Terceira Island is the second-largest island of the Azores Archipelago, a gem in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The capital, Angra do Heroísmo, is a charming city. The colourful streets, filled with joy and influences from other nations, reflect its history as an important trading port. Walking through the streets of Angra feels somewhat like exploring the old towns of Ouro Preto or Salvador da Bahia in Brazil.
In this post, we’ll guide you throug h what to visit on Terceira Island in a 3-day itinerary. The island invites you to take long walks, enjoy open views, take a dip in the ocean, taste delicious dishes, and much more.
This itinerary is designed for three full days on the island with a rental car. However, as every trip is unique, you can adapt it to suit a shorter or longer stay. The island is small, and it’s easy to get from one point to another. We’ve divided the itinerary by areas, but you might need to adjust it depending on the weather, for instance.
How to get to Terceira Island
There are two ways to travel to Terceira Island: by plane or by ferry. However, the most convenient way to reach Terceira Island is by plane. Terceira Island has an international airport, Lajes Airport. There are direct flights from Portugal (Lisbon and Porto), as well as from Boston, Toronto, and New York (seasonal flights from North America) and from other islands in the Azores.
There are ferry routes from the other islands in the Central Group (Graciosa, Faial, Pico, and São Jorge) operated by the company Atlânticoline. However, these routes only run during the summer months with variable schedules and frequencies, so it is advisable to check the company’s website.
We recommend booking flights in advance to secure appealing prices.
Duration of Visit and Best Time to Visit Terceira Island
Due to flight schedules, we opted for a three-day stay on Terceira Island, which we found sufficient to explore the main sights. However, if you prefer a slower pace or wish to explore more trails, you could easily extend your visit to five days.
Determining the best time to visit Terceira isn’t straightforward, as any time of year can be suitable. The island’s weather is unpredictable, and even in summer, you may encounter some rain. We visited in late September and were fortunate with the weather. The days were warm but humid, and we did experience some light, passing showers—but it was still good weather for a swim.
If we had to recommend a period, we suggest visiting the island between May and September.
Getting Around Terceira Island
The best way to explore the island is by car, which allows you to reach your chosen destinations quickly and independently.
There are several car hire companies available. We rented a small model, a Citroën C3, through the company Micauto, and had a positive experience.
Keep in mind that during peak season, it’s advisable to book your car in advance to ensure availability.
If you prefer not to rent a car or don’t have a driving licence, you can look into organised tours around the island.
3-Day Itinerary for Visiting Terceira Island
Day 1 – Angra do Heroísmo: Monte Brasil, Historic Centre, and Ponta do Queimado Viewpoint
To begin your discovery of Terceira, we recommend the Monte Brasil Trail (PRC04), located on the mountain of the same name: Monte Brasil. The trail starts close to the city centre, so if your hotel is in the city centre, you can walk there. The trail is a 7.5 km circular route, of medium difficulty, and takes between 2.5 to 3 hours to complete. Weather conditions can vary greatly along the way, from bright sunshine to strong winds, fog, and even rain. Therefore, we advise dressing in layers (as is recommended for the entire island) and adjusting as needed. Prepare yourself for stunning landscapes!
The entire Monte Brasil area is “guarded” by the largest Spanish fortress in the world, built in 1592 to protect ships from the West Indies. In 1640, during the Portuguese Restoration War, around 7,000 men stormed the fortress and took control of it.
After finishing the trail, we suggest having lunch in the centre of Angra do Heroísmo, for example, at the restaurant “A Casa do Bolo Lêvedo,” which offers daily specials for around €10 per person.
In the afternoon, explore the centre of Angra. Stroll through the historic centre, along the waterfront where you’ll find the city gates and the Misericórdia Church. Visit the Sé Cathedral, the Palace of the Captain-Generals, and the Duke of Terceira Garden, which features a monument in honour of King Pedro IV. Don’t forget to enjoy a break at a café and sip on a Kima de maracujá, a typical Azorean passionfruit drink.
In the late afternoon, head to the Ponta do Queimado viewpoint. To get there, you’ll follow the coastal road, passing through S. Mateus da Calheta, Santa Bárbara, Doze Ribeiras, and Serreta. You can stop in any of these towns to admire the Atlantic Ocean or the colourful buildings, especially the “Impérