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Azores Map
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Azores Map
Azores Map
Azores Map Pico Island, named after its imposing mountain and also known as the grey island due to the mountain, is often referred as the “Ilha Montanha” (Mountain Island) and belongs to the central group of islands. Pico island is, the after S. Miguel, the second largest island in the Azores and it is 4,5 miles from Faial and 11 miles from S. Jorge.

How to reach it:

By plane it takes 60 minutes from S. Miguel and 40 minutes from Terceira.By boat the trip takes 15 minutes from Faial and 30 minutes from S. Jorge. It has a surface.

Boat connections with Faial and S.Jorge are regular.
Azores Map

Some of the places to visit:

  • For the more adventurous - Pico mountain, which is 2351m high, is the tallest mountain in Portugal. Climbing Pico mountain may be a reward for the magnificent views, that the altitude provides, of both Pico island and the other islands of the central group, although it is always advisable to be accompanied by a guide. Note:You drive up to 1.200m-from there you have to climb.
  • The coastline is indented with headlands and bays. Impressive lava arches like the “Arcos do Cachorro” (Arches of the Puppy) can be seen along the coastline, where the sea churns through tunnels. The curious rock formation has the shape of the face of a dog, the lava formations were  named after that peculiar shape.
  • Museum of the Whaling Industry - recently housed in the former Whaling Factory, it exhibits tools and equipment used in the whaling industry.
  • Santo Amaro - where the main shipbuilding yard in the Azores is can be found: traditional techniques, experienced craftsmen transform gnarled and twisted wood into attractive rowing boats, fast motor-boats, trawlers and other fishing and passenger boats.
  • Whaling Museum - This museum, which was set up recently in a former boat-house, is the only one of its kind in Portugal. It contains a collection of over a hundred scrimshaw pieces, carved in the tooth or bone of the whale.
  • The area of Criação Velha -  small sheltered vineyards protected by the blacklava stone, where the aperitif Verdelho is made.

Some of the Festivities:

  • Espírito Santo Festivities (seven weeks after Eastern - from Friday to Tuesday in several villages of the island-but the Tuesday in Madalena is one of the most significants)
  • Cais de Agosto (music Festival) in S.Roque: Last weekend of July or the first of August.
  • Festa do Sr Bom Jesus Milagroso (religious) in São Mateus: first week of August.
  • Semana dos Baleeiros in Lajes (religious and music festival): last week of August.
Azores Map
Azores Map
Azores Map