Trip to Pico Island in the Azores Islands
General Information
Pico is the second largest island in the Azores (after São Miguel) belonging to Portugal, located in the Atlantic Ocean about two and a half hours flying west of Lisbon. Its area is 433 sq. km and it is located just 6 km from Faial Island and 18 km from São Jorge. Regular ferry service operates between these three islands. The last volcanic eruption on the island occurred about 300 years ago, and today its volcano is considered "dormant," which contributes to the mystical atmosphere on the island and attracts many scientists from all over the world.
The island combines black lava rocks with lush exotic vegetation and features some of
the best natural swimming pools in the Azores. It is an ideal island
for walking, including trekking, cycling, whale and dolphin watching, and bird watching.
Direct flights operate from Pico to Lisbon (not daily) as well as to other Azores islands (only to some of them) like São Miguel and Terceira.
The most successful season to visit
the island is between June and September.
Pico Island is named after its high volcano Montanha do Pico, which rises 2,351 meters and is the highest mountain in all of Portugal. Often the peak is enveloped in clouds, but when clear, the mountain's view is visible from every corner of the island.
The mountain attracts many hikers thanks to its trekking routes. You can drive
only up to about half of its height and the rest on foot. The climb to the peak takes about 6-9
hours (depending on fitness) and is quite difficult, suitable only for those with good physical condition.
Since the weather on the island is very changeable, it is important to choose a clear day
with good visibility and no strong winds or rain to climb the mountain. Anyone visiting
the island to climb the mountain or tour it for several days including a whale watching cruise, etc.,
is recommended to stay in Pico in order to choose the most convenient and suitable day for the climb and cruise.
Recommended Accommodations on Pico Island
It is recommended to stay in the town of Madalena, from where ferries depart to the neighboring island of Faial.
4-star hotel. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on 3 sides and overlooking Faial Island. Each room has a balcony overlooking the sea or Mount Pico. The hotel features an outdoor (seasonal) pool, restaurant, and bar. Internet, parking, and breakfast are included in the price.
Resort with 10 vacation apartments with a bedroom and living room, all overlooking the ocean. Designed for up to 4 guests. Each apartment has an equipped and modern kitchen. Premium apartments feature a jacuzzi in each. Located a 5-minute walk from the center of Madalena and about 50 meters from the sea. The resort was built on land that was once part of Pico's historic vineyards. The site includes gardens with trees and some remaining vineyards. Adjacent to the apartments are natural swimming pools (free to the general public). Free parking and internet. The price includes breakfast served to the room.
Six high-quality double vacation rooms and a two-bedroom villa for 4 guests overlooking the ocean. Located in a bay named Pocinho Bay overlooking Faial Island, a 10-minute drive from the town of Madalena in the area of Pico's historic vineyards declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The resort features an outdoor pool. Free internet and parking.
Itinerary on Pico Island
Many travelers staying on Faial Island visit Pico on a full-day tour departing and returning from the port of Horta in Faial. Tours depart by ferry from the port of Horta, the crossing takes only about half an hour and the ferry price is quite cheap. The cruise to Pico is scenic, you see the city of Horta receding and Pico Island approaching, passing impressive cliff formations with arches along the way.
Booking Guided Tours on Pico Island from Viator:
♦
Guided day trip from Faial to neighboring Pico Island -
Private full day visit to Pico, a first impression
♦ Booking whale and dolphin watching cruise from Lajes do Pico from Viator:
Whale and Dolphin Watching in Pico Island - Half Day
♦ Additional tours on Pico Island from Viator:
Arriving at the port town of Madalena on Pico Island.
Traveling along the northern coast of Pico on road no. ER-1. The coasts are characterized by cliffs with black basalt rocks. North of Pico Island you can spot another island, São Jorge, located about 18 km away and famous mainly for its excellent cheeses.
Along the way you see the attraction that made Pico a UNESCO heritage site: vineyards and wineries. On the island, vines are grown on basalt soil, where farmers collected stones from the fields and built walls around the vine saplings both to protect them from the winds and so the stones absorb the sun's heat and remain slightly warm even at night, contributing to vine growth. The trouble is that agricultural machinery cannot be brought in to cultivate the fields due to terrain conditions, and everything is done by strenuous manual labor: tilling the soil, weeding, spraying, harvesting, carrying grape boxes, etc. This cultivation method was common in the past, but today people return to it mainly to preserve tradition and for tourists.
Along the way you see villages that are abandoned most of the time and only serve as summer vacation homes for residents of this island and others.
Near these villages there are natural seawater pools inside a lava field, with part of the coast covered in concrete for bathers' convenience and stairs and ladders installed for descending into the water. In the background you can see the neighboring island of São Jorge.
There is also a visitor center with an exhibition of an ancient winery and wine tasting Centro de Interpretacao da Paisagem da Cultura da Vinha da Ilha do Pico
A successful hiking trail among the vineyards:
, Vinhas da Criação Velha
This is an easy 6.9 km trail. Walking the entire length takes about two hours. You can walk just a section of it for an impression.
Further along you reach the port town of Cais Do Pico where near the port there is a museum on the history of whaling Museu dos Baleeiros alongside a statue of a whale hunter in a boat.
Driving through the city streets you see its houses, churches, and municipal parks.
From there turn right onto the cross-island road (EN2) heading to the southern side. First climb up to a viewpoint named Miradouro Do Corr’ Agua overlooking the city of Cais Do Pico and the port, fields, and neighboring island of São Jorge.
From there turn to check out a small lake with ducks named Lago do capitao. Lakes on this island are few and very small and not as impressive as on other islands (like São Miguel and Flores).
Lajes do Pico
From the mountain descend to the southern part of the island and arrive at the second largest city on the island - Lajes do Pico, an ancient city where most past whale hunting took place due to its location near the whale migration route, making it today the best place to set out for whale watching cruises in the Azores (and perhaps the world) in most months of the year.
♦ Booking whale and dolphin watching cruise from Lajes do Pico from Viator:
Whale and Dolphin Watching in Pico Island - Half Day
Tour the city on the promenade near the port, see churches and old houses
and continue west along the coastal road (ER-1), stopping at nice viewpoints
on the coast and a small factory producing cheese using manual methods.
Stop to visit a shop selling hand-made lace works that the island is known for, and also see handmade flowers and decorations made from fish scales!
The island also has windmills that were used for grinding and today are inactive but have been restored and preserved.
Near the town of Madalena visit additional vineyards located in a lava field with stone walls and a windmill.
In Madalena there is a wine museum Museu do Vinho featuring beautiful gardens with ancient trees named Dragon Tree which are characteristic of these islands and the Canaries (the entire archipelago called Macaronesia).
Walk on a bridge built over the ancient vineyard and view the vineyard. You see an exhibition with explanations on wine production methods.
Visit the seaside where there are natural pools for swimming. On the shore there is a special bar named CELLA BAR built in the shape of a wooden wine barrel, and from its rooftop terrace you can enjoy views of the sea and natural pools.
For those staying in the city for more than a day, it is recommended to combine a visit to Gruta das Torres - lava caves over 5 km long, the longest in Portugal, which offer guided tours (must be booked in advance!).
Short video on the landscapes and attractions of Pico Island:
Map of the Azores Islands:
