Azores walking guide
Walking offers an ever-changing landscape of emerald meadows, jewel-coloured lakes, wildflower blooms and volcanic peaks.
Best time to visit The Azores
One word sums up the weather in the Azores – unpredictable. ![]()
The Azores are north of the Canary Islands and Madeira, on roughly the same latitude as Lisbon and Washington DC. Influenced by the Gulf Stream, the islands enjoy a mild, breezy climate, with daytime temperatures rarely dipping below 14°C in winter or rising above 25°C in July, making them a good choice for an outdoorsy break in any season. Whales and dolphins can be seen at any time of year but summer is the best time to visit the Azores for boat tours, when conditions are calmest and warmest. Spring vacations, however, when the Azores are less busy, coincide with the April / May and June migrations of baleen whales. The sea temperature averages 17°C in spring and reaches 22°C in summer.
When to go to The Azores, Month by month
Azores Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
11
16
135
FEB
10
16
110
MAR
11
16
106
APR
11
17
72
MAY
13
19
56
JUN
15
21
39
JUL
16
23
32
AUG
17
25
41
SEP
17
24
84
OCT
15
21
114
NOV
13
18
133
DEC
12
17
124
Whale watching in the Azores
Classic whale watching trip in the Azores archipelago
From
£830
7 days
ex flights
Azores tour, island explorer
Dolphins, whales and explore fiery volcanic islands!
From
£915
7 days
ex flights
Azores walking vacation, Portugal
Walk to Cete Cidades and the Fire Lakes
From
US $3225 to US $3600
8 days
ex flights
Island hopping in the Azores, small group
An easy walking vacation on the Azores
From
US $2980 to US $3730
14 days
ex flights
Blue whale watching in the Azores, Pico Island
Best time to see Blue Whales on Pico, Azores
From
£1190
8 days
ex flights
Blue Whale Discovery Vacation, Azores
Come see Blue Whales in the Azores!
From
£905
7 days
ex flights
Travel Team
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Responsible Travel Recommends
Lesley Woodward of Azores High is one of our suppliers. She shares her favourite time of year:
“I love the springtime – especially May and June. It’s not quite as hot as July and August, there are lots of flowers and whale watching is great as baleen whales, as well as the more common sperm whales, are in the area.”
“I love the springtime – especially May and June. It’s not quite as hot as July and August, there are lots of flowers and whale watching is great as baleen whales, as well as the more common sperm whales, are in the area.”
Our top Azores nature pick
The annual migration of whales through Azorean waters is a phenomenon as impressive as East Africa’s Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras. It takes place from February to October, with March the peak month for blue whale sightings. By April, a dozen different migrant species are powering through the deep blue channels.
Festivals & events in The Azores
Festa do Divino Espírito Santo
Held throughout the Azores over several weeks in spring and early summer, the Pentecostal Festival of the Divine Holy Spirit calls for processions with flags, drums and singing around each império, a brightly painted chapel dedicated to the Holy Spirit. A traditional meat and vegetable soup with bread and wine is offered to the needy – and often to visitors, too.
Held throughout the Azores over several weeks in spring and early summer, the Pentecostal Festival of the Divine Holy Spirit calls for processions with flags, drums and singing around each império, a brightly painted chapel dedicated to the Holy Spirit. A traditional meat and vegetable soup with bread and wine is offered to the needy – and often to visitors, too.
Sanjoaninas, Terceira Islands
Locals fill the streets of Angra do Heroismo for ten days each June in honour of Sao Joao. There are concerts, food stalls, theatrical shows, fireworks, sporting events and popular dances. The highlight takes place on the night of 23rd, when the parade courses the crowded streets.
Locals fill the streets of Angra do Heroismo for ten days each June in honour of Sao Joao. There are concerts, food stalls, theatrical shows, fireworks, sporting events and popular dances. The highlight takes place on the night of 23rd, when the parade courses the crowded streets.
Did you know about...?
Walk&Talk
Founded by two young Azoreans, this is a cutting-edge festival of public performance and visual arts. Taking place over two weeks in July in Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande and Lagoa on São Miguel, it features street artists, sculptors, designers and video directors from three continents.
Founded by two young Azoreans, this is a cutting-edge festival of public performance and visual arts. Taking place over two weeks in July in Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande and Lagoa on São Miguel, it features street artists, sculptors, designers and video directors from three continents.
More Azores articles
Our Azores travel guide gives you the lowdown on the highlights of Azores vacations, from the rated to the overrated.
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The Azores is one of the best places in the world for watching blue whales.
Dolphin watching vacations in the Azores are not an experience to be quickly forgotten.
Whale watching in the Azores is essentially a seaborne safari. Find out more in our guide.
The Azores are developing a reputation as an exciting destination for cycling.
Can you island hop in the Azores? Certainly – and we reveal how, highlighting the best routes.
Our best vacations in the Azores share a common theme: they get you out and about in nature.
Find out about whale conservation in the Azores and how you can get involved.
With volcanic terrain and sky-high waterfalls, the Azores is one of the best places in the world for canyoning.
We explore how to travel to the Azores from the UK, the USA, Canada and mainland Portugal with details on specific routes.
Activity vacations in the Azores are informed by the dramatic, volcanic island landscapes.
We reveal the sheer variety of whale species you can see in the Azores in our guide.
Azorean cuisine is influenced by Atlantic isolation, Catholic faith and volcanic activity.
Read our guide to the best things to see and do on Terceira in the Azores.
British Airways launched two new direct flights from the UK to the Azores in 2022.
There's an array of things to do if you’re traveling in the Azores with kids.
Azores travel tips from the islanders and expert tour partners who we know and trust to give the best advice.
Responsible tourism in the Azores always starts with the natural world.
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