Where to Stay in the Azores: Best Hotels & Areas

The Azores are one of Europe’s most beguiling archipelagos, full of lush calderas, crater lakes, dramatic coastlines and villages where life still moves at island time. But deciding where to stay – and what type of accommodation really delivers the experience you came for – can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first trip.

Last updated: February 2026

I’ve stayed in several islands across seasons, walked countless neighbourhoods and tested hotels large and small. This guide distils that experience into clear recommendations by island and travel style, with tried-and-trusted places that consistently delight visitors.

Which Azores island should you stay on? (Quick guide)

If you’re not yet sure which island suits you best, here’s a quick way to narrow it down:

• São Miguel – Best all-round choice for first-time visitors. The widest range of accommodation, landscapes, thermal pools and easy logistics.
• Santa Maria – Sunnier, quieter, more traditional and harder to get to. Good for a relaxed stay with beaches and village life.
• Terceira – Ideal if you enjoy history, walkable towns and a strong local culture. Angra do Heroísmo is a highlight.
• Faial – A good base for island-hopping by ferry, with a lively harbour scene and easy links to Pico.
• Pico – Best for wine landscapes, hiking and dramatic scenery, including Portugal’s highest mountain.
• Graciosa – Quiet, rural and low-key. Ideal for switching off and enjoying a slower, simpler island stay.
• São Jorge – Suits walkers and nature lovers who don’t mind fewer accommodation choices.
• Flores & Corvo – For experienced travellers seeking remote, wild landscapes rather than comfort or choice.

In this guide, I’ve grouped my accommodation recommendations by island cluster, based on travel style, accessibility and how most people experience the Azores on a first or second visit:

• the popular eastern islands of São Miguel and Santa Maria
• the central cluster: Graciosa, Terceira, São Jorge, Faial and Pico
• the remote western islands of Flores and Corvo

If you’d like help pulling all the pieces together – choosing the right island, accommodation and route to suit your interests – I also offer 1:1 trip consultations. They’re ideal if you want expert guidance without spending weeks researching.

Where to Stay in the Eastern Azores: São Miguel & 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 city, Ponta Delgada.

If you’re looking for activities to do on the island, take a look at my 25 Great Things To Do In São Miguel.

To keep this guide focused, I’ve listed a couple of good-value places to stay on Santa Maria below. For São Miguel, where accommodation choice is much broader, I recommend using my dedicated guides instead, in particular:

👉 Where to stay in São Miguel (full island guide)

👉Where to stay in Ponta Delgada (main city guide – best base if you want to use tours or public trasnport to explore)

For Santa Marta, try these:

Casita – Cantinho do Paraíso

A one-bedroom house set on a hillside in Santa Maria, with sweeping views over the island and the Atlantic. Well equipped for a comfortable self-catering stay, it suits travellers who value privacy, space and a quiet location. The welcoming hosts are known for being particularly helpful. A good option for couples or independent travellers who plan to explore the island by car. See photos and location.

Charming Blue

A small, modern guesthouse with sea views, set just outside Vila do Porto. Rooms are bright and simply furnished, with a shared terrace that’s ideal for relaxing at the end of the day. A good choice if you’re looking for something comfortable, well-kept and quietly located, with easy access to beaches and the island’s main town. Check availability for your dates

Central Azores: Where to stay on Terceira, Pico, São Jorge, Graciosa and Faial

Which island should you choose?

The central group of the Azores is ideal if you want to combine islands or explore somewhere a little less busy than São Miguel. Although close together, each island has its own character, so your choice of base will shape the kind of trip you have:

• Terceira – Strong on history and local life, with the Azores’ oldest city, Angra do Heroísmo offering the most characterful and walkable town in the group.
• Faial – A natural hub for island-hopping, with frequent ferries and a lively harbour scene in Horta.
• Pico – Dominated by dramatic volcanic scenery, vineyards and Portugal’s highest mountain.
• São Jorge – Long and rugged, known for its walking trails and dramatic fajãs, with fewer but well-placed accommodation options.
• Graciosa – The quietest of the group, with a rural feel, gentle landscapes and a slower pace that suits travellers looking to switch off.

Best 4-star hotels in the Central Azores

Centrally located in Angra do Heroísmo, this comfortable four-star hotel overlooks the main square and gardens, with cafés, museums and restaurants within easy walking distance. A practical, well-located choice if you want to explore Terceira without needing a car. Well suited to couples who want convenience rather than seclusion. Book your room now.

Set beside the ocean promenade and Praia da Vitória, this Terceira hotel offers sea-view rooms and an outdoor pool. It’s just minutes from the ferry terminal if you plan to island-hop, and free parking makes it a good pick if you’ve hired a car. Simple, spacious rooms and a relaxed seaside setting make this a solid mid-range choice. Check availability.

Overlooking Fanal Bay near Angra do Heroísmo, this stylish hotel features a salt-water infinity pool, lush garden and sea views from many rooms. The warm, attentive service and scenic outlook appeal to couples or travellers who want a scenic, peaceful spot near both town and coast.. Check availability.

A sustainable farm stay with a garden and outdoor pool on São Jorge. Rooms are clean and stylish, and the central location makes it easy to explore the island’s walking paths, fajãs and small villages. A relaxed choice for nature lovers and those who prefer a quieter, rural base. See availability for your dates.

3-star hotels in the central Azores islands

This comfortable hotel on São Jorge offers sea or mountain views from many rooms, with Velas town and the ferry terminal just a short walk away. Its location makes it easy to explore the island’s natural highlights, and the friendly, down-to-earth vibe suits independent travellers and hikers alike. 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.

