Graciosa (Azores)


 * This page describes an island in the Azores. For Graciosa in the Canary Islands see Graciosa (Canary Islands)

Graciosa is the second smallest island in Portugal's Azores (Açores) archipelago. Because of the concentration of agriculture, animal husbandry and dairy industries, the island has maintained a relatively rural and tranquil character.

Understand
The roughly oval island is 10 km long and 7 km wide. The island has been a biosphere reserve since 2007.

Graciosa (gruh-see-OH-zuh, /gɾɐ.si.ˈo.zɐ/) island has a single municipality, named Santa Cruz da Graciosa (SUHN-tuh KROOZH duh gruh-see-OH-zuh,/ˈsɐ̃.tɐ ˈkɾuʒ dɐ gɾɐ.si.ˈo.zɐ/). The population is 4,391 (2011).

The coast is rough and rocky but generally low, except in the northwest along the Serra Branca (where the cliffs are 200 m high). There are two shallow bays, situated in the southeast and southwest corresponding to fishing ports in Vila da Praia and Folga, respectively. Along the northeast coast there are several smaller coves near Santa Cruz da Graciosa that were used as ports but are now abandoned, and the older whale and commercial port in Barra, now used as a recreational zone. The interior of the island is generally flat and dotted by numerous volcanic cones, with a southern portion of the island higher in altitude.

Get in
The distance to Terceira is 72 km, and to the island of São Jorge it is 56 km.

Get around
The EN1-2 runs as a coastal road around the entire island.

Do
Graciosa is considered an attractive destination for hiking.
 * From Serra Branca to Praia do São Mateus (2 hr 30 min)
 * From Praia do São Mateus to Carapacho (3 hr 15 min)
 * Volta à Caldeira (2 hr 45 min)
 * Baia de Folga (55 min)
 * From Beira Mar up to Serra Branca (2 hr 30 min)
 * From Beira Mar up to Serra Branca (2 hr 30 min)