The Azores archipelago's São Miguel, often known as "The Green Island," is a dazzling oasis in the middle of the Atlantic. Despite being the most populous island in the vicinity, São Miguel has a population of only approximately 150,000 people, with 50,000 of them living on the island. The scenery encountered by curious travelers is so varied and ever-changing that it never gets boring: the islet offers absolutely breathtaking activities and scenery, with its enchanting lakes, sandy beaches, and towering mountains. Therefore, it is always in the top of the most beautiful islands in Portugal.

When it comes to things to see on São Miguel, visitors are spoiled for choice: every tiny settlement on the island has something unique to offer, both in terms of culture and natural beauty. Take, for example, Ponta Delgada, which is a combination of old and new, with its narrow alleys bustling with activity. The Churches of San Giuseppe and San Sebastiano are well worth a visit. As you approach the outskirts of town from the capital, you may observe two magnificent twin lakes known as Lagoa das Sete Cidades.

The beaches of São Paulo will dazzle you with their beauty: Praia do Populo's dark, volcanic sand is black, but Ribeira Quante will take your breath away as well. Praia do Lombo Gordo and Praia de Santa Barbara are not to be missed. There is always something to do in the Azores: in addition to whale viewing, São Miguel is a terrific site for kayaking and paragliding.

Location: Azores

Cape Verde, formally the Republic of Cabo Verde, is a central Atlantic Ocean archipelago and island country made up of ten volcanic islands with a total land area of around 4,033 square kilometers (1,557 sq mi). These islands are located between 600 and 850 kilometers (320 to 460 nautical miles) west of Cap-Vert, continental Africa's westernmost point. The Azores, Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Savage Isles are all part of the Macaronesia ecoregion, as are the Cape Verde islands.

The Cape Verde archipelago was uninhabited until the 15th century, when Portuguese explorers discovered and colonized the islands, thus establishing the first European settlement in the tropics. Lacking natural resources, its developing economy is mostly service-oriented, with a growing focus on tourism and foreign investment. Its population of around 483,628 (as of the 2021 Census) is mostly of mixed African and European heritage, and predominantly Roman Catholic, reflecting the legacy of Portuguese rule. A sizeable Cape Verdean diaspora community exists across the world, especially in the United States and Portugal, considerably outnumbering the inhabitants on the islands. Cape Verde is a member state of the African Union.

The official language of Cape Verde is Portuguese. It is the language of government and instruction. Newspapers, television, and radio also use it. It rarely gets too hot or too cold, making it ideal for relaxing by the sea. Overall, this is one of Portugal's most culturally vibrant islands, where you may participate in water sports such as surfing, boating, and more.

Location: Praia

Armona Island is a Portuguese island in the Algarve. Armona is 9 kilometers (6 miles) long and 0.1 to 1 kilometers (0.1 to 0.6 miles) wide. Regular 20-minute Ferry journeys or even faster water taxis are available from Olho's waterfront. A huge number of beach cottages and five café bars dot the island. The major beach on the island's Atlantic side is beautiful and uncrowded, making it a popular daytrip destination for Olho visitors. During the summer, the port is a popular spot for locals and tourists to dive/jump into the sea. Apart from the pleasant warmth of the sun and the clear blue waters, Armona also has some outstanding architecture on its streets, which contributes to the island's allure.

The Fuseta Island (also known as Fuseta Island Beach) is located on Armona Island and is accessible by Ferry or Water Taxi. It is located in front of the Fuseta Village.

Location: Algarve

Madeira, sometimes known as the Autonomous Region of Madeira, is one of Portugal's two autonomous regions, the other being the Azores. It is an archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean, in the Macaronesia region, about 400 kilometers (250 miles) north of the Canary Islands and 520 kilometers (320 miles) west of Morocco. The archipelago of Madeira is culturally, commercially, and politically European, despite its geological location on the African Tectonic Plate. In 2021, its total population was predicted to be 251,060. Madeira's capital is Funchal, which is located on the south coast of the main island.

Madeira has a subtropical climate that is generally temperate and moderate, with Mediterranean summer droughts and winter showers. At various elevations, there are numerous microclimates.

Madeira, which was previously uninhabited, was claimed in 1419 by Portuguese sailors serving under Prince Henry the Navigator and populated after 1420. The archipelago is regarded as the first territorial discovery of the Age of Discovery's exploratory period.

