Horta Tours

Volcanic rock formations, lakes and viewpoints make Flores a small island with a big reputation. This minivan tour takes you to a string of top attractions. There's Lajes das Flores church as well as Boqueirão whaling museum. And there are the basalt rocks of Filão dos Frades and Rocha dos Bordões. There's also the Seven Lakes and Portal, Craveiro Lopes and Lajedo viewpoints.

Faial is an island carved out by nature. On this morning walking tour, you'll learn all about her remarkable geology and the events of 1998 – the last major earthquake here. You'll trek through the river valley of Riberinha, tick off the ruins of São Mateus Church and see what's left of the lighthouse – both victims of nature's seismic power.

Three of the most beautiful villages in Flores steal the show in this hiking tour. Starting out in coastal Fajã Grande, you'll cross farmland towards the hamlet of Cuada, famed for its stone houses. From here, it's on to Fajãzinha – the church is Insta-perfect – and the nearby Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro falls. Rounding of the walk is a swim under Poço do Bacalhau waterfall.

Faial is one of the best places in the world to observe whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. This boat trip takes you to their breeding and feeding grounds, so you can see them up-close. While whale-watching season is from April to October, sperm whales can be found in the waters off the Azores all year round.

This guided trekking tour covers the best of Faial's views and volcanoes. You'll see all the highlights of Caldeira do Faial Natural Reserve – a two-kilometre-wide extinct volcanic crater carpeted with laurel forest and a pretty lake in the centre. Learn about local wildlife along the way and keep your camera on standby for the wow-factor scenery.

Double up on adventure in the Azores with a combo 4x4 tour and whale-watching boat trip. Kick up clouds of dust in Caldeira do Faial Nature Reserve where you'll see Capelinhos volcano and views of Varadouro Bay. Then hit the Atlantic Ocean in search of sperm whales in their natural habitat – Faial is one of the world's best places to observe them.

Home to at least 28 cetacean species, the waters off the Azores are among the best in the world for whale and dolphin watching. Sailing from Lajes do Pico in the company of marine biologists, you'll search for in seas popular with blue whales, fin whales and Sei whales – due to the depth of the seabed, they come very close to the coast.

In 1893, Faial was the flagship location for the world's first underwater telegraph cable. Call by all the places that played a key role in connecting Europe with the United States on this half-day trekking tour. You'll set out from Porto Pim beach, snap postcard-worthy photos over Horta's bay, and pass by the historic São Sebastião fortress, too.

Centuries of violent volcanic eruptions have fashioned Faial into one easy-on-the-eye island. So this half-day walking tour is all about taking in the views. Trek alongside the azure-blue Atlantic Ocean, look out for local flowers and wildlife, see Castelo Branco rock formation and gaze out over Capelinhos – a dormant volcano perched on the coast.

Volcanic valleys, vineyards and villages – this morning walking tour takes in Faial's fertile upper regions. You'll trek by ancient wine cellars and whitewashed chapels along the Rocha da Fajã trail. And you'll want to keep your camera close – if it's a clear day you'll get great views over the next-door islands of Pico, São Jorge and Graciosa.

This is the ultimate Flores tour – you'll see all the island's top attractions in one day. You'll visit the viewpoints of Ponta Ruíva, Maria Vaz, Portal and Craveiro Lopes. And you'll see the landmark Rocha dos Bordões volcanic rock formation as well as the Seven Lakes. Plus, you'll visit the villages of Fajã Grande and Lajes das Flores – and swim under Poço do Bacalhau waterfall.

Buckle-up for a 4x4 adventure in Faial. It all kicks off in Caldeira do Faial Natural Reserve. We'll snap some photos of the park's famous crater, make tracks to the dark landscapes surrounding the Capelinhos volcano, and pass by Varadouro Bay. And if it's a clear day, you'll see the neighbouring islands of Pico, São Jorge and Graciosa, too.

One of the most scenic hiking trails in the Azores, not just Flores. You'll kick off at the isthmus between the twin volcanic crater lakes of Negra and Comprida. After admiring the views, we'll follow a trail through valleys and over hills, past streams, rivers, lakes and waterfalls to Fajã Grande. Here, in pools nourished by waterfalls, you can enjoy a refreshing swim.

You'll discover Faial in all its glory in this 4x4 tour. Starting in Horta, work your way through the gears at the Botanical Garden in Flamengos and Caldeira, famed for its blue hydrangeas. Next, criss-cross verdant volcanic landscapes to Ribeira das Cabras viewpoint before lunch at Campo dos Sabores. In the afternoon, there are visits to Fajã and Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre.

Faial is a small island with a big reputation – and you'll see why on this walking tour. You'll hike along a levada trail past 10 volcanos, discovering landscapes that range from moist laurel forests to dark volcanic badlands. Along the way, your guide will point out endemic flora and fauna. And rounding off the day is a visit to Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre.

Horta is your destination for the day on this trip – heartbeat of the tiny Azorean island, Faial. Tour the city's oldest places and greenest spaces and visit a museum full of island artefacts. Drop by the multi-coloured marina decorated with dozens of paintings, then grab a drink at Peter's Café – a favourite bar for sailors crossing the Atlantic.

Going from hamlet to hamlet by minivan, this tour visits the most beautiful waterfalls and viewpoints in Flores. After first stopping at Cedros, we'll head to Ponta Delgada to visit the Machado Museum. Next up is a short hike to Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro waterfall. The village of Fajã Grande and Poço do Bacalhau waterfall round off the day.

Faial's explosive side is in the spotlight on this tour. Grab your hiking boots for a trek along the Cabeço Peninsula – a trail 20 volcanic craters. Explore lava-hewn caves, laurel forests and scorched badlands where the star of the show is Capelinhos – a volcano whose last eruption 60 years ago left behind a dusty, moon-like surface.

Walking trails, known as ‘levadas' crisscross their way all over the Azores. And Faial features some of the most scenic. This morning walking tour takes you along the flower-scented trails between Cabeço dos Trinta and Alto do Chão. Along the way you'll learn about endemic flora and fauna and trek into a tunnel cut through an extinct volcano.

The far north of Flores is all about the views. Starting out in remote Ponta Delgada, you'll get the lowdown from your guide as we follow a trail that takes in cliffs, gorges and farmland dotted with curious cows. At Albarnaz Lighthouse, stop to observe Corvo island to the north. And at Fanais, we'll see Monchique islet, geographical Europe's most westerly point.