• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jaime Says

wine.quiet travel.lifestyle.

  • About
  • What is Quiet Travel?
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • Amsterdam
      • France
      • Portugal
        • The Azores
      • Spain
    • United States
      • Alabama
      • Arizona
      • Canada
      • Idaho
      • Illinois
        • Chicago
        • DuPage County
      • Indiana
      • Michigan
      • Mexico
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Orleans
      • Wisconsin
    • Quiet Travel
  • Life and Links
  • Wine
  • Work With Me
    • Previous Brand Partnerships

Portugal, Quiet Travel, The Azores

17 May 2017

Are the Azores Safe to Visit? 9 Reasons Why You Should Visit the Azores

Last Updated on July 4, 2021 by JaimeSays

Name the group of nine European islands merely four-and-a-half hours from Boston Logan Airport. Stumped? You are not alone.  Most of America has never heard of the Azores, couldn’t locate them on a map, and wouldn’t know what part of Europe claims them as countrymen. Where are the Azores anyway? For the few who do know of the Atlantic eden 900 miles west of Portugal, this zion is a cherished gift and a dichotomous burden.  On one hand, the beauty and virginal nature of the islands are a discovery that one wants to shout from the rooftops.  On the other, these quiet and pristine islands seem to be one of the safe places to visit in Europe, and unsullied by tourists. Both are a difficult feat in this age of technology and accessibility. Regardless, the Azores are a safe place to visit in Europe.
9 Reasons to Visit the Azores
Pin Me! 9 Reasons to Visit the Azores

With a landscape similar to Hawaii, it is hard to imagine that the Azores will remain an unknown paradise, especially for travelers from the East coast.  Take advantage of this gem while it is still under the radar.  Having doubts? Here are nine reasons why a trip to the Azores is a great option for any traveler, and why you should book your trip today.

1. Ease of Travel

a safe place to visit in Europe the Azores
Flying above the Azores
As of March 2016, a route available through Azores Airlines makes a trip to the islands of São Miguel and Terceira easier than ever.  At just under four-and-a-half hours, direct flights depart four days a week. A trip to this island Shangri-La is a great idea for an extended weekend from New England, and even Midwesterners with a connection through Boston (Logan) can save one to two hours of travel time versus flying to one of the islands of Hawaii.  With a spacious Airbus 330, these direct flights depart every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday night. Prefer to stop over after a trip to mainland Portugal? Flights to Lisbon depart daily and routes from Lisbon to São Miguel are also more frequent.

5 Stars Azores from $899

2. Affordability

Islands are expensive. They are expensive to get to, expensive to live on, and generally expensive to visit. Without any direct access to a continent, even the most basic supplies are imported and are priced accordingly.  Despite their remote location and a currency of the historically strong Euro, the Azores are gleefully affordable.  Four star hotel rooms run around 110€/night and a three course meal with two alcoholic beverages and after dinner coffee totals up to a whopping 70€-80€ for two people. Two liter bottles of water run about 0.70€ and the average hamburger and fries costs 4€. Looking for something stronger?  A bottle of wine is difficult to find over 12€.


3. Very Few Crowds

a safe place to visit in Europe the Azores
Visit one of the hot spring pools. They are so plentiful, no one is particularly crowded.
You may ask yourself, what continent is the Azores in? Technically, it’s on the European continental plate, but it is not attached to Europe. Perhaps it is because of the limited availability of flights. but the presence of crowds and tourists on the most populous island of São Miguel is minimal.   Across the nine islands, the Azores boasts a permanent population of just shy of 225,000 people, with 137,000 living on São Miguel.  With limited people and visitors, Azores safety is very good.  Even the most frequented sites such as the Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo, and Porto Formoso Tea Plantations might see a thousand people a day, and only when the cruise ships come to port. Standing in a line at an attraction is infrequent and if it occurs, will move quickly.  Anyone who has been to Honolulu during high season knows that this level of quiet and unhurried meandering is hard to find and remarkably welcome.

