According to Science Dictionary, the Azores is a place where you can find solitude and peace, but not only soak up the beach, but enjoy the magnificent nature. Each of the 9 islands is unique. The eastern group – Santa Maria and San Miguel – are great places for hiking and diving. Terceira is the largest of the islands of the central group, whose capital, Angra do Heroismo, has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Pico is the highest point in all of Portugal, for the sake of climbing which climbers from all over the world come to the island. Another attraction of Pico is the whales, which can be observed in close proximity by going out into the ocean in a small boat. Few get to the western group of islands (Flores and Corvo). The weather is constantly changing, so even renting a car is not allowed on Corva.
The Azores are almost a year-round resort, but the best time to relax on the beach is from June to September. At this time, water and air warm up to almost the same temperatures – up to +23 – 24. In July and August it is sometimes hot, up to +30. If you want to take a walk and enjoy the nature of the islands, then the most suitable time is spring. The air temperature at this time of the year is +15 – 17 degrees. There are rains, but they only last a few hours. You can admire the whales, the main natural attraction of the archipelago, in June and May, during their migration to the summer feeding areas. Swimming with dolphins is organized from June to October. Many ornithologists and bird watchers come to the Azores. The best time to travel for this purpose is from August to December.
The inhabitants of the Azores speak Portuguese, but their dialect is very different from the dialects in other parts of Portugal. Service personnel and employees of public institutions speak English or French.
Geography in Azores, Portugal
The Azores are located in the Atlantic Ocean and are 1500 km away from the mainland of Portugal. They are the westernmost point of Europe. The archipelago consists of 9 islands scattered over an area of more than 600 km 2. The largest island is San Miguel, the smallest is Corvo. The islands are divided into three groups: eastern (San Miguel, Santa Maria and islets under the general name “ants” – Formigash), central (Fayal, Pico, Sao Jorge, Terceira and Graciosa) and northwestern, which includes Flores and Corvo. The Azores archipelago is of volcanic origin, so the relief on all the islands is mountainous. Earthquakes are not uncommon here. The highest point is Mount Pico (2351 m), located on the island of the same name. The craters of many volcanoes filled with water, forming numerous lakes.
Climate in Azores, Portugal
The Azores belong to the subtropical climate zone. Throughout the year, they are the area of formation of the Azores anticyclone. The influence of the warm Gulf Stream and the anticyclone provide the Azores with a relative temperature equilibrium. During the winter months, during the day the temperature fluctuates around +16 o, at night – around +13 o. In summer, the heat is never suffocating. The warmest month is August with an average daytime temperature of +23 o and +18 o at night. Maximum temperatures reach +30 o. From September to April it often rains, after which the sun peeps out again, there are fogs. The maximum monthly rainfall is 110 mm. Annual rainfall increases westward from 700 mm on San Miguel to 1600 mm on Flores. Dry and partly cloudy weather prevails from June to September. The water temperature during the year ranges from +17 to +23 o.
An interesting feature is the climate on the island of Santa Maria. On one part (where the airport and the city of Vila do Porto are located), the sun always shines, and it rains very rarely. In the other part of the island, the climate is more humid and it rains more often. In Floris and Corvo, the westernmost islands, the weather is very changeable, even within the same day.
Best time to visit:
The Azores are almost a year-round resort, but the best time to relax on the beach is from June to September. At this time, water and air warm up to almost the same temperatures – up to +23 – 24. In July and August it is sometimes hot, up to +30. If you want to take a walk and enjoy the nature of the islands, then the most suitable time is spring. The air temperature at this time of the year is +15 – 17 degrees. There are rains, but they only last a few hours. You can admire the whales, the main natural attraction of the archipelago, in June and May, during their migration to the summer feeding areas. Swimming with dolphins is organized from June to October. Many ornithologists and bird watchers come to the Azores. The best time to travel for this purpose is from August to December.
