Vacation Rentals in Azores

Away from the tourist strongholds of Portugal, the archipelago of the Azores offers you relaxation in a unique natural landscape. Most vacation rentals and apartments are located on the main island of São Miguel, where you live mainly along the coastline. From there as well as from a vacation rental on the hillsides above the coast you can enjoy the view of the wild Atlantic Ocean and the flora of the volcanic islands.

If you are looking for a vacation rental or apartment, you will also find it on the other Azores islands. While Terceira and Pico are still relatively touristy due to the many natural attractions, holidaymakers who strive for absolute peace in deserted surroundings are attracted to the islands further out in the Atlantic Ocean. Especially on Flores, the island of flowers, the stress of everyday life in a rustic vacation rental on the coast can be particularly well shaken off.

The volcanic Azores lie on the plate boundary of the European and African continental plates at a good 1,400 kilometres from the European mainland. The Azores, consisting of nine islands, are divided into three groups. The eastern group with the main island São Miguel and the island Santa Maria is closest to the European mainland. The central group, on which also the highest mountain with the name Pico lies, consists of the islands Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico as well as Faial. The Azores are completed by the islands Corvo and Flores of the western group.

While the main islands of São Miguel are still well served by public transport, you should book a rental car on all other islands to reach all the attractions from your holiday home. If you also want to explore the beauty of the other islands, you will benefit from the regular flight connections, which are realized with small machines. If you bring a little more time with you, however, you should take the boat, because a trip across the open sea is a real immersion in island life.

Although the Azores are far away from the mainland, ancient coins from Carthage and Cyrene from the fourth century B.C. prove that the islands were not only known but already inhabited at that time. Until the early modern times the Azores developed into important anchorages for the American sailors, so that the islands came to a not inconsiderable wealth.

The subtropical-oceanic climate provides the archipelago with comparatively stable climatic conditions, which are characterised by high humidity and regular precipitation throughout the year. Thanks to average maximum temperatures of 23 to 27 degrees Celsius, the months of June to October are the ideal travel period.

Ponta dos Capelinhos, also called Capelinho by the locals, is a volcanic rocky peak that was formed in 1957, when the sea water suddenly began to steam off the coast. On site you can not only admire the volcano, but also its history of origin in the small local museum.

Another natural highlight is the 4.35 square kilometre crater lake on the main island of São Miguel, which today covers the mouth of the most active of the Azores volcanoes. Climb the crater rim either alone or as part of a guided tour and look 500 metres deep into the gorge of the seemingly peaceful Feuerberg.

Divers will find optimal conditions in the waters of the Azores, because due to the rocky reefs and the nutrient-rich water, places like the Princess Alice Bank are a playground for many colorful big fish. You can also meet manta rays and 23 species of whales and dolphins during guided diving excursions.