The Azores in the Winter

Visiting the Azores in the Winter

For better or worse, the Azores are starting to become a trendy vacation destination among American tourists. It’s still nothing compared to the likes of Iceland, but this hidden gem in the North Atlantic is not as hidden as it once was. While it’s not terribly crowded or expensive even in the peak season, the Azores are a perfect offseason destination. It’s never really cold even in the winter, flights are cheaper, and most of the popular summer activities are still an option in the winter.

Getting There

The Azores are a Portuguese archipelago composed of nine volcanic islands located about 850 miles off the coast of Portugal. Given the relative proximity to the east coast of the US, a direct flight from Boston/New York only takes about 4.5 hours. All international flights go in/out of Ponta Delgada, the largest city in the Azores located on Sao Miguel Island. Assuming you’re leaving from the US, your options for direct flights to Ponta Delgada are very limited throughout the year, but even more so in the winter. The only US city that offers flights directly to Ponta Delgada in the offseason is Boston and there is only one flight offered daily (it’s a red eye). There are also flights from Lisbon, Portugal to Ponta Delgada year-round. Round-trip flights from Boston to Ponta Delgada are often over $1,000 in peak season, but can be as low as $500 in the winter, so you can save a nice chunk of change on flights alone by visiting in January as opposed to July.

Full guide to flying to the Azores from the US

Weather

The reason the Azores are an ideal offseason destination is because there aren’t significant seasonal temperature fluctuations. The average high in August is 77 degrees Fahrenheit and the average high in January-March is 62. Due to the subtropical climate, it’s never terribly hot or cold, so the difference between visiting in summer versus winter isn’t huge. There are, of course, some activities that are only available in the summer, but for the most part you aren’t sacrificing much by going in the offseason. One thing to keep in mind is that winter is a rainier season than the rest of the year, so it’s wise to be prepared for some rain and cloudy conditions. We were on Sao Miguel Island for four days and it had clear blue skies for two of the four days. That’s obviously a small sample size, but apparently a mix of sunny and overcast days is fairly typical this time of year. The weather is certainly “better” in the summer, but that’s why it’s more popular, more crowded, and more expensive. If you’re expectant to lounge in the sun on white sand beaches then you’ll be disappointed, but otherwise the Azores are a great place to visit in the winter.

Top Things to do in the Winter

We visited Sao Miguel Island in February and never felt as though we were limited in terms of available activities. The weather was cool but comfortable, and while we didn’t spend much time laying on the beach (the Azores aren’t really a beach destination anyway), the weather was perfect for hiking and visiting the hot springs.

Take a dip in one of the many hot springs
Visit Terra Nostra Garden
Go on a fishing trip.
Go for a hike (Salto do Prego, Lago do Fogo, Mt. Pico, etc.)
Stroll the narrow streets of Ponta Delgada
Go kayaking in one of the many volcanic lakes.
Eat a cozido (traditional stew cooked in the ground using geothermal heat) in Furnas
Go on a whale watch
Pull over at some of the incredible scenic overlooks.
Visit the tea plantation at Cha Gorreana.
Go to a vineyard (the best ones are on Pico Island)

Things You Can’t do in the Winter

There are a few activities that are specific to the warmer months, but not many. Swimming with dolphins is a popular summer activity that is not offered in the winter. While there are plenty fishing trips available in the winter, sport fishing for big game fish like marlin is not an option in the winter….That’s really about it.