Faial - the Blue island of Azores

As promised let's once again join Nuno and fly across the Atlantic all the way to the island of Fail in Azores. The Archipelago is beautiful and who knows if the promotional campaign "visit Azores flights included" is reinstated...

Throughout last year's entire Winter slow season (from mid October 2010 to March 2011) cheap holidays were almost guaranteed since the flights from Portugal to the islands (for example to the airports of Horta or Ponta Delgada) were free for stays over five days :)

Faial is one of islands in the Azores central group. In English it can be pronounced "Fayal" and it’s known as the Blue Island due to the many hydrangeas fences that can be found on it's countryside. No doubt it’s one of the most charming islands of the nine.


Being the fifth largest island of the archipelago Faial is surrounded by Pico, São Jorge, Graciosa and Terceira. The most visited place in Faial is a volcanic crater known by Caldeira with 2km wide and 400 meters depth (photo above). There are hillsides intercepted by secondary volcanic formations and the highest place of the island is called Cabeço Gordo, a volcano that's has been sleeping since 1672.


The biggest Faial attraction is it's capital, Horta, with it's old docks and a vast architectonic patrimony. From this dock, year after year, many boats start an adventure in a fishing competition where records are broken every time. As you may guess the sea across Faial island is rich in big fishes like blue and white marlins and tuna.

Horta is probably the most animated and cosmopolitan city in all Azores. Across it's white streets, gardens and squares there are many places to see and many flavors to taste. It’s a city who smiles at the tourists. From all over the world there are yacht and crew who stop to stay for a day or two and then for a few more.


Faial Island invites you to walk through bucolic landscapes like the Caldeira crater hidden by mossy fields or, during summer, to enjoy sunny weather in the beaches of Porto Pim or Almoxarife.