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Across six full days, you will explore Faial’s highlights with a rental car and thoughtfully selected stays, taking in whale-watching routes, the Capelinhos eruption zone, the Caldeira, and coastal pools. This guide offers practical day-by-day plans, driving tips, and lodging recommendations so you can make the most of each day and fully enjoy the island’s culture, cuisine, and dramatic landscapes.
Self-drive, all-in-one package: 6 nights in Horta with a 7-day rental car (automatic, unlimited kilometers, basic CDW/TP insurance, and 24-hour assistance). Prices start at $1,032 per person, with customization options available.
Comprehensive island highlights: A structured itinerary covers whale watching, Cabeço Gordo, the Caldeira, Monte da Guia, the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Center, natural pools (Varadouro), Lajinha’s lava arches, the Scrimshaw Museum, and the historic Port of Horta.
Clear inclusions: Includes 6 nights lodging, daily breakfast, and the vehicle. Excludes international airfare, city taxes (paid at check-in), extra insurance, and fuel.
Cidade da Horta, Faial, Azores.
This 7-day package includes 6 nights in selected Horta hotels and a 7-day rental car, allowing you to discover Faial’s culture, wildlife, and landscapes at your own pace. With the logistics—lodging, car hire, and inter-island connections—handled, you are free to explore Horta, Capelinhos, and Porto Pim. You can follow our suggested route or customize your days with a guidebook or guided tours.
You receive six nights’ lodging with daily breakfast and hotel taxes covered, plus a seven-day rental car with an automatic transmission and unlimited mileage. The rental includes a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), basic Third-Party (TP) insurance, and 24-hour roadside assistance. You can customize your booking to add extra days, upgrade hotels, or enhance insurance coverage prior to confirmation.
The package covers the logistics to access Faial’s top draws: whale watching off Horta’s marina, the lunar landscapes of the Capelinhos Volcano, the lush Caldeira natural reserve, and scenic viewpoints like Cabeço Gordo (1,043 m). You can also enjoy coastal swims at Varadouro and cultural visits to the Scrimshaw Museum.
For example, the Caldeira’s rim walk spans about 2 km in diameter with a 400 m drop, while the 1957-58 Capelinhos eruption left a dramatic interpretive trail and a buried lighthouse. The Port of Horta, a hub since 1876, displays thousands of painted messages from sailors—a perfect stop for photography.
Your package provides the freedom of a self-drive holiday with the security of pre-booked accommodation. Use these six full days to combine hikes, coastal swims, and museums.
You will be met at Horta Airport (HOR) to pick up your rental car and head to your hotel. Options range from the modern Hotel Horta to the historic Pousada Forte da Horta. After unpacking, take a stroll to the Port of Horta or Porto Pim Bay, confirm your whale-watching booking, and enjoy a “Gin do Mar” at the legendary Peter Café Sport.
Peter Café Sport, Faial, Azores.
Drive west to the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Center. This underground museum details the 1957-58 eruption that reshaped the island. Walk the ash fields to the old lighthouse, then drive to the nearby Varadouro Natural Pools for a swim in ocean water protected by basalt lava formations.
Capelinhos Volcano, Faial, Azores.
Head to the center of the island to Cabeço Gordo (1,043 m) for panoramic views. Continue to the Caldeira, a massive 2 km wide volcanic crater. If the weather is clear, hike the perimeter trail. In the afternoon, descend into the Vale dos Flamengos (Valley of the Flemings) to visit the Faial Botanical Garden or picnic at the quiet Cabouco Velho Forest Reserve.
Cabeça do Gordo, Faial, Azores.
Dedicate the morning to a 3-4 hour whale-watching trip from Horta’s marina (best during the April-October peak). Afterward, relax at Porto Pim Beach, one of the few sandy beaches on the island. Visit the Fábrica da Baleia de Porto Pim, a museum housed in an old whaling factory featuring original machinery and a sperm whale skeleton.
Whales in Faial, Azores.
Explore the northern coast. Visit the ruins of the Ribeirinha lighthouse (destroyed in the 1998 earthquake) and continue to Ponta Furada and Lajinha. These coastal spots are famous for their dramatic lava arches and sea caves carved by the waves,. End the day with a sunset view from Praia do Almoxarife.
