FaialPico WesternGroup
3
Day Itinerary •
Portugal
Three days across Faial, Pico and the Western Group delivers the most extraordinary island-hopping experience in the Azores, from the remarkable Capelinhos volcano that created new Atlantic land in 1957 to the extraordinary Pico Volcano rising 2,351 metres directly from the ocean, the finest whale watching in Europe from Lajes do Pico and the remarkable UNESCO vineyard landscape of black basalt walls stretching to the sea. This focused route covers the essential Western Group experience. The extraordinary Faial Caldeira rim walk above the finest caldera in the Atlantic, the remarkable Capelinhos eruption landscape and buried lighthouse, the extraordinary Horta Marina transatlantic yacht murals and Peter's Cafe Sport, the remarkable Pico Vineyard UNESCO landscape and wine museum, the fine whale watching from Lajes do Pico, and the optional extraordinary Pico summit ascent.
Best Time To Visit
June to September for clearest Pico summit views
Getting There
Fly into Horta Airport (HOR), Faial
Getting Around
Hired car on Faial and Pico, ferry between islands (30 min)
Budget Per Day
Approx 70 to 150 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, Pico summit is strenuous and optional
DAY 1
FAIAL
MORNING
FAIAL CALDEIRA RIM WALK
The most extraordinary volcanic walk in the Western Azores, the remarkable 7.5km rim trail around the extraordinary Faial Caldeira, one of the finest calderas in the Atlantic with a remarkable 400-metre depth and a diameter of 1.5km. The extraordinary trail follows the caldera rim through outstanding dwarf juniper and cedar forest with fine views down into the remarkable 1957 caldera floor vegetation. The extraordinary view of Pico Volcano across the water from the western rim is the finest in the Azores. 20 min drive
MIDDAY
CAPELINHOS VOLCANO AND 1957 ERUPTION MUSEUM
The most extraordinary landscape in the Azores, the remarkable Capelinhos peninsula on the far western tip of Faial created by the extraordinary 1957 volcanic eruption that added 2.4 square kilometres of new land to the island over 13 months. The remarkable lighthouse half-buried in volcanic ash and the extraordinary barren lava field are unlike any other landscape in the North Atlantic. The outstanding Capelinhos Interpretation Centre tells the remarkable story of the eruption and the Azorean emigration to the USA it triggered. Entry approx 7 EUR. 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
HORTA MARINA AND PETER'S CAFE SPORT
The extraordinary Horta Marina, the finest transatlantic yacht waypoint in the world, where remarkable yachts from every ocean paint traditional boat murals on the marina quay walls as is the extraordinary tradition going back to 1930. The remarkable collection of over 30,000 boat murals on the quayside is the finest open-air maritime gallery on earth. The extraordinary Peter's Cafe Sport, in continuous operation as a transatlantic sailors' bar since 1918, is the finest watering hole in the mid-Atlantic.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Monte da Guia volcanic headland on the southern tip of Faial, a remarkable double crater forming a fine natural harbour and the finest viewpoint over the Horta bay with Pico Volcano directly across the water, is almost entirely overlooked by visitors who focus on the Caldeira and Capelinhos. The remarkable trail to the crater edge takes 30 minutes from the road. Free access.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Horta hotel Good breakfast before the Faial Caldeira drive. | Lunch: Capelinhos area cafe Simple local lunch near the extraordinary Capelinhos eruption site. | Dinner: Peter's Cafe Sport, Horta Outstanding traditional Azorean restaurant and bar. Fine espada scabbard fish and remarkable local lapas.
