The Azores (Portuguese: Açores) is a group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean (Europe) that together form an autonomous region of Portugal. The Azores consist of 9 large islands and 8 smaller islands. The 9 largest islands are: Corvo, Flores, Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Graciosa, Terceira, São Miguel and Santa Maria. The capital of the Azores is Ponta Delgada. A number of major cities in the Azores are: Horta, Angra do Heroísmo, Praia da Vitória, Lagoa and Ribeira Grande. See liuxers for Cyprus higher education.
All the islands of the Azores are of volcanic origin. This has ensured that the islands are mountainous and that one still encounters many volcanoes, craters and geysers. On the island of Pico you will find the largest mountain in all of Portugal. This is the Pico of the same name with an altitude of 2351 meters. In the waters around the Azores you can dive and spot whales and/or dolphins. The coastline of the Azores consists partly of sandy beaches and partly of steep rock walls. Many tourists visit the islands for nature. There are many colorful flower and plant species, waterfalls, ravines, caves, lagoons and many beautiful views over land and water. See thedressexplorer for top 10 sights in Latvia.
Where are the Azores?
Travel information of Azores
Official name: Azores
Continent: Europe
Area: 2247 km²
Capital: Ponta Delgada
Country code: PT, PRT
Population: 242,796 inhabitants (2019)
Government: Autonomous region of Portugal
Highest point: 2,351 m (Ponta do Pico)
Distance (Amsterdam – Ponta Delgada): 2,872 km
Flight time: approximately 5 hours
Travel advice
Current status: No special security risks.
Current color code: Green.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), there may be (temporary) measures in place in the Azores that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of the Azores, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to the Azores. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (car rental, hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compose your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, hiking map, cycling map, book or DVD about the Azores?
Excursions, activities and day trips
With the help of Countryaah you can reserve an excursion, activity, tour, entrance ticket and/or day trip for your stay in the Azores at a discount. This way you are assured of a place, in some cases you can skip the queue and you can already plan your travel program.
Weather and climate
The Azores have a maritime climate. The temperatures are between 15 and 25 degrees all year round.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for the Azores can be found on our extensive weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of the Azores can be found at Climate info.
Best time
June, July, August and September are the best months to travel to the Azores. In these months you have the best chance of good weather with little precipitation. In addition, you can enjoy the blooming nature even more during these months.
Language
Portuguese is the official language in the Azores.
Would you like to translate from or into Portuguese for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a valid identity card or passport.
A visa is not necessary.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Portugal: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Dutch consulate in the Azores: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Portuguese Embassy in the Netherlands: rijksoverheid.nl.
Portuguese consulate in the Netherlands: rijksoverheid.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
You do not need any vaccinations for a visit to the Azores.
Vaccination against yellow fever is mandatory for the Azores if you have visited a yellow fever country in the seven days before you visit the Azores.
Money and Currency
In the Azores, payments are made with the euro (EUR).
An overview of all ATMs in the Azores can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
Prices in the Azores are much lower than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is -35% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (46% cheaper), food (21% cheaper), imported beer in catering (57% cheaper), cigarettes (51% cheaper) and public transport (71% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
In the Azores it is customary to tip. Good service is about 5% tip.
Time difference
In the Azores it is 2 hours earlier than in the Netherlands.
Summer time in the Azores is equal to that in the Netherlands.
The local time, date and time zone of the Azores can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In the Azores you must drive on the right.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in the Azores.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within the Azores.
Electricity
The same plugs and sockets are used in the Azores as in the Netherlands.
More information about electricity in the Azores can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 115 or 112
– Fire: 115 or 112
– Ambulance: 115 or 112
Tap water
Tap water is safe to drink.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to the Azores can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from the Azores can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from the Azores end in.pt.
Official website of the Azores: visitazores.com.
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone in the Azores is 00351 or +351.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from the Azores? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Phone numbers can be found in the Azores Telephone Directory.
Company details can be found in the Yellow Pages of the Azores.
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos of the Azores.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from the Azores.
Public holidays
An overview of all public holidays in the Azores can be found on Wikipedia.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations in the Azores, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about the Azores?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited the Azores. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
World Heritage
An overview of the world heritage sites in the Azores can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to the Azores? On the IATA website you will find an overview of the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol, medicines, money and perfume. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Entrepreneurship and doing business
If you intend to do business in or do business with the Azores, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about the Azores, including: opportunities, import and export rules, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, product requirements, business partners and subsidies.
Studying and internship
Are you considering a study, internship or gap year in the Azores? You are by no means the only one and certainly not the first. To help you on your way, Nuffic (the Dutch organization for internationalization in education) has set up the WilWeg.nl website. On this website you will find all the information that can help you on your way, such as admission requirements, forms of education, accommodation, scholarships, internships, health insurance, study costs and of course experiences.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to the Azores.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 18.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.5.
– Tobacco: Buying and/or smoking from the age of 18.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Allowed
Did you know…
…Whale watching is a tourist attraction in the Azores?
…The Azores received a QualityCoast Gold Award in 2012 for its sustainability?
…The highest mountain in Portugal is in the Azores (Ponta do Pico, 2,351 meters)?
…The Azores are 1,360 km from mainland Portugal?
Our verdict on the Azores as a travel destination
The Azores is also called the Hawaii of Europe. Not surprising when you discover how much natural beauty the islands have to offer. The nine volcanic islands are characterized by impressive nature and beautiful flowers. The landscape includes volcanoes, steep cliffs, valleys, sulfur springs, crater lakes and extensive beaches. In the middle of this natural beauty you will find colorful authentic villages. The islands are a real attraction for walkers and people who want peace. In addition, the islands are ideally located for whale and dolphin watching. Mass tourism has (for now) failed to materialise.