Portugal : The Azores

Azores Cycling

Trip code: C06AZ 3.7 (3 reviews)

Self-guided cycling

6 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 3
Stretching

12.0Kg CO2e

Headwater
Navigation App

Optional
e-bike hire

SUMMARY

  • Discover Terceira Island - its stunning coastline and lush green forest
  • Discover colourful buildings and picturesque plazas in the historic capital
  • Explore dramatic volcanic scenery: lava cave, natural pools and volcano pit

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

  • 6 nights accommodation
  • All breakfasts
  • Bike fitting and briefing at the start of your holiday
  • Headwater navigation app
  • Bike hire included
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • Airport transfers

TRIP DESCRIPTION

In Terceira Island, explore the stunning coastline and the luxurious green pastures. Enjoy landscapes of dramatic lava coastline and natural pools, visit a volcano pit, a UNESCO World Heritage Town, and ride along lush green sceneries. Enjoy whale and dolphin watching.

Relax in one of the numerous natural bathing sites with warm water baths in tidal pools or the ocean and enjoy captivating pastel sunsets.

In Azores, food lovers will appreciate delicious fish straight from the sea. Grilled or in soups, fish is cooked in a variety of ways. Make sure you taste tuna which, in these waters, has a pink hue and a soft flavour and texture, is slightly salty and is still caught by hook and line. The Azores have seafood that is not found anywhere else, such as limpets, barnacles and locust lobsters, a kind of tender and tasty lobster.

Admire the magnificent colourful contrasts of this volcanic island between ocean deep blue, lush green landscapes and black lava rocks.

Terrain

Much of your cycling is along narrow lanes and designated cycling routes, but there are some unavoidable busier roads nearer to the larger towns.

READ MORE

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

 

Day 1: Arrival in Terceira Island at Angra do Heroismo

Transfer from the airport to your hotel. Explore the oldest city in Azores, listed by UNESCO. The historic centre of Angra do Heroismo is a testimony to the kings and noblemen who passed by here, leaving behind some beautiful architecture in its network of streets and alleyways, and its churches, palaces, mansions, monuments, squares and gardens, which have been preserved until the present day.

You stay at MY ANGRA BOUTIQUE HOTEL.

hotel details



My Angra Boutique Hotel, Angra Do Heroismo

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
WiFi
Tea/coffee


My Angra Boutique Hostel is a family-owned building from the XIX century that was acquired in the early 20th century by one of the owner’s great-grandfather, when he returned after a period of emigration in the USA. This hotel offers an interior patio and a green area with fruit trees and plants. Located in walking distance of the city center and the bathing areas on the coast.

Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Day 2: At Angra do Heroismo (39km/24.2mi)

Start your holiday by riding inland to mountainous viewpoints that capture panoramic views across the island to the ocean. Visit the Gruta do Natal, 'Christmas Cave', a tube created by flowing lava originating in the surrounding volcanoes, centuries ago. This cave is a wonder for its extensive, straight, long passages. The walls, ground and ceiling have different colours and shapes, transforming the cave into a mystic place.

At 600m above sea level this lofty natural park has several nature reserves including the Lagoa das Patas (duck lake), a perfect picnic spot surrounded by azaleas, along with a wonderful interpretation centre that is worth visiting on the climb up. Return via a collapsed volcano, the Furnas de Enxofre, before descending back to your hotel. Today you will meet several challenging climbs but views certainly worth the effort.

Alternatively, why not book a whale-watching excursion.

elevation

You stay at MY ANGRA BOUTIQUE HOTEL.

hotel details



My Angra Boutique Hotel, Angra Do Heroismo

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
WiFi
Tea/coffee


My Angra Boutique Hostel is a family-owned building from the XIX century that was acquired in the early 20th century by one of the owner’s great-grandfather, when he returned after a period of emigration in the USA. This hotel offers an interior patio and a green area with fruit trees and plants. Located in walking distance of the city center and the bathing areas on the coast.

Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Day 3: Angra do Heroismo - Serreta (23km/14.3mi)

Ride along the beautiful coastline passing quaint villages such as Sao Mateus, a fishing village and Santa Barbara, overlooked by the mountain, that offers the best views over Terceira island. You will have 3 different route options :

Either stay on the road all the way to Serrata dropping down to the coastal fort at Chinco Ribieras and the amphitheatre at Santa Barbara using this route. The coastal plains between the two viewpoints are a patchwork of dry stone walls and small fields. Or if you are feeling a little more adventurous, ride along coastal tracks and paths for a while, they can be a little rough in places, but the wild coastline makes them worthwhile.

If you would rather minimize climbing today, as both the other routes climb back from the coast, then this third route is the one for you! Follow the main coastal road through Santa Barbara straight to your hotel.

elevation

You stay at Ti Choa.

hotel details

 equivalent

Ti Choa Home Stay, Serreta


Located in Serreta, Ti Choa Home Stay provides 5 individual houses as accommodation. Each consists of 1 bedroom, a living room, a fully equipped kitchenette with a microwave and a coffee machine.

