This 7-day, 6-night Flores self-drive package gives you time to explore one of the Azores' most dramatic islands without rushing. Drive between crater lakes, waterfalls, hydrangea-lined roads, volcanic formations and remote Atlantic villages, with the freedom to adjust each day to the weather.
Six nights of ocean-view accommodation, daily breakfast and an automatic rental car are arranged in advance. The suggested itinerary covers western Flores, the central plateau, northern villages and the island's southeast while leaving room for walking, photography and optional boat trips.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 — Arrive on Flores; collect your rental car
Day 2 — Fajã Grande, Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro and the west
Day 3 — Central crater lakes and Rocha dos Bordões
Day 4 — Ponta Delgada, northern Flores and coastal viewpoints
Day 5 — Lajes das Flores, Fajãzinha and southern villages
Day 6 — Flexible weather day or optional Corvo excursion
Day 7 — Return the car and depart Flores
Is this package right for you?
This package suits independent travelers who value waterfalls, crater lakes, rural scenery, photography and quiet villages. Six nights provide useful flexibility on an island where the weather can determine which landscapes are visible.
Drivers should be comfortable with narrow roads, steep grades, winding routes and limited parking near popular natural sites. Travelers should also be prepared to change plans when fog, rain, wind or sea conditions affect access.
It is not the best match for travelers seeking extensive nightlife, a guided sightseeing program or guaranteed operation of a Corvo boat trip.
Day-by-day itinerary
These routes are suggestions rather than included tours. Adjust them for rain, fog, wind, road access, trail conditions and your preferred pace.
Day 1 — Flores Island — Arrival
Arrive on Flores, collect your automatic rental car and drive to your hotel, where you will stay for six nights. The remainder of the day is free to settle in and explore nearby.
Day 2 — Fajã Grande and western Flores
Drive toward the island's waterfall-rich west. Suggested stops include Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro, Fajãzinha and Fajã Grande, with time for coastal scenery and short walks.
Use marked parking areas and assess trail surfaces carefully after rain. Waterfall flow and visibility vary with conditions.
Day 3 — Crater lakes and Rocha dos Bordões
Explore the central plateau and its crater lakes, including viewpoints toward Lagoa Funda and Lagoa Comprida when visibility permits. Continue to Rocha dos Bordões, a striking formation of vertical basalt columns.
Fog can cover the plateau without warning. If views are obscured, move this route to another day and explore a lower coastal area instead.
Day 4 — Northern Flores
Follow the coast toward Ponta Delgada and Flores' northern viewpoints. Stop in small communities and allow time for the bays, cliffs and offshore islets that define this less-visited part of the island.
Roads are winding and often narrow, so drive conservatively and avoid stopping where visibility is limited.
Day 5 — Southern villages and coast
Explore Lajes das Flores, southern viewpoints and the villages between the southeast and west. Depending on your earlier routes, revisit Fajãzinha or spend more time around Santa Cruz das Flores.
Check opening times before planning museum or visitor-center stops.
Day 6 — Flexible day or optional Corvo excursion
Keep the final full day flexible for the area with the best weather, a favorite viewpoint or a separately arranged boat excursion to Corvo. Corvo transportation and activities are not included and departures depend heavily on sea conditions.
No rental car is provided on Corvo. Reserve in advance and retain a Flores alternative in case the sailing cannot operate.
Day 7 — Flores Island — Departure
Check out, refuel and return the rental car at Flores Airport. Allow enough time for the vehicle inspection and flight check-in.
What's included
Please note
This is an independent hotel-and-car package. Guided sightseeing and admission fees are not included.
Flores weather changes quickly; fog, rain or wind may affect viewpoints, roads and boat trips.
Hotel nights can be added or removed subject to availability and a revised quotation.
Included
6 nights' ocean-view accommodation on Flores
Daily breakfast
Automatic rental car for the scheduled seven-day rental period
Unlimited kilometers
Basic collision damage waiver and theft protection, subject to the rental agreement, exclusions and applicable excess
Applicable hotel taxes, excluding municipal tourist taxes payable locally
24-hour assistance during the trip
Not included
Flights to and from Flores; ask us to include airfare in your quotation
Fuel, parking charges, traffic fines and other driving expenses
Super collision damage waiver, reduced-excess coverage and other optional insurance
Additional drivers, child seats, GPS units, upgrades and other rental extras unless quoted
Meals, admission fees, guided tours, boat trips and optional activities
Municipal tourist taxes payable directly at hotel check-in
Rental-car information
Automatic transmission is included, but the exact vehicle make and model are subject to availability. The lead driver must satisfy the supplier's license, age, identification and payment-card requirements.
Driving preparation
Bring the original driver's license, accepted identification and a payment card in the lead driver's name. Expect narrow roads, steep grades, limited roadside parking and rapidly changing visibility. Allow more time than the short distances suggest.
Dates & rates
Understanding the rates
Package Type
For some packages you may be given a choice of different hotel categories.
