{"id":37641,"date":"2024-02-07T12:50:22","date_gmt":"2024-02-07T11:50:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/niet-gecategoriseerd\/faial-in-the-azores\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T18:18:53","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T16:18:53","slug":"faial-in-the-azores","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/portugal\/azores\/faial-in-the-azores\/","title":{"rendered":"Faial in the Azores"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Faial: The Most Beautiful Spots and Practical Tips<\/h1>\n\n

The beautiful island of Faial in the Azores<\/a> is nicknamed Ilha Azul (the Blue Island) because of the vast number of blue hydrangeas that bloom there. It lies west of Pico, and on clear days, you can see the Azores\u2019 highest mountain on Pico from almost anywhere on Faial. This volcanic island, with the \u201ccaldeira\u201d\u2014a crater about 2 km wide and a staggering 500 meters deep\u2014at its center, offers excellent hiking opportunities. <\/p>\n\n

How do you get to Faial in the Azores?<\/h2>\n\n

Faial Airport is about a 10-minute drive from the capital, Horta. Here you\u2019ll also find the harbor where many sailors stock up on supplies before crossing the Atlantic Ocean. You can take an inter-island flight from SATA<\/a><\/strong> from Terceira<\/a> to Horta on Faial, but you can also easily reach Faial by ferry from locations such as Porta Delgado on S\u00e3o Miguel<\/a>. Click here<\/a> for more information about ferry routes and schedules. You can also easily take the ferry from Pico Island to Faial. To explore Faial at your leisure, a stay of 2 to 3 full days is recommended. <\/p>\n\n

Caldeira do Faial, trail along the large crater<\/h2>\n\n

The views during the drive to Caldeiro do Faial are breathtaking, especially when the island of Pico is clear of clouds. In good weather, you can even see the islands of Santa Cruz de Graciosa and S\u00e3o Jorge. It can get quite windy at this altitude (about 1,000 meters), so layering your clothing is recommended, as are sturdy hiking boots. The trail is mostly narrow and, on both sides, sometimes runs right along the edge of the crater. Plan on a hike of about 3 hours before you return to the starting point. Caldeira – Faial PRC04 FAI<\/strong><\/a> can be found on Azores Trails<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

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Farol da Ponta dos Capelinhos and Vulc\u00e3o dos Capelinhos, the new land<\/h2>\n\n

The Peninsula do Capelo is impressive; it was formed in 1957 by the eruption of Vulc\u00e3o dos Capelinhos<\/strong>. The material spewed out formed a small island that has since become attached to Faial. The 20-meter-high lighthouse, Farol da Ponta dos Capelinhos<\/strong>, built in 1894, has been pushed significantly inland by the volcanic eruption and no longer serves any real purpose for shipping, but it can still be visited. The Centro de Interpreta\u00e7\u00e3o, which focuses on the eruption and volcanism, is located underground here and provides a good picture of what happened some 66 years ago. The place is surreal, and the views alone make it worth the visit. <\/p>\n\n

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Peter\u2019s Caf\u00e9 Sport, a household name among offshore sailors<\/h2>\n\n

In the harbor of the capital city, Horta ,<\/strong> you\u2019ll find Peter\u2019s Caf\u00e9 Sport<\/a>,<\/strong> a true institution among ocean sailors. Every sailor crossing the Atlantic between America and Europe stops in Horta to enjoy a meal or at least a famous gin do mar at <\/strong>this bar on the edge of the harbor. The bar is decked out with flags and other sailing memorabilia and is bustling from opening to closing time. Before stepping inside the bar, take a stroll along the harbor\u2019s quay. Sailors are welcome to leave their own drawings or paintings here, and some of them are true works of art. <\/p>\n\n

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Entre Montes Trail and the Porto Pim Whaling Factory Museum<\/h2>\n\n

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If you’re staying in Horta, the Entre Montes – Faial PRC08 FAI<\/strong> <\/a>trail by Azores Trails. As the name suggests, you\u2019ll hike over and between the two mountains, Queimado and da Guia. At the official starting point of this trail, you can visit the Museu da F\u00e1brica da Baleia de Porto Pim<\/strong>. Here you\u2019ll also find Dabney House. This family lived here from 1806 to 1894, and the house offers a fascinating glimpse into life back then. The museum is beautifully laid out and well worth a visit if you want to learn more about the history of whaling in this region. This Entre Montes trail also consists of ups and downs, but you\u2019ll be rewarded with stunning views of Horta Bay, Forte de S\u00e3o Sebasti\u00e3o, Praia do Porto Pim, and the surrounding islands. On the final stretch back to Horta, you could take a dip in Porto Pim Bay. <\/p>\n\n

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Praia do Almoxarife, the most beautiful beach in the Azores<\/h2>\n\n

Just north of Horta lies Praia do Almoxarife, which many consider to be the most beautiful beach in the Azores. The long, black-sand beach is surrounded by green mountains and bordered by a pier with a concrete platform where locals and tourists spread out their towels before heading down the stairs into the water. In addition to a parking lot, you can use the changing rooms and showers here, and there\u2019s also a restaurant. On clear days, you can enjoy the view of Pico. <\/p>\n\n

Ribeirinha, a trail in the northeast<\/h2>\n\n

Relatively recently, in 1998, Faial and Pico were struck by a major earthquake. On Faial in particular, this is still clearly visible at the Farol da Ponta da Ribeirinha, the lighthouse right on the coast, and at the Igreja de S\u00e3o Mateus, the church in Espalhafatos in the northern part of Ribeirinha. Both buildings were destroyed at the time but are still standing. The trail Ribeirinha – Faial PRC09 FAI<\/a><\/strong> by Azores Trails starts in the center of the village, where you can easily park your rental car. In wet weather, it\u2019s definitely advisable to wear good hiking shoes. <\/p>\n\n

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Practical Tips for Faial:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n