The Portuguese islands of the Azores, set in the mid-Atlantic, are characterised by dramatic landscapes, lake-filled calderas, fishing villages and hedgerows of blue hydrangeas. And tea and pineapple plantations.
There are also some fabulous places to stay in the archipelago, from the best Azores hotels to guesthouses, mostly with staggering views of the ocean, greenery or mountains.
I’ve split my recommendations of where to stay in the Azores into 3 sections; the popular eastern islands, the central cluster and the remote western islands (see map below).
Accommodation picks for the Eastern Azores islands of São Miguel and Santa Maria
The island of São Miguel is the largest in the Azores and a deservedly popular destination. As such, accommodation options are a plenty, which is why I’ve written dedicated guides for the island and its capital, Ponta Delgada.
Check out the gorgeous guesthouses and hotels in my guide to Where to stay in São Miguel.
If you’re looking for activities to do on the island, take a look at my 25 Great Things To Do In São Miguel.
Here are a couple more options for where to stay in the Eastern Azores:
Azorean Azure
On the island of Santa Maria is this exquisite villa. Sleeping up to 4 people, this home provides 360º vistas of the volcanic landscape, azure sea and Cypress trees. You can even open the skylight and pick plants to make tea infusions from! See availability and choose your dates.
Casita – Cantinho do Paraíso
This one-bedroom house on Santa Maria is perched on a hill with magnificent views and has all of the home comforts needed for a pleasant stay. The hosts are friendly and very helpful. See photos and location.
Central Azores: Where to stay on Terceira, Pico, São Jorge, Graciosa and Faial
Terceira is the location of the Azores’ oldest city, Angra do Heroísmo, Pico has the highest mountain in Portugal and Faial is often referred to as ‘the blue island‘, due to the many blooming blue hydrangeas seen during the summer months. São Jorge is long, thin and stunningly beautiful, with some great walking trails.
Wherever possible, I choose accommodations that follow sustainable practices, as indicated by the number of leaves (3 is the top score). No leaf simply means that I can’t verify their current efforts regarding sustainable travel but I love the property.
4-star hotels in the central Azores archipelego
With a wonderful location in the main square of Angra, on the island of Terceira, this gorgeous hotel is set in a listed historical building surrounded by lovely gardens (which you can admire while having breakfast). There’s an indoor pool and spa facilities and the beds are very comfy. Book your room now.
Atlantida Mar Hotel is another Terceira hotel with direct access to the ocean promenade and Praia da Vitória. It’s also close the the ferry terminal that connects to the other islands. Guestrooms come with panoramic mountain or sea views and there’s an outdoor pool. If you’ve hired a car there’s free parking and the city center is just a few minutes away. Check availability.
This stunning hotel overlooks Fanal Bay just outside Angra do Heroísmo and boasts a salt-water infinity pool and a large garden with palm trees. Rooms are warmly decorated and come with gorgeous sea views. Staff are extremely friendly and helpful. See photos and pick your room.
On the island of São Jorge is Quinta da Magnolia, a sustainable farm stay with an outdoor pool and garden. It’s in a quiet location and, due to its central position on the island, is ideal if you want to go exploring. Rooms are clean and stylish, with comfortable beds. See availability for your dates.
3-star hotels in the central Azores islands
Also on São Jorge Island is this comfortable hotel with views over Pico, the highest mountain in Portugal. Rooms have sea or mountain views and, with the harbour in Velas just minutes away, it’s the ideal place to catch the ferry for a little island hopping. See more pictures and room types.
Lovely guesthouses in the central island cluster
When considering where to stay in Azores don’t limit yourself to hotels; there are many lovely guesthouses and other accommodation options to consider.
Choose a bungalow and enjoy the garden or relax in the pool while you take in views of the ocean. Rooms are small and cozy and the breakfast baskets are delightful. It’s a little remote, in the southwest corner of Terceira Island, so it’s probably best to have a car to explore further afield. Check for availability.
On the island of Graciosa, choose a one-bedroom house at Portas do Ilhéu. You can watch the sea from the terrace or relax in the quiet garden. The use of wood and the stone walls give a stylish effect and balconies look out onto a lovely inner courtyard. Book your dates.
Close to Silveira Beach, My Angra Charming House in Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira Island has a range of rooms and studios all tastefully designed. This 19th century house, with a mixture of ancient and contemporary architecture, is a relaxing place to stay and the staff are both kind and helpful. Book your room.
For a range of neat, nicely furnished rooms that have a nice cozy feel to them, this accommodation can’t be beaten. Location is great for the Madalena harbour on Pico and nearby restaurants, although there’s a very good one on the ground floor. The host is super helpful. Just be aware of the stairs; they’re quite steep and there’s no elevator. See these lovely photos.
Whilst in São Jorge, enjoy a farm stay at Abrigo da Cascata. It’s a very peaceful place, quite isolated from the rest of the island and just right if you want to recharge your batteries or enjoy hiking. A very restful place to spend time. See availability.
Stylish apartments on Pico, Terceira and Faial
The Shipyard – Angra
Choose from a range of sleek apartments, including a marina view, at The Shipyard – Angra on Terceira. Each comes with a well-fitted kitchenette with a dining area and are spacious and bright. There’s good access to beaches and free underground parking. Choose your apartment.
On Pico is the gorgeous Azores Wine Company. With its breathtaking ocean views and large minimalist style apartments this is a great place to be based to explore the island. The in-house restaurant is really good, offering excellent pairings and even the breakfasts are wonderful. Book your apartment now.
With panoramic Atlantic views this range of apartments are tucked away in a quiet bay on Pico. You can choose to wander down to the beach just metres away or have a dip in the natural pool. All apartments have their own private entrance and are bright, spacious and comfy. Check availability.
Try a real escape to nature on Faial with a yurt or cabin. These luxury cabins have fully equipped kitchens and space for all your things. The location means you can wake up each morning to the sights and sounds of nature. The units have their own special areas surrounded by trees with their own dining areas and showers. See the photos of this special place.
Accommodation on the Western Azores islands: Flores and Corvo
Although these two islands are the most remote in the Azores, they do provide some lovely places to stay.
This cute and comfortable guesthouse on Corvo is set in the heart of the island’s only village and close to everything you’ll need. The rooms are clean and the host is very friendly. Read the rave reviews.
On Flores, you can stay in one of these big, modern apartments, some with a sea view. Each unit has a balcony and a fully equipped kitchen and there’s free onsite parking if you’re using a car to get around the island. See photos.
Choose a stone cottage, including a 6 bedroom one, at this lovely farm stay. Based on Flores, and surrounded by greenery, all units have a terrace an/or garden and a fully equipped kitchenette. It’s a great place to base yourself if you want to hike around the west side of the island. Book a cottage now.
Villa Ferreirinha
If you’re looking for a villa that sleeps up to 4 people, this could be for you. Located on the east side of Flores island, there’s a patio, mountain views, a picnic area and an open-air bath to enjoy. It’s a spacious villa with a pleasant garden. Check availability.
These are some of the best places to stay in Azores but if you feel you haven’t seen the best option for your stay, search Booking.com for alternatives.
