Most people don’t know what holiday Azores offers to them that any other holiday could never. While everyone’s off chasing city breaks and overhyped beach resorts, you’ve just landed on one of Europe’s last real hidden treasures.
If you’re someone who loves uncovering quiet coastal villages, misty crater lakes, secret hot springs, and trails where it’s just you and the wind? You’re gonna love what’s coming.
So if your 2025 holiday to the Azores is already bookmarked, or even if you’re still in the “maybe” phase, keep scrolling. These 7 hidden gems are the kind of places that leave you speechless in the best way.
Let’s get into it.
1. Salto do Prego Waterfall – São Miguel’s Secret Jungle Trail
Yes, São Miguel has the famous Sete Cidades, but venture into the sleepy village of Faial da Terra and you’ll find a hiking trail that feels straight out of Jurassic Park. The 2-hour round-trip to Salto do Prego takes you through a lush, quiet forest and ends at a waterfall you can actually swim under. Not crowded. Not commercial. Just magic.
2. Furna do Enxofre – Graciosa Island
You ever walked inside a volcano? On Graciosa, one of the quieter islands, you’ll climb down a long spiral staircase into the heart of an ancient magma chamber called Furna do Enxofre. It’s eerie, calm, and totally otherworldly.
3. Piscinas Naturais do Varadouro – Faial
Skip the beach for a day and take your family to these natural lava rock pools. Tucked away on the west coast of Faial, the Varadouro pools feel like your own ocean spa, clear water, minimal waves, and views for days.
4. Rocha dos Bordões – Flores Island
Head to Flores, and you’ll feel like you’ve landed in a fairy tale. And then you’ll see Rocha dos Bordões which is a massive vertical basalt columns rising out of the earth like a frozen pipe organ. No crowds, just you and some seriously jaw-dropping nature. This island is a dream for hikers and photographers.
5. The Lava Vineyards of Pico Island
If you thought vineyards only grew in rolling green hills, wait ‘til you see them growing in black lava fields. Pico’s UNESCO-listed vineyards are completely unique, with stone walls, ocean breeze, and volcanic soil that gives the wine a distinct, smoky flavor.
6. Ilhéu de Vila Franca – São Miguel
Just off the coast of São Miguel, this tiny islet is a collapsed volcano filled with seawater, now a protected swimming hole. Hop on a quick boat from Vila Franca do Campo and spend the day floating in this natural lagoon.
7. Caldeira – Faial
If you’re up for a light but dramatic hike, the Caldeira trail on Faial gives you 360° views you’ll never forget. You’re literally walking the rim of a massive volcanic crater, with wildflowers and ocean in every direction.
How to Get There from the UK in 2025
If you’re wondering how to book holidays to the Azores from UK then here are the following ways you can travel with your family:
- Direct flights to São Miguel (Ponta Delgada) from London and Manchester are available, especially in summer.
- Once you’re in the Azores, inter-island flights and ferries make it easy to hop around.
- Renting a car is a must for hidden gems but consider electric vehicles. Many islands are boosting their EV infrastructure.
Why the Azores Feel So Different
You know that feeling when a place still feels real? No overdone resorts, no crowds fighting over sunbeds, no “tourist traps.” That’s the Azores. People are kind, the pace is slow, and nature runs the show.
And best of all? You can explore it all without breaking the planet. Most of the islands run on renewable energy, promote local farming, and focus on sustainable tourism.
Ready to Plan Your Holiday to the Azores from the UK?
If you’re all in for a trip that’s offbeat, beautiful, and soul-soothing, then book your holiday Azores. And if you want a little help getting started, from planning eco-stays to picking the right island mix then you have to check out Azores Holidays. They’ll plan everything from your flights to your accommodations, so you don’t have to stress for anything make your 2025 escape as smooth as it is special.
