The Portuguese island group of the Azores command an amazing Atlantic Ocean location 930 miles from Lisbon. The unspoilt islands attract mainly outdoor activity enthusiasts looking for isolated holidays in beautiful volcanic surroundings with verdant green farmland, amazing lakes and beautiful wild flowers. Most holidays to the Azores are taken on the islands of Pico, Faial, Sao Jorge, Terceira and Graciosa; however the lesser known islands of Santa Maria, Sao Miguel, Flores and the tiny island of Corvo are becoming more popular.

The islands offer a very slow pace of life in a romantic atmosphere, tiny hamlets full of character, quaint old towns, intriguing churches and amazing festivals. As you wander through the beautiful farmland you will come across isolated farmhouses, fruit orchards and vineyards. Read more »

The Azores are a group of islands situated in the North Atlantic and comprises of 9 islands, 1400km from Lisbon, Portugal.  The third smallest island, Santa Maria, is one of the most popular of the islands with tourists, along with its neighbour Sao Miguel.  Both islands have volcanic origins and have registered siesmic readings during their history.

The Yellow Island/Sun Island
Santa Maria is considered different from the other islands due to its topography and hotter climate.

santa maria island

There is a clear distinction on Santa Maria between the flat sunny plains of the South/Western coastal ares and the lush vegetation of the hills and mountains towards the North/East.  Most of the rain falls in the hilly area as the clouds reach the high ground, encouraging them to drop the rain.  Santa Maria is known as the ‘yellow island’ and also the ‘Sun Island’ due to its sunny yellow wild flowers and because it is sunnier and drier than the rest of the Azores islands.  In fact Santa Maria is renowned for its beautiful colours, from the whitewashed buildings, red soil, lush green vegetation and unspoiled golden sandy beaches.

The highest point on the island is Pico Alto, 590m high.  This is a great view point for seeing out across the whole island and admiring the beautiful landscape and scenic view.  Because of the breathtaking views from Pico Alto it is popular with walkers and walking holidays alike.

Resorts/Places to Stay
Vila de Porto is the largest town on Santa Maria and also the oldest in the Azores.  There is a port here with a fortress overlooking it situated at the top of a cliff.  To get to the fortress you’ll need to walk up narrow winding streets to the top.  Don’t expect package holidays resorts catering for the masses when you visit Santa Maria, it is a secluded, remote but picturesque island offering a quiet beach holiday surrounded by a traditional way of life.

Beaches of Santa Maria
Santa Maria has many golden beaches which are relatively unspoilt and draw holidaymakers looking for rest and relaxation in a beautiful surrounding.  For a beautiful beach visit Sao Lourenco Bay, widely revered as a stunning beach set against a backdrop of rocky outcrops inbetween soft golden sand.  For a large stretch of wide open beach head to Praia Formosa on the South coast of the island, where you can partake in watersports and holiday activities or just gaze out over the deep blue Atlantic sea and watch the world go by.

Places to visit and things to do
Due to its volcanic origins, Santa Maria has unique geological attractions in the forms of martian like landscapes across the island.  Visit the Pico Vermelho and witness the sculptured landscape or the waterfalls at Ribeira do Maloas or the Cascata do Aveiro.  Fossils are also found here on Santa Maria island thought to be up to five million years old in the form of shells and sea-urchins, aswell as shark teeth and sponges.

santa maria rally (rallyazores.blogspot.com)

You can take a boat trip to view the caves along the coast and fossils or take a fishing trip.  Paragliding is also popular as there are plenty of sheltered bays to choose from.  If you visit in August expect to be involved in one of the many events on in this month, from the ‘Our Lady of Assumption Festival’ who is the patron saint of the island (Festa da Nossa Senhora da Assuncao) through to the Santa Maria rally.  If you’re a keen rally enthusiast take advantage of any late deals for Santa Maria during this time to book your holiday.

The Azores are a chain of islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago is divided into three groups of islands. The Eastern Group includes Santa Maria, with sandy beaches and green hills, and Sao Miguel where the city of Ponta Delgada is situated.

