Where to stay in São Jorge

In this beautiful archipelago of the Azores, we have selected the most beautiful accommodations for you in our collection. Whether you are looking for a vacation home, B&B, guesthouse or a spa hotel – each island is as versatile, as its accommodation. Being one of the smaller and lesser populated islands, São Jorge offers the sheer beauty of a pristine nature and small villages. For accommodation, we suggest an outstanding, small boutique hotel in the countryside. A country hotel on São Jorge with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and green mountains guarantees maximum relaxation.

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Activities in São Jorge

Being in nature in São Jorge is definitely the main reason to visit. The landscape is simply amazing and the villages are picturesque and tiny (the smallest only has 7 inhabitants!). When visiting this island, you will have to do a lot of walking as there are no roads and the island is very mountainous, so you should bring comfortable shoes. The most famous hiking trail is Caldeira de Santo Cristo, which starts on a mountain top and descends for about 3 hours through several fajãs where you can swim under waterfalls. Along the way you will see cow pastures, small forests, blue hydrangeas, juniper bushes, yellow ginger lilies, lush green valleys and waterfalls before ending in one of the most famous fajãs, Fajã dos Cubres. This would be the perfect place for you to watch birds, take a relaxing walk and have a picnic by the beautiful lakes.

Also there are many small villages to visit – the biggest one being Vela, where you will find some restaurants, stores and the pretty little square Jardim da Praça da República with a bright red music pavilion and a cage full of birds.

The island is dotted with lighthouses. At the westernmost point of the island, Ponta dos Rosais, you have the chance to visit an abandoned lighthouse from which you can see Pico, Faial and sometimes Graciosa and Flores. Another sight you must see is the Sineria Tower. The tower is known to having survived a volcanic eruption that destroyed most of the area, but left the tower intact.

Gastronomy in São Jorge

The island is famous for its cheese of the same name (São Jorge cheese), which can be found throughout Portugal. It is a soft cheese that is usually served with bread and a spicy pepper sauce as an appetizer or couvert.

The island is also known for providing the rest of the world with the famous Azores canned tuna. If you wish to buy some, you should go to the factory and get them from a small kiosk at the entrance. They are cheaper here and you can often try more varieties and new recipes. You may also enter the factory itself, but you will need to make reservations in advance and come during the morning shift.

For a great meal with an incredible view, you should visit Fornos de Lava, where you can enjoy some of the best dishes on the island with a panoramic view of Mount Pico in the distance.

 

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Country hotels and holiday homes