Lajes is the second largest town on Pico and a popular tourist centre and one of the starting points for whale watching cruises.
The small town lies on the southern coast under steep mountain slopes and serves as the commercial and administrative centre of the eastern half of the island, with many services.
Sights and attractions
Stop in Lajes on your road-trip around the island and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of a small port town.
What to see in town?
- Moinho das Lajes - a small windmill with a typical red colour stands in a dried lava field on the sea shore and a footbridge leads to it. It is this mill, photographed with the majestic Mount Pico in the background, that is the symbol of Lajes.
- Church of Santíssima Trindade - the town centre is decorated with a beautiful church, so typical of all Azorean towns.
- Whaling Museum - Lajes has historically been one of the whaling centres on Pico and you will also find a small museum here, see the official website. The larger one, however, is on the north side of the island in Sao Roque do Pico.
Accommodation Lajes
Lajes is a popular place to stay on the south coast if you are looking for a town with facilities, but want a quieter environment than Madalena.
There are no traditional hotels in Lajes, just smaller local guesthouses.
We select 3 top rated accommodations right in the center of town.
How to get there
Lajes do Pico is on the main ring road and is therefore very accessible by car. The town of Madalena is 36 km away and Pico Airport is also 36 km away.
You can park for free, for example, in the large car park along the seafront about 3 minutes walk to the centre near the windmill.
There is also a bus line number 2 to Lajes do Pico on the Madalena - Lajes - Piedade - Ribeirinha route, 2-3 times a day on weekdays and once a day on Sundays. The service is operated by the UTC bus company and the exact timetable can be found at: utcpico.pt/Schedule.
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Pico.
