The gorgeous islands dubbed 'Hawaii of Europe'
The Azores, an autonomous region off the coast of Portugal, are known for their tropical landscapes which make them feel like they're somewhere far more exotic than Europe.
Gavin Lapidus, a travel expert and the founder of eShores, says: 'These volcanic Portuguese islands are Europe's best-kept secret.
'Think Caribbean-style luxury with an eco-conscious soul - dramatic coastlines,mystical crater lakes, and world-class whale watching, all powered by sustainable initiatives.
'Shorter flights from the UK make this archipelago even more appealing. Each of the nine islands has its own distinct personality, from the thermal pools of Sao Miguel to the perfect cone of Pico Mountain, making island-hopping an irresistible adventure.'
Sao Miguel is the largest Azores island and has an international airport, making it the starting point for many adventurers.
Known as the 'Green Island', Sao Miguel is an incredible spot for whale and dolphin watching.
Holidaymakers are in with a chance of spotting bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales, blue whales, minke whales.
Tourists can also head to Sete Cidades, to see the island's spectacular twin blue and green lakes. The lakes differ in colour due to their varied depths, the deeper blue lake reflects the sky, while the green shallow lake reflects the green surroundings.
Sao Miguel's Furnas Valley is a dormant volcanic caldera with plenty of thermal pools to take a dip in.
At the island's Terra Nostra Park, tourists can relax in iron-rich thermal water at temperatures of 37 degrees.
But Sao Miguel isn't the only island worth exploring.
On Pico, known as 'Mountain Island', tourists can enjoy locally produced wine and tackle Mount Pico, the highest mountain in Portugal.
If it's beaches you're after, Faial has the best shoreline according to Lonely Planet which says its 'stretches of sand are worth visiting'.
And Flores is known for its incredible natural beauty, which ranges from waterfalls to lagoons and volcanic craters.
How to get to the Azores
British Airways and Ryanair both offer direct flights to Sao Miguel. Once there, tourists can catch ferries or domestic flights to reach the rest of the islands. The flight takes just over four hours from the UK.
Best time of year to visit the Azores
The Azores can be visited year-round, but the water can sometimes be too choppy for boat tours in December and January. During July and August, the weather is warmest but the islands tend to be at their busiest. The months between April and September are the best time to see whales and dolphins.
Language
Portuguese is the official language in the Azores but English is commonly spoken, particularly in touristy areas.
Currency
The Azores uses the Euro as standard currency.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
an hour ago
- Times
9 of the best affordable villas in Spain
With glorious weather, knockout beaches, and world-beating food and drink it's no surprise that Spain ranks high for most Brits. The Balearic island of Mallorca or the beaches of the Costa Brava are perfect not only for seaside lazing but more active pursuits such as windsurfing, while Galicia in the northwest has forested valleys for hikes and standout sites such as the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, visited by those walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail. The southernmost region of Andalusia has a bit of everything, encompassing the sand and sea of Marbella and Malaga, the heritage of Granada and its Alhambra Palace, and the culture and vibrancy of Seville. In each area, you'll find villas with sleek contemporary furnishings and villas retaining traditional rustic styling, ranging in size to suit both couples and larger gatherings. Best of all, such self-catering accommodation can be far cheaper than a hotel. Ranging from as little as £30 to just over £100 per person per night, depending on when you travel, here's our selection of top-quality villas in Spain at the more affordable end of the scale. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 7 In six acres of land, bracketed by wheat fields and olive groves, this is a pad perfect for those who value privacy. There are traditional touches of the region throughout — a terracotta-tiled roof, cool, whitewashed walls inside — and plenty of space for relaxing in the evenings with a huge lawn and built-in barbecue. There's a good-sized pool with an outdoor shower, and it's less than an hour's drive to the airport, making it a top pick for families; you'll also find a cot and a high chair inside. • Best holiday villas in Spain POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 10 This striking villa, with its floor-to-ceiling glass, infinity pool and floating staircase, combines contemporary style with good old-fashioned wow factor in its location, surrounded as it is by