Terceira – European Hawaii

Praia da Vitória and Angra do Heroísmo, the cultural treasures of the island

Praia da Vitória is a lively port town with a black sandy beach and a pleasant promenade. The town is a perfect starting point for exploring the island, with lots of places to stay, eat, and shop. A walk through the town, with its classic Portuguese architecture, is truly a sight to behold.

Angra do Heroísmo, the island’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is full of history and stunning architecture. You can’t miss the charming Duque da Terceira Park, a hike up the extinct volcano Monte Brasil, and a visit to the Monument to King Dom Afonso VI.

From the Miradouro do Pico das Cruzinhas viewpoint on Monte Brasil, you get an amazing view over the whole town and the harbour. At the top of Monte Brasil, we also stopped at a cat colony. The hillside is home to several stray cats that are cared for by volunteers. Shelters have been set up for them, and the cats are available for adoption. They’re all health-checked and either spayed or neutered.

Breathtaking viewpoints

Terceira is full of viewpoints, or miradouros as the Portuguese call them. These spots offer stunning views of the island and the ocean:

• Miradouro da Serra do Cume offers a great view of the island’s green landscapes, with fields creating a quilt-like pattern.
• Miradouro da Serra de Santa Bárbara is the highest point on the island, offering breathtaking views. Keep in mind that some parts of the road are narrow.
• Miradouro do Facho in Praia da Vitória with panoramic views of the city.

Volcanic caves and natural pools

The island’s volcanic origin has created some truly fascinating natural landmarks. The volcano is still active, with a chance of future eruptions. The biggest volcanic attractions are:

• Algar do Carvão, a spectacular volcanic cave you can visit inland.
• Furnas do Enxofre is an interesting hiking trail around a volcanic area, where you can watch sulphuric steam rising from the ground.
• Piscinas Naturais Biscoitos are the island’s most famous natural pools, surrounded by black volcanic rocks. The coastal path also leads you to military hideouts built into the rocks, known as Trincheiras Militares.

For those who enjoy nature and relaxing in greenery, we recommend Lagoa das Patas – a forest park with a small lake and ducks, perfect for a picnic and a walk.

Restaurants and local food

The food on Terceira is surprisingly diverse and affordable. The island's main industry is cattle farming, with cows grazing on pastures all over Terceira. A large part of the population is involved in farming and taking care of the cows.

Most restaurants during the week offer a prato do dia – a daily special that includes a main dish, soup, a drink, and often a coffee, all at a very reasonable price. We fell in love with Kima juice, which tastes like passion fruit.

Our favourite culinary discoveries:

• Quinta dos Açores is a factory that produces meat and dairy products, with a restaurant right next door. They’re known for their amazing burgers and vegetarian dishes. Their ice cream is a must-try and one of the best on the island!
• Queijo Vaquinha is a shop where you can try the local cheeses. We tried the tasting platter with local bread and four types of cheeses. We liked the spicy one the most.

Portugal is known for its fantastic bakeries, and Terceira is no exception. Local pastries are perfect for breakfast, so every morning we stopped at Eira – Padaria & Doçaria in Cabo da Praia. We treated ourselves to coffee, cinnamon rolls, and fresh croissants. The selection often changes.

Practical tips for visiting Terceira

Local culture and events

Alongside the strong Portuguese culture, there’s also a lot of "American spirit" on the island, thanks to the American military base there. As a result, the use of English is strong.

If you want to experience true Azorean tradition, don’t miss the local celebrations, called festas. During our visit, there was a local festa in San Carlos, with traditional dances, music, and food.

Bullfighting, which is different from the Spanish version as the bull remains unharmed and freely walks the streets, is an important part of the local culture there.

When should you travel?

September proved to be a good time to visit. The temperatures are still pleasant, around 23-25 degrees Celsius. There are far fewer tourists compared to the peak season, and prices are more affordable. The weather on the island can be quite unpredictable, no matter the season, but the rain doesn’t last long.

Transportation around the island

Renting a car is the best way to explore Terceira. There are buses, but they’re not exactly frequent. Since it's the only island in the Azores with a motorway, the roads are well-maintained. Traffic is low, and car parks are mostly free of charge. This makes it easy to explore the island at your own pace.

The best part of the trip to Terceira was the sense of authenticity you rarely find in more touristy destinations. Personally, I preferred the island to mainland Portugal. Here, you can experience the true Azorean way of life, immerse yourself in the local culture, and enjoy the natural surroundings. It’s a place where you can truly unwind and switch off, and what really stands out are the incredibly friendly locals who greet you at every turn.