Because of his attraction, this island is considered one of the most beautiful islands in Portugal. It was a popular year-round resort in 2017, with nearly six times its population of 1.4 million tourists visiting each year. The region is known for its Madeira wine, gastronomy, historical and cultural significance, flora and fauna, UNESCO World Heritage Site sceneries (Laurel forest), and needlework artisans. Funchal's main harbor has long been the leading Portuguese port for cruise liner docking, with over half a million tourists passing through in 2017, making it an important stopover for commercial and trans-Atlantic passenger cruises connecting Europe, the Caribbean, and North Africa. In addition, the International Business Center of Madeira, also known as the Madeira Free Trade Zone, was created formally in the 1980s as a tool of regional economic policy. It consists of a set of incentives, mainly tax-related, granted with the objective of attracting foreign direct investment based on international services into Madeira.

Location: Madeira

Pico, an island that is home to the eponymous volcano, which is also the highest mountain in Portugal, has the highest peak in the Azores. It is one of the most beautiful islands in Portugal, with the location surrounded by ocean, where, as everyone knows, dolphins and whales swim freely in the clear waters. Visitors should not miss a day of hiking on the Pico, which, at 2,351 meters, is within reach of everyone with good shoes, moderately strong legs, and a little persistence. This is not a difficult walk, but it is long, taking approximately 6 hours.

Those with varied preferences may want to visit the Adegas, which are volcanic vineyards and wine cellars that have been declared as UNESCO patrimony. Despite its tiny size, the area has a sequence of lovely vineyards mixed with distinctive lava-rock buildings.

Pico is also home to the "Villaggio Felice," a philosophy of life as well as a human settlement. The houses are hand-built here, and the passage of time will transport you to another world: we recommend that you come see for yourself to better comprehend what we're talking about!

However, because this is the region of the Azores that is arguably least appropriate for bathing, visitors who desire to spend part of their vacation sunbathing should consider alternative destinations such as So Miguel or Faial.

Location: Azores

It seems a little like Ireland or Switzerland, but this is Flores, one of the Portuguese Azores archipelago's islands, and you'll fall in love with it. Its lush hills rise above gorgeous lagoons and inlets, all of which run directly into the Atlantic Ocean. The Santa Cruz das Flores Arch, the islet of Maria Vaz, and the sea caves of Gruta dos Enxaréus and Gruta do Galo can all be seen while sailing along Flores' coastline. Diving lovers will fall in love with Alagoa Bay, but you'll have to travel to Garaju to see a dusky grouper.

There are seven volcanic craters in Flores that have converted into lakes over time. The scenery is breathtaking, and you may go to Lagoa Funda. An journey to Rocha dos Bordoes, basaltic columns formed by a volcanic explosion that provide a spectacular hilltop scene, is also highly recommended. History buffs will appreciate Santa Cruz das Flores, where they can visit the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceiço and take a stroll around the Praça do Marquês do Pombal.

A trip to Flores would be incomplete without a stop at the Morro Alto Nature Reserve, which offers some of the greatest views of the entire island. The region is accessible by the Pico dos Sete Pes, which also features a lovely waterfall. The two neighbouring lakes of Negra and Comprida, located in the highlands at an altitude of around 600 meters, will also thrill nature enthusiasts. The former, which is known for its depth, is connected to the latter by a cascade that runs into Lake Comprida.

Location: Azores Platform

Tavira Island is located just a few hundred meters off the coast of Tavira, Portugal. It is 11 kilometers long and ranges in breadth from 150 meters to one kilometer. The island boasts 11 kilometers of the Algarve's greatest beaches, including parts where naturism is legal. It's part of the Ria Formosa Natural Reserve. Tourists, swimmers, and bird watchers frequent the area.

Among the numerous other sites in Europe, this island is ideal for a day vacation. The weather is excellent, and on hotter days, the beach becomes more busy, requiring you to travel further to locate a peaceful location. The many restaurants and cafés selling great fresh seafood and refreshing mugs of beer, as well as the many water sports activities available at the beach, are the nicest parts of this island. Make your vacation to the Portuguese islands one to remember.

Location: Tavira

Terceira is the third Azorean island to be found, and it is also one of the largest in the archipelago and one of the most beautiful islands in Portugal. Many people are drawn here by the archipelago's beauty, which mixes amazing nightlife with immense natural beauty, not to mention the archipelago's significant cultural and historical history. Take a stroll around Angra do Herosmo, the former capital of the Azores and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, even before you put on your hiking boots. Much of the former glory days may still be seen, and you can visit the cathedral, the Igreja da Misericrdia, the Rua Direta, and the nJardim Duque da Terceira, among other places.

Natural wonders of volcanic origin can be found in Terceira's heart. The Gruta do Natal, a lava tube that has solidified throughout the millennia, is located in Algar do Carvo. On Christmas Day, it houses an altar where mass is held. The fumaroles of Furna do Enxofre and, after that, the romantically placed Lagoa da Falc lake are well worth a trip.

