it rains:
bring a plastic bag for your stuff.
Local survival tip 😅
Also, if you know other good rainy-day things to do in São Miguel, let me know. I’m always curious to discover more local spots and ideas myself. 👍
It was my second time in the Azores. Last time I went to São Miguel. This time I visited Flores, Faial & Pico. And I brought a camera with me 🙂 One of my favorite places on Earth from my limited travel experience 💚
My fiancé and I are eloping next year in Azores and we just had some questions/concerns regarding pricing for photography/videography and hope someone can help shine some light on it. We’ve been in touch with a photographer and their pricing is €7,500 for 8 hours, €9,500 for 12 hours and €15,900 for 16 hours and this comes with videography. We plan on adding a videography package for an extra €5,000 with either the 8 or 12 hour option as we don’t think we need 16 hours. Is this around the ballpark on what it should cost? We aren’t opposed to the cost, just wanna make sure that that is normal pricing. Or if you guys have recs that would be similar to the style we want, send them over! I’ll provide some the links of the portfolio of the style we are going for. TIA!
Sitring at the rim of Sete Cidades (São Miguel) at coordinates 37.843683° N, 25.804300° W, elevation 557 m. I’m pointing my 10x30 binoculars toward the West-Northwest (Azimuth 285.2° T).
Many people think the horizon is the limit, but at this altitude, the "hidden" part of Mount Pico (2,351m) due to Earth's curvature is approximately 1,600 m. This leaves the top 750 m of the volcano theoretically visible above the ocean!
The Scale Challenge: At a distance of 240.2 km, the visible part of the peak is tiny. To give you a perspective: Height: It occupies about 1/3 of the diameter of a Full Moon. Width: At the waterline, it’s about as wide as one full Moon. Visuals: It looks like a faint, ghostly blue triangle (Rayleigh scattering is real!).
Gear & Conditions: Binos: 10x30 (Stabilization is a must, I’m leaning against a stone wall). Sun Position: Behind my back (Azimuth 135°), which provides great frontal lighting on the peak.
Community Question: I’ve attached a photo from the spot looking towards Pico. Has anyone managed to spot it from here or, better yet, snap a photo of it? It feels like hunting a ghost on the horizon! 🌊⛰️
#Azores #SaoMiguel #Pico #LongDistanceObservation #SeteCidades #EarthCurvature #PicoDirect #landsurveying #GPS #spatialanalysis
We will be staying in Furnas, and then in Sete Cicadas in Sao Miguel, and then on Pico. TIA!
I have rental insurance through my personal drivers insurance - however i think there is a $500-1000 deductible.
ive read a few people saying its near impossible to not scratch or dent a rental car bc of the narrow roads but im curious..... is it really that bad???
i'm unsure if its too late to get the insurance for our rental but im questioning if we should try. i'd really prefer to not have an additional $1000 fee after our trip lol
We are going to Sao Miguel this week and wondering how cold it gets (in terms of real feel temps). I know we should bring layers but can’t decide what jacket to bring- does it ever feel like in the 30s or 40s with wind this time of year? Thanks!
Like what take home pay would make you feel comfortable to move there? I have the choice between Ponta Delgada for 1300€ per month after tax or 1700€ in Saudi Arabia. I do prefer being surrounded by nature and a less conservative society so I'm inclined towards the azores.
My boyfriend and I are going to São Miguel this week for 8 days. We’re both into cultural activities, sports and food, therefore, we would like some recommendations for restaurants, activities and hikes (we don’t wanna spend a lot). We’re staying in a Airbnb 15min away from the city center, but we have rented a car, so it’s not a problem to move around the island.
I’ve been checking the weather all these days and it keeps changing 😅, how unpredictable it is?
Thanks in advance.
Hi,
Arriving next weekend and curious to know if anyone has seen any whales in the last week or so?
September 5 - 13 with rental car.
Two nights each in Ponta Delgado, Furnas, Nordeste, and Ribeira Grande.
I originally had three (no Nordeste) planned but was struggling to split that up among 8 nights.
Thank you for any input you can provide! 🙏
Greetings travelers!
We're super excited to announce that we have just published our first São Miguel island Guide!
Saluting one of the main activities to do in the Azores, we have gathered different recommendations on the best hiking trails on the island, from a local's perspective and experience!
May it be by yourself or with an expert guide, here you'll find all the relevant information and local tips that you won't find in anywhere else.
Dig in and enjoy!
Let us know what was your favorite trail from São Miguel, Azores or the one you’re more interested in, on the comment section 🫶
First time visiting the Azores and I can’t decide if I should spend 8 full days in Sao Miguel or split my time and spend 3 nights in Pico.
