Sao Jorge Island Holidays

Stunning Azores walking holidays
With its amazing green landscapes and vast open views, Sao Jorge offers some of the finest walking in the Azores. The peculiar and wonderfully scenic nature of the island make holidays in Sao Jorge especially popular with walkers. Sao Jorge has a long chain of beautifully green volcanic peaks rising from a fertile plateau, affording superb views of the islands of Pico, Graciosa and Faial. Walking holidays on Sao Jorge focus on coastal plains or “fajas”, formed by flowing lava: idyllic farmland and cattle pastures running to the island’s edge. Sao Jorge walking holidays offer tremendous variety: volcanic peaks, fruit orchards, vineyards and plantations of coffee, bananas and tropical fruits. Early summer holidays on Sao Jorge will enjoy the best of the island’s wonderful wild flowers. Sao Jorge holidays also offer superb forests and waterfalls, vast cliffs and a few idyllic spots for swimming. Birdwatchers on holiday in Sao Jorge should head for the Topo Island Natural Reserve. Sao Jorge holidays also offer superb big game fishing.

Delightfully low-key tourism
Most Sao Jorge holidays are based around the two principal towns of Velas and Calheta. There is a nice collection of restaurants in Velas, a picturesque harbour town on the south coast. Summer holidays on Sao Jorge will most likely coincide with one of the island’s charming religious or music festivals. All Sao Jorge holidays should include a tour of tiny idiosyncratic coastal hamlets and villages like Manadas, Urzelina and Ribeira Seca. Popular Sao Jorge holiday excursions include the cave and underground lake at Faja do Caldeira do Santo Cristo.

Azores island-hopping
To fully appreciate the island your Sao Jorge holiday must include a trip out to sea. Holidays on Sao Jorge can take in enjoyable ferry trips to the Azores islands of Faial, Terceira and Pico. All Sao Jorge holidays should include neighbouring Pico, which offers excellent dolphin and whale watching trips and reputable scuba diving.

Sao Jorge weather
Sao Jorge, like its neighbours Pico and Faial, enjoys a hot sub-tropical climate all year round. Although its summer-time temperatures don't reach the heights of, say, Mediterranean destinations, its climate remains warm and its scenery lush even during winter. The influence of the Gulf Stream keeps water temperatures high, at between 17C and 23C throughout the year, and atmospheric temperatures never drop below 13C even during the winter. For most of the year walkers and hikers will find that the island has a great deal to offer with great weather conditions, ideal for a walking holiday.