What is this four-island Azores self-drive tour like?
Azores.com 4 island tour
This 10-day, 9-night Azores self-drive vacation combines Terceira, Faial, Pico and São Miguel. Explore the UNESCO-listed center of Angra do Heroísmo, Faial's Caldeira and Capelinhos, Pico's volcanic vineyards, and the crater lakes and geothermal landscapes of São Miguel.
Hotels, daily breakfast, automatic rental cars for the scheduled periods, two inter-island flights and the round-trip Faial–Pico ferry are arranged for you. A different car is collected on each island, including a same-day Pico rental. Suggested routes provide direction while leaving each driving day flexible.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 — Arrive on Terceira; collect your rental car
Day 2 — Terceira: South coast, Serra do Cume and Biscoitos
Day 3 — Terceira: Angra do Heroísmo and Monte Brasil
Day 4 — Fly from Terceira to Faial; collect a new car
Day 5 — Faial: Caldeira, Capelinhos and Horta
Day 6 — Pico day trip by ferry with a Pico rental car
Day 7 — Fly from Faial to São Miguel; collect a new car
Day 8 — São Miguel: Furnas and the geothermal east
Day 9 — São Miguel: Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo
Day 10 — Return the car and depart São Miguel
Is this package right for you?
This package suits independent travelers who want to experience four distinct Azorean islands without joining a guided tour. Hotels, island transportation and rental cars are arranged, while sightseeing choices remain flexible.
Drivers should be comfortable with roundabouts, narrow village streets, winding mountain roads, steep sections and parking in historic centers. The vacation also involves three airports, several car collections and returns, and a passenger-ferry day trip.
It is not the best match for travelers seeking a private guide, a fixed schedule of included attractions or one vehicle for the entire trip.
Day-by-day itinerary
These routes are suggestions rather than guided activities. Flight and ferry schedules, opening hours, road access and weather may require changes.
Day 1 — Terceira Island — Arrival
Arrive at Lajes Airport, collect your automatic rental car and drive approximately 24 kilometers (15 miles) to Angra do Heroísmo. You will stay on Terceira for three nights. Use the remainder of the day to settle in or walk through the historic center.
Day 2 — Terceira Island — South coast and interior
Follow the south coast toward Praia da Vitória, with possible stops at Porto Judeu and São Sebastião. Continue to the Serra do Cume viewpoint for a broad view over Terceira's patchwork fields.
Depending on opening conditions, continue through the volcanic interior to Algar do Carvão and Furnas do Enxofre, then visit the lava pools at Biscoitos. Admissions are not included.
Day 3 — Terceira Island — Angra do Heroísmo
Explore the UNESCO-listed historic center of Angra do Heroísmo and drive to Monte Brasil for viewpoints over the city and harbor. Parking may be easier outside the oldest streets, which are best explored on foot.
Day 4 — Terceira to Faial
Return the Terceira car at Lajes Airport and fly to Faial. Collect a separate car on arrival and drive to your hotel in Horta, where you will stay for three nights.
Day 5 — Faial Island — Caldeira and Capelinhos
Plan an independent island circuit through the Valley of Flamengos to Faial's Caldeira, then continue to the stark volcanic landscape and lighthouse at Capelinhos. Return by the coast and allow time for Horta's marina and waterfront.
Visibility at the Caldeira can change quickly. Check local conditions and observe any road or trail restrictions.
Day 6 — Pico Island — Self-drive day trip
Leave the Faial vehicle according to your confirmed harbor arrangements and take the ferry from Horta to Madalena. Collect a separate Pico rental car and explore the volcanic coastline and UNESCO-listed vineyard landscape.
Return the Pico car in Madalena in time for the ferry back to Horta. Pico is a day trip and does not include an overnight stay.
Day 7 — Faial to São Miguel
Return the Faial car at the airport and fly to São Miguel. Collect a new automatic car at Ponta Delgada Airport and drive to your hotel, where you will stay for three nights.
Day 8 — São Miguel Island — Furnas
Drive along the south coast toward Furnas, with possible stops near Lagoa and Vila Franca do Campo. In Furnas, explore the geothermal lake area, gardens and hot springs, then return by the north coast with a possible stop at a tea plantation.
Meals, gardens, thermal pools and other admission fees are not included unless confirmed in your quotation.
