Worth visiting? Been thinking of vising it for a while. I would rent a place for a month and just travel around it.
>>2813313i'll let you know about sao miguel after i visit in november.
>>2813339I’m also going in November. I pray that we don’t cross paths. Nothing personal!
I've been to sao miguel and it was incredible. highly recommend it. ask questions if you'd like, but its not touristy like most places are, you're treated right, and it just feels like if you took Ireland and Hawaii and spiced it up with that coastal European flavor. Its incredible. Try the steak (there's cows everywhere) and the different pineapples.
>>2813341no offense taken. i intend to see as few other people as possible, hence the november visit rather than summer. i booked some of the most remote airbnbs i could find.
>>2813350Is it sleepy? I've heard it's sleepy and not used to tourists and things for them to do and that yes the only thing that place does is grow pineapples and milk cows.
>>2813380I stayed a week there and I was never bored. Its just honestly incredibly peaceful. Maybe its because my ancestors are literally from that island and its in my blood, but I was like 17 or so and I loved it. And like I said its not a massive tourist spot so they don't baby you and treat you like one. They know you have money, especially if youre american, but hey I look like a portagee but just fatter because america. I literally remember driving down a road with my family and turning a corner and being right into a street festival. Its just fun man, great jumping off point if you want to explore the portuguese mainland.
>>2813401>>2813380oh and I forgot to mention, go take a boat to islet of vila franca do campo. its a little island off the coast and I spent an entire day there just people watching a swimming. little 17 year old me got to see their first pair of tits from a topless european girl there. great times. also try the natural hot springs, it flows from some fuck off cave and its great. they have like a river that flows into private pools. forget the name off the top of my head but just look up azores hot spring
>>2813313Ive been there twice, around 16y ago and 10y ago. Sao miguel gained some turist traction, but still was marvelous , but the real deal were the other islands.Island hopping with hikes on each islands are amazing expirience if youre into nature. There were almost none turist, one of the island had like 1 rental car. If youre not disabled I recomend climbing pico, which have amazing view when the weather is good. There are a lot of open grill stands so you can buy some meat and bbq it yourself everyday. Locals were were chill and helpful, just dont expect them to comprehand english. There is some vulcanic activity if youre into that, you can spot/swim with dolphins if youre lucky.Frommy expirence The only place that had this serene atmosphere like flores or some smaller azores islands did were parts of southern new zeland island or madeira, but like 20y+ ago.I ve been to santa maria, sao miguel, terceira, sao jorge, pico, faial, flores and corvo, if any anon have any questionsabout them Ill try to answer.
>>2815066How easy is it to get around without renting a car? Are there buses out to the good hiking spots on São Miguel? How easy is it to day trip to the other islands (i.e., returning to Ponta Delgada same day)?
>>2815393>How easy is it to get around without renting a car?There are some buses on sao miguel but they are few, i recon you can travel by taxi. I rented cars and gave a lift to some hichhikers 2 times, cant say what it lookss like fromthe other side.Other islands are much smaller in comparison, but theres less traffic so its probably harder to get someone to give you a ride. Hikes are mostly located in rural areas so its easy to get to them, but harder to return without a car.>How easy is it to day trip to the other islands (i.e., returning to Ponta Delgada same day)?Before covid you could take ferries to central azores islands but im afraid after covid therese none that still oparates between sao miguel, you can check yourself but it looks like they operate between central and northern/eastern islands. It distance dosent look like its far on the map, but sao miguel ferry took like 6h in one way, if you want to visit for 1 day flight is a better option anyway.Also dunno how but I forgot that I was on graciosa too.
>>2813313I visited São Miguel for two weeks a couple of years back, it's amazing and I absolutely recommend it. The nature is just otherwordly, if you like hiking then this place is paradise. It's true that there aren't a whole lot to do, if you need parties every day or world class museums then it's probably not worth it. You should visit for the scenery and the relaxed vibe. Also the climate, because it's in the middle of the ocean, it's temperate year round. Lots of rain, but on a sunny day, well just look at OP's pic. It's beautiful. I only went to São Miguel, but it's high on my list to go back and hop between the other islands too.
>>2813313I've been to Azores for 10 days years ago.I think its well worth the visit, especially if youre looking for an active trip and if you love nature. There are so many beautiful sights just on the main island alone. I also climbed the Pico, its around 3 hour climb, not too demanding, i didnt have any previous experience with hiking and i climbed it without issues though i was in pretty good shape back then. I love all the old buildings, streets, all the old timey stuff far away from big city hustle. I absolutely loved their cow cheese that can be bought in any supermarket there. For sure the best cheese I ever had, you can really taste the untouched nature, clear air, healthy grass and healthy lives the cows have there. It tastes truly delicious. Bread is sublime too. Locals wont surprise you if you have any experience with locals in smaller towns around the medditeranean. Lots of old people and they mind their own business though they arent rude. Young people are honest with you and arent really scheming and slimey like city folk. They are unassuming and simple. I talked to some guy who hasnt ever in his life left the islands. Also, keep in mind that for traveling between islands there are interisland flights and they are free( or atleast were) if you show them your Lisbon- Azores flight ticket. There are even some surf beaches. Nature is pristine, untouched and almost jungle- like at the moments. Check out all the main sights online so you dont miss them. There arent that many people there or that many tourists either, which is a big plus for me. Thats why i went. I dont like Ibiza or London, give me Azores any day of the week
I'm interested due to the rally event.
>>2815066How much time do you recommend to spend if I want to visit all the islands except São Miguel (where I've already been)? Would primarily be interested in hiking and nature.
Odd question hereDo they have orthodox churches in the azores or is it basically all catholic?
>>2820382I'd say no but a friend that's been to the Azores told me he ran into a lot of ukrainian draft dodgers there.
