The Hawaii of Europe: Why You Should Visit the Azores
If you travel west from the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, you'll find yourself in the Atlantic Ocean. But keep going for about 1,400 kilometers, and on your way to New York, you'll find a group of islands called the Azores.
Made up of nine main islands, the Azores are part of Portugal, but they look very different from the mainland! The islands are sometimes called the "Hawaii of Europe" because of their lush green landscapes, volcanoes and waterfalls.
If you visit, you'll probably fly into Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores, on the main island of São Miguel. While there's lots to do on this island, it's also easy to get to the other islands from here.
If you like the outdoors, the Azores are for you. On each island, you can find hiking paths across beautiful landscapes and coastlines. And if you want something a bit more difficult, Mount Pico — a volcano found on the island of the same name — is not only Portugal's highest point, but the third highest volcano in the Atlantic.
If you prefer the sea, visit the islands' beaches or go scuba diving. The Azores are home to more than 3,000 ocean species, and there are many shipwrecks to explore.
The Azores also has one of the largest whale sanctuaries in the world, with more than 20 types of whales and dolphins — and you can go on a whale-watching tour to try to see them.
If you want something more relaxed, you can visit one of São Miguel's volcanic hot springs.
The fajãs — small coastal villages — of São Jorge, are also a must-see. Found at the bottom of cliffs, for years people came to these villages by boat, but many of them now have roads going down to them.
