30 Jul Azores: Volcanos and Sailors on Faial Island
We chose to visit Faial Island as part of our Azores island hop for two reasons.
First, the city of Horta was a good base to be able to see both Faial Island and take a day trip to Pico Island.
Second, we couldn’t resist the urge to see the famous marina of the Atlantic and the thousands of murals left by all the sailors that have passed through over the decades.
Since I was quite sick the days leading up to the trip, we didn’t really get into detailed plans or want to over commit ourselves without knowing how I’d feel. So I would characterize our Faial trip as fairly laid back.
We arrived by plane on a Tuesday morning in mid-July and checked out the car rental options at the airport kiosks. Our spontaneous approach was apparently not that wise, as it turns out. After waiting for all the clients with reservations to get their cars, we were given the sole option of renting a car for a strict 4 hours. Happy that was even a possibility, we accepted and took off to see what we could of the island before basing ourselves in Horta.
Faial Island Photo Essay
Approaching the Faial airport.
Passing the small towns of Faial as we drove along EN 1-1A
Ponta dos Capelinhos – an old lighthouse and the site of the eruption of a submerged volcano.
Daniel sporting 3D glasses for the film about the volcanic eruption of 1957 at the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Center.
In 1957 and the few years that followed, a submerged volcano erupted off the coast of Faial Island, forming this new land.
First time driving a 2-seater Smart car! Stopped at a miradouro along EN 1-1A.
The view from Miradouro da Ribeira Funda-Cedros along EN 1-1A.
Loving the array of colorful flowers along EN 1-1A.
A glimpse of the Horta marina and town blanketed by storm clouds.
View of Horta, Faial from the ferry heading to Pico Island for the day.
Following in the footsteps of Anthony Bourdain, we enjoyed a meal (and a few cocktails) at Peter Café Sport.
The delicious melted cheese and olives at Peter Café Sport.
A Frenchman leaving his crew’s mark on the Horta marina – a tradition among sailors that pass through this Atlantic hub.
Sitting here, hoping I get the chance to sail through Horta some day and paint my own tile. Also wishing mermaids were real.
In Summary
If you are visiting the Central Group of the Azores islands, we would absolutely recommend a stop in Faial. Top highlights on the island are the marina and the watersports activities in Horta, the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Center, and hiking the rim of the caldera in the center of the island. We did not get to do the hike on this trip, but we will absolutely do so on our next trip!
Additional points of interest to consider for your trip to Faial Island are visiting Miradouro Nossa Senhora da Conceição and Miradouro da Ribeira das Cabras, driving through Flamengos Vale for a tremendous view of mount Pico on the adjacent island and walking up to Monte da Guia.
Interested in more? Read our Azores Island Hopping post or click on the text next to the images below for a more in-depth look at two additional Azores islands:
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Have you been to Faial Island? If so, what was your favorite part of your visit?
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