The lost paradise of the island of the Azores, Portugal

Flores or Île aux Fleurs : let yourself be surprised by this little piece of green paradise!

The Portuguese archipelago Azores In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, 9 volcanic islands are divided into three groups: the Eastern Group, the Central Group and the Western Group. Some consider that the island of Flores or the island of flowers, which is part of the latter group with the island of Corvo, is a condensed of the 9 islands that make up the archipelago. This volcanic island is also known to be the most to the west of Europe and the most green island in the Azores.

With its rivers and stunts of fresh water, its valleys with a loss of sight, and its lush wild flora, the Île aux Fleurs, which is ranked as the World Biosphere Reserve by Unesco, reserves you with unirical and majestic landscapes. Let yourself be seduced by the natural beauty and floral odors of this green setting lost in the heart of the ocean, and try the experience of a trip away from mass tourism!

In the footsteps of the island with flowers, Azores, Portugal

This island of the Atlantic Ocean would have been discovered towards 1452 by the Portuguese browser Diogo de Teive , and would have adopted the name of Flores because of the abundance of flowers on the entire island. Indeed, from the spring the island is covered with millions of flowers, including pink azalées and blue hydrangeas, due to the presence of basalte — a volcanic magmatic rock — in the soil.

The Island of Flowers, which formed around 7 volcanic craters , enjoys a humid climate favourable to the development of lush vegetation. Crater lakes, waterfalls and rivers, vertiginous cliffs covered with greenery, and some traditional villages make up the landscapes of this preserved island. This piece of land near 4000 inhabitants , where calm and tranquility reign, gives you the feeling of being cut off from the world!

What is behind the island with flowers, Azores, Portugal?

Although the area of Île aux Fleurs does not exceed 145 km2 , things to see and to do are not missing. Discover our small selection of the most beautiful places on the island where to stroll, hiking, diving, canyoning or boat:

• La Reserva Florestal Natural das Caldeiras Funda e Rasa

The Reserva Florestal Natural das Caldeiras Funda e Rasa, or the Natural Reserve of the Caldeiras Funda and Rasa, brings together two beautiful crater lakes.

• La Rocha dos Bordões

The Rocha dos Bordões is the result of a fascinating geological phenomenon. The solidification of the basalt in huge vertical columns gives this rock the appearance of a stone organ.

• Reserva Florestal Natural do Morro Alto e Pico da Se

The Reserva Florestal Natural do Morro Alto e Pico da Se, the Natural Reserve of Morro Alto and Pico da Se, offers superb views. Do not hesitate to climb to the top of the Morro Alto, the highest point of the island, to admire a nice panorama and approach the Negra and Comprida caldeiras.

• Peço Ribeira do Ferreiro

Also known as Poço Alagoinha, Peço Ribeira do Ferreiro — from the Natural Reserve of Morro Alto — is a wonder of nature and certainly one of the most beautiful places on the island. You can see a dozen waterfalls hidden in the lush forest throwing into a lake.

• Faja Grande and Fajazinha

Faja Grande is the most west of Europe and Fajazinha, a typical village of the Azores. In Faja Grande you can enjoy some natural beaches and swimming pools, but also see the beautiful waterfalls away Poço do Bacalhau and Ribeira Grande . The village of Faja Grande is also the starting point, or the finish, of a pleasant hike that connects it to the isolated fishing village of Ponta Delgada . To find out all the excursions of the island, appointment on this full site .

• Santa Cruz das Flores

A visit to the capital of the island, Santa Cruz das Flores, will allow you to visit the Museum of the Island of Flowers, a former convent dating from the 17th century, the lighthouse of Albarnaz, the islet Alagado or the Centre d’Interprétation Environnementale de Boqueirao. By leaving the city, you can enjoy an exceptional view from the Miradouro Pico da Casinha .

• Fazenda de Santa Cruz

Fazenda de Santa Cruz Forest and Wildlife Park is the ideal place to discover the endemic fauna and flora of the Island of Flowers, and more generally Azores.