Spend your final day in Horta. Visit the Scrimshaw Museum above Peter Café Sport to see intricate carvings on whale teeth , and the Horta Museum in the former Jesuit College to see delicate fig-pith crafts. Use the afternoon to revisit any favorite viewpoints or shop for local tuna and cheese before your farewell dinner.
Return your rental car at Horta Airport in time for your flight.
Cabeço Gordo & The Caldeira: The island’s highest point and its central crater offer lush, green hiking trails.
Capelinhos Volcano: A stark, lunar landscape contrasting with the rest of the green island.
Varadouro Pools: The premier spot for a safe ocean swim.
Lajinha & Ponta Furada: Unique geological formations featuring lava arches and caves.
Port of Horta: Famous for its painted seawall, a tradition for crossing sailors.
Scrimshaw Museum: Located at Peter Café Sport, housing a private collection of scrimshaw art.
Fábrica da Baleia (Porto Pim): An industrial heritage museum showcasing the history of whaling.
Horta Museum: Displays sacred art and traditional fig-pith carvings.
Your package includes 6 nights with daily breakfast. You can choose between modern comfort or historic charm.
Hotel Horta is a 4-star property offering renovated rooms with balconies, air conditioning, and views of the sea or garden. It features a large outdoor pool, a restaurant serving regional dishes, and free private parking. It is located just a short walk from the town center, making it a convenient base for drivers.
The Pousada Forte da Horta is set within a 16th-century fortress (a National Monument) overlooking Horta Bay. It offers air-conditioned rooms, a swimming pool built into the battlements, and a breakfast veranda with views of Pico Island. Located steps from Porto Pim beach and the marina, it offers an atmospheric, historic stay.
Starting at $1,032 per person, the self-drive package covers 6 nights in Horta, daily breakfast, and a 7-day automatic rental car with unlimited kilometers and basic insurance (CDW/TP).
The base price includes accommodations, breakfast, car rental, and airport transfers. Exclusions are city taxes (payable at check-in), fuel, meals beyond breakfast, and optional insurance upgrades (like Super CDW).
International airfare is not included. The package does not provide a guided daily itinerary; you travel independently. Confirm your car pickup/drop-off times to align with your flights.
Documents: Carry your valid driver’s license and reservation vouchers.
Booking: Reserve whale-watching and Capelinhos tours 24-48 hours in advance, especially in summer.
Gear: Bring a windproof jacket, sturdy hiking shoes for the Caldeira and Capelinhos, and swimwear for Varadouro.
Driving: The automatic car makes navigating hilly terrain easier. Be aware of the “half-tank rule”—refuel when you can, as stations are less frequent outside Horta.
To find out more about the 6 Unforgettable Days on Faial Island package, please click here or get in touch for further information.
A: It includes 6 nights accommodation with breakfast, hotel taxes, and a 7-day automatic rental car with unlimited kilometers, basic CDW/TP insurance, and 24-hour assistance.
A:Cabeço Gordo & The Caldeira: For panoramic views and endemic flora.
Capelinhos Volcano: For its unique “lunar” landscape and history.
Varadouro Pools: For the best swimming experience on the island.
Lajinha & Ponta Furada: For photography of dramatic lava arches and caves.
A:Scrimshaw Museum: A unique collection of engraved whale teeth at Peter Café Sport.
Fábrica da Baleia: A fascinating museum in Porto Pim detailing the industrial history of whaling.
Port of Horta: Walk the marina to see the famous paintings left by sailors.
A: You pick up your automatic car at Horta Airport on Day 1 and return it there on Day 7. Basic insurance is included, but fuel and Super CDW (zero excess) are extra. Parking is free at both Hotel Horta and Pousada Forte da Horta.
A: Use the provided itinerary as a framework. Group activities by region: spend one day in the West (Capelinhos/Varadouro), one in the Center (Caldeira/Flamengos), and one in the North (Ribeirinha/Lajinha). Save Horta’s museums and Porto Pim for days when you want to stay closer to town.
Is your time too precious to spend long hours searching for the perfect holiday in the Azores? Looking for expert help in organizing your trip? Hire an Azores.com Travel consultant.
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