I do like places that are more off the beaten path so on one hand Pico sounds appealing, but the idea of moving also sounds tiring and getting to know one place better has its appeal.
I like being out in nature and hiking but more shorter hikes, not usually crazy intense and long. Also not into wine… any advice?
Hello, all! My fiancée and I (M29F29) are planning on eloping in 2027 in the Azores. Our birthdays are in August so we are looking at going to elope in august as well, making it all one trip! We are from Canada but don’t have any real family, so the group would consist of us, 2 siblings, and maybe 10 other friends with us! We are just beginning to start looking at what we can afford, what needs to be booked etc, and most importantly: which island(s) are best to elope on in terms of beauty, crowded vs not so crowded, etc. Should we look at changing our wedding date? Any and all useful advice is greatly appreciated! Thank you kindly!
Obrigada para a recepção, queridos micaelenses. O sua ilha é maravilhos e sua gente também 🫶🏽.
I’m planning a last minute trip for mid May and the only direct flights I can get are in and out of Terceira. As a first time visitor, would it be crazy to spend a week exploring Terceira and Pico and skipping São Miguel entirely this trip? My main interests are food, wine, culture, architecture, and hiking. Thanks for your help!
Hello,
Apologies for asking, im aware theres quite a lot of these posts but it would be good to sanity check my plans with someone with experience.
Me and my gf are going to sao miguel for 6 full days, staying in ponta delgada and renting a car.
Im trying to plan out days based on sections of the island and will move the days around dependant on weather.
we will explore ponta delgada town the day we arrive. But should we keep this day as a back up incase theres bad weather on other days and prioritise exploring the island if the weather is good on day 1?
West Island is fairly straightforward, drive to the viewpoints over the lakes, hike one way down to sete cidades, explore and may an hr kayaking then taxi back to car. Drive to mosteiros and then to ferraria (try time for low tide) then back to ponta delgada. Is there anything ive missed that could be fit in or is this already too busy a day?
We are doing a whale watching tour, ribeira grande and tea plantation on another day.
We have a board tour in vila franco. This day we plan on doing caldera velha in the morning janela de inferno hike in the afternoon.
a day in furnas exploring the town and the hot terra nostre hot spring.
explore the west island..not sure if its better to go clockwise or anticlockwise but we plan on driving coast to make stops, and to visit ribeira dos caldeiros, and hopefully the dona beija hit spring on the way home.
Is this the best way of diving the island up. I am realistic in that we wont be able to do everything, its just so we have an idea of what sites are near each other. But is there a better way of diving thr island up that we have missed.
And is there anything essentials we have not listed?
Thank you for reading
In case you are planning to visit the Azores, what we wish we knew before packing+things you will need:
Waterproof Jacket with Hood - Most of the time umbrellas do not work because of the wind, so a long rain poncho or rain coat will do the job better.
Flip Flops - A pair of flip flops for the beach and if you are planning to visit the thermal spas.
Quick Dry Beach Towel - Humidity = slow drying for normal towels. You will use it frequently here either in the beach or thermal spas.
Hiking shoes and an extra pair of tennis shoes - Some trails are muddy - it often rains; there is loose volcanic rock or steep inclines and declines = hiking shoes are better for that. Tennis shoes will be good In case your hiking shoes get soaked (the humidity slows drying), so you are not stuck wearing damp shoes the next day.
Plastic bag/ziplock bag - Plastic bags/ziplock bags - for wet clothes, trash, protect your phone/camera in case of a rain shower.
Old or dark coloured bathing suit - any beaches have dark volcanic sand and the fine particles stick to fabric + light coloured swimsuits can get orange/brown stains from the hot springs - because the water contains minerals like iron.
Hat and Sun Protection - the UV is strong even when it’s cloudy = you can burn without realising it, because it doesn’t feel hot.
Light Layers - You will need extra clothes because weather changes fast at places like Lagoa do Fogo or Sete Cidades. It is usually colder there than in Ponta Delgada.
Water Shoes - Water shoes are especially helpful for natural lava pools/rocky entry points.
Reusable cutlery or small knife - here are a plenty of beautiful picnic points all over the islands. You will often eat outdoors, sometimes there are no cafés and shops nearby and food options can be sparse.
Extra tips:
- a pair of nice (but comfortable) shoes/a nice (casual) outfit if you go out for dinner
- sunglasses
- reusable water bottle
- EU plug adapter + charging cables
- motion sickness medication
- extra socks (quick-dry)
- trekking poles (might be helpful)