 Holidays on Terceira - Azores
The town of Angra do Heroismo, with its origins in the late 15th century, has been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is a picture book town of imposing townhouses and cobbled streets seemingly untouched by time. Terceira caters for all interests from golf, to exploring volcanoes, to walking, to swimming in natural rock pools and to visiting the sixty-eight 19th century ‘Imperias’, (small chapels to the Holy Spirit), which are scattered throughout the island. Then there are the colourful festivals and street bullfights (they pad the bulls’ horns and bulls are never killed).
The Lilac Island
Elliptic in shape, Terceira covers an area of 402 sq. km, is 29 km at its longest and 17.5 km at its widest. The island is a plateau, with the Serra do Cume to the east, the Serra do Labacal in the centre (rising to 808m), and the Serra da Santa Barbara (rising to 1,021m) to the west.
Angra do Heroismo, with its origins in the late 15th century, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a picture book town of imposing townhouses and cobbled streets seemingly untouched by time. The best views of this once prosperous trading centre are from the 1,205m high Monte Brasil across the harbour.
The west coast harbours a host of villages and the wilder, centre of the island is ideal for walks. Praia da Vitoria, to the east, with its sandy beach is a charming small town and, inland, the views from the 500m high point of the Serra do Cume, over the gigantic quilt made up of green pastures separated by black volcanic stone walls, quite breathtaking.
Terceira caters for all interests from golf, to exploring volcanoes, to walking, to swimming in natural rock pools and to visiting the sixty-eight 19th century ‘Imperias’, (small chapels to the Holy Spirit), which are scattered throughout the island. Then there are the colourful festivals and street bullfights (they pad the bulls’ horns and bulls are never killed) where the only casualty is young men’s wounded pride.
Festivals on Terceira
- Sao Joaninas - festival includes the setting free of cattle and bullfights at the bullfighting square. The programme also includes folk dances and several sporting events. In the evening there is music and the opportunity to taste the traditional food of the island (tascas) – 20 - 28 June.
- Tourada à Corda – Bulls in the streets are challenged by locals – great fun! – 01 May – 15 October.
- Festas of Praia da Vitória (including a gastronomic fair, with Portuguese and International restauranteurs in attendance) – 1 - 10 August
- Angra Jazz (Angra do Heroísmo) – Jazz Festival – 02-04 October
- Ramo Grande Festival (World music festival) – 25 October – 3 November
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