Holidays on Pico - Azores

Pico is dominated by its volcano (snow capped in winter) at 2351m the highest point in Portugal.  The views to and from the volcano are spectacular.  One cannot mistake that this island is volcanic - the houses and churches are black, their features outlined in white.  Visit the lakes and marvel at the magnificent views and changing facets of the mountain and its relationship with the sea.  Visit the fascinating whaling museum at Lajes.  Walks are plentiful and, for the experienced walker (you must take a guide), the ascent to the summit of the volcano is a must. 

One cannot mistake that this island is volcanic. Between Madalena and Lajes the black stones and rocks have been painstakingly gathered to make the labyrinthine walled enclosures which protect the famous Pico verdelho grape (fortified verdelho wine) which, it is said, was imported in the 16th century from Cyprus. The houses and churches, too, are black – their features outlined in white. The views to and from the volcano are spectacular and its presence seemingly binds together the central islands of Faial, Sao Jorge and Pico itself.

Pico and nearby Faial (30 minutes by boat from Madalena) were the centres for traditional, open-boat whale hunting, an important industry for the islands until its ban in 1987. These two islands are now the centre for the growing interest in whale watching.

Hire a taxi for an island tour to visit the lakes and marvel at the magnificent views and changing facets of the mountain and its relationship with the sea. Visit the fascinating whaler’s museum at Lajes. Walks are plentiful and, for the experienced walker (you must take a guide), the ascent to the summit of the volcano is a must.