Being one of the oldest countries in Europe, Portugal not only boasts a complex history but also incredible landscapes, beautiful beaches and moreover, the stunning islands. So, if you happen to find yourself in this country, here are some of the best Portugal islands to visit
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Sao Miguel Island
This island is a part of the well-known group of Azores Portuguese islands and it is the largest one of all the islands of this group. This island is known for its volcanic calderas that are scattered throughout the island, and the abundance of mineral hot springs, a perfect place to relax after a long tiring day of sightseeing around the island. This island is also famous for its whales and dolphins that are found on its surrounding beautiful beaches. You can easily spot them during tours. Portuguese islands in Mozambique are known for their amazing sights. But if you are a person who loves outdoor adventure then you can even go hiking through the trails surrounding the Sete Cidades Caldera which is among the best in the Azores.
Cape Verde
This Portuguese island in Mozambique has the most favorable weather for tourists. It rarely gets too hot or too cold, and therefore this perfect environment makes it an ideal island to relax by the shore. This island is made up of a combination of ten different volcanic islands. Overall this is one of the most culturally rich Portugal islands, where you can indulge in some water sports activities like surfing, boating, and much more. The turquoise blue water just boosts the allure of this beautiful place. This is one of the largest Portugal islands in Africa, and Santiago is located in the capital city, Praia. It is said to be the best island in this region.
Flores
Yet another island from the group of Azores Island with spectacular scenic beauty. The name of this island translates to ‘flower’. The landscape of this island has incredibly beautiful deep valleys and is full of high peaks. The beauty of the nature of this island is so treasured, by the locals and the tourists, that it has been declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2009. The beauty of this island resides in the many volcanic craters, which have been turned gradually into lakes, the green mountainsides, and the abundance of beautiful flowers on this island. Overall, The scenery throughout the island is unbelievably pretty that’s enough to mesmerize. This Portugal island even has several waterfalls, including the most underrated Poco do Bacalhau Falls close to Faja Grande. Apart from all these sightseeing, Here, you can do many fun activities like kayaking, hiking, swimming, and even whale watching.
Pico
Pico island is another Azores island that is famous for its volcanic activities after which the island takes its name. Ponta do Pico, the highest mountain in Portugal is the chief point of attraction that can be seen from any region of this island. One of the best activities to do on this island during a Portuguese island vacation is hiking along the summit of the mountain. It usually takes up to two hours to reach the summit of the pico after which you can view the most magnificent sunset which would make the hours-long hike worthy. Besides, you can also actually view the other islands from the top of the summit, including Sao Jorge Island and Faial Island. And for these are the sole reasons that hiking is one of the most popular things done by past tourists.
Madeira Island
This Portugal island is one of the most popular and sought-after islands of Portugal in the North Atlantic. This island is crowded with millions of visitors every year. It’s also blessed with the most pleasant weather of all the Portuguese islands. Madeira island has not only beaches but also lush green vast forests that you can explore for hours. And for such extravagant beauty, it is also named “Green Island” and “The Pearl Of Atlantic”. Besides all these great things about the island, you can do some other thrilling activities on this island like horse riding, kayaking, golf, paragliding, and fishing.
Porto Santo Island
This Portugal island is located north of Madeira, and possesses some of the best beaches in Portugal, covering a stretch of 4 miles of white sandy coastline. There are many water activities to do in this vast blue water which include diving and snorkeling. Apart from that, golfing and hiking are two other popular sports activities that can be played on this island. Porto Santo island is also known for its many ancient historic landmarks such as the former house of the great explorer Christopher Columbus, a 15th-century Matriz Church, the 16th-century Paços do Concelho, and a town hall. Golfing and hiking are two other popular fun activities on this island.