Azores Getaways

4. Beaches, Mountains, Volcanoes

a safe place to visit in Europe the Azores
Swim in the ocean and in the volcanic hot springs around the Azores
Whether you are a sun-worshiping beach dweller or an extreme sport hiker, activities abound in the Azores. Natural pools built into volcanic rock along the shoreline are popular and numerous. Many pools contain jets of hot water due to geothermal energy from the Earth’s crust.  For the most enthusiastic adrenaline junkie, canyoning is also popular on the island, while the abundance of botanical gardens and greenery provides ease and calm for those looking for a quieter form of travel. More traditional forms of adventure travel such as zip-lining, hang gliding, sea kayaking, and mountain biking are all activities that are easy to arrange on São Miguel.
a safe place to visit in Europe
The beauty of the Azores is unmatched. It is also a very safe place to visit in Europe!

5. Native Whale and Dolphin Populations

The Azores sit on a latitude of the Atlantic Ocean that falls along the path of the gulf stream. This lends itself to native whale and dolphin populations. While whales are typically migratory animals, there are known pods of Sperm whales that live and stay within the Azores.  Bottlenose and common dolphins also call the Azores a permanent home. Sightings are plentiful as both types of animals are easily found by marine animal spotters who make a living by radioing animal sightings to local tour operators.  Tour companies have multiple offerings daily including full- and half-day outings with focuses ranging from shoreline yacht cruising to close encounter speed boating.

6. Mineral and Hot Springs

a safe place to visit in Europe the Azores
A safe place to visit in Europe is the Azores, an archipelago approximately 900 miles west of Lisbon.
The volcanic activity throughout the islands make for some of the most unique and exhilarating aspects of the Azores.  While pockets of hot water flows are often found in the shoreline volcanic pools, the inland hot springs provide wellness and respite to the technology obsessed American. When I hear someone ask, “is the Azores safe to visit,” the only dangerous parts are those too close to the boiling hot springs. These pools vary in size, minerality, and temperature.  A trip to the natural parks is an accessible adventure even for the most timid traveler.  Mineral spring fountains found throughout the towns provide an experience best described as mineral water taps directly from the source.  These taps are easily found throughout towns and differ in temperature, effervescence, and taste.  Don’t forget to bring a cup!

7. Clean and Pristine

Where are the Azores? Saõ Miguel
How far are the Azores from Portugal? This gate was one of the markers welcoming seafarers to the Portuguese islands in the 17th century, just 1400 km west of Lisbon.
Trash is hard to manage on an island.  With limited availability of landfills, clunker cars often pile up in yards, and bags of garbage may fill up quickly.  This reality is encountered frequently on island vacations; it seems as if the roads to resorts are lined with poverty and stray animals.  This is not the case in the Azores.  The cleanliness of the island is so efficient that even on a Friday night as the sun is setting and a band serenades the people of the main square, there are waste management employees hard at work.

8. Safe for All Travelers

There are so many safety concerns to be aware of in today’s world.  In America, there are daily shootings and increasingly prevalent protests that sometimes turn violent.  In Europe, there are more terrorism attacks at places popular with tourists and Christians. A question many people ask is are the Azores safe?  There was a time when no one would have to wonder, “is Portugal safe from terrorism? Is Portugal safe to visit?” Those were different days.  Nonetheless, The Azores is one of the safest places to travel in Europe. The Azorean people are aware of the evil of the world, but they don’t have a prevalent fear of terrorism.  At 900 miles west of mainland Europe, distance insulates the Azores from the terrorism and migrant crises of the continent. Aside from large scale fears of attacks, crime does exist but minimally. Leave your money belt at home.