Day 9 — São Miguel Island — Crater lakes
Drive west to Sete Cidades for viewpoints such as Vista do Rei and Lagoa do Canário, then descend toward the lakes and village. If weather and access allow, use the remainder of the day for Ribeira Grande and the Lagoa do Fogo area.
Mountain viewpoints can be foggy even when the coast is clear, so adjust the order to the day's conditions.
Day 10 — São Miguel Island — Departure
Check out, refuel and return the rental car at Ponta Delgada Airport before your departing flight. Allow time for the vehicle inspection and airport check-in.
What's included
Please note
This is an independent self-drive vacation. Guided sightseeing is not included.
A separate rental car is provided on each island for the scheduled period. Cars are returned before flights and are not transported between islands.
Flight and ferry schedules, road access and the itinerary order may change because of weather or operating conditions.
Included
9 nights' accommodation: 3 nights on Terceira, 3 on Faial and 3 on São Miguel
Daily breakfast
Automatic rental cars on Terceira, Faial, Pico and São Miguel for the scheduled periods
Unlimited kilometers
Basic collision damage waiver and theft protection, subject to the rental agreement, exclusions and applicable excess
Inter-island flights from Terceira to Faial and Faial to São Miguel
Round-trip passenger ferry tickets between Horta, Faial and Madalena, Pico
One picnic meal on São Miguel
Complimentary welcome crate on São Miguel
Applicable hotel and airport taxes, excluding municipal tourist taxes payable locally
24-hour assistance during the trip
Not included
International flights; 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 other than those specifically described as included
Admission fees and sightseeing 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. Confirm whether an International Driving Permit is required for your license. Expect roundabouts, winding roads, steep grades, narrow village streets and changeable mountain weather.
Dates & rates
Understanding the rates
Package Type
Some packages offer a choice of hotel categories. The category selected affects the hotels and per-person price.
Superior/Premier Hotel Package — First-class 4-star lodging in standard rooms.
Comfort/Standard Hotel Package — Tourist-class 4-star lodging in standard rooms. On smaller islands, the package may use selected first-class 3-star properties.
Hotel Notes
Each package includes a summary of the proposed hotels. For complete property details, consult the hotel's official website.
Named hotels are subject to availability. If a listed hotel is unavailable, a comparable property of the same or a better rating may be offered.
If you prefer a specific hotel, ocean-view room or other room feature, tell us when submitting your booking request. Requests cannot be guaranteed, and additional charges may apply.
Room and Car Occupancy
Self-drive prices are per person and vary according to the number of travelers sharing the room and rental car.
Solo — One person traveling alone, occupying a private room and using the rental car alone.
Single — One person occupying a private room while sharing the rental car and package arrangements with others in the travel party.
Double — Two people sharing one room and the rental car.
Triple — Three people sharing one room and the rental car.
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
Angra do Heroismo - Hotel Cruzeiro
Hotel Cruzeiro, a 4 star Hotel, is the latest hotel unit to open in Angra do Heroísmo, Unesco World Heritage city, located 5-minute walk from various points of interest, such as the Angra bay, Sé Church, Old Town Square (Praça Velha), Museum, Pico da Memória, among others.
Wi-Fi access is available in all areas of the hotel.
The hotel has a restaurant and a bar, where lunches, dinners and snacks are served and private parking.
Horta - Hotel Horta
Located in the old Azorean town of Horta, the newly-renovated Hotel Horta offers views of Pico Island. It features rooms with balconies, a large garden and an outdoor pool.
Horta’s rooms are decorated in neutral colors, and have wooden furniture. Each of the air-conditioned rooms has a cable TV and a private bathroom with a hairdryer.
The hotel’s panoramic restaurant offers international and regional dishes. The bar and the lounge offer views of the outdoor pool, the pool bar and the garden.
Guests can rent a bicycle to explore the surrounding area. Horta is famous for the whale watching and the volcanoes of Capelinhos and Caldeira.
Horta Airport is 4.3 mi away, and the hotel provides free private parking on site.
Ponta Delgada - Hotel Ponta Delgada
Hotel Ponta Delgada (RNET 6591) is centrally located and only a 10-minute drive from the airport. Hotel Ponta Delgada features a family ambiance and comfortable furnishings. It features an indoor pool.
Air-conditioned rooms all open out on to a private balcony and are fitted with double-glass windows. All rooms include a TV set with cable channels and private bathrooms with walk-in shower or bathtub. Free WiFi access is available in all areas of the hotel.
