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Travel InformationHorta Cruises, Azores
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Faial’s nickname – the Blue Island – sounds straightforward enough. But when you get there it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what the blue refers to. It could nod to the sapphire of the Atlantic Ocean that surrounds the island, the hydrangeas that cover it in summer, or the water marshes that pool in the caldera. In the port of Horta, blue is just one of many colours on show. The marina here is multi-coloured thanks to the collage of paintings created by visitors who have illustrated their boat and crew names on the walls and walkways over the years.
• The black sand beaches of Praia de Almozarife are sun basking territory.
• Back in the day, whaling was big business in the Azores. The Scrimshaw Museum gives you a peek into the ancient trade, and showcases some sculptures carved into the teeth of sperm whales.
• You’ll discover Faial’s explosive side on a visit to Capelinhos. This volcano erupted in 1957 adding 1 kilometre of land to the island’s size.
SHORE EXCURSIONS View all excursions
Island Landscapes
It’s all about drinking in the views on this trip, which covers Faial’s best coasts and craters. Your first stop is at Ponta de Espalamaca. From here, you can snap postcard-worthy photos of Horta’s bay and, on a clear day, spot three of the other Azorean islands– Graciosa, Sao Jorge and Pico. You’ll then continue along the nicknamed ‘Windmill Route’ – which passes by a trio of the island’s remaining Flemish-style, red-topped windmills – to the Caldeira do Faial. This two-kilometre-wide extinct volcano crater is packed with laurel forest, and there’s a pretty lake in the centre. Afterwards, it’s onto a second volcano – Capelinhos – which lies dormant on the west coast. The last eruption – 60 years ago – left behind a dusty, moon-like surface.
Highlights of Horta
Horta’s pretty town centre is your stomping ground for today. Your guided tour kicks off with a visit to the Horta Museum, which has a collection of artefacts from Faial’s history. But, what’s on the outside is just as intriguing as the inside. The museum’s housed in an imposing black-and-white building that was once a Jesuit college. It dates back to the 18th century, and was left unfinished after the Jesuits were run out of Portugal in 1760. You’ll also call in at Horta’s iconic marina, which comes decorated with dozens of paintings left behind by past visitors. To round things off, a gin and tonic at the famous Peter’s Café Sport – a favourite watering hole for thousands of sailors on their way across the Atlantic – is on the agenda.
Faial 4x4
Buckle up for a 4x4 ride across Faial. You’ll see all the island’s highlights, kicking off with the Caldeira do Faial Natural Reserve. We’ll head up to a viewpoint to get some photos of the park’s famous crater, which is now covered in laurrisilva forest. Next, we’ll jump back in our 4x4 and make tracks for the north of the island. After taking in the views of the Fajã da Praia do Norte – a beautiful coastal spot – we’ll head to the dark landscapes surrounding the Capelinhos volcano. Its last big eruption was back in the ‘50s, when it spewed lava for over a year. We’ll follow a route along the coast, passing Varadouro Bay, before turning inland and climbing up to the viewpoint at Espalamaca. Get your camera out for snaps of Horta, Faial’s upper regions, and – if it’s a clear day – the next-door islands of Pico, São Jorge and Graciosa.