Portugal
As a sunny destination within Europe, Portugal is an excellent choice for a summer holiday. We visited Portugal during a road trip through Spain and Portugal, driving along the mainland coast. In the summer of 2025, we flew to the Azores, an island group in the Atlantic Ocean belonging to Portugal. On this page, we’ve gathered all the essential travel information about Portugal (specifically the Azores) so you can plan your own trip.
Portugal
Sao Miguel at a Glance
📍 Country: Portugal
🏝 Number of islands: 9
🥾 Best for: Hiking, road trips & nature
🚗 Ideal trip length: 7–14 days
🌿 Must-see island: São Miguel
🐋 Don’t miss: Whale watching & natural hot springs
What is The Best Roadtrip for São Miguel?
São Miguel is the perfect island for a roadtrip, but you don’t need to plan it way up front. Just keep in mind to rent a car and check the weather for each day. The island is not big so you can choose your destination just a couple of hours before leaving your accommodation. We made a complete Google Maps Travel Guide with the best stops (according to us). This makes your roadtrip to São Miguel a lot easier.
Why Visit the Azores?
If you’re looking for unspoiled nature, spectacular hiking trails and unforgettable road trips, the Azores should be high on your travel bucket list. The islands combine volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, black-sand beaches and charming villages, making them the perfect destination for anyone who loves the outdoors.
Google Maps Travel Guide Azores
Explore São Miguel without spending hours planning. Our Google Maps Travel Guide Azores gives you access to our favourite places across the island.
Our Travel Tips about the Azores
Useful Links
Rather than overwhelming you with information about the climate, travel budget, currency, or local culture, we’ll keep things personal. However, we’d still like to provide you with a selection of the most useful resources in one convenient place. The links below will help you stay up to date with the latest travel advice and practical information.
European Euro Exchange Rate (EUR) | Revolut
Climate of Portugal| Wikipedia
Internet & Mobile Coverage in Europe
São Miguel in Pictures
FAQ São Miguel
High season generally aligns with the European school holiday periods, with the summer months remaining the busiest. Periods outside of summer, such as the May holidays, are becoming increasingly popular. The Azores are still a relatively undiscovered destination, so they rarely feel crowded.
Beyond charming villages and beautiful cities, Portugal offers plenty for outdoor enthusiasts. In the Azores, you can enjoy stunning hikes and scenic viewpoints. Whale watching is also a very popular activity, though we had to skip it due to limited time.
We didn’t find Portugal to be any less safe than other European destinations. In bigger cities, it’s best to use common sense, as you would anywhere. On the Azores, we always felt completely safe and had no problem carrying our belongings openly.
Mobile coverage is similar to other European countries, and you’ll likely be able to use your existing phone plan in Portugal. On the Azores, we had strong coverage everywhere (5G). If you’d prefer to use an eSIM, check out Airalo. With the code MEIKE4854 you’ll get a discount on your first purchase.