The Azores |
If you want to experience life in the country, Azorean style, this is the place to come! You may see horses, oxen and donkeys working as pack animals, plowing or pulling carts. During the local festivals ox-carts and even goat-carts are used to carry bread, wine and cheese in a decorative procession.
From the main town of Horta and its modern marina you can go whale watching, swimming with dolphins, deep sea, coastal and sport fishing, diving and sailing. These are the main attractions, along with a visit to our spectacular "Caldeira", and the dramatic moonscape of the Capelinhos eruption site and lighthouse, which now boasts an impressive underground interpretation centre.
There are passenger ferries to Pico and Sao Jorge, allowing you to explore two more islands during your stay on Faial. Pico boasts the highest mountain in Portugal, a whaling museum, whaling factory, vineyards which feature on the UNESCO World Heritage sites list, the wine factory and fascinating lava tube caves. Sao Jorge is simply a beautiful, quiet island, ridged with volcanic craters and edged by cliffs sheltering pretty villages - the "fajas". The cheese factory is always a favourite visit on this island.
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Climate in the Azores
The Azores enjoy a mild maritime climate, of which the dominant feature is the area of high pressure named after them. The "Azores High" generally lies South or South West of the islands and, in the summer, is often stationary, when prolonged calm, hot, sunny weather can be expected. July and August are the hottest months and February and March the wettest. Temperatures rarely drop below 12C and are often up around 20C. The sea is warmed by the Gulf Stream to a pleasant 17-22C, making it very pleasant to swim in year round. |
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Faial
Explore the dramatic volcanic sites of the Caldeira and Capelinhos, the picturesque villages and the main town of Horta, with its marina full of colourful paintings left by visiting yachts. The famous "Peter's Café Sport" is the perfect place to stop for coffee or a cold drink, where sailors swap tales of adventure on the high seas.
Whale and dolphin watching trips have replaced the traditional whaling boats as a way to make a living from the sea. From the marina you can go whale watching, swimming with dolphins, sport fishing, line fishing, diving and sailing, or just take a cruise along our scenic coastline.
Passenger ferries enable you to visit Pico or Sao Jorge for the day, making Faial a perfect centre for your holiday.
Facts and figures
Faial Island is part of the central group of the archipelago, about 66 miles from Terceira, 4.5 miles from Pico and 11 miles from S. Jorge.
The surface area of Faial is approximately 173 km2. The island has about 15,000 inhabitants and its main municipal seat is located in the city of Horta.
In the 18th century the development of whale hunting brought the early whaling fleets to Horta. By 19th century, Horta had become an important sea port, and a stopping point for a large number of yachts crossing the Atlantic.
In 1957 a great volcanic eruption from the "Ilhéu dos Capelinhos", about 1 km from the coast, projected large quantities of lava and ash forming an islet that later became connected to Faial by an isthmus.
Faial Highlights
Cabeço Gordo has an altitude of 1043 meters and offers amazing views of the neighbour islands of Pico and São Jorge
The Caldeira is an enormous crater with 2 km in diameter and 400 metres deep. This area is classified as a nature reserve. You can walk around the crater rim, enjoying a panoramic view of the island as you do so.
Monte Da Guia overlooking the town, is also a small crater and a protected nature reserve.
Ponta Dos Capelinhos is one of Faial's main tourist attractions. Here you can see the results of the offshore eruption of 1957/8 which transformed the landscape, burying fields and houses and creating a new piece of land. The old lighthouse underwent a restoration in 2008 and now boasts an impressive underground interpretation centre.
Lajinha and Ponta Furada are a great attraction for their caves and strange lava arches, where the sea often flows violently against the rocks. A popular area for fishing.
The Vale De Flamengos is an attractive area full of colourful plantations, flowers and picturesque houses and is also where you will find Faial's Botanical Garden.
Scrimshaw Museum This is a private collection belonging to the owner of the popular Peter's Café. Over a hundred pieces are exhibited here, engraved with beautiful sailing boats, mermaids, images of whale-hunting, among many others.
Horta Museum - Housed in the former Jesuit College, the museum is noted for its collection of carved fig wood, one of the island's traditional handicrafts.
Port of Horta - Built in 1876, this important sea-port is a principal port-of-call for many transatlantic yachts. The sea wall is of special interest as it is covered with hundreds of paintings and messages left by the sea-travellers who call in at the port. The marina is covered with hundreds of paintings left by the sea-travelers who call in at the port.
Semana do Mar The "Semana do Mar" or Sea Week, which begins on the first Sunday in August, is organized by various institutions connected with water sports and tourism. It includes all sorts of activities connected with the sea, as well as other cultural events, and has become internationally famous.
Travel Information can be found on our links page.
More photos can be found on our Faial Photo Gallery
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