Azores: A Guide to the "Triangle Islands"
Sao Jorge
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 6
Once in Velas, grab your vehicle (or get one at a car rental) and head northwest towards Rosais. The hilly landscape of Sao Jorge makes it the trickiest island to drive around in, so we recommend you proceed with caution, especially when visiting the Fajãs.
At the very end of the island, you will find the Lighthouse of Ponta dos Rosais. Inaugurated in 1958, the structure was once the most advanced lighthouse in the Portuguese network, but it was abandoned in the 80s due to the dangers associated with high seismic activity. Nowadays, the building is in ruins, but you can still take a walk around without getting too close to the edge. If the weather is clear you might be able to spot Graciosa island in the distance.
After visiting the lighthouse, climb up the stairs to the whale watch post nearby and soak in the view from the miradouro. The whaling industry was the main source of subsistence for the Azorean population between the XIX and the XX century, as it provided for lamp oil, candles, soap, margarine, everyday objects and fertilizer. The men in the watch posts would signal the whalers, who would then sail their boats and chase the creatures along the coast.
On your way back, pass through the beautiful Parque Florestal das Sete Fontes and keep heading east until you reach Norte Grande. Stop in the miradouro for a view of the beautiful Fajã do Ouvidor, and then make your day down hill to swim in the breathtaking Piscina Natural Simao Dias.
After drying up, make your way to Norte Pequeno. From the Miradouro, you’ll be able to see both Fajã dos Cubres and Fajã da Caldeira all the way in the back. There’s no connection between these two fajãs by road, but there’s a trail that will take you to Caldeira de Santo Cristo and back in approximately 4 hours, and the views are mesmerizing enough for us to consider it the island’s top attraction.
Near the lagoon you will find a restaurant called “O Borges”, where you can regain your strengths with some typical Queijo da Ilha and delicious homemade bread; and if you’re adventurous enough you can go beyond the fajã to find the waterfalls hidden in the woods. After the hike, head towards the airport and get a well-deserved dinner at the restaurant ‘A Quinta’.
Day 7
Waking up in Velas, follow the national road all the way east until you reach Fajã dos Vimes. Enter Café Nunes to try Café da Fajã – the only locally grown coffee in Portugal – and visit the farm to see the actual coffee tree plantations which are used to produce the Arabica. Some small samples are available for purchase in case you want to take a souvenir home.
Go back the way you came, stop in Calheta for a quick walk around the picturesque port, and keep following the road until you reach Urzelina. Grab a light lunch or a drink at the SunSet Bar and then head to the Urzelina Camping Park to catch some sun in its swimming pool.
Back in Velas, visit Clube Naval, Igreja Matriz and the municipal garden, and celebrate the end of your 7-night stay at Restaurante Acor, with a tray of grilled shrimps and an ice-cold glass of white wine.
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