Visiting Portugal’s Islands
The islands that make up Madeira and the Azores are the jewels in Portugal’s crown. While Madeira has long been a favorite for Europeans seeking an offbeat nature destination, the volcanic Azores are one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. Plan your visit to the islands with this area overview and recommended activities.
Explore Madeira
Off the coast of western Africa, 600 miles (970 kilometers) southwest of mainland Portugal, Madeira is comprised of Madeira Island, smaller Porto Santo, and two clusters of uninhabited islands: the Desertas and the Savage Islands Natural Reserve.
Semiautonomous since 1976, this colorful archipelago is driven by tourism today, with most visitors staying on Madeira Island. The island is also a popular stop for Mediterranean and transatlantic cruises. A daily ferry between Madeira Island and neighboring Porto Santo Island has seen the number of visitors to tiny Porto Santo grow in recent years.
The climate in Madeira is warm and dry most of the year, making it an excellent winter escape for Northern Europeans. Just a short hop from the mainland, it’s a short-break destination any time of year.
Top Experiences in the Madeira Islands:
Hiking Pico Ruivo: Feel on top of the world as you stand on Madeira’s highest peak, with the island—or clouds, depending on the weather—spread out at your feet.
Madeira Wine: Sample the robust fortified wine produced exclusively on the Madeira Islands with a history dating back to the Age of Discoveries at the end of the 15th century.
Whale-Watching from Funchal: Gaze in awe as these majestic creatures surface from the deep to greet visitors.
Wicker Toboggan Sled Rides: Hold your breath as you whiz down Funchal’s steep mountainsides on Madeira’s novel answer to Venice’s gondolas.
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Visit the Azores Islands
Scattered like emeralds in the middle of the Atlantic, the nine lush islands of the Azores—some modern and developed, others still largely unspoiled and rural—are breathtaking and full of natural mystique. In recent years tourism has taken off on the main island, São Miguel, and low-cost and charter flights from all over Europe now visit this Edenic oasis. But the islands are still far from being a mainstream destination, and traveling to a relatively uncharted place of idyllic beauty and friendliness makes the Azores alluring.
The weather in the Azores is famously changeable, swinging from sunny and warm to cool with low-hanging clouds in the blink of an eye. Small tremors happen regularly on this volcanic archipelago, although few of the islands have had eruptions since human habitation, and the mini rumbles rarely cause damage. This volcanism, which fuels bubbling fumaroles, hissing hot-water geysers, and soothing springs, is a major draw for visitors.
Top Experiences in the Azores:
Sete Cidades Lake: Hike, kayak, or paddleboard around this stunning Azorean landmark.
Terra Nostra Park: Stroll through a paradisiacal Eden packed with beautiful flora before dipping into a relaxing hot-spring pool.
Poça da Dona Beija Hot Springs: Soothe aching limbs in the steaming, sparkling waters of the Azores’ most famous natural hot springs.
Mount Pico: Climbing the highest mountain in Portugal is an adventure lover’s dream.
How to Get to Portugal’s Islands
Traveling to either archipelago is quick and easy from mainland Portugal, with daily flights from Lisbon and Porto. There are a few direct flights between Madeira and the Azores. If your primary destination is mainland Portugal, a long weekend provides time to sample either archipelago.
Start planning your adventure today
Experience the breathtaking and unspoiled islands that await just a short hop from mainland Portugal with Moon Azores. Inside you’ll find:
- Strategic, flexible itineraries for exploring individual islands or combining them into a longer trip, with coverage of Porto and Lisbon
- The top outdoor adventures: Cave-dive into the depths of an extinct volcano, soak in a steaming hot spring, and catch some sun on Santa Maria’s golden sand beaches. Dive or snorkel in crystalline waters filled with shipwrecks and colorful marine life. Spot dolphins, humpback whales, and more on an island cruise and go bird-watching on a lush São Jorge fajã. Hike to stunning viewpoints above Sete Cidades Lake or summit the epic, snow-capped Mount Pico
- Must-see highlights and unique experiences: Stroll through sprawling gardens and secret grottoes in Terra Nostra Park or sip Gorreana tea at Europe’s only tea plantation. People watch over a cup of coffee in the UNESCO historical center of Angra do Heroísmo or admire the famous mariner murals in Horta Marina. Savor fresh seafood and local charcuterie in a seaside village, browse traditional cheeses at a morning market, and sample basalt wines
- Expert advice from long-time Portugal resident Carrie-Marie Bratley
- Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
- Background information on the landscape, history, and cultural customs of the islands
- Handy tools such as visa information, a Portuguese phrasebook, and tips for LGBTQ+ travelers, seniors, families, and more
With Moon’s practical tips and local know-how, you can experience the best of the Azores.
Heading to the mainland? Check out Moon Portugal.
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can’t wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
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