the Tramuntana mountains and with views of the Bay of Pollensa. Villa Magnolia is filled with natural light and has comfortable sofas, a good-sized kitchen, five bedrooms (two en suite) and a dining room that can seat ten. Outside, there's a barbecue area and covered terrace, and the characterful cobbled town of Pollensa is just over two miles away. Mallorca offers many opportunities for cycling, horse-riding and water sports, making this property an excellent choice for active families. • Best villas in Mallorca POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 6 One of a handful of three-bedroom properties in a small complex with a 24-hour reception, this whitewashed villa is simply styled but ticks all the important boxes, with its private saltwater pool and superb location just 500 metres from the white sand of Platja del Riuet. Patio doors lead onto a poolside terrace for alfresco drinks and meals, and there's a lawned garden for the kids to muck about in. You also have access to a larger communal pool if you wish. The medieval hamlet of Sant Marti d'Empuries is nearby, and there's a shuttle service to/from Girona-Costa Brava airport (about 45 miles away) for a fee. • Discover our full guide to Spain POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 8 You'll get a real taste of Spanish living in this six-bedroom villa in the traditional town of Jimena de la Frontera in Cadiz. Laps in the private pool come with a view of the Ronda mountains and there are Moorish influences throughout. Best of all, there's plenty of room for everyone to stretch out; it's built over three levels and there's a giant entertainment space in the basement complete with an air hockey table and a projector for film nights. POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 16 Casa do Conde Villa is a landmark in the Galician town of O Grove, originally constructed by a local duchess and with something castle-like about its stone-built exterior. Inside, there's lots of style in the sweeping polished staircase and simply furnished bedrooms (five doubles and three twins, all en suite), while the living areas open to a lovely covered outdoor terrace for languid lunches or cocktails before dinner. The grounds feature lawns, palm trees and a swimming pool, while the district of O Grove is renowned for its beaches and pretty sea views. The town has all the restaurants and shops you'll need, which means a car is a bonus rather than a necessity. Outside, pretty grounds encircle the house with gently sloping lawns, graceful palm trees and the colourful blooms of flowering plants to provide a delightful oasis for outdoor living. Guests could be forgiven for forgetting this is a town house, yet a 200m stroll reveals the nearest sandy beaches and the first of the many shops and restaurants. This is a great choice for family groups or friends who want comfort and convenience. POOL | Sleeps 6 This contemporary Galician villa offers a lot of slickness for an affordable price tag. There's a cleverly positioned swimming pool wrapping around a corner of the property, and a handful of atmospheric terraces, including one on the top floor that makes the very best of the coastal vantage point above the sandy bay at Aldan. The star factor? That's the floor-to-ceiling windows surrounding the main living space, which bring in bags of natural light. Sleeping six, with two doubles (one en suite) and a twin, the property is a good choice for families with older children, but note that it's built over several levels and is unsuitable for toddlers. The village of Hio, which has a bar offering traditional Galician food, is a very short walk away, while the beach at Praia de Vilariño is under a mile away. As for excursions, it's well worth considering a boat trip to the Cies Islands, an archipelago nature reserve with wonderfully clear waters. POOL | Sleeps 2 This beautiful one-bedroom cottage has all the character and charm you could wish for, with stripped stone walls, wood-panelled ceilings and a large bedroom beneath a steep-pitched roof. Outside are lovely lawns, a swimming pool, stone table and benches for dining beneath the shade of a fir tree, and stirring views across forested hills and green meadows. It's quite a spot for a cocktail or a coffee. The owner is a carpenter who has made the very most of his talents in renovating the property, retaining its traditional features while bringing modern comforts to the open-plan kitchen and living area. Sitting on the edge of the hamlet of Moreira, the cottage is a 15-minute drive from a sheltered beach, restaurant and cafés on the Rias Baixas coastline, while the village of O Viso is less than two miles away, with its excellent bakery, grocery and café. This is the place for a couple who want to get away from it all and spend some quality time in a breathtaking hillside setting. POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 