What to see in Pico

Mountain

The same name as the whole island is also the biggest tourist attraction - Pico Mountain. In fact, of course, the mountain gave its name to the whole island, as it is the absolute dominant feature of the surrounding area. At 2,351 metres, Mount Pico is not only the highest point in the Azores, but also in the whole of Portugal. Reservation and entrance fee It is not possible to climb Mount Pico without a reserved entrance. You can try to go…

Garden, Lookout, Hiking trail, Mill

Traditional winemaking in the lava fields has a glorious tradition on the island of Pico. The most extensive area with plenty of hiking trails can be found on the western tip of the island around the town of Criação Velha. [btn "The 10 best accommodations 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 sea The vineyards, bordered by dozens of…

Hiking trail, Lake, Mountain

Although from a distance it appears that Pico Island is dominated by a single, enormous mountain, in fact the entire centre of the island is mountainous all the way to the very eastern end. And this mountain range is made up of not just any hills, but mountains reaching heights of over 1,000 metres above sea level. The centre of the island is completely orphaned, uninhabited and with very harsh climatic conditions. However, even the high…

City

The largest town on Pico Island is called Madalena, located on its western coast. It is the natural administrative, shopping and tourist centre of the whole island. Madalena is a lovely town for short walks around the small centre or the pretty coastal hiking trail, for swimming in the natural seawater pools and for accommodation if you prefer towns with full facilities. [btn "Book accommodation in Madalena" https://www.booking.com/city/pt…

Cave

Furna-Abrigo is a cave on the slopes of the monumental Pico Mountain. The cave is located just off the marked trail to the top of Portugal's highest mountain, about 30-40 minutes from the trailhead at Casa da Montanha. [btn "The 10 best accommodations 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 stop on the way up, but it can also be a destination for less…

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 is located in one of the centres of the unique lava winery on the island of Pico. Visit the educational centre, stroll along the pretty promenade, discover the traditional Azorean architecture and take a dip in the natural sea pools when the weather is nice. [btn "The 10 best accommodations 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, offers beautiful views over jagged lava cliffs and a peaceful atmosphere with typical Azorean architecture. [btn "The 10 best accommodations on Pico" https://www.booking.com/region/pt/ilha-do-pico.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-pico-cachorro] Walk through the village in less than 10 minutes and enjoy views of the churning Atlantic Ocean at three beautiful lookouts. Cachorro will be a nice stop…

Black sand beach

The picturesque town of Prainha on the northern coast lives its peaceful life 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 a tourist attraction than a real swimming spot. The beach itself is only about 20 metres long and there are no real facilities nearby. There are no sunbed rentals…

Cliff, Coast, Lookout

Extensive agriculture on the island has eradicated the vast forests. However, they have survived on the steep slopes of the monumental cliffs called Terr'Alta on the northeast coast. The densely forested hillsides plunge into the ocean from heights of up to 350 metres and offer breathtaking views from several points. [btn "The 10 best accommodations 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 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. [btn "Book accommodation in Lajes" https://www.booking.com/city/pt/lajes-do-pico.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-pico-lajes] Sights and…

Lake

The small lake, at over 800 metres above sea level, is a popular destination when travelling through the central mountains of Pico. Lagoa do Capitão is a haven for many species of birds and is surrounded by endemic Macaronesian vegetation and numerous pastures. [btn "The 10 best accommodations on Pico" https://www.booking.com/region/pt/ilha-do-pico.en-gb.html?aid=2380460;label=p-pico-capitao] If you're lucky on the infrequent clear days, you…

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 cape of Pico is adorned with the beautiful "Farol do Ponta da Ilha" lighthouse, as well as a hiking trail along the coast through lava fields that look like a moonscape. [btn "The 10 best accommodations 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 and drive to the end of it, parking your car at the edge of the…

Lookout

Just off the main ring road on the south side of Pico, stop at a small viewpoint in the village of Arrife between Lajes and 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-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 clouds, which gradually…

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…