São Jorge Island, Azores, Portugal

Once again back to Portugal to continue with Nuno's Azores Islands Reviews. This time traveling to the middle of the Archipelago to the island of São Jorge (in English, Saint George Island).

You can find the São Jorge island in the central group of the Azores Archipelago's islands. With it's long shape that reminds the shell of an enormous sea monster, São Jorge is also known as the island of the "Fajãs" - enormous plain surfaces that enter through the sea (due to the fall of cliffs and correspondent land loss).


Between volcanic elevations, aligned one after the other, you will see an astonish green plateau, a paradise to those who like to walk through nature. Panoramic views over cattle fields separate with fences of wild orchid’s and heath are assured and also within the plateau's 45km the higher point of the island, with 1053m high Pico da Esperança is also considered the island geological center.


Besides the plateau views São Jorge also has to offer a Natural Forest Reservation with an inestimable botanic interest and endemic vegetation (from Pico do Areeiro to Pico das Caldeiras passing through Pico da Esperança and Pico do Carvão) and in the coastline the idyllic Fajãs and coastal settlements (see photo bellow).


Also from the coastline you may see a few of the other Azores islands like Pico, Faial and Graciosa. In sunny days you may also see Terceira, but only a shape.


All the green across the island's highlands and valleys along with the infinite combination of tones from it's sea and cliff landscapes makes of São Jorge a beautiful place. The quietness of the plateau fields where one can hear the fauna and listen the wild birds lends to the São Jorge's landscapes that old and almost primitive world atmosphere - absolutely unique.

In a few days, next in the tour, Faial island...