Azores

The Central Group consists of five islands, Terceira, Graciosa, Sao Jorge, Pico and Faial. These islands offer a variety of attractions, from the hot steaming geysers in Terceira to the volcanic peak in the island of Pico, and the yachting port of the city of Horta, in Faial.
The Western Group includes the more remote islands of Flores and Corvo, the smallest island, situated on top of a marine volcano with calm lakes and a green crater.

CLIMATE

The Azores benefit from a temperate, maritime climate with mild winters and warm summers. The wettest months are October to March.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Whale and Dolphin Watching
25 of 90 species of whale and dolphin have been spotted off the Azores, including the giant Sperm whale. The best sightings are from June to September in the waters around Faial, Pico and Sao Jorge.
There are whale related museums on Pico and Faial.

Marine life
The island has an abundance of marine life. There are many dive centres, including those at Faial and Sao Miguel, which provide easy access to some excellent dive sites.

Surfing

Santa Maria

The waves off Santa Maria and Sao Miguel are great for surfing. Windsurfing lessons are also available at the islands’ sailing clubs.

Deep-sea fishing
The Azores have charter boats available for fishing trips, including availability on Faial and Sao Miguel.

Golf
There are three 18-hole golf courses in the Azores, two are located on Sao Miguel, and one is located on Terceira.

Touradas á corda

Bullfighting
Terceira is well known for bullfight by the rope (Touradas á corda). This is unique to the Azores, and has been practiced since the 16th century. From May to October there are about 250 of these bullfighting events.
The bull is let loose with a very long rope around its neck, usually in the main road of a small village. The release of a rocket signals that there is a bull on the street, and the game is ready to begin. The bull is guided by several experienced men and the local young men must try to get as close to the bull as they dare. Although it can be amusing it is very dangerous. After a while another rocket is launched to signify the end of the game.

Caldeira das Sete Cidades (Cauldron of the Seven Cities)
Situated in Ponta del Gada on Sao Miguel, this giant volcanic crater has a 7 mile circumference and sheer walls that rise above several lakes. The most beautiful of these are the Blue and Green lakes.

Furnas do Enxofre

Caldeira de Guilherme Moniz
Situated in Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira, this is an eroded crater and is the largest in the Azores. It has Furnas do Enxofre (sulphur), hot steaming geysers where the vapours are transformed into colourful formations.

Terra Nostra
Situated in Furnas on Sao Miguel, these botanical gardens contain an array of plants and animals and also a spring-fed pool, with warm mustard coloured water which has a fantastic effect on your skin.

Hydropolis
Also found in Furnas, this is one of the world’s few hydropolises, an area where not only the normal hot mud springs rise, but also copper coloured waters rise in the same location.

Porto Pim

Porto Pim
Situated in Horta on Faial, Porto Pim is the site of Horta’s old harbour and is a great place for a swim. The water here is warm and the beach very gently shelving, making it safe for children.
Ponta Delgada
Situated on Sao Miguel, Ponta Delgada, a former fishing village, boasts narrow streets, picturesque whitewashed houses and a waterfront promenade.

Furna de Enxofre
Situated on Graciosa is The Caldeira. Its interior,  the Furna do Enxofre, has a 270ft spiral staircase which leads down to a small, warm sulphur lake concealed in a grotto beneath a crater.

Angra do Heroismo
The beautiful, historic old town of Angra do Heroismo is found on Terceira. 

Algar do Carvao
Situated on Terceira, Algar do Carvao has fascinating craters, caves and tunnels to explore.  

BEACHES

In the Azores, the sea is pure and clear with a constantly mild, warm temperature. The beaches are generally formed from black sand, however, the island of Santa Maria has beautiful white sandy beaches.
Sao Lourenco on Santa Maria has fine, clear sand and is excellent for surfing.

If you are looking for last minute holidays to the Azores, there are always lots of great offers throughout the internet.