Which are the best and cheapest places to stay on Pico? How much does it cost to stay in summer and low season? Read in this chapter.
Where to stay on Pico
Pico is a fairly large island, but the vast majority of accommodation is concentrated in the area around the main ring road, where most of the villages are.
On Pico you can stay in the larger towns with restaurants, supermarkets and shops, as well as completely off the main tourist streams in quiet villages.
Madalena
The largest town lies at the westernmost point of Pico and you will also find the ferry port.
Madalena is home to most of the tourist agencies, whale watching boats leave from here and all the wine regions or the Pico mountains are easily accessible.
In Madalena you will find classic hotels and smaller local apartments and it is definitely one of the best locations for accommodation on the island.
Prices and availability - Madalena
Lajes do Pico
The second largest town lies on the south coast below the steep mountain slopes.
Lajes is further away from the main tourist attractions such as the vineyards or Mount Pico than Madalena, but if you prefer a quieter town while still having full facilities, Lajes could be a good choice.
Prices and availability - Lajes
São Roque do Pico
The major port city on the north coast is the third largest on the island, with plenty of cheap guesthouses as well as better accommodations.
São Roque is very well located, as it is not only on the main ring road, but also has a main road crossing the centre of the island, so you can quickly reach the south coast or the mountains.
The town itself has one supermarket and several small restaurants.
It is not as nice as Lajes or Madalena, but for accommodation it is one of the best locations.
Prices and availability - São Roque
Other towns
Other locations are smaller towns and villages scattered along the coast.
If you're looking for picturesque villages with good access, shops and even some restaurants, we'd recommend these places:
If you prefer the most peaceful locations and don't mind longer commutes to tourist attractions, focus your attention on the east of the island.
Here you also have the chance to find the cheapest accommodation. We would recommend choosing the following villages:
Our tips and where we stayed
When planning our stay, we looked for accommodation that had good access to the mountains and was in a quieter location.
We chose the cozy bungalow complex Aldeia das Adegas **** with its own fully equipped villa. The wonderful accommodation in a very quiet part of Sao Roque do Pico has its own parking and is close to the main road leading through the mountain range to the south of the island.
We paid 90 eur per night (staying in April).
A minor drawback is the relatively long walking distance to the town centre. It's less than 5 minutes by car, and about 20 minutes on foot.
We considered staying in other apartments as well:
- Casa-do-Mar - A highly rated guesthouse on the outskirts of Madalena with breathtaking views of the sea and nearby Faial Island.
- Azores Wine Company - luxury apartments near the ocean amidst lava vineyards, part of one of the largest wineries on Pico Island
Pico hotel rates
Pico is a moderately priced destination within the Azores. Always expect higher prices in the summer between June and September, when the high season takes place.
Prices during this period are typically between 75 eur and 100 eur per night in a double room. However, you can find many accommodations on Pico for only slightly higher prices, where you can have a whole villa for 6 or more people.
Prices in winter are between 35 eur and 80 eur per night.