9. Temperate Weather

The average daily temperature in the Azores is 63 degrees Fahrenheit in January and 72 degrees Fahrenheit in July.  While some people may like a more intense heat, for those traveling from the Midwest or Northeastern parts of the U.S., these temperatures are ideal. As is often the case with mountainous islands, one side may be rainy while the other is bathed in sunshine. Because of the high altitudes of the mountains, most rain clouds that come in from the North or the South are unable to pass over the high ridges. Trying to guess the weather in a particular part of an island? The Azores travel bureau provides a live Azores webcam feed for your convenience. Go go gadget Azores webcam!
The Azores|Ponta Delgada| Saõ MIguel
Where are the Azores? Where to Stay in the Azores? What to do in the Azores?
Ideal for the cost conscious traveler, the thrill-seeker, or the multi-generational family, the tiny Azores have it all. A safe place to visit in Europe, they deliver an astounding range of activities and vegetation within their small boundaries.  Iron rich hot springs, lush green pastures, and natural swimming pools carved out of volcanic rock are all accessible in just one day, freeing up the rest of your time to dig deeper into this hidden wonder of the Atlantic Ocean.
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
JaimeSays
WSET Level 2 Certified Wine Lover, DuPage County Brand Ambassador. DME + Orthotics By Day, Adoring Home Life and Travel by Night.
Latest posts by JaimeSays (see all)
  • I Hired an Interior Designer and Was Disappointed - November 10, 2021
  • Why I Didn’t Share My Pregnancy - September 18, 2021
  • Awesome Planters for Your Home - July 9, 2021
  • 9 Must See Things to do in Columbus, Indiana - July 3, 2021
  • Garden Advice for the Newly Suburban Beginning Gardener - June 20, 2021
  • 6 Things I Learnedat the 2021 Maremma Toscana Wines of Tuscany Tasting - June 3, 2021
  • Cocktails and Mocktails I’ve been Making at Home - April 6, 2021
  • Birdwatching: One of the Best Attractions in Southwest Florida - January 13, 2021
  • My Endometriosis Story - December 8, 2020

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related

Related Posts

  • Where are The Azores and What are Things to Do in Azores? Three Days in The Azores

    For the next four-and-a-half hours, I am traveling away from Boston on a plane full of tiny,…

  • Things to do in the Azores: Sete Cidades Hike and Sete Cidades Hiking Trails

    This post contains affiliate links.   Have you heard of Sete Cidades, Azores?  If you are…

  • Fun Things to do in Chicago This March

    Finally March! The days are getting longer and my mood has been much better as…

Newer Posts
Older Posts

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Eloy Stopyra says

    September 13, 2017 at 5:20 pm

    Build a excellent connection along with your instructor. If you play baseball, the main expert body in your life is the mentor. Become familiar with him, and take notice of the advice that he offers you. Inquire and also be prepared to try out issues his way, and you’re going to be a much better player because of it.

    Reply
  2. Walter B Smith says

    September 30, 2019 at 4:14 pm

    Saw these islands from a US navy ship about 1958, always wondered about them so today I googled them. Sounds great, would like to visit but getting a little over the hill. Keep it clean and safe!! wbs

    Reply
    • JaimeSays says

      September 30, 2019 at 4:52 pm

      Wow! That’s significant for it to have such a lasting mark, so many years later. Direct flights are available from Boston, Oakland, and now New York. Worth the trip if you are able to take it. They have been making sure that they don’t get crushed by overtourism, so yes, clean and safe is exactly what it needs to stay! Let me know if you get there 🙂

      Reply
  3. Jo Lynn Davis says

    August 29, 2020 at 11:11 pm

    I really injoyed and appreciate your blog on The Azores. I will be traveling there after Covid 19
    Thank you

    Reply
    • JaimeSays says

      September 4, 2020 at 2:42 pm

      I hope you get there soon! It’s a great place.

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Categories

Popular posts:

  • Whitefish Montana Restaurants: Where to Eat in…Whitefish Montana Restaurants: Where to Eat in Whitefish Montana
  • Are the Azores Safe to Visit? 9 Reasons Why You…Are the Azores Safe to Visit? 9 Reasons Why You Should Visit the Azores
  • 10 Things to do in Petoskey This Summer10 Things to do in Petoskey This Summer
  • 8 Things to do in Ludington MI8 Things to do in Ludington MI
  • 16 Things to do in Sandpoint Idaho this Summer16 Things to do in Sandpoint Idaho this Summer

Tags

Amsterdam anxiety management Architecture Bordeaux Canada Champagne Charlevoix Chicago Chicago Tours CityPass date night DuPage DuPage County Europe Family France Gadgets home Honeymoon Hotel Review Idaho Indianapolis Life and Links Marathon Weekend Michigan Michigan's Upper Peninsula Midwest Money Saver Money Saving Tips Northern Michigan Petoskey Petoskey Area Portugal Practical Tips quiet travel Québec South Loop style The Azores U.S. Travel Where to Eat Wine Wine Tours Winter Wisconsin

@instagram

  • What is Quiet Travel?
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Case Studies
  • Policies

Copyright © 2022 · Jaime Says · Designed by Small Shop & Developed by Bella Creative Studio

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT