charming hotels in the Azores, romantic country inns & accommodation in the Azores
Travel to the Azores and stay in small, romantic hotels and luxury hotels. Specially selected holiday accommodations from which to get to know the islands of São Miguel, São Jorge, Terceira, Pico, Flores and Graciosa. Whatever your reasons to travel to the Azores, be it a romantic getaway, whale whatching, or the thrill of staying at a small luxury hotel, Secretplaces will you help find the perfect spot.
In addition to its natural beauty, the Azores has a number of charming towns to visit. Santa Graciosa is full of ancient streets and manor houses. Horta has the famous yacht harbour and the 17th century churches of São Salvador, Nossa Senhora do Carmo and São Francisco, with their beautiful tiles and gilded carvings, not to mention the wonderful Angra do Heroismo.
Angra do Heroismo With its palaces and forts dating back to the 16th century, the city of Angra do Heroismo has been classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO - a testament to its beauty and history.
Ponta Delgada The largest town of Azores. It is blessed with many interesting places to visit, including: the Parish Church of São Sebastião, Convent and Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Esperança, Church and Asylum of Santa Bárbara, Fort São Brás, Redoubt of Mãe de Deus, Town gates, Conceição Palace, Fonte Bela Palace, Santa Catarina Palace, Santa Ana Palace, Town Hall, Historical centre and Carlos Machado Museum.
Santa Graciosa A picturesque, while-washed town cosily positioned by the sea. The town centre has two large tanks, used as water reservoirs for cattle in times gone by, and a cluster of araucarias and elm-trees. Places to visit include the Parish church; Church of Santo Cristo; Belfry; Cruz da Barra (cross); Chapels of Monte da Ajuda and the Ethnographic House.
Velas Several noble buildings testify to the towns past prosperity and importance. Charming landscape Interesting rural chapels. Places to visit include Church of São Jorge; Church of Nossa Senhora de Conceição; Town Hall and Portão do Mar.
Santa Cruz In Santa Cruz you will find ancient streets and manor houses, a beautiful mother-church (16th-18th centuries), Santo Cristo Church (16th century), Cruz da Barra (Manueline) and the Ethnographic House. In the Furna do Enxofre, dazzling sights and a vaulted cave over an underground lake (between 11am and 2pm the sunlight filters in). You must also visit Guadalupe and its Baroque church, Luz and Praia (typical windmills).
Horta Horta has a famous yacht harbour. Beautiful tiles and gilded carvings in the 17th and 18th century churches of São Salvador, Nossa Senhora do Carmo and São Francisco are part of its picturesque attraction. Other places to visit include: Sacred Art Museum, Nossa Senhora das Angústias Church, Nossa Senhora do Pilar Chapel, Império dos Nobres and Porto Pim fortifications, Caldeira Natural Reserve, Capelinhos, grottoes and caves in Costa da Feteira and Monte da Guia belvedere.
The Azores coast provides a natural environment for the whale. Over twenty species of whales and dolphins, including Pilot, Sperm, Fin and False Killer whales are attracted to the area, which is so rich in nutrients. Boats can take you out to sea where you may view these amazing creatures face to face in their natural habitat.
Ilha do Pico - Lajes do Pico Espaço Talassa 9930 Lajes do Pico Tel +351 92672010 Fax +351 92672617
With sea depths of 300 to 800 metres only two to three km off the coast, the Azores is a big game fishing paradise. Swordfish, sharks, oceanic bream and tuna are in plenty supply and willing to put up a fight with keen fishermen. Ponta Delgada has specially equipped boats for this purpose and they cruise as far as the Formigas islets.
Andromeda Sport Fishing Charter Horta
Clube Naval de Ponta Delgada Secção de Moto
Xácara Big Game Fishing Canada Larga 28, Cedros 9900 Horta Faial Tel/Fax +351 292946644
There are frequent two-hour flights from Lisbon to the three Azorean airports: Ponta Delgada (São Miguel), Lajes (Terceira) and Horta (Faial). Ponta Delgada is also served by regular flights to Funchal (Madeira) and during the peak season to Oporto and Frankfurt (Germany). Charter flights link The US and Canada to the airports of Ponta Delgada and Lajes.
Inter-island flights are assured by SATA-Air Azores. These, however, tend to be expensive, so an excellent alternative would be to take the ferries. There are regular ferries between Faial, Pico and São Jorge, also between Terceira and Graciosa.
