The Azores are in the North Atlantic and are part of Portugal. The archipelago consists of nine volcanic islands, arranged in three groups west of mainland Portugal. On a map, they look like small dots surrounded by ocean; once you arrive, that distance becomes a constant awareness of the sea, both in the landscape and in the way you explore each island.
If you are planning your first visit, understanding where the Azores are also helps you decide how to travel around them. The nine islands are not somewhere you can explore in a single sweep: travelling between them means arranging transport and allowing time for each journey. São Miguel is a good starting point if you want to discover lakes, thermal waters, plantations and coastal scenery during one stay, without adding several stages to your trip.
The Azores lie in the Atlantic Ocean, west of the Portuguese coast, between Europe and North America. They are an autonomous region of Portugal, with a distinct identity shaped by their volcanic origins and relationship with the ocean.
The archipelago is divided into three geographical groups:
These groups help you understand the map and plan a trip between islands. São Miguel belongs to the Eastern Group, while Flores and Corvo lie at the western end of the archipelago. Being in the Azores does not necessarily mean being close to every other island.
It is also important to distinguish the Azores from Madeira. Both are Portuguese archipelagos in the Atlantic, but they are separate destinations. When researching flights, accommodation or activities, always check which island each option refers to.
A trip to the Azores starts with choosing your islands, before drawing up a list of places to visit. A viewpoint on São Miguel, a walk on Pico and a waterfall on Flores may appear side by side in a search, but they belong to different stages of a journey.
Travelling between islands takes time and planning. Check air and ferry connections for your intended dates, rather than assuming there are direct routes between every island or that all services operate in the same way throughout the year. The shorter your stay, the more important it is to avoid spending too much of it in transit.
The Atlantic location also influences the weather. When organising outings, leave room to change the order of your visits, particularly when they depend on clear views or sea conditions. A flexible plan helps you make more of the trip without trying to reach every stop regardless of the circumstances.
São Miguel is the largest island in the Azores and offers a range of landscapes and experiences that allows you to discover different aspects of the archipelago during a single stay. Its appeal lies in offering a varied first trip that is relatively straightforward to organise, rather than representing everything the other islands have to offer.
In Sete Cidades, your visit might begin at a viewpoint overlooking the crater before continuing beside the lakes. In Furnas, the landscape changes: steam rising from the geothermal areas, gardens and thermal waters reveal another expression of the island’s volcanic activity. Lagoa do Fogo offers a different experience again, where the terrain and visibility play an important part in your visit.
Along the coast, you can alternate these outings with beaches, natural swimming pools and small towns and villages. You do not need to change islands to find contrasting settings, but that does not mean you should try to see everything in one day. Grouping visits by area leaves more time to walk, pause and get to know places beyond the photograph.
São Miguel can also be explored through what it produces. On the north coast, the tea plantations of Gorreana and Porto Formoso introduce an activity closely linked to the island’s history. Pineapple plantations, where the fruit is grown in greenhouses, offer another example of how local conditions influence production.
At the table, cozido das Furnas connects food with volcanic activity, while fish, cheeses and other local products add to the discovery. Including these visits in your itinerary helps balance time in nature with experiences that explain how people live and work on São Miguel.
Ponta Delgada can serve as a base for part of your trip, with accommodation, restaurants, shops and services. The island’s airport is João Paulo II Airport; when choosing flights, check the connections available from your departure point on your intended travel dates.
There is also accommodation in other parts of São Miguel. Your choice should reflect your itinerary: staying near the experiences that interest you most may be more useful than choosing solely for proximity to the airport. Even when visiting just one island, it is worth considering daily journeys before booking.
São Miguel is a strong choice for travellers seeking variety, but it is not necessarily the best option for everyone. If you have a particular interest, another island may be better suited to the trip you have in mind.
On Terceira, Angra do Heroísmo and the island’s cultural heritage may be central to your decision. On Pico, the mountain and vineyard landscape are major reasons to visit. São Jorge may appeal to those who want to spend time exploring its fajãs and walking trails, while Flores is worth considering for its lakes, waterfalls and landscapes shaped by water.
These differences do not need to become a competition between islands. Choose according to the experience you want, the time available and the transport options. For a first trip with varied interests, São Miguel allows you to build a rewarding itinerary without adding journeys between islands.
Once you have chosen the island, organise your days by area and leave room to adjust your route. Sete Cidades, Furnas and Nordeste each deserve time; bringing nearby places together in the same day avoids unnecessary journeys and allows you to enjoy each stop more fully.
Having a car makes it easier to reach different parts of the island and gives you control over your schedule. You can bring a visit forward when visibility improves, extend a walk or pause in a village you had not planned to explore. Organised tours are another option, particularly if you prefer a guide and fewer logistical decisions.
With a car from Amazing Island Rent-a-Car, you can shape your discovery of São Miguel around your own pace, rather than following the same route as everyone else.
Yes. The Azores are an autonomous region of Portugal, located in the North Atlantic and made up of nine islands.
São Miguel belongs to the Eastern Group of the archipelago, together with Santa Maria.
You can organise a trip to several islands, but visiting all nine requires considerable time and planning. On a short stay, focusing on one island allows you to explore it more thoroughly.
Yes, particularly if you want to combine nature, thermal waters, local food and cultural visits during one stay. The right choice still depends on your interests and the time available.
Knowing where the Azores are is the first step; deciding how you want to experience them gives your trip its shape. On São Miguel, you can begin beside a lake, continue to a tea plantation and end the day by the ocean, without changing islands to find a different landscape.
Book your car with Amazing Island Rent-a-Car and plan your routes with the freedom to stop and explore. A first visit is more rewarding when you have time to get to know each place, rather than simply reach the next one.