AZORES

Flores – The Flower Island of the Azores 🌸🌺🌳

Flores is one of the most beautiful islands I’ve ever visited.

A small, magical island in the Azores, filled with waterfalls, volcanic lakes, lush greenery, dramatic cliffs, and breathtaking viewpoints everywhere you look. 💚💙

If you love nature, Flores is a dream destination. 😍

Getting to Flores

We arrived from Madeira via São Miguel with SATA Azores Airlines.

For flights within the Azores, I booked through Skyscanner (using the international version of the site and an incognito browser window).

I ended up purchasing three separate flights through different websites, including Booking.com, Trip.com, and Lastminute.com.

Surprisingly, all of them were cheaper than booking directly through the airline.

Everything went smoothly, and all flights departed on time.

Important Tip

Make sure to complete online check-in through the airline’s website within 24 hours before departure.

Passengers who don’t check in online may be charged an additional fee at the airport.

Exploring Flores

Full-Day Island Tour

One of the best decisions we made was booking a full-day tour with an amazing local guide named Renata.

She picked us up directly from the airport and dropped us off at our accommodation after the tour.

The entire island tour cost €55 per person and included transportation throughout the day.

We visited all the major highlights of Flores, drove around the entire island, and stopped at countless spectacular viewpoints.

Highly recommended! 👌🏻

Tour company:

https://www.djuliatours.com

WhatsApp:
+351 912 957 680

Must-Visit Places on Flores

Cascata da Ribeira do Ferreiro

One of the most famous and beautiful waterfalls in the Azores.

A stunning landscape with dozens of waterfalls flowing down a lush green cliff into a peaceful lagoon.

Absolutely magical. 😍

Seven Lakes

A breathtaking area featuring several volcanic lakes surrounded by dramatic scenery and incredible viewpoints.

The views here are unforgettable.

Cascata do Poço do Bacalhau

Another spectacular waterfall and one of the island’s most iconic natural attractions.

The combination of cliffs, greenery, and flowing water creates an incredible setting.

🥰

Transportation on the Island

The same company that operates the day tours also offers transfers around the island.

The cost is approximately €20 per trip, and credit cards are accepted.

Since we didn’t rent a car, we arranged transportation through Alda, Renata’s husband.

We communicated with them through WhatsApp whenever we needed a ride.

Everything worked perfectly.

Where to Stay

Santa Cruz das Flores

I highly recommend staying in Santa Cruz das Flores, the island’s main village.

It’s located close to both the airport and the harbor, making it the most convenient base for exploring the island.

Most accommodations are apartments or guesthouses rather than large hotels.

It’s important to book early.

Our guide told us that many accommodations are fully booked months in advance, often as early as March for the entire season.

A large hotel in the village is currently being renovated and should become another great option in the future.

When we booked, only three available accommodations remained on the island.

Palheiro da Moenda – Lajes das Flores

We stayed in a charming apartment about 20 minutes from the airport.

The property was comfortable, peaceful, and surrounded by nature.

We booked through Booking.com.

Accommodation link

Food & Restaurants

Most villages on Flores have only:

One restaurant
One grocery store

Near our accommodation there was a local pizzeria.

I strongly recommend making restaurant reservations in advance.

On our first evening we found a table easily, but the following night the restaurant was completely full, and even takeaway wasn’t available.

The island is small, and dining options can be limited during the busy season.

Day Trip to Corvo 🚤

One of the highlights of our visit was a day trip to Corvo, the smallest inhabited island in the Azores.

We booked through GetYourGuide.

The company we chose was both the most affordable option and the one that allowed the longest amount of free time on Corvo.

Our skipper was excellent, and the return journey along Flores’ coastline was absolutely spectacular. 🤩

Corvo tour link

Getting to the Caldeirão

Upon arriving at Corvo’s harbor, local drivers wait to transport visitors to the island’s main attraction:

Caldeirão

The round-trip transfer costs €10 per person (cash only).

When your driver drops you off, you’ll arrange a pickup time for the return trip.

We chose two hours, which felt perfect.

On the way back, drivers can also stop at viewpoints and a local restaurant if you’d like.

We didn’t eat there ourselves.

The buffet was expensive, didn’t offer many vegetarian options, and didn’t look particularly appealing.

Caldeirão – Corvo’s Volcanic Crater 😍😍😍

This place is absolutely incredible.

One of the most impressive volcanic landscapes I’ve ever seen.

There is a viewpoint at the top overlooking the entire crater, as well as hiking trails that descend into the caldera itself.

Inside you’ll find lakes, grazing cows, and spectacular scenery.

Simply breathtaking. 🤩

Corvo has only a few hundred residents, mostly from two extended families.

There are actually more cows than people on the island. 😅

Exploring Corvo Village

After visiting the caldera, we spent some time wandering through the tiny village.

The narrow streets are charming and peaceful.

We even stopped at the local grocery store for ice cream before heading back to the harbor.

Boat Ride Back to Flores

The speedboat journey itself was an attraction.

On the way to Corvo, we stopped to watch dolphins swimming near the boat. 🐬

On the return trip, we followed the dramatic coastline of Flores, passing waterfalls, caves, cliffs, and incredible rock formations.

The scenery was absolutely stunning. 😍

Natural Pools in Santa Cruz 🌊

After returning from Corvo, we spent some time at the natural swimming pools in Santa Cruz.

A wonderful place to relax and enjoy the ocean.

Highly recommended! 👌🏻

Airport Café

A surprising discovery was the small café at Flores Airport.

To reach it, simply go upstairs after the check-in area.

The food was excellent.

They even had a very good vegetarian burger. 😋

Perfect for a meal before your flight.

Final Thoughts

Flores completely stole my heart. 🥰

The island combines everything I love:

Incredible waterfalls
Stunning volcanic lakes
Endless greenery
Dramatic ocean views
Charming villages
A peaceful, authentic atmosphere

It feels untouched, remote, and wonderfully relaxed.

If you’re looking for breathtaking nature and a slower pace of life, Flores is one of the most magical places you can visit in the Azores.

I absolutely loved it. 🤩👌🏻

São Miguel, Azores: A Perfect Island Escape 🌿💙

After our magical stay on Flores Island, we flew to São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores. From the airport, we took an Uber to our hotel — the ride was only about 10 minutes. There aren’t many Uber drivers available, so you may need to wait a little for a car.

Where We Stayed

NINE DOTS Azorean Art Boutique Hotel

We stayed at NINE DOTS Azorean Art Boutique Hotel, a beautiful boutique hotel located in the historic center of Ponta Delgada.

The location was fantastic, surrounded by charming pedestrian streets, restaurants, and historic landmarks. In the evenings, there were live performances in the town square, creating a wonderful atmosphere.

The service was excellent, and the hotel has a lovely indoor pool — perfect for relaxing after a day of sightseeing. There’s also a pizza restaurant and bar on-site, and everything we tried was delicious.

The hotel offers a complimentary airport transfer, but make sure to arrange it well in advance. I emailed them the day before our arrival, and they replied only after we had already checked out! 😅 Luckily, Uber worked just fine.

Guided Tours

We booked two tours through GetYourGuide and had an amazing experience.

East Side Tour – Link

Our guide, Daniel, was fantastic — friendly, funny, and very knowledgeable.

The weather wasn’t ideal during the first part of the day, and some viewpoints were covered by clouds and rain. However, it didn’t affect our enjoyment at all. The island is beautiful in every kind of weather.

Furnas – Geothermal Wonderland

One of the highlights of the day was Furnas, famous for its geothermal activity.

We walked through the geothermal area with our guide, surrounded by steaming vents and bubbling hot springs. The volcanic landscape is fascinating.

We tasted delicious sweet corn cooked underground using the geothermal heat, sampled naturally sparkling mineral water, and even tried local rum.

For lunch, we enjoyed Cozido, a traditional stew that is cooked underground using volcanic heat. Vegetarian options were available, and the meal was excellent. Lunch, drinks, and even alcoholic beverages were included in the tour price.

There was also an option to spend 90 minutes in the famous hot springs instead of joining the guided walk. We chose the guided tour and were very happy with our decision.

Cascata da Ribeira dos Caldeirões

This beautiful waterfall was one of my favorite spots on the island.

The lush green surroundings make it feel like a hidden tropical paradise. There are actually two waterfalls in the area, each accessible by a short walking trail. The smaller waterfall was my personal favorite.

Nordeste – Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego

One of the most beautiful viewpoints in São Miguel.

The panoramic views are incredible, and the surrounding gardens are filled with colorful flowers. It’s a perfect place to relax and take photos.

Gorreana Tea Plantation

This stop wasn’t originally part of the itinerary, but because visibility was poor earlier in the day, our guide surprised us with a visit to Gorreana Tea Plantation.

We toured the factory and enjoyed tea while overlooking the beautiful tea fields. It was a lovely addition to an already fantastic day.

Sete Cidades Buggy Tour – Link

One of the most fun experiences of the trip was our buggy adventure around Sete Cidades Volcano.

We followed our guide in a convoy, driving through spectacular landscapes, stopping at viewpoints overlooking the crater lakes, and visiting the historic aqueduct.

The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, and the off-road driving made the experience even more exciting.

Highly recommended! 👌🏻

Jardim Natural Food

Located inside the botanical garden in Ponta Delgada.

Reservations are not accepted, so expect a wait during busy hours.

We ordered two different salads and pancakes, and everything was incredibly fresh and delicious. One of the cutest parts of the experience was the ducks wandering around between the tables. 😁

ETC. Osteria Bar

A cozy restaurant serving creative and delicious pizzas.

It’s connected to the hotel where we stayed.

Louvre Michaelense

A lovely restaurant in the historic center near the main square.

Reservations are recommended. We arrived without one and were lucky to get seated relatively quickly.

Shopping

Parque Atlântico

If you’re looking for some shopping, Parque Atlântico is a nice mall in Ponta Delgada.

We found great prices at Zara and enjoyed spending a few relaxing hours there.

Final Thoughts

São Miguel completely stole my heart. 💚

From volcanic landscapes and waterfalls to tea plantations, crater lakes, and charming historic streets, every day felt like a new adventure. The island combines dramatic nature, excellent food, and warm hospitality, making it one of the most memorable destinations I’ve visited.

It was truly a perfect trip. 😍

Enjoy your travels!

Keren 😊

For more photos, locations, and travel inspiration, feel free to follow along on Instagram. 📸✨

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