Terceira is nestled within the Azores, a Portuguese autonomous archipelago some 870 miles west of Europe. Steeped in culture and history, there’s much to explore on Terceira, including the fresh seafood and fine wine. Terceira’s cultural center is the southern port of Angra do Heroísmo, a UNESCO World Heritage city awash with colonial architecture and rich maritime history.
While the island can be explored on one’s own, a private guide may help you get the most from your trip. An experienced travel advisor can help you navigate the local terrain and the island’s several important festivals.
Terceira may feel luxuriously remote, but it’s more accessible than you might think. It’s just a five-hour direct flight from New York or Boston with SATA Azores Airlines.
Get the most out of your visit to Terceira Island with this sample seven-day itinerary, filled with opportunities to explore its rich history, culture, cuisine and stunning landscapes.
Day 1
After an overnight flight, land at the Aerogare Civil das Lajes airport and travel a short distance with your private guide to Angra do Heroísmo. There, take advantage of an early check-in at a boutique hotel in the city center to freshen up.
Enjoy a quick cafe meal, then walk to enjoy a guided tour of Sé Cathedral, the biggest temple on the archipelago, and the Palácio dos Capitães-Generais museum, both built in the 16th century. Stop at some charming shops along the way. Afterward, enjoy a traditional dinner of Alcatra, a slow-cooked beef stew, at a local restaurant.
Day 2
Terceira, like the other Azores Islands, was born from volcanic activity. Throughout the island, you can find many reminders of its turbulent geological history.
A private guide can take you a short drive inland to explore Algar do Carvão, a volcanic cave with a dramatic lava tube and underground lake. Next, take a walk in the Furnas do Enxofre, a national monument and nature preserve which features steaming geothermal vents and beautiful wetlands.
Have lunch at one of the many quintas, or farm-to-table countryside restaurants, before arriving in the vineyards on the northern part of the island to sample local wine. Return to Angra do Heroísmo for a seafood dinner.
Day 3
Terceira sits along important migratory routes for many species of whales and dolphins. In the morning, when the seas are calmer, hop aboard a whale watching cruise leaving from Angra do Heroísmo. See how many magnificent creatures you can spot and learn about the island’s ocean ecosystem from a local biologist.
Deep sea trenches just offshore also shelter many other types of fish and ocean life, providing spectacular underwater views for snorkelers and divers.
Back onshore, enjoy a seaside lunch, and then travel to Serra do Cume, an observation point which offers sweeping panoramic views of the island. The evening is free to explore and enjoy local cuisine.
Day 4
The island’s volcanic soil makes for lush pastureland, and Terceira Island enjoys a rich farming tradition.
Take a guided tour to one of the island’s many dairy farms and learn of Azorean cheesemaking. Then enjoy wine and cheese at a local countryside restaurant. You can also take part in a breadmaking workshop to learn how to make Massa Sovada, a traditional Azorean sweet bread.
For dinner, sample Alcatra de Peixe, Terceira’s traditional fish stew, back in Angra do Heroísmo.
Day 5
Seafaring nations prized the Azores, and the Spanish and the Portuguese empires fought for control of the archipelago. Terceira contains several strategically important sea-facing lookouts where visitors can learn about the island’s history.
Monte Brasil, one such lookout, is a volcanic peninsula bordering Angra do Heroísmo. While there, you can take a guided tour to the Fortress of São João Baptista to discover sweeping views of both the ocean and the island.
Next, enjoy refreshments at a tea house in the city while learning about the history of tea plantations on nearby islands. A guide can lead you through the colorful Imperios chapels and discuss their importance to local religious traditions.
Day 6
Return to the island’s northern coast to splash in the Biscoitos natural pools, which are small swimming holes naturally carved out of volcanic rock. Swim in shelter here while looking out at the Atlantic Ocean.
Afterward, enjoy a seafood lunch and, perhaps, more of Terceira’s local wine. Then, travel back to Angra do Heroísmo for a farewell dinner as you prepare for your trip home.
Day 7
Take one last stroll through the city center before traveling to the airport for your departure.
Do you think you’d enjoy a trip like this? Start planning your vacation to the Azores and Terceira Island today.
Featured image: Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island. ©José Mendes ©Visit Azores
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