Azores Group Tours for Solo Travellers
Travel solo as part of a group tour to the Azores
Why travel solo to the Azores?
Cast adrift in the Atlantic Ocean, 800 miles from Portugal, this lush, volcanic, lake-filled archipelago is about as wild and exotic as you can get without leaving Europe - the perfect setting then, for a Flash Pack adventure.
Once a staging post between Europe and the New World, these nine tiny islands are an autonomous region of Portugal. A stroll through the capital, Ponta Delgada, reveals a bustling harbour fringed with handsome houses, eye-catching black-and-white mosaic pavements and vibrant seafood restaurants full of rich maritime flavours.
But it’s the dramatic landscapes that will take your breath away. On the largest island, São Miguel, you’ll find dazzling crater lakes to kayak across, steaming geothermal pools to bathe in and hiking trails to plunging waterfalls and forest-wrapped conical peaks. You can search for migrating sperm whales off the rocky coasts, taste traditional Cozido das Furnas stew that’s been slow-cooked inside a volcano, and even sip tea at Europe’s only tea plantations…
These enigmatic islands might be remote but they abound with outdoor adventures well worth crossing the Atlantic for.
Top places to visit in the Azores
Ponta Delgada
The cobbled streets and squares of the Azores’ charming capital are lined with handsome black and white buildings, including Saint Sebastian’s Church and the 18th-century city gates. Don’t miss visiting the Forte de São Brás, which once protected the islands from pirates, and strolling along the waterfront boulevard of the marina at sunset.
Sete Cidades
These show-stopping twin crater lakes – one blue and one green – are the Azores’ most famous postcard image and are steeped in myth and legend. Take in the breathtaking panoramic views from Vista do Rei, hike the superb walking trails around the forest-fringed rim and kayak or paddleboard across the serene water.
Furnas Valley
This otherworldly wonderland of bubbling mud pots and steaming fumaroles is located within a volcanic caldera that has lain dormant since 1630. Don’t miss tasting cozido das furnas stew (cooked by geothermal heat underground) and taking a dip in the mineral-rich pool at the Terra Nostra Garden.
Nordeste
This colourful little town, in the northeast of São Miguel island, is set on a particularly stunning stretch of rocky coast, surrounded by lush greenery. Highlights include the seven-arched bridge and the Arnel Lighthouse – the first working lighthouse on the islands – which started operating in 1876.
Trips to Azores
Azores facts
What's the national language?
Portuguese
What's the currency?
Euro
Timezone
GMT -1
Top three activities
1. Kayak on a crater lake
2. Go whale watching
3. Soak in thermal hot springs
Top five dishes to try
1. Cozido das Furnas – meat and veg stew cooked in volcanic soil
2. Lapas – grilled limpets, served with garlic and lemon juice
3. Caldeirada de Peixe – hearty fish stew with potatoes, veg and aromatic herbs.
4. Salada de Polvo – octopus salad
5. Queijadas da Vila Franca do Campo – sweet tarts with a creamy cheese filling
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