• Diving and underwater caves

The caves of Enxaréus and Galo, the Arc de Santa Cruz das Flores and the islet of Maria Vaz are only accessible by boat. Diving enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the underwater caves!

To go

How?

From France

You will have to take a plane to the Ponta Delgada airport on the island of São Miguel or to the Terceira airport on the island of the same name, in the Azores. A stopover Lisbon or Porto is to be expected because, to date, there is no direct flight between France and the Azores Archipelago.

From São Miguel and Terceira

Once on one of these two islands of the archipelago, you can choose one Direct flight about 1h15 — with the company SATA International — to the airport of Santa Cruz, on the island of Fleurs. Or, if you have time in front of you and the desire to see marine animals, you can choose to make the trip boat . The crossing lasts at least 19 hours.

On site

Once on site, the bus network is not developed, the car rental is recommended to survey the island at its pace. You will find rental agencies at the airport and in Santa Cruz das Flores.

If you are planning to go there in the high season, make sure to book your trips in advance to get the best prices and make sure your place is on board! For your flights, don’t hesitate to use Ulysses to find tickets at the most attractive prices.

When?

Overall, there are no bad periods to explore the Island of Flowers because the climate remains mild and temperate throughout the year. However, it is important to know that the months of July, August and September are the hottest (24° on average) and sunny, while the months of November to March are the rainiest. Note, however, that the island of Flores benefits from wet climate and rains are not rare, even in summer.

In addition, to be able to enjoy the flowers and colorful landscapes, we can only advise you to go there to Spring or summer , when hortensias, chamelas, Azales and other flowers are blooming.

At what price?

Flights

A simple route between France and São Miguel or Terceira costs on average between 75€ and 200€ depending on the period and the airline. The price of flights between the islands of São Miguel or Terceira to the island of Flores is from 75€ On average.

The boat crossing

If you opt for the boat, it will cost you between 40€ and 62€ The crossing.

Car rental

Finally, to rent a car on site, you will have to count between 25€ and 125€ per day depending on the season and the rental agency.

In summary

In total, the estimated budget to visit the Island of Flowers since France is from 200€ On average. To that end, it will be necessary to add the return route to France or another destination in Portugal, as well as the rental of a car according to the number of days spent on site.

To sleep

As the island is small and the different points of interest are relatively close to each other, it is not essential to stay in one place rather than another. However, some cities — like Faja Grande, Santa Cruz or Lajes das Flores — are even more accessible than others.

Moreover, which says small island isolated, says limited offer for housing. So think about booking in advance when possible! You will find some hotels on the island and AirBnb which generally offer reasonable rates between 35€ and 95€. Either 65€ per night on average in a room for two people. If you prefer the comfort of a hotel room, you can always use a Compare hotels to find the one that matches you most.

Hotels and holiday homes Vivenda Joaquim (80€ per night for two people) and Casa Pedras Brancas (95€ per night for two people) in Lajes das Flores, and Aldeia da Cuada (95€ per night for two people) in Faja Grande, for example, are very well noted.

To eat

On the island of Les Fleurs, wait for local food! La Casa do Rei Lajes das Flores, O Forno Transmontano in Fazenda das Lajes, or Jonah’s Snack Bar Restaurante at Faja Grande are addresses that make unanimous. Tasty and high-quality Portuguese dishes are served in good quantity and at an affordable price! What more?

Otherwise, the island has a few supermarkets if you prefer to cook your meals or prepare picnics!

To take in my backpack

To fully enjoy the activities of the island and its landscapes, we help you not forget anything in your backpack:

• A bathing suit, indispensable on an island!
• Sunglasses
• Solar cream
• What to cover your head
• Good shoes to walk on the hiking trails
• A water dildo
• A camera

What I can discover in the region

To 40 minutes of boat about, is the Portuguese island of Corvo . It is the smallest, and the least populated (nearly 450 inhabitants) of the 9 islands that form the Azores Archipelago.

Explore the picturesque village of Vila Nova do Corvo, the landscapes of the Caldeirão and the steep cliffs of this surprising little island! Just like the Island of Flowers, with its end-of-the-world air, Corvo has an unforgettable discovery.