Superior/Premier Hotel Package - Includes first class 4-star lodging, and standard rooms.
Comfort/Standard Hotel Package - Includes 4-star tourist class lodging. May include first class 3-star lodging in the smaller islands., standard rooms
Hotel Notes
Each package has a hotel summary description. For detailed information, please visit the hotel's official webpage online.
For specific hotel or ocean-view room preference, please notify us when filing your booking form. Additional charges may apply.
Room Rate Type
Solo = Person traveling alone
Single = Person staying in a single room and sharing tour services with others in travel party
Note: Hotels shown are for reference only. We reserve the right to change hotels based on availability, group size or other factors. Should an alternate hotel be required, it will be of the same or a better rating.
Comfort Hotels
Santa Cruz das Flores - Hotel Ocidental
Hotel Ocidental offers fine accommodation in Santa Cruz das Flores. The city center is 10 minute walking distance from the hotel. The property offers 36 guestrooms appointed with climate control, cable TV, a balcony and direct dial phone. Restaurante Rosa are situated in a natural area, about 1000 meters from the venue. The hotel enjoys an ideal location within 5 minutes' drive from Santa Cruz airport.
Superior Hotels
Flores - Ocean Cliff Hotel
Located in the island of Flores, Ocean Cliff Hotel started a new ownership embracing both tradition of excellence and a vision for modern luxury in the Azores. With 26 equipped rooms, a restaurant serving local and international cuisine, a panoramic pool, and updated leisure spaces, we offer a unique blend of contemporary comfort and Azorean authenticity.
This Hotel offers 26 equipped rooms, a restaurant serving local and international dishes, a panoramic pool, and modern leisure spaces, creating a unique blend of contemporary comfort and Azorean authenticity.
Booking & policies
Booking Your Trip
While prices are shown in USA dollars, we can also charge in Euros at the prevailing currency conversion daily rate.
Early booking is advised. Availability of accommodations
and
inter-island flight is limited especially in summer months.
If hotels named in itinerary are not available at time of booking, alternate similar
same rating properties will be confirmed, and subject to new quote.
Order of islands visited may need to be altered due to
flight schedule changes.
Quotations with different hotels have a non refundable deposit
of $50. Deposit will be credited towards final booking price.
Booking Your Trip with Air
International airfare for this package is additional to
price shown on Rates table. Departure cities are limited to those serviced
by SATA International (Azores Airlines).
If you want a quote for airfare to be included make sure to
check yes when prompted during the booking/reservation
request process.
Booking Conditions
A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $350 per
person per vacation is required to book and hold both land and air for you.
Final payment is due 50 days before departure.
Option to pay full price up front is available.
Cancellation Policy - Land Portion
$350 per person if canceled up to 50 days prior departure.
25% of total reservation if cancelled 49-39 days prior departure plus any other additional fee.
50% of total reservation if canceled 38-31 days prior departure plus any other additional fee.
No refunds if canceled less than 30 days prior departure.
Cancellation Policy - Airfare
Airfare cancellation terms and conditions will be provided to you before ticket is booked.
Refund Fees
A 3.9% credit card assessed fee will be subtracted from any refunded payment, including deposits refunded due to services requested not available for date of booking.
I Want To Book. What Do I Do Next?
Click on the Book Now button to send your reservation request.
No payment will be collected at this time.
Our travel Associate will contact you via email to answer any questions and book your Package
If you don't plan to book at this time please click here to contact us with any questions or concerns about your trip or your holiday.
Booking Changes
A fee of $35 per person, per transaction, will be charged
for any revision or alteration made to a reservation after the booking
is confirmed.
If the change increases the value of the booking, the $35
per person fee will be waived.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend you purchase travel/cancellation
insurance.
Common questions about this package
Is the rental car included for the entire stay?
The package includes an automatic car for the scheduled seven-day rental period, normally collected and returned at Flores Airport.
Are ocean-view rooms included?
Ocean-view accommodation is included as stated in the package, subject to the confirmed hotel and room category in your quotation.
Is an automatic car included?
Yes. Automatic transmission is included. The exact make, model and class remain subject to supplier availability.
What rental-car insurance is included?
Basic collision damage waiver and theft protection are included, subject to the supplier's agreement, exclusions and excess. Optional reduced-excess coverage is not included unless quoted.
Are flights included?
No. Flights to and from Flores are not included in the land-package price, but airfare can be requested.
Is a Corvo excursion included?
No. Corvo is optional and separately arranged. Boat departures depend on sea conditions, and no rental car is provided on Corvo.
How much does weather affect the itinerary?
Weather can significantly affect plateau visibility, roads, trails and boat trips. Six nights allow you to move routes between days, but specific views or activities cannot be guaranteed.
What documents are required for the car?
The lead driver generally needs an original valid license, accepted identification and a payment card in the lead driver's name. Confirm whether an International Driving Permit is required.
Can I add or remove nights?
Yes. The stay can be customized subject to hotel and rental-car availability and a revised quotation.
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