AZORES
Vacations and Sightseeing
Vacations and Sightseeing
| Basic information | |
| Official language | Portuguese |
| Capital | Ponta Delgada |
| Area | 2.247 km² |
| Population | 242,796 (2019) |
| Currency | euro (EUR) |
| Web | .pt |
| Code. | PRT |
| Tel. | +351 |
Popular destinations PORTUGAL
| Algarve | Azores | Costa de lisboa |
| Costa verde | Madeira |
Vacations and Sightseeing
Azores BeachPhoto: Luissilveira CC 3.0 Unported no changes made
The nine islands of the Azores, which belong to Portugal, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, are a two-hour flight from Lisbon. In addition to beautiful nature and a fantastic landscape with forests, green valleys, (crater) lakes, volcanoes, geysers and waterfalls, the archipelago also has a climate with a pleasant constant temperature of around 15°C in winter to almost all year round. approx. 26°C in summer.
The Azores are not very suitable for a beach holiday, but this has the advantage that mass tourism has not yet reached the Azores. The most beautiful beach in the Azores, Praia Formosa, is located on Santa Maria. Most beaches, many with black volcanic sand, can be found on São Miguel near Ponte Delgada (Praia das Milícias, Praia do Pópulo), Ribeira Grande (Praia de Monte Verde) Praia de Baí d'Alto, Porto Formoso (Praia dos Moinhos ), Mosteiros and Água d'Alto (Praia de Baía d'Alto);on the island of Faial, the city beach Praia do Porto Pim, the Praia Grande (Terceira) and the beautifully situated Praia do Almoxarife. White sandy beaches are really only found on Santa Maria. For swimmers, there are also many rock pools in natural seawater basins on the coast.
Praia Formosa ( Santa Maria), possibly the most beautiful beach in the Azores) Photo: Carlos Luis MC da Cruz in the public domain
The Azores are extremely suitable for outdoor and water sports such as mountain biking, hiking, sailing, surfing and diving. Dive centers can be found in Vila Franca do Campo (on the island of São Miguel), Horta (Faial) and Urzelina (São Jorge). Spa facilities can be found in the seaside town of Furnas, where 22 springs supply healing water with different mineral contents. Several hot mud pools lie along the Lagoa das Furnas. The Parque Terra Nostra is said to be the largest thermal bath in Europe.
Medicinal water in the Parque Terra Nostra, Furnus, Azores Photo: Christer Johansson CC 2.5 Generic no changes made
Or of course a beautiful nature holiday, because in 2008 the Azores were named the second most beautiful archipelago in the world by National Geographic. Flower and plant lovers will get their money's worth, because about 60 plant species are only found on one or a few islands and about 700 plant species were introduced by the Spanish in the past.
There are no native animal species. a lot, but the marine fauna is beautiful and exuberant. Because of the convergence of the cold and warm Gulf Stream, the waters around the Azores are very nutrient rich and that attracts so many marine animals that the biodiversity is nowhere in the world so great here. Whale watching from Pico is an unforgettable experience.
Angra do Heroísmo AzoresPhoto: Concierge.2C CC 3.0 Unported no changes made
Besides climate, nature and sports activities, culture lovers can also visit churches, fortresses and picturesque villages with houses built in Moorish and Flemish style. The mostly religious festivals are also very worth seeing, the capital Ponta Delgada has a vibrant nightlife and the city of Angra do Heroísmo on the island of Terceira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bullfighting originally from Portugal. 'on the island of Terceira, the touradas à corda has been held since 1622 and is still extremely popular with locals as well as tourists. The approximately three hundred touradas à corda are also, but to a much lesser extent, held on the islands of Pico, Graciosa, São Jorge and São Miguel.
This bullfighting is not held in the 'Spanish' way, but bulls are released streets andyoung men then try to escape the bulls. Before the spectacle starts, the bulls are held with a rope by shepherds or 'pastors' and incited by the young men. Afterwards the bulls are returned to their pasture.
Touradas à corda in Terceira, AzoresPhoto: Algor7 CC 3.0 Unported no changes made
Sources
BBC - Country Profiles
CIA - World Factbook
Elmar Landeninformatie
Lipps, Susanne / Azoren
ANWB
Marsh, Terry / Azores
New Holland
Martin, Roman / Azoren
Elmar
Sayers, David / Azores
Bradt Travel Guides
Stieglitz, Andreas / Landscapes of the Azores : a countryside guide
Sunflower Books
Wikipedia
Copyright: Team The World of Info