- Portugal Sub Region Menu
- Portugal
- Algarve
- Algarve West
- Lisbon Estoril Coast
- North Portugal
- Madeira & Azores
Accommodation in Azores
Photos of Faial Island
Madeira & Azores Tourism Guide - Faial Island
Little Faial just to the west of Pico (4 miles) is much flatter than its neighbour and is often called the Blue Island. The poet Raul Brandao named it Ilha Azul due to the huge number of hydrangeas which bloom here on Faial in the summer months. Horta has its own little airport, and the usual route to get here from the UK is via a flight to Lisbon Airport, then a connector from Lisbon to Horta. (contact Iknow Holidays booking line direct for advice and flight bookings). Horta Airport sits just 9.5km outside Horta centre.
Most of the bustle on Faial centres around Horta, the main town. Horta's marina is a busy place, usually crammed with luxury yachts stopping off here. Horta offers a stunning choice of historic architecture and an Arte Sacra Museum. Some of the best views of Pico's huge mountain volcano can be seen from Faial.
Faial Azores Island Guide & Horta
Faial is a good Azores base for walking holidays. Covering an area of around 172km squared, at 22km across and 15 km wide at the widest point, this Azores island has some peaks the highest of which is Cabeco Gordo at 1043 metres. There's an inner crater core at this peak too which is filled with a lake.
Horta, Faial's main town, sits to the south east and regular ferries run across the water from Madalena on Pico to Horta on Faial.
Horta, Faial's capital, make a superb base from which to explore Faial itself, and also neighbouring Azores islands Pico and Sao Jorge. The views of Pico and its volcano from Horta are stunning indeed. Peter's Cafe on the marina front is a particularly popular resting place! Down at Horta's Marina you can easily access a choice of whale watching boat trips, fishing trips, swimming with dolphins trips, diving, sailing and coastline cruising.
Horta benefits from a choice of restaurants and bars, numerous excursions including jeep tours, boat trips from Horta Marina and guided walks inland. Flights in are from Terceira Island, or via ferry from Pico to Horta, or from Terceira and Sao Jorge. Faial has an excellent bus service, so you can explore this little island without a car.
Madeira & Azores Map Search
Top