Terceira and Graciosa Island Hopping Holiday

Our Terceira and Graciosa Island Hopping Holiday is one of our most-popular island pairings.

A stay on the island of Terceira is the perfect choice for anyone interested in Azorean island culture. Her capital Angra de Heroismo is famous for its UNESCO-protected historic architecture and grand religious buildings – harking back to the ‘Age of Discoveries’ and a time when the island was at the centre of Portugal’s vast trading empire. Terceira was a crucial resupply point on the trade routes between Lisbon, Brazil and India, and a constant stream of traders saw the city blossom economically, culturally and architecturally. 21^st century Terceira is still one of the best-connected islands, with direct flights from Sao Miguel, Lisbon, Boston and Toronto.

A happy by-product of the influx of trade was the introduction of spices from far-flung destinations which the islanders happily adopted into their existing Azorean dishes. One of the best times to sample Terceiran cuisine is during June’s Sanjoaninas festival – a wonderful week of street food, colourful parades, live music, theatre and fireworks. It’s one of Portugal’s most-popular festivals and we recommend booking early. Whenever you choose to visit, you’ll also have a chance to explore the island’s remarkable natural landmarks with our resident guide, including the volcanic fumeroles at Furnas do Enxofre and the lava caves at Algar do Carvao.

It’s a short by plane to Terceira’s smaller neighbour Graciosa. The pretty capital Santa Cruz is quite a contrast to bustling Angra – it’s a sleepy little town with a laid-back, friendly atmosphere. Farming is has always been at the centre of Graciosan life: at the height of Graciosa’s agricultural output, the population of the island peaked at almost 14,000 – hard to believe as you wander around this peaceful rural idyll.

We’ll include a hire car to allow you to explore the island’s must-see sites at your leisure. Graciosa is home to arguably the most-spectacular volcanic cave in the Azores: the vast Furnas do Enxofre, a volcanic cavern 200m long and 50m high, with its own permanent underground lake. It’s a short drive to Termas do Carapacho, where you can take a dip in the Enxofre hot springs, or you might prefer to unwind at our favourite swimming spots – Graciosa’s coastline is dotted with secluded natural seawater pools.