Azores Travel Tips: 6 Essential Tips for Your Trip
The Azores completely exceeded our expectations! The islands are lush and green, with endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. Since the Azores are part of Portugal, Dutch travelers don’t need to worry much about entry requirements or paperwork. Still, there are a few practical things worth keeping in mind before you go. Here are our top travel tips for visiting the Azores.
1) Bring a Rain Jacket
You might imagine the Azores as a tropical paradise where the sun shines all day. Not quite! Rain is common and frequent. During our 6-day stay, it rained every single day. That said, it wasn’t constant downpours; showers alternated with sunshine. No wonder the islands are so green!
2) Rent a Car
Without a rental car, getting around the Azores can be tricky. With your own wheels, you can reach the best viewpoints, remote beaches, and hidden corners of the island. Distances are short: you can cross the island in no time.
Is driving difficult in the Azores? Not at all, as long as you stick to the main roads. If you head to a high viewpoint, you might find steep climbs, potholes, or even a herd of cows blocking the way but that’s all part of the adventure!
Also check out our guide to the 10 most beautiful stops in the Azores.
3) Carry Some Cash
While parking is free in most places, that’s not the case in Ponta Delgada. There, you’ll need coins for the parking meters.
4) Pack Water Shoes
Most beaches here are volcanic, with rocky shores rather than sand. Water shoes will protect your feet from sharp lava rock and make getting in and out of the water much easier.
5) Have Breakfast at the Supermarket
Many larger supermarkets have a small café where you can grab something to eat, usually a sandwich and coffee, and sometimes even a full lunch. Perfect if your accommodation doesn’t include breakfast.
We also always bring our Water-to-Go filter bottle so we have clean drinking water everywhere. With the code wetraveloutdoor, you can get 10% off your purchase.
6) Use Our Azores Google Maps Guide
Our handy Azores Google Maps travel guide includes every place we visited in one easy-to-use map.