Ilha de Armona
Ilha de Armona is a large, uninhabited island located in the Azores archipelago. The island is known for its natural beauty and its historical significance. Armona is particularly well known for its monastery, which is considered one of the most important religious sites in Portugal. For those visiting the Algarve region and looking for a more calm and pleasant Portuguese island in Mozambique away from the tourist chaos, head over to Armona Island. With four miles of sandy, pristine beaches, Armona is a dream destination for those who want ‘seas their days’ with warm sunshine. Apart from that, Armona also offers some exemplary architecture on its streets, which only boosts the charm of this island. It’s located not far off from the coast and is completely free from cars, and people, and all in all feels like a different world altogether. You can easily reach there by ferry ride.
Ilha de Tavira
It is located a few hundred meters off the southern coast of Portugal, and the town of Tavira. And the island is named similarly after the town “Ilha de Tavira”. This is one of those Portuguese islands in the Atlantic that is perfect to visit for a day trip, among the many other places in Europe. However, you can reach this island only by boat. The weather here is very sunny, and on warmer days, the beach gets crowded with tourists. The best part of this island is the numerous restaurants and cafes serving delicious seafood and chilled mugs of beer. Apart from that, you can enjoy many water sports activities available at the beach like swimming or simply just enjoy sunbathing.
Terceira
It is one of the largest islands in the Azores group of islands. This island is not very developed but agriculture still plays a vital part in the local economy. The beauty of this island lies in the beautiful landscape and outdoor activities. Apart from that, the warmth and hospitality of the local people are remarkable. This island is even home to an island known as the Castelo de São João Batista, which holds historical value as it is where the Portuguese fought against the Spanish. Green wine is one of the most famous local cuisines which is also known as Vinho Verde in Portuguese. So, while visiting this place do try it, you’ll surely be amazed by this glass of freshness.
Santa Maria
Santa Maria is a preserved gem of nature, gifted with astounding beaches and incredible natural beauty. This island is popularly known as the Island of the Sun, because of the expanse of bright red soil best seen at sunset. Santa Maria is the perfect place to go for a holiday to revamp your center and cherish a moment of peace. Visit the Church of Nossa Senhora da Purificação, where you can spot the splendid local murals. Nearby Santa Maria lies Pico Alto, the highest point on the island, which offers the most panoramic sight. In Santa Maria ‘s largest village, vila do Porto, stands the Forte de São Brás. The cannons here are reminders of the islands’ interesting and riotous history of fighting off pirates.
Faial island
Ending the list with yet another Azore Island, Fail Island which is otherwise known as the ‘Blue island’. This gorgeous island is located in the center of the Azores group of islands and has three main attractions for tourists to see, namely, the town of Horta, the sandy white beach shores, and the magical volcanic craters. Some of the best activities that can be done on this island include exploring the Caldeira do Faial, relishing the delicious local cuisine, and watching the ships sail from a distance. And we believe you wouldn’t like to miss that!
Visiting mainland Portugal is a destination included on everyone’s bucket list. But not many people know that Portugal is home to some of the most beautiful islands on earth. Portugal has twenty-three inhabited islands scattered across the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. Each one of them has a different culture and unique spirit to it. Besides, it also has a growing wine industry and exciting cities like Lisbon and Aveiro. Here you can experience some of the best surfing in the world, taste mouth-watering local dishes, visit Christopher Columbus’ house, breathtaking sightseeing, and stunning sandy white beaches.
FAQs
What are the islands of Portugal called?
The islands of Portugal are Madeira Islands. They’re 360 miles off the seacoast of North Africa. They’re a cluster of islands but only two, Madeira and Porto Santo, are populated by humans.
What is the best island to visit in Portugal?
All the islands mentioned in the list have their unique beauty and are worth a visit, but Sao Miguel Island, Madeira Island, and Floras are some of the most popular ones.
Is English spoken in the Azores?
The native language of the Azores is Portuguese.
However, English is also a widely spoken language in many regions of the country. Most people involved with tourism can speak at least enough English to communicate with English-speaking tourists.
What is the best beach in Portugal?
Portugal is a country full of plenty of beautiful beaches but Camilo Beach, Falésia Beach, and Amado Beach are some of the top-rated beaches of Portuguese.