A cosy lodge with bungalow options, garden and pool tucked into the southwest corner of Terceira. Rooms are small and welcoming, and breakfast baskets add a lovely personal touch. Best with a car so you can explore beaches and villages at your own pace. Check for availability.

A one-bedroom house on tranquil Graciosa with sea views from its terrace and a peaceful garden. The mix of stone walls and wooden touches gives it rustic, stylish charm. Ideal for couples or small groups seeking serenity and easy access to the island’s quiet villages and shoreline. Book your dates.

A relaxed guesthouse just steps from Silveira Beach in Angra do Heroísmo. The accommodation combines historic architecture with modern design and offers studios and rooms that feel more like a well-kept home than a hotel. A great choice for travellers who want character and convenience. Book your room.

Comfortable rooms within easy walking distance of Madalena harbour and its restaurants. Hosts are known for being helpful, and the cosy atmosphere makes this a good base for exploring vineyards, coastal walks and the island’s wine culture. Note that stairs to some rooms can be steep and there’s no elevator. Check availability

A peaceful countryside stay on São Jorge, ideal if you want to unwind or tackle the island’s excellent walking trails. Secluded and calm, it’s a good pick for nature lovers and anyone looking to escape crowds. See availability.

Stylish apartments on Pico, Terceira and Faial

The Shipyard – Angra (Terceira)

Well-fitted apartments with kitchenettes and bright, spacious living areas. Some units include marina views and free underground parking. A solid choice for families or longer stays where flexibility and space matter. Choose your apartment.

Large, minimalist apartments with breathtaking ocean views and an excellent on-site restaurant. Well suited to food and wine lovers who want to explore Pico’s vineyards and coastal walks without compromising on comfort.. Book your apartment now.

Bright, spacious apartments tucked beside a quiet bay, with private entrances and easy access to the beach. A comfortable base for couples or small families who enjoy serene ocean views and self-catering freedom. Check availability.

Luxury yurts and cabins surrounded by nature on Faial. Each unit comes with a kitchen and outdoor space, perfect if you want something different from a hotel stay. Wake up to ocean views and forest sounds — a memorable option for nature lovers and adventurous couples. Check availability and options

Where to stay in the Western Azores islands: Flores and Corvo

These are the most remote islands in the Azores, known for lush landscapes, waterfalls, coastal hikes and quiet village life.

Flores and Corvo are often mentioned together, but they offer very different experiences.
Flores is larger, greener and more varied, with waterfalls, lakes, coastal walks and a small but useful choice of accommodation. Corvo, by contrast, is tiny and intensely remote, with just one village and very limited places to stay.

Personally, I’d base myself on Flores and treat Corvo as a weather-dependent side trip. Boat crossings are frequently cancelled, and flights can be unreliable, so it’s best to stay flexible. If conditions are right, a day trip to Corvo can be a memorable addition; if not, Flores easily rewards a longer stay in its own right.

A welcoming guesthouse in Corvo’s only village, steps from cafés, the harbour and walking routes. The rooms are bright and clean, and the hosts are known for being exceptionally friendly and helpful. A warm, simple base if you want to experience Corvo’s tiny community and explore its rugged coastline. Check availability.

Spacious apartments with balconies and sea or garden views, ideal if you’re staying on Flores for several nights or arriving by car. Each unit has a fully equipped kitchen and free parking, making this a comfortable, flexible choice for couples or small families who want a home-base from which to explore waterfalls, lagoons and coastal trails. Check availability.

A cluster of charming stone cottages set in a peaceful spot near Fajã Grande. Each has a terrace or garden and a fully equipped kitchenette, so it works well for self-catered stays. It’s a great base for walkers and nature lovers, with easy access to Flores’ hiking routes and dramatic landscapes. You’ll need a car. Book a cottage now.

Villa Ferreirinha

A comfortable villa on the east side of Flores with space for up to four guests. It comes with a patio, mountain views, a picnic area and an open-air bath – ideal if you prefer a self-contained stay in a scenic, quiet location. Good for couples or small families who like outdoor time and flexibility.. 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.

FAQs

Is it better to stay on one island or split accommodation between islands in the Azores?
That depends on how long you have and how much moving around you want to do. For shorter trips, staying on one island, especially São Miguel, keeps things simple. If you have more than a week, combining two nearby islands (such as Faial and Pico) can work well, but frequent moves can eat into sightseeing time.

Which Azores island is best for first-time visitors?
São Miguel is usually the easiest starting point, thanks to its range of accommodation, good infrastructure and variety of landscapes. That said, Terceira is also a strong choice if you enjoy history, walkable towns and a more compact island experience.

Do I need a car wherever I stay in the Azores?
On most islands, hiring a car makes exploring much easier, particularly outside the main towns. In places like Angra do Heroísmo or Ponta Delgada, you can manage without one for part of your stay, but rural areas and natural sights are far more accessible with a car.

Is accommodation limited on the smaller Azores islands?
Yes. On islands such as São Jorge, Flores and Corvo, accommodation choice is quite limited, especially in peak season. Booking ahead is advisable, and it’s worth staying flexible if weather or transport disruptions affect your plans.

Can I visit Corvo as a day trip?
Possibly, but only if weather and transport cooperate. Boat crossings and flights are frequently cancelled, so it’s best to stay on Flores and treat Corvo as an optional, weather-dependent side trip rather than a guaranteed plan.