Faial Holidays

Outdoor paradise
Faial holidays feature one of the most popular Azores islands, known as the “blue island” because of its summer hydrangeas. Most Faial holidays are based around Horta, the island’s principal town and port, beautifully set at the foot of the mountains. Azores holidays are hardly known for their lively nightlife but Horta is a little busier than most Azores towns and has considerable charm. Horta is an important stop for sailing holidays in the Azores. Like the neighbouring island of Pico, Faial holidays are gaining a reputation for dolphin and whale watching. The varied coastline and nature reserves ensure Faial is often the island of choice for birdwatching holidays in the Azores. Diving holidays in Faial also centre on Horta, and feature offshore reefs and spectacular caves. Faial holidays also have a deserved reputation for world-class big game fishing.

Rare Azores beaches
Holiday in Faial partly owe their popularity to better beach and swimming options than other islands, and even some sandy beaches. Popular Faial beaches include Porto Pim and Almoxarife Beach near Horta. Other atmospheric Faial beaches include Praia do Norte and Varadouro with its hot springs. Beaches and rock pools make holidays on Faial a popular choice with families. There are terrific steep cliffs on the north coast and fine bays on the south coast.

Spectacular excursions
All Faial holidays should include a trip to the caves and lava fields at Ponta Furada and the amazing Capelinhos region, scene of the island’s last volcanic eruption. Walkers on holiday on Faial will enjoy gorgeous farmland, wonderfully scenic valleys like the Vale dos Flaengoes, and spectacular volcanic mountains. Horta harbour offers an excellent choice of cruises. Holidays on Faial are sometimes part of an Azores island-hopping trip. Ferries link Faial with the islands of Pico, Sao Jorge and Terceira. No holiday on Faial is complete without a day trip to amazing Pico with its vast volcano.

Faial weather
Visitors on holiday to Faial will find themselves immersed in a lush green sub-tropical paradise. The most popular time to visit is between June and August, when the rainfall that feeds the island’s gorgeous greenery starts to become relatively less and the temperatures starts reaching warming highs of 26C. While the Azores aren't particularly known for their beaches, a beach holiday to Faial is becoming increasingly popular and the spa region of Varadouro is a haven for relaxation, where visitors can soak themselves in the naturally formed spas, bubbling away at 36C.