Day 1 – Arrival on Faial
Most travellers arrive onto Faial by ferry from nearby Pico, but you can also reach the island on a short flight from Terceira or Ponta Delgada. This laidback island is a well-known destination for sailors and its maritime history is ever present, particularly around Horta’s colourful harbour, which is well worth a stroll around. During your stay make sure you pop into Peter Café Sport, a cosy pub where visiting sailors meet for a drink. Depending on availability, you will stay overnight in Horta or near the airport, a 10-minute drive away.
Day 2 – Explore the lunar landscape
We recommend renting a car to explore the blue island, and can include car hire in your itinerary. The west of Faial expanded by three square kilometres in 1957 following a volcano eruption and now this dramatic moonscape is a popular place to hike. Drive to the Capelinhos lighthouse and follow the paths to impressive viewpoints over the crashing ocean. If you still have energy left, drive to the enormous Caldeira, where you can walk around the deep volcanic crater in two hours.
Day 3 – Continue to island hop
It’s time to visit the other islands of the Azores. It’s easy to reach the nearby islands of Pico and São Jorge by ferry. Infact, Pico is so close that on a clear day, you can see the summit of Mount Pico from the harbour at Horta.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Faial: lunar landscape and maritime history - In Style accommodation
If you’re looking for a unique experience during your stay in Faial, consider our In Style option. Our In Style option is a little more special and unique, but still full of local character! We found a cosy boutique hotel in the center of Horta with a swimmingpool. After a day in nature, hanging out by the water or having a drink on the terrace is a welcome treat. If you’re interested in upgrading to our In Style accommodation for this bite-sized trip, you can select this option below.