28 This is a big-hitter for that special celebratory get together in sunny climes — a vast manor house containing 14 en suite double bedrooms just 25 minutes by car from Barcelona airport. Masia Victoria dates to the 15th century and has been sensitively renovated to preserve stone arches and wood-beamed ceilings while incorporating air-conditioning, an infinity swimming pool and other modern comforts and luxuries. There's a sizeable dining room and a range of choices for relaxing with a cocktail, among them a sprawling patio and various terraces. If you fancy venturing out, the little town of Sant Pere de Ribes is a stone's throw away, and Sitges and the coast close by too. POOL | FAMILY-FRIENDLY | Sleeps 10 With space for eight adults and a pair of kids, this stone-built five-bedroom villa has all you'd want from a traditional finca — and, with panoramic rustic views and well-kept grassy grounds surrounded by fruit trees, its location scores points too. Despite its out of the way position, the villa is a walk from some high-class dining at the restaurant of the Son Brull hotel, while the towns of Pollensa and Puerto Pollensa are a short drive away. There's plenty to keep the children entertained, with a private pool and table-tennis table, and sporty grown-ups can head for a round of golf at Pollensa Golf Club. This is the perfect spot for a relaxing break with family or friends that won't cost the earth. • Best all-inclusive hotels in Spain• Best beaches in Spain
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Travel chaos as multiple major US airports ground ALL flights
Flights at several major airports from New York to Dallas have been grounded Tuesday afternoon, sending air travel throughout the US into chaos. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced ground stops for flights leaving New York's John F Kennedy Airport, New Jersey 's Newark Liberty Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Severe thunderstorms throughout the country caused to temporary pause. A ground delay at Philadelphia International Airport and New York's LaGuardia Airport has also been issued through Tuesday night. This is a developing story. More updates to follow.
Time Out
3 hours ago
- Time Out
These U.S. hotels were just voted best in the world by Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure 's 2025 World's Best Awards list—the annual survey of T+L readers—is out, and once again chockfull of stunning stays. Of the 100 hotels spanning 33 countries across five continents, 18 in the U.S. made the list. While only one made it to the top ten, there are two more U.S. hotels in the top 100 than there were last year. The top of the list is dominated by safari lodges and island resorts, but the U.S. holds its own with properties that feature wide-open spaces, knockout design and deeply local flavor. Leading the American pack is Primland Resort, a 12,000-acre mountain escape in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Ranked number nine overall, this is the second year it's broken into the global top ten. This resort offers seclusion, stargazing and a level of serenity that feels almost otherworldly. Close behind is The Inn at Mattei's Tavern in Los Olivos, California at number 12. Housed in a reimagined 19th-century inn, it's a slice of wine country perfection just steps from dozens of tasting rooms in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. Readers raved about its "relaxing vibe" and small-scale charm. San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, CA, landed at number 21, and for good reason. With 550 acres of rolling greenery, ocean views and its own 15,500-bottle wine cellar, it's less a hotel and more a fantasy estate. Guests come for the privacy of the 38 standalone cottages and stay for the fireplaces, fresh California fare and the kind of stillness you don't get anywhere near a city. Other U.S. entries include The Norumbega in Camden, Maine; Quisisana Resort in Center Lovell, Maine; The Jefferson in Washington, D.C.; and Wildflower Farms in Gardiner, New York in the Northeast. Down in South Carolina, The Dunlin in Johns Island, Wentworth Mansion in Charleston and Hotel Harness in Greenville were also honored. Out west, Villa Mara Carmel in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California; Triple Creek Ranch in Darby, Montana; Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada; Madeline Hotel & Residence in Telluride, CO; Solage in Calistoga, California; and The Ranch at Laguna Beach in Laguna Beach, California made the list. And all the way out in Hawaii, Maui's Montage Kapalua Bay and Fairmont Kea Lani were both recognized by readers. In total, nearly 180,000 readers rated hotels based on rooms, food, location, service and value, with standout hospitality pushing properties to the top. Find the full list of the best hotels in the world here.
