Mountain

The island’s largest tourist attraction – Mount Pico – shares its name with the island itself. In reality, of course, it was the mountain that gave its name to the entire island, as it is the most prominent feature in the wider area. Mount Pico stands at 2,351 metres and is therefore not only the highest point in the Azores, but also in the whole of Portugal. You can climb to the summit without mountaineering equipment, but don’t expect an…

Garden, Lookout, Hiking trail, Mill

Traditional wine-growing on the lava fields has a long and distinguished history on the island of Pico. The largest areas, with plenty of walking trails, can be found on the western tip of the island, around the town of Criação Velha. [btn "The 10 best places to stay on Pico" https://www.booking.com/region/pt/ilha-do-pico.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-pico-criacao] Walking through the vineyards and along the coast Vineyards bordered by tens…

Hiking trail, Lake, Mountain

Although, when viewed from a great distance, it appears that the island of Pico is dominated by a single, enormous mountain – Pico – in reality, the entire centre of the island is mountainous, right up to its easternmost tip. And this mountain range is not made up of just any old hills, but of mountains reaching heights of over 1,000 metres above sea level. The centre of the island is completely desolate, uninhabited and subject to very harsh…

City

The largest town on the island of Pico is called Madalena and is situated on its west coast. It is the natural administrative, shopping and tourist centre of the whole island. Madalena is a lovely town for short walks through its compact centre or along the pretty coastal footpath, for swimming in natural seawater pools, and for accommodation, should you prefer towns with all the necessary facilities. [btn "Book accommodation in Madalena"…

Cave

Furna-Abrigo is a cave on the slopes of the majestic Pico mountain. The cave is situated right next to the signposted trail leading to the summit of Portugal’s highest mountain, roughly 30–40 minutes from its starting point at Casa da Montanha. [btn "The 10 best places to stay on Pico" https://www.booking.com/region/pt/ilha-do-pico.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-pico-abrigo] The cave is therefore a welcome stopping point on the way up, but it…

Cave

The Gruta das Torres is the largest lava tunnel in Portugal, measuring more than 5 km in total. The safest part is open to the public and is about 450 metres long. This cave was formed by the flow of lava from the now inactive Pico volcano, which found its way over the surface and underground. [btn "The 10 best accommodations on Pico" https://www.booking.com/region/pt/ilha-do-pico.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-pico-gruta] Visit the cave The…

Museum, Village

The village of Lajido lies in one of the centres of the unique lava wine-growing region on the island of Pico. Visit the visitor centre, take a stroll along the lovely promenade, discover traditional Azorean architecture and, weather permitting, take a dip in the natural sea pools. [btn "The 10 best places to stay on Pico" https://www.booking.com/region/pt/ilha-do-pico.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-pico-lajido] Centro de Interpretação da…

Village, Cliff, Lookout

The small village of Cachorro, near the airport, attracts visitors with its beautiful views over jagged lava cliffs and its peaceful atmosphere, featuring typical Azorean architecture. [btn "The 10 best places to stay on Pico" https://www.booking.com/region/pt/ilha-do-pico.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-pico-cachorro] Take a stroll through the village in under 10 minutes and enjoy views of the stormy Atlantic Ocean from three beautiful vantage…

Black sand beach

The picturesque little town of Prainha on the north coast leads a peaceful existence, surrounded by pastures and lava vineyards. It is the only place on the whole island of Pico to offer a small sandy beach with relatively easy access to the water. Beach facilities Prainha Beach is more of an interesting tourist attraction than an actual place for swimming. The beach itself is only about 20 metres long and there are no proper facilities in…

Cliff, Coast, Lookout

Extensive farming on the island has cleared vast areas of forest. However, these have survived on the steep slopes of the monumental cliffs known as Terr’Alta on the north-eastern coast. The densely wooded slopes plunge into the ocean from heights of up to 350 metres, and several spots offer breathtaking views of them. [btn "The 10 best places to stay on Pico" https://www.booking.com/region/pt/ilha-do-pico.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-pico…

Mill, City

Lajes is the second-largest town on the island of Pico and a popular tourist destination, as well as one of the departure points for whale-watching cruises. The small town lies on the south coast beneath steep mountain slopes and also serves as the commercial and administrative centre of the eastern half of the island, offering a wide range of services. [btn "Book accommodation in Lajes" https://www.booking.com/city/pt/lajes-do-pico.en-gb.html…

Lake

A small lake at an altitude of over 800 metres above sea level is a popular destination on a trip through the central mountainous part of the island of Pico. Lagoa do Capitão is a haven for many species of birds and is surrounded by the endemic vegetation of Macaronesia as well as numerous pastures. [btn "The 10 best places to stay on Pico" https://www.booking.com/region/pt/ilha-do-pico.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-pico-capitao] If you’re…

Lake

The largest lake on Pico Island is called Caiado and like all the others it fills a former volcanic crater. Lagao do Caiado offers breathtaking views in good weather, as it lies just off a fault in the terrain where the central mountain range drops steeply towards the sea to the north. [btn "The 10 best accommodations on Pico" https://www.booking.com/region/pt/ilha-do-pico.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-pico-caiado] So from the lookout point…

Lighthouse, Cape

The easternmost headland of Pico Island is graced by the beautiful “Farol do Ponta da Ilha” lighthouse and a coastal walking trail that winds through lava fields resembling a lunar landscape. [btn "The 10 best places to stay on Pico" https://www.booking.com/region/pt/ilha-do-pico.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-pico-ponta-ilha] Turn off the main road towards the village of Manhenha, drive through to the end of the village and park your car at…

Lookout

Right by the main ring road on the southern side of Pico Island, between the villages of Lajes and Ribeiras, stop off at a small viewpoint in the hamlet of Arrife. [btn "The 10 best places to stay on Pico" https://www.booking.com/region/pt/ilha-do-pico.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-pico-arrife] In our opinion, this is the most beautiful view on the south coast. You’ll see the monumental massif of the central mountain range, always shrouded in…

Church

When travelling along the south coast, be sure to take the main ring road down to the tiny and picturesque village of Ribeiras. [btn "The 10 best accommodations on Pico" https://www.booking.com/region/pt/ilha-do-pico.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-pico-barbara] The village sits on a steep hillside above the ocean and the streets are lined with beautifully landscaped houses with small fields. The main landmark is the beautiful church of Santa…