Day 4: Serreta - Praia da Vitoria (46km/28.6mi)

Cycle along the coast via Biscoitos, famous for its natural pools. Enjoy a swim within black lava rocks. Later, enjoy the visit at the Biscoitos Wine Museum which is in a winery that produces verdelho wine, characteristic of the Azores. Explore wine process and taste a sample of local produced wines that grow from the rich porous lava rock.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Teresinha.

hotel details



Hotel Teresinha, Praia da Vitoria

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Pool
WiFi
TV
Aircon
Safe


Located in Praia da Vitória, in a very peaceful and beautiful environment, less than 0.6 miles from the beach, Hotel Teresinha features accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool and a garden.

Day 5: At Praia da Vitoria (38km/23.6mi)

Day devoted to the visit of the Volcano pit including the cave Algar do Carvao, an old volcano and lava tube located in the centre of the island. This site offers a volcanic chimney that dazzles by its immensity space. From its arched roof hang remarkable silica stalactites. Then continue to Lagoa das Patas lake a perfect picnic spot surrounded by azaleas.

On today's route, there is an optional diversion a bit more challenging with a climb up to the viewpoint at Serra do Cume. The views are certainly worth the effort!

elevation

You stay at Hotel Teresinha.

hotel details



Hotel Teresinha, Praia da Vitoria

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Pool
WiFi
TV
Aircon
Safe


Located in Praia da Vitória, in a very peaceful and beautiful environment, less than 0.6 miles from the beach, Hotel Teresinha features accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool and a garden.

Day 6: Praia da Vitoria - Angra do Heroismo (31km/19.3mi)

Follow the coast, to visit Porto Martins and Porto Judeu both offering beautiful natural pools. Along your way, observe the uninhabited Cabras Islet. Half a nautical mile from the south coast of Terceira Island, this islet is an excellent place for snorkelling. The Cave of the Sheep Islet, or the Cave of Stingrays, is located on the north slope of the islet, and it takes its name from the stingrays that can be observed swimming inside.

elevation

You stay at MY ANGRA BOUTIQUE HOTEL.

hotel details



My Angra Boutique Hotel, Angra Do Heroismo

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
WiFi
Tea/coffee


My Angra Boutique Hostel is a family-owned building from the XIX century that was acquired in the early 20th century by one of the owner’s great-grandfather, when he returned after a period of emigration in the USA. This hotel offers an interior patio and a green area with fruit trees and plants. Located in walking distance of the city center and the bathing areas on the coast.

Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Day 7: Leave Angra do Heroismo

Transfer from your hotel to the airport.

Extending your holiday

If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: My Angra Boutique Hotel, Angra Do Heroismo; Hotel Lisboa Plaza, Lisbon.

hotel details



My Angra Boutique Hotel, Angra Do Heroismo

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
WiFi
Tea/coffee


My Angra Boutique Hostel is a family-owned building from the XIX century that was acquired in the early 20th century by one of the owner’s great-grandfather, when he returned after a period of emigration in the USA. This hotel offers an interior patio and a green area with fruit trees and plants. Located in walking distance of the city center and the bathing areas on the coast.

Extra nights: Please contact us for details.



Hotel Lisboa Plaza, Lisbon

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Shops
Market
Bank
Cash machine
Mastercard
AmEx
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Minibar
Aircon
Safe


Owned by the same family since 1953, the 4 star Hotel Lisboa Plaza is an imaginatively designed hotel, just off the famous Avenida da Liberdade. All rooms have en-suite marble floored bathrooms, air conditioning, satellite television, direct dial telephones, hairdryers and mini-bar. The public rooms are elegantly furnished and there is a pleasant bar and dining room.

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These tour only prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from C$521.

These flight inclusive prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from C$521.

OPTIONAL UPGRADES
  • Alternative flights, including regional departures
  • Electric bikes
TRAVEL DETAILS

Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.

REVIEWS

We had a great time in the Azores with the Whale watching and Volcano visit being the highlight. The cycling is quite hard ( and I am a fit keen cyclist) as there are many very steep hills on route and we were glad we opted to upgrade to the electric bikes. Interesting place to visit and we found the food to be both good and excellent value for money.

Peter Baylis, 9 Sep 2023

 

My self-guided cycling experience around Terceira was amazing in many ways. The hotels were really good quality and made you feel immediately welcome and relaxed. The beauty of the island needs to be seen, its incredibly lush and subtropical with a volcanic edginess. Tiago my guide was incredibly helpful and a wonderful mine of information which made the trip even more rewarding. I would highly recommend this holiday and look forward to returning.

Ms Driver, 14 Sep 2022

 

There were some good hotels (this questionnaire gives the wrong ones) and nice moments. Tiago is great. But this is not an easy trip and there needs to be more info about the bikes. Let's have a chat. I'll write a fair review - there aren't any at the moment and there needs to be at least one..

Mr Turner, 31 Jul 2022

 


Self-guided cycling

6 nights,
hotel-to-hotel

Level: 3
Stretching

12.0Kg CO2e

Headwater
Navigation App

Optional
e-bike hire

6 nights from C$2670

CHOOSE A DEPARTURE

Call: +44 1606 720199

 

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