Some 900 miles west of Portugal, nine lonely islands rise from the Atlantic Ocean. These are the Azores: an enchanting archipelago that’s like nowhere else on earth.

The Azores are sometimes called “the Hawaii of Europe” because of their lush, volcanic landscapes. This misleads some travelers, as the Azores are not actually tropical but semi-tropical. Expect mild weather and lots of rainfall all year. The main draw of the Azores is their natural beauty: high peaks, wild waterfalls, remote lagoons, and the deep blue sea.

Longing to see this remote paradise for yourself? With direct flights from Boston and New York, it’s not as hard as you think. We’ll suggest a few of the best things to do and see in our Azores travel guide, plus travel insurance to protect your journey.

3 reasons to buy travel insurance for the Azores

1. The Azores are extremely isolated. If you experience a serious medical emergency, you may need to be airlifted to the mainland—a huge expense that typically isn’t covered by domestic health insurance plans. That’s why travel insurance is a must. Emergency transportation benefits can cover the cost of a medically necessary evacuation for a covered illness or injury plus repatriation home, up to the limits in your plan.
2. A trip to the Azores isn’t cheap. While food and lodging are reasonable, transportation to and around the Azores can be expensive. Don’t risk losing money on a last-minute trip cancellation! Travel insurance with trip cancellation/trip interruption benefits can reimburse your nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs if you must cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason (up to the limit specified in your plan). For extra peace of mind, upgrade to Cancel Anytime.
3. If you’re renting a car, you need insurance. Experts recommend renting a car in the Azores if you want to set your own schedule and explore remote areas. However, “driving can be challenging due to narrow cobblestone streets, blind curves, blind corners, and livestock on country roads,” the Department of State warns.¹ You can save money and protect your rental car with OneTrip Rental Car Protector, which provides primary coverage for covered collision, loss and damage up to $50,000.

3 of the best travel insurance plans for Portugal

1. OneTrip Prime is our #1 pick for international vacations. It includes everything you need in travel insurance for Europe: emergency medical benefits, trip cancellation and interruption, travel delay, baggage benefits and more. Plus, kids 17 and under are covered for free when they’re traveling with a parent or grandparent. (Free coverage for children is not available on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents.)
2. OneTrip Basic offers a budget-friendly travel protection for international travelers. Enjoy all the benefits of OneTrip Prime, just with lower maximum limits. (Kids are not covered free with this plan.)
3. AllTrips Premier is custom-made for frequent travelers, with automatic protection for every trip you take in 365 days. Plus, rental car protection up to $45,000 is included (not available to residents of KS, TX, and NY).

Find your plan and get a quote

3 of the best things to do in the Azores

1. Soak in a thermal spring. São Miguel, the most geothermally active of the islands, is home to several places where you can bathe in warm, mineral-rich waters. Ponta da Ferraria is a naturally formed pool where hot spring water and cold water from the ocean mix.
2. Hike to a beautiful waterfall. On Flores, the westernmost of the Azores Islands, be sure to visit Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro: a multi-stranded waterfall that cascades over a lush volcanic cliff. You can also see it by driving to a lookout called Miradouro do Portal.
3. Meet the local marine life. Did you know the Azores are actually some of the world's tallest peaks, if you measure from their underwater base? These underwater mountains (called seamounts) are epic dive sites, where you can see stingrays, whale sharks, grouper and many more kinds of fish.² If you’d rather stay above the water, try a whale-watching tour.

3 of the best hotels in Azores

The Terra Nostra Garden Hotel was built in 1935, when tourists first began coming to the Azores to experience its thermal springs. Today, this Art Deco landmark offers luxurious stays next to the magical Parque Terra Nostra.

Octant Ponta Delgada is the ideal home base to explore the largest city in São Miguel. Enjoy a spacious room with views of the marina and ocean, a rooftop pool and bar, and a delightful daily breakfast. Staff are happy to arrange local experiences, whether that’s a day on a nearby farm or a wine and cheese tasting.

Want to get away from it all? Aldeia da Cuada is a hotel on Flores Island (Ilha das Flores) that once was a village. Dating to 1676, this collection of stone cottages was abandoned in the 1960s, then resurrected as guesthouses. “You really feel like you're at the end of the world here, but at one of the most beautiful ends,” one guest commented.

3 of the best restaurants in the Azores

The cuisine of the Azores tells its history of isolation and innovation. Its distance from the mainland means that Azorean dishes mainly rely on locally sourced meats, cheeses, seafood and fruits. You’ll find a lot of peasant-style stews and other hearty dishes. One of the most famous dishes is cozido das Furnas: a Portuguese stew of chicken, pork, beef and vegetables that’s cooked by geothermal heat. In the town of Furnas, chefs bury metal pots of stew in the volcanic soil, then dig them up and serve bowls to locals and tourists alike.³

One of the most popular Azores restaurants for traditional dishes is A Tasca in Ponta Delgada. Arrive early, because they don’t take reservations, and come hungry. Diners swoon for the tuna, the polvo à tasqueiro (stewed octopus), and the grilled limpets.

In São Miguel, Quinta Dos Sabores is a true farm-to-table restaurant. It’s on a farm, and whatever’s growing at the moment is what ends up on your plate. Staff welcome guests to walk around the farm and explore the gardens. Choose your adventure: a 6-course, 8-course, or 10-course tasting menu, with or without wine pairings, and with options for vegans and vegetarians.

And in Terceira, the Restaurante Tradicional E Típico Quinta Do Martelo is often named one of the very best restaurants in Azores. Housed in an old tavern, this restaurant specializes in alcatra: a pot roast-style stew of pork or beef slow-cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic and cloves. The cloves are a tradition dating to the early days of maritime trade, when spice traders anchored at the islands.

What do I need to travel to the Azores?

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