Angra do Heroísmo and São Mateus (south Terceira)
Angra do Heroísmo is a UNESCO World Heritage town of painted houses and churches, carefully rebuilt after the 1980 earthquake, with Monte Brasil, an old volcanic cone, rising over the bay. São Mateus da Calheta, a fishing village to the west, has seafood restaurants by the harbour. Inland, Algar do Carvão lets you walk down inside an old volcanic vent. Lajes airport is around 30 minutes away.
Best for: History, harbour restaurants and walks on Monte Brasil
Not for you if: You want a sandy beach: swimming here is mostly from rocks, slipways and sea pools.
Cabo da Praia and Praia da Vitória (east Terceira)
Cabo da Praia is a village just south of Praia da Vitória, close to Lajes airport. Praia da Vitória has the island's main sandy beach, a long sheltered bay with a marina at one end. The natural rock pools at Biscoitos on the north coast are around 30 minutes away. All summer, villages hold festas with bulls run through the streets on a rope. The airport is about ten minutes away.
Best for: Short airport transfers and the island's biggest sandy beach
Not for you if: You want Angra's restaurants and sights every evening: they are around 30 minutes across the island.
Ponta Delgada and Lagoa (São Miguel)
São Miguel is the biggest island in the Azores (Açores in Portuguese) and the one with most flights. Ponta Delgada, its main town, has black-and-white cobbled streets, a marina and the boats for whale watching. Lagoa, around ten minutes east, has seafront swimming pools and the coast towards Caloura. The crater lakes at Sete Cidades are around 40 minutes away. The airport is on the edge of Ponta Delgada.
Best for: A first visit, with the most flights, restaurants and day trips
Not for you if: You want guaranteed sun: São Miguel's weather changes quickly, and the crater lakes are often in cloud.
Fajãzinha and the west of Flores
Flores is one of the two westernmost islands of the Azores, and Fajãzinha sits on its west coast below cliffs streaked with waterfalls. The Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro, a pool fed by dozens of falls, is a short walk from the road nearby. Fajã Grande, a few minutes north, has a sea pool and the end of the coastal path. Getting here means a connecting flight from Ponta Delgada or Terceira.
Best for: Walkers who want waterfalls, sea cliffs and very few people
Not for you if: You need easy connections: Flores is reached by small plane, and flights are often delayed by weather.