The Ponta Delgada’s Baco Restaurant offers authentic cuisine from the Azores. The hotel’s bar has an esplanade, where guests can enjoy a refreshing drink or cocktail.
Guests can stroll in the narrow streets of the city center. Alternatively, they can dip in the hot tub or relax in the on-site hammam and sauna.
Superior Hotels
Angra do Heroísmo - Pousada Castelo de S. Sebastiao
Pousada Castelo de S. Sebastiao is a 8-minute walk from the beach. Set on top of a cliff, Pousada de Angra do Heroismo Castelo de S. Sebastiao is a modern hotel housed in a 16th century Fortress known as Saint Sebastian's Little Castle.
The Pousada offer rooms and one suite with modern décor and furnishing. The suite and some rooms include terraces with views over the sea and the Monte Brasil. All living units contain LCD TV and internet connection.
There are 2 swimming pools: one for adults and the other for children. Guests can enjoy the regional cuisine while taking in views of the sea and pool area.
The Pousada is located in the village centre of Angra do Heroísmo was classified World Heritage by UNESCO. Angra do Heroísmo also offers many activitiy options, such as marine hunting, diving, sport fishing and boat tours.
Pousada de Angra do Heroismo Castelo de S. Sebastiao is located at a 23-minute drive from the Lajes International Airport.
Horta - Pousada Forte da Horta
Just an 8 minute walk from the beach, The Pousada Forte da Horta is set in a 16th century fortress with a view of Horta Bay and Pico island. This Pousada features air conditioned rooms, a swimming pool, and a regional restaurant. Most of the rooms offer a view of the marina.
Classified as a National Monument since 1947, the Pousada Forte da Horta offers modern rooms with cable TV and a minibar. Each private bathroom is stocked with a hairdryer and bathrobe.
A breakfast buffet is served daily on the poolside veranda terrace. Guests may taste fried pork, tuna and passion fruit pie in Pousada Forte da Horta’s restaurant.
The swimming pool area is furnished with sun beds, tables and parasols. Indoors, there is a lounge with various seating areas and a bar with a piano.
The 24-hour reception offers car rentals and free on-site parking. The Horta Airport is just 5.4 miles from the Pousada Forte da Horta.
Ponta Delgada - Vila Gale Collection S. Miguel
Located in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel island, the Vila Gale Collection S.Miguel provides superior accommodations, excellent restaurant, bar, sauna, swimming pool, kid's club and private parking.
The 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WIFI, each with a private bathroom, and is at a short walking distance to the center of town.
All guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. Each room includes a safety deposit box, while certain rooms will provide you with a balcony. At Vila Gale Collection S.Miguel every room includes bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available every morning.
At Vila Gale Collection S.Miguel guests are welcome to use a sauna and a Turkish bath.
The attentive and professional reception staff speak English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, and are always on hand to help.
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.
Unless otherwise indicated, rental car is included for all islands.
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 Request pricing 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 a rental car included on all four islands?
Yes. Cars are included on Terceira, Faial, Pico and São Miguel for the periods in the confirmed itinerary. Pico uses a separate same-day rental.
Do I take the same car between islands?
No. Return each vehicle before leaving its island and collect another after arrival. Rental cars are not transported on the inter-island flights or the Pico ferry.
Is an automatic car included?
Automatic transmission is included. The exact make, model and class are subject to supplier availability and will be stated in your quotation or confirmation.
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 and additional coverage are not included unless quoted.
Are fuel and parking included?
No. Fuel, parking, fines and other personal driving expenses are paid locally.
Are the island flights and Pico ferry included?
Yes. The Terceira–Faial and Faial–São Miguel flights and the round-trip Horta–Madalena passenger ferry are included. International airfare is not included.
Do I stay overnight on Pico?
No. Pico is visited as a day trip from Faial, with a car collected and returned in Madalena on the same day.
What documents are required for the cars?
The lead driver generally needs an original valid license, accepted identification and a payment card in the lead driver's name. Confirm supplier requirements and whether your license requires an International Driving Permit.
Can the itinerary be customized?
Yes. Additional nights, hotel categories and selected travel arrangements may be adjusted subject to availability and a revised quotation.
What happens if weather changes a flight or ferry?
Azores transportation can be affected by weather. The local team will advise about available arrangements, and hotel nights, car rentals or the itinerary may need adjustment.
7 Days/ 6 Nights: Stay in some of the best São Miguel hotels while exploring the rich culture, fauna, and flora of the green island. Package includes Hotel and rental car
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