Full-Day Private Tour of Faial

Overview

The full day tour takes about 7-8 hours and leads you to all points of interest of Faial. The Faial, everything in one day is perfect for visitors who want to know more about Faial, its history and its people.
The tour leads you along the southern coast from Horta to the volcano of Capelinhos. At lunch time, we will have a rich picnic in one of the recreational parks of Faial. In the afternoon you will visit the Caldeira, see the lighthouse of Riberinha destroyed by an earthquake and then go to one of the best sandy beaches of the Azores.

What's included

Itinerary

1. The first part of the tour follows largely the main road on the southern coast of Faial to the Volcano of Capelinhos. The second part leads up to the Caldeira then to the eastern tip of the Island and from there back to Horta. In-between the attractions there are short drives of 15 to 20 minutes.
2. The cliffs of Lajinha are in Feteira, a small parish on the south coast of Faial. A nice place to view the rocky and south coast of Faial created by lava flows.
3. The emblematic white volcanic rock of Morro de Castelo Branco which most visitors might have spotted it just before touchdown of their flight.
4. Varadouro is a small coastal resort, in the old days it used to be the summer resort of the wealthy families of Horta who spent their summer holiday there. Nowadays it is a residential area with some very popular natural swimming pools.
5. The volcano of Capelinhos located at the western tip of Faial is a living witness of active volcanism in the Azores. Before its eruption between September 1957 and October 1958, the small port below was one of the most important places for launching whaling boats.
6. The Fajã da Praia do Norte is a headland created by the lava of the eruption of the Cabeço do Fogo volcano in 1672. Nowadays it is a quiet spot with adegas, old agricultural buildings, summer houses and beautiful small gardens.
7. The park of Capelo is a well-maintained forest park with small trails on which you can explore the different trees and plants of Faial, for the children there is a playground. The perfect place for having lunch with a rich picnic.
8. The Caldeira do Cabeço Gordo is one of the main landmarks of Faial. Situated in the center of the island it is with its 2 kilometre diameter and 400 meter depth probably the most impressive crater of the Azores.
9. The ruins of the lighthouse of Farol da Riberinha is an emblematic memorial of the massive earthquake that hit Faial on the 9th of July 1998. The earthquake which had a magnitude of 6.2 on the Richter scale caused massive destruction on Faial.
10. The church São Mateus of of Riberinha is another witness of the devastations of 1998. It is the former parish church of Ribeirinha which has been hit hardly by the earthquake.
11. The parish Praia do Almoxarife is best known for its long beach with black sand. It used to be the first beachhead of the early settlers, nowadays a popular place to go to the beach in the summer.
12. From the viewpoint Miradouro da Nossa Senhora da Conceição there is stunning panorama covering the bay of Horta and Praia do Almoxarife on Faial with the Islands of Pico and São Jorge in the background.

Meeting point, pickup & return

Tour options

This experience may be offered in different versions. Live availability above shows the options available for your date and traveler mix.

Good to know

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.