On nine volcanic islands adrift in the North Atlantic, a slower, more sustainable way of travelling is thriving. Discover how the Azores balance tradition, conservation, and meaningful travel.
Beyond their dramatic volcanic landscapes and rich biodiversity, the Azores – an autonomous region of Portugal – offer a unique blend of tradition and innovation rooted in connection and respect for nature. Here, island communities keep old traditions alive while finding new ways to care for their vulnerable environments.
Visitors are invited to move at the islands’ pace, exploring vibrant local markets, trekking through ancient laurel forests, or simply soaking in thermal springs.
Tourism in the Azores has continued to grow steadily, with 2024 marking a record-breaking year. In September alone, the region saw over 509,000 overnight stays – an 8.2 percent increase from the previous year. Rather than expanding unchecked, the region has responded with intention: local authorities prioritise sustainable tourism by limiting infrastructure expansion and enforcing daily caps on popular hiking trails to protect delicate habitats – ensuring the Azores retain their unique charm and ecological integrity.
Despite this growth, the Azores have kept low-impact travel at their core, welcoming visitors who are eager to tread lightly, respect the environment, and connect meaningfully with the islands’ distinct culture and natural beauty. José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Regional Government of the Azores, emphasises: ‘Our goal is not just more visitors, but better visitors – those who travel with care and help us protect what makes the Azores so special’. Travellers are encouraged to approach the islands as a living environment to be respected, not a checklist to tick off. Each island has its own personality, and together, they reflect a philosophy of travel that values observation over conquest, and quality over quantity.
SÃO MIGUEL ISLAND
Hot springs, caldera lakes, and native forests
(pictured above)
Known as “The Green Island”, São Miguel is the largest and most populous of the nine. It’s home to Lagoa das Sete Cidades, twin crater lakes nestled inside an extinct volcano. While the different shades of green and blue are commonly attributed to local legend (a tale of star-crossed lovers), their contrasting colours are in fact due to varying light reflections and depth levels.
The island is also, quite literally, a hotspot for geothermal activity. In Furnas, you’ll find steaming fumaroles, thermal pools, and warm mineral pools.
While many travellers once came to sample the traditional meat-heavy Cozido das Furnas stew, a growing number of local cafés now offer plant-based alternatives cooked in the same underground heat. You can also walk through Terra Nostra Park, where thermal water pools are surrounded by some of the oldest imported botanical collections in Europe – alongside native species, including Azorean laurel and heather.
FAIAL ISLAND
Crater landscapes and natural regeneration
Faial, often called “Ilha Azul” (Blue Island), is known for the hydrangeas that bloom during the summer months.
The island is also home to the Capelinhos Volcano, whose 1957 eruption expanded Faial’s landmass and forced thousands to emigrate. Today, visitors can walk the lunar-like terrain of volcanic ash and visit the subterranean interpretation centre beneath the old lighthouse, which survived the eruption.
One of Faial’s most underrated experiences is a walk along the Caldeira, a 400-metre-deep crater that shelters rare endemic flora species. The area is designated as both a Special Protection Area and a Special Area of Conservation under the EU’s Natura 2000 network, aimed at preserving its unique habitats and biodiversity.
PICO ISLAND
Volcanic trails and whale sanctuaries
Towering at 2,351 metres, Mount Pico is Portugal’s highest peak and the central feature of Pico Island. The hike to the summit is strenuous but rewarding, offering sweeping views of neighbouring islands on clear days. More accessible are the lava trails around the coastline and the UNESCO-listed “currais” – black basalt stone walls used to shelter vineyards from wind and sea spray.
Historically a whaling hub, Pico is now a centre for marine conservation. Responsible whale watching is a major draw here, with over 20 species sighted in these deep Atlantic waters, including blue whales and beaked whales. Tour operators like Espaço Talassa, established in 1989 by former whalers who now work as marine educators, emphasise non-invasive observation practices.
Serge Viallelle, co-founder of Espaço Talassa, highlights the importance of allowing marine mammals to approach vessels on their own terms, rather than pursuing them – a respectful approach that helps minimise stress on the animals and encourages more meaningful encounters.
The shift from exploitation to stewardship is reflected throughout the Azores’ maritime culture. In 2018, the region established The Azores Marine Park, now part of Europe’s largest marine protected area network, covering approximately 287,000 square kilometres of ocean. The park safeguards a wide range of marine habitats and species, with 30 percent of Azorean waters under strict or highly regulated protection.
Conservation & eco-tourism in the Azores
For hungry travellers, the Azores offer an abundance of local produce. São Miguel’s volcanic soil is rich in nutrients, making it ideal for growing everything from taro and sweet potato to passionfruit and pineapple. The Pineapple
Plantation at Fajã de Baixo on São Miguel Island, while a popular stop, is also a symbol of small-scale, sustainable agriculture. Grown entirely in glass greenhouses without pesticides, these tiny, slow-growing pineapples are nothing like their supermarket counterparts.
The region’s approach to conservation is also deeply rooted in community. In 2022, the Azorean Government adopted a new Regional Strategy for the Environment and Climate Change, setting a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Key initiatives include the restoration of native forests, expanded use of renewable energy, and measures to curb the impact of tourism on delicate ecosystems. On popular trails, particularly around crater lakes and volcanic sites, daily visitor numbers are monitored or capped to preserve biodiversity and prevent erosion.
Alonso Miguel, Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Change, has praised volunteer reforestation initiatives involving the local community, noting their importance in raising environmental awareness and helping restore native forests across the Azores.
Lessons from the Azores landscape
What sets the Azores apart isn’t just their beauty – it’s the sense that visitors are part of a living, working landscape. You’re encouraged to tread lightly, stick to marked trails, join a reforestation project, and listen more than you photograph. As the Azorean Regional Government puts it, ‘The path is travelled every day, in the harmonious alliance between people and nature to make the Azores a unique and sustainable territory!’
The future of sustainable travel
In an era of vanishing biodiversity and hypermobility, the Azores are a rare example of a region that has embraced balance – between tourism and conservation, progress and tradition. For travellers seeking depth rather than distraction, these islands offer something rarer than proximity – a model of how to tread lightly, listen closely, and travel with care.
Slow travel trips
The Azores invite you to explore at your own pace – island by island, breath by breath. Here’s how to make your trip truly meaningful:
- Visit multiple islands. Each has its own ecosystem, microclimate, and culture. São Jorge Island’s cliffs and cheese or Flores Island’s waterfalls and flower-lined roads offer totally different experiences.
- Choose local, low-impact tours. Look for operators certified by Sustainable Azores or those holding the Green Key eco-label.
- Engage with local initiatives. From forest walks with conservation groups to community art projects, these experiences offer meaningful ways to connect.
- Pack mindfully. Avoid plastic, bring refillable water bottles, and consider donating to local conservation initiatives such as the
- Ocean Azores Foundation. Travel slowly. The Azores aren’t for checking off lists. They’re for lingering over the scent of the ocean, the hum of bees in volcanic gardens, and the passing fog that turns everything silver.
WORDS: Madison White
