Faial

Faial is an island in the Azores archipelago, an autonomous region of Portugal. Horta, the legislative capital of the Azores, is the sole municipality on the island. Faial is a tourist destination with a rich collection of historical, natural and modern attractions that attract yachts, cruise ships, tourist groups and the naturalists to the hills and streets of the island.

The visitor seeking sun will likely travel to the black sand beaches of Praia de Almoxarife, Conceição, and Porto Pim, as well as the rock pools scattered along the coast. Varadouro is one such place, known for its warmer waters, micro-climate, summer cottages and complicated salt-water pools open to the ocean.

Understand




Horta (OHR-tuh, /ˈoɾ.tɐ/), the capital of Faial (figh-AHL), /faj.ˈaɫ/), is the political and economic centre of the island and is famous for its sailing port. It is divided into 13 civil parishes (freguesias).

The island is. The distance to the neighbouring island of Pico is only around. The highest point is the -high Cabeço Gordo in the Caldeira.

The port of Horta is an important port of call for Atlantic sailors.

With its nearest neighbours, Pico (east across the channel) and São Jorge (northeast across the channel), it forms an area commonly known as the Triângulo (English: Triangle). The island has also been referred to as the Ilha Azul (English: Blue Island), derived from the writings of Portuguese poet Raul Brandão, due to the large quantity of hydrangeas that bloom during the summer months.

Climate
It has very mild winters for its latitude, in part due to its location in the mid-Atlantic Ocean and influence from the Gulf Stream, averaging in its coldest month, February, and frosts never occur other than at high altitude. Summers are warm and relatively dry.

Temperatures are moderated year-round, never too hot or too cold, daily temperatures are also moderated, with only difference between highs and lows. Average relative humidity remains high at around 80% and insolation is relatively low with around 1,800–1,900 hours of annual sunshine.

Precipitation is plentiful especially in the winter months, averaging annually. At higher altitudes (e.g. Cabeço Gordo) temperatures are cooler, precipitation and humidity are increasingly higher and fog is very common.

Get around
The Farias bus routes run significantly more frequently than on other islands, up to six times a day on weekdays, four times a day on Saturday, and not at all on Sundays. The central transfer point is at the port of Horta.

Do

 * Scuba diving and whale watching tours are offered at Horta harbour (link) by several tour operators.
 * The Semana do Mar (Week of the Sea) takes place at the beginning of August. It is a week-long celebration in Horta of Faial's link to the sea, celebrated in song, dance, exhibitions and kiosks selling different foods (of local and continental Portugal) and goods. During the day there are several sailing competitions and exhibits, while in the evening while many sample foods along the Avenida Marginal, others listen and/or dance to popular and/or traditional musical acts on one of several platforms devoted to bands, traditional and modern/contemporary musical artists.*
 * The challenging “Path of the Ten Volcanoes” is 27 km long and connects four shorter routes. It goes along the edge of the caldera and ends at the summit of Capelinhos.
 * You can book day trips from Horta (approx. €70) where you can see the most beautiful sights. In Ribeirinha you can visit the church and the lighthouse that were destroyed in the 1998 earthquake. The Caldeira do Cabeco Gordo can be reached through a small pedestrian tunnel. A volcanic eruption in the sea in 1957 created a new small island that grew together with the main island and was called Capelinhos. There is an interesting, futuristic museum underground where you can find out about everything related to the volcanic eruption. In the capital Horta you can find very beautiful restored houses, and many Atlantic sailors have immortalized themselves with pictures on the quay walls.
 * Hike from Horta to the Miradouro de Nossa Senhora da Conceição for a view over the town. It's about 45 minutes up. Follow the main street, Rua da Conceição north-east to a small Art Deco church, Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, then behind it, follow Calçada Conceição up until its end. To the right, look for a tile marker that says "Canada da Conceição" at the start of the footpath up to the miradour, which us to your right when the path ends at a road.
 * Hike from Horta to the Miradouro de Nossa Senhora da Conceição for a view over the town. It's about 45 minutes up. Follow the main street, Rua da Conceição north-east to a small Art Deco church, Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, then behind it, follow Calçada Conceição up until its end. To the right, look for a tile marker that says "Canada da Conceição" at the start of the footpath up to the miradour, which us to your right when the path ends at a road.

Eat
The island, like some other Azorean islands, produces cheeses and other milk products, along with beef, and by-products notable in Portugal, and it has a rich cuisine that includes local seafood.



Go next

 * Pico — island away which offers the opportunity to climb the highest mountain in Portugal