Location: Azores Platform

Porto Santo Island is a Portuguese island in the North Atlantic Ocean, 43 kilometers northeast of Madeira Island; it is the archipelago of Madeira's northern and easternmost islands, lying west of Europe and Africa.

Porto Santo Island has some of Portugal's best beaches, with a span of 4 miles of sandy white shoreline. Aside from the beautiful beaches, this island is recognized for its many historic landmarks, including Christopher Columbus' former home, a 15th-century Matriz Church, the 16th-century Paços do Concelho, and a town hall. On this island, golfing and hiking are two more popular ways to pass the time. The variety of entertainment options here will astound you.

Location: Madeira

Faial, dubbed the "Blue Island" by poet Raul Brando, is known as the "Pearl of the Azores" because to the quantity of hydrangeas that can be found across the island. The Cabeço Gordo, a volcano with a vast and deep caldera, is Faial's highest peak, with a surface area of around 173 square kilometers. Faial is not only a wonderful spot to relax, but it also has a number of other intriguing things. Take, for example, the Marina di Horta, with its bright murals created by sailors as good luck charms. Indeed, it is the murals that distinguish Faial, which include not only ancient inscriptions but also paintings done by passing crews. There is a local legend on this island that any boat that does not leave a reminder of its passage will be cursed. In Horta, there's also the Scrimshaw Museum, which has an interesting collection of pieces built using whale parts or inspired by these intriguing marine monsters.

The views of Faial from Monte Guia and Ponta da Espalamaca are the greatest. The Caldera, a volcanic crater at the heart of the area, is reached through a hydrangea-lined road.

Piara do Almoxarife, Playa Norte, Playa Varadouro, and Playa Porto Pim are among the must-see beaches. You can also visit the Whale Station, a historic animal processing business, from this location.

Location: Azores Platform

Funchal is the capital of Madeira, a volcanic archipelago. Immersed in the Atlantic, it is protected from the northern winds by the hills, resulting in a lovely, pleasant climate all year.

Funchal gets its name from the aromatic herb "funcho," which thrived along the island's coast in ancient times and was one of the island's most common species. However, it was not until 1424 that the island became legally populated, and it was not until the nineteenth century that Funchal, along with the rest of Madeira, became a tourist attraction.

The São Pedro region, where you can visit the Convent of Santa Clara and the castle of So Joo do Pico, is one of the inhabited areas not to be missed. The Zona Velha, the core of the town's nightlife, runs through the Santa Maria area, which goes back to the fourteenth century, and is undoubtedly one of Funchal's most popular attractions. The Santiago Fortress, located on the seafront, as well as the Corpo Santo and Boa Viagem chapels, are all worth seeing. At the Mercado dos Lavradores, foodies and wine connoisseurs may learn more about the local cuisine.

Location: Madeira

The Azores are one of Portugal's two autonomous regions, officially known as the Autonomous Region of the Azores (Regio Autónoma dos Açores) (along with Madeira). It is a volcanic archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean's Macaronesia region, around 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) west of Lisbon, about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) northwest of Morocco, and about 1,930 kilometers (1,200 miles) southeast of Newfoundland, Canada.

The Azores have a pleasant climate for such a far north location, thanks to their distance from the continents and the passing Gulf Stream. Temperatures are pleasant all year due to the effect of the sea. Depending on the season, daytime temperatures range between 16 and 25 °C (61 and 77 °F). In the major population centers, temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F) or below 3 °C (37 °F) are unheard of. It's also mostly gloomy and rainy.

The islands' beauty is unusual and ageless; the volcanoes evoke the Miocene epoch, but there is a sense of 1950s innocence in human terms. The restless volcanic activity appears to infuse you with brilliant energy, and the salty, clean air pamper you with the best free facials in the world. There's whale watching, dolphin swimming, and manta ray diving, as well as canyoning and kayaking. You can wander inside and around volcanoes, as well as drive down empty roads lined with azaleas and hydrangeas.

Location: Azones

The unspoiled natural surroundings and rich vegetation of São Jorge, a long and narrow island, are a pleasant surprise. The fajs, low coastal plains positioned immediately below the cliffs facing the sea, can be seen in this region of the Azores archipelago. This island is ideal for trekkers who want to spend a couple of days on foot exploring São Jorge. The coastal lowlands of Faj da Caldera di Santo Cristo, Faj do Belo, and Faj dos Cubres are reached from the Serra del Topo. Expert trekkers can also take the path that connects Norte Grande and Urzelina and continues via volcanic peaks to Pico da Esperança, the island's highest point.

Location: Azones