DAY 2
PICO ISLAND
MORNING
PICO FERRY AND PICO VOLCANO APPROACH
The extraordinary 30-minute ferry from Horta to Madalena on Pico Island, the finest inter-island crossing in the Azores with the extraordinary profile of the 2,351-metre Pico Volcano dominating the horizon for the entire journey. The remarkable Pico Island landscape is unlike any other in the archipelago, with extraordinary dark basalt lava fields stretching to the ocean covered in fine lichen and the remarkable UNESCO-listed vineyard landscape of low black stone walls. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
PICO VINEYARD UNESCO LANDSCAPE AND WINE MUSEUM
The extraordinary Pico Vineyard Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004, where the remarkable system of low black basalt stone walls called currais divides the extraordinary dark lava fields into thousands of tiny vine enclosures protecting the remarkable Verdelho grape from the Atlantic wind. The fine Museu do Vinho do Pico in Madalena tells the extraordinary story of the Pico wine that supplied Portuguese royalty and the remarkable Russian aristocracy in the 17th and 18th centuries. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
LAJES DO PICO WHALE MUSEUM AND SPERM WHALE WATCH
The extraordinary Museu dos Baleeiros in Lajes do Pico, the finest whaling museum in the world, telling the remarkable story of the Azorean open-boat whaling tradition that continued on Pico until 1987 and the extraordinary transformation of the island into the finest whale watching destination in Europe. Then the remarkable whale watching boat tour from Lajes, with outstanding sperm whales resident year-round in the extraordinary deep channel between Pico and Faial. Tours approx 65 EUR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Gruta das Torres lava tube on Pico Island, one of the longest and most extraordinary lava tubes in the Azores at over 5km, with remarkable lava formations and outstanding geological features formed by the extraordinary Pico volcanic activity, is one of the finest cave experiences in the Atlantic islands. Guided tours approx 7 EUR. The remarkable tube dimensions and lava structures are extraordinary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before ferry Good breakfast before the 8am Horta to Madalena ferry. | Lunch: Adega A Buraca, Pico Outstanding traditional Pico restaurant. Extraordinary Pico wine tasting with remarkable local cured meats. | Dinner: Horta, after return ferry Fine Azorean dinner at Restaurante Genuino or Taberna do Conquilhas in Horta.
DAY 3
WESTERN GROUP
MORNING
FLORES ISLAND OR FAIAL NORTHEAST COAST
The extraordinary northeast coast of Faial from Horta to the remarkable Praia do Almoxarife and the fine Ribeira Funda viewpoints, where the extraordinary Azorean hydrangea hedgerows line the coastal road in extraordinary blue and purple profusion in June and July. The remarkable Varadouro natural hot spring lava pools on the southwest coast give fine natural bathing in geothermal-influenced sea water. The extraordinary green pastoral landscape of Faial's interior is unlike any other island in the archipelago. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
PICO SUMMIT ASCENT OPTION OR PICO WINE TASTING
For those with the fitness and clear weather, the extraordinary Pico Mountain summit ascent at 2,351 metres is the finest mountain climb in Portugal, a remarkable 4 to 5 hour return from the mountain house at 1,200 metres through extraordinary volcanic desert terrain. On days when the summit is clouded, the fine Pico wine tasting at Cooperativa Vitivinicola da Ilha do Pico gives the finest alternative Azorean experience. Summit guide required. Approx 30 EUR. 1.5 hours ferry
AFTERNOON
DEPARTURE FROM HORTA OR CONTINUE TO FLORES
The extraordinary final afternoon in Horta, where the remarkable yacht marina murals, the fine Clube Naval Horta and the extraordinary view of Pico Volcano across the water in the afternoon light give the finest farewell to the Western Group. The remarkable Peter's Cafe Sport is the finest place on earth for a final gin and tonic before the flight home.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Caldeira das Sete Cidades walk is the finest on Faial, but the remarkable Ribeira Brava trail down the extraordinary northwest sea cliffs of Faial to the fine natural harbour at the base is the finest hidden coastal walk on the island. The remarkable 400-metre descent and the extraordinary isolated bay at the bottom are unlike any other on Faial. Allow 3 hours return.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Good breakfast before the northeast coast drive or Pico summit departure. | Lunch: Faial coastal restaurant Outstanding fresh Atlantic tuna and remarkable Azorean cheese at a fine Faial north coast restaurant. | Dinner: Peter's Cafe Sport farewell Outstanding Azorean seafood dinner and the finest gin and tonic in the mid-Atlantic.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Horta, All Nights Hotel do Canal or Faial Resort Hotel. Marina views. Approx 80 to 200 EUR per night. Pico Option Casa das Baleias or Hotel Caravelas on Pico. Approx 70 to 160 EUR per night. Budget Residenciais in Horta. Approx 40 to 80 EUR per night.
Top Tips
1. Check the Pico summit weather forecast at the mountain house before attempting the climb.
2. The Faial Caldeira rim walk takes 2 to 3 hours. Start early before Atlantic cloud builds.
3. Capelinhos is extraordinary at any time but the low afternoon light gives the finest volcanic photographs.
4. Book the Pico whale watching tour at least one day ahead with a Lajes operator.
5. The Faial to Pico ferry runs several times daily. Check the Atlanticoline timetable in advance.
6. Peter's Cafe Sport in Horta is the finest bar in the mid-Atlantic. Visit for the atmosphere.
Total Budget
90 to 370 EUR/day