Azores: A Guide to the "Triangle Islands"
Pico
Located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores Archipelago is one of Portugal’s best hidden treasures. Find out why in this 7-day itinerary to The Triangle island cluster.
Day 4
From Faial, the best way to reach Pico is by ferry boat: for under 20€, AtlanticoLine will connect you from Horta to Madalena in about one hour. If you didn’t bring your car with you, make sure you rent one as soon as you arrive to Pico.
Start the tour in the center of the village and make your way northeast, until you reach the landscape of the island’s vineyard culture. A UNESCO site since 2004, the hand built volcanic walls keep the vines protected from the sea and the wind, while allowing the sun to shine through and mature the grapes. The result is a fruity, fortified wine, which you can buy in several shops and restaurants around the island.
From Cais do Mourato, turn back and start heading south towards the Pico Mountain. The cows relaxing on the pasture make for a beautiful scenery while you find your way to the Mountain House: the highest point that you can reach by car. Depending on the weather and date of your visit, you might be able to climb all the way up to the top of the summit, a hike that will take approximately 7 hours. Don’t proceed without guidance or the appropriate equipment, as the way is very sinuous, and you could easily get lost.
After visiting the Mountain House, find the national road and keep heading east. Stop in Lagoa do Capitao before entering the regional road and keep heading southeast until you find Calheta de Nesquim. Take a swim in the crystal-clear waters of Poca das Mujas and watch the sun set in the horizon before going for some tapas at the summer-only restaurant ‘Bar da Poca’. To wrap up the day, head to Moinho Bar SFUR in Lajes do Pico to taste their collection of traditional craft liqueurs.
Day 5
Start the tour in Lajes do Pico and follow the national road until you pass through Ribeirinha. Stop in Miradouro da Terr’Alta for a beautiful view of Sao Jorge and keep heading west until you reach Prainha, where you can enjoy the sea and the sun in Zona Balnear da Poca Branca.
After the swim, make your way to the parish of Sao Roque do Pico. Have a picnic at the municipal garden and enjoy a fresh drink overlooking the bay in Clube Naval before continuing west towards one of the island’s most recent landscapes: Lajido de Santa Luzia. Created by the volcanic eruptions in 1718, this extensive field of basaltic lava flows make for a highly relevant national geopark, so we definitely recommend a peak before moving forward.
Stop in Cachorro to see the natural dog statue that gave the parish its name, and keep following the same road until you reach the Cella Bar. This award-winning building was conceived to resemble a cross between a whale and a wine barrel, and it features a terrace with a breathtaking view over Faial. Make sure to try a Koriska – an Azorean brewed craft beer family of 6 different varieties – and don’t miss on the opportunity to buy some authentic Azorean produce to bring back home with you.
Back in Madalena, go for an ice cream at Quiosque Carapinha and enjoy the sunset sun at Piscinas Naturais da Areia Funda before catching the ferry boat to Sao Jorge.
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