The Plane is the most common way to get to Azores. At a 2 hour distance from Lisbon there are regular flights to: Lajes (Terceira Island), Ponta Delgada (São Miguel Island) and Horta (Faial Island). There are also charter flights connecting several Northen European countries, the United States or Canada to Lajes (Terceira Island) and Ponta Delgada (São Miguel Island).

All along the year, flights across the archipelago’s islands are done by a regional operator SATA – Air Açores. It is also possible to travel and visit the islands the using the regular maritime connections with the operators: Transmaçor or Expresso do Triângulo.

Portugal has the same time as GMT (one hour earlier than the Continental European Time - CET).
Azores has one hour less from the Continent, hence GMT-01:00 (two hours earlier than CET)

Angra do Heroísmo – is an exquisite city with a urban design dating from the XVI th century and monuments from the XVII th and XVIII th centuries. For more than three centuries this city was one the confluence centres of Europe, Africa and America (the Office of Fleets and Vessels of the Indies was set there).

Angra was officially raised to the status of a city on 21st August 1534; during the same year, it became the set of the Archbishop of the Azores. This religious function contributed to the development of the monumental character of the city where the cathedral of the Santíssimo Salvador, the churches of the Misericórdia and of Santo Espírito, the convents of the Franciscans and Jesuits were all constructed in the Baroque style. Even following the earthquake of 1st January 1980, Angra do Heroísmo has preserved the better part of its monumental heritage and a homogenous urban ensemble, characterized by original vernacular architecture. (WH)

Despite of the fact that Angra do Heroísmo was already classified as regional heritage, in 1983 it was declared world heritage by the UNESCO. There are many different places and monuments to visit, namely: the Sé Catedral, the Palácio dos Capitães-Generais, Castel of São João Baptista, Castel of São Sebastião, Paços do Concelho, Convento and Igreja de São Francisco, Alto da Memória, Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Igreja de S. Mateus, Forte Grande e Forte do Negrito, Igreja de São Gonçalo, Igreja da Misericórdia, Igreja de Santa Bárbara, Palácio Bettencourt, Solar da Madre de Deus.

The Monte Brasil is a protected landscape, in the city of Angra do Heroísmo, where you can enjoy one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Island.

The Mata da Serretais located in the western part of the island, is a small forest with a luxurious vegetation and offering an environment of great serenity and wonderful landscapes in the sightseeing heap of Peneireiro.

The Estrada das Doze Ribeiras is a route accompanied in each sideway by the typical Azorean flowers (hortênsias), offering one of the most impressive and beautiful views in the west part of the island.

The Caldeira of Guilherme Moniz, with a perimeter of 15 kms, is the biggest caldera of the whole archipelago.

Algar do Carvão, a natural geological reserve formed with caves with around 100m depth, where you can find stalactites and an inside lagoon, is a very much appreciated place, especially for speleologists. Nearby there are as well the Furnas do Enxofre with the smoky areas (fumaroles), the Caves of Balcões, Agulhas and Natal and the Furnas da Água. It is advisable to use proper equipment.

The Serra do Cume, is a hill with 545m height, gives you the most complete landscapes in the municipality of Praia da Vitória: on the one side the bay of Praia da Vitória and the plains of Lajes; on the other, the inside part of the island, green vegetation separated by dark walls and the impressive blue of the Azorean flowers (hortênsias).

The Ilhéu das Cabras, situated nearby the south coast of the island, it is a two-rock volcano with high hills covered by green vegetation. It is an important place where maritime birds joint to nidificate.

The Miradouro do Facho, a real “balcony over the city”, where you can appreciate the large extent of sandy beach in the bay of Praia da Vitória as well as the commotion around the fishing and commercial ports.

The location of Alagoas, situated in the parish of Agualva, is a protected landscape, abundant in endemic vegetation. This place is very much appreciated by fishermen, especially for “calhau” and “inhame”.

To climb to Pico Alto, is an enormous challenge for those who enjoy pedestrian walks. In this peak you can enjoy the splendid general view of the vegetation on the inside part of the island and the location of Ramo Grande.

The Peaks of Bagacina and of Cabrito, are regions of lava, that have become zones of particular forms and where wild cattle is brought up.

The Biscoitos, specific volcanic forms in the north coast where vineyards are displayed in particular forms.

The Lagoons of the Negro and the Lagoons of Pico do Boi are special places worth visiting.

Impérios do Espírito Santo – these are small open air theatres which span all over the island, built in honor of the Holly Spirit. These have fantasy forms and strong colours, being one of the most interesting forms of Azorean Popular Architecture.

- Museum of Angra do Heroísmo - installed in the former Convent of Saint Francisco lodges the main historical heritage units of the Island.

- Museum Vulcano espeleológico – includes a very interesting collection f volcanic materials found by the Society of Espeleologic Exploration “os Montanheiros”, during their expeditions.

- Museum of the Wine of the Biscoitos

- Public Library and Archive of Angra do Heroísmo

• Sanjoaninas – June, 24
  
• Touradas à Corda - form May to October (every Sundays and Mondays)
  
• Jazz Festival of Angra do Heroísmo - October
  
• Traditional Music Festival of Ramo Grande in Praia da Vitória
  

- Beaches and natural swimming pools of limpid waters and great beautiful views. The best areas to bath are: the Areal da Praia da Vitória, Biscoitos, Porto Martins, Escaleiras(Vila Nova), Quatro Ribeiras, Porto das Cinco Ribeiras, Silveira and Negrito in S. Mateus.

- The Marines of Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória are very nice places for those who are yachting in the Atlantic Ocean

- Sportive fishing, particularly in Silveira, S. Mateus, Pesqueiro, Biscoitos, Porto Martins, Porto Novo and Porto Judeu.

- Scuba Diving for underwater watchers lovers. In the coast line of the island there are several places to practice.

- Submarine fishing

- Water Sports namely windsurf or aquatic ski, rowing or sailing

- Hunting, particularly in the region of Pico Alto.

- Walking, there are 2 especial pedestrian tracks certified by the Tourism Office, namely in Monte Brasil and in Pico do Negrão, situated in Serreta.

- Horse riding

- Golf in Algar do Carvão (golf field with 18 holes).

- Tennis

- Speleology

• Embroidery in flax
  
• Craftwork in the traditional loom. (mantas, saias, aventais, colchas, etc)
  
• Craftwork in lane
  
• Basket weaving
  
• Ceramics
  
• Wooden works (Furniture, etc)
  

Typical dishes – There is a great variety from which, none the less, we can name: the soup Espírito Santo, caldeirada de peixe com maçãs, alcatra ( que ganhou o primeiro prémio nacional de pratos regionais), morcela, sarapatel, polvo, e coelho de molho vilão.

Seafood – Lobster, “cavacos”, caranguejos, cracas e lapas, cozinhados segundo receitas tradicionais.

Traditional Sweets – A cozinha terceirense mostra os seus primores na doçaria, com mais de duzentas receitas; destacam-se aqui a massa sovada, os confeitos, os coscorões, as donas amélias e o alfenim.

Cheese – namely the fresh goat cheese and the island cheese.

Wine – The “Verdelho dos Biscoitos” is the most common grape caste in the the region of Biscoitos, used both in wines to accompany the main dishes as well as the sweet wines for aperitives - Vinho Licoroso de Qualidade Produzido em Região Determinada ( V.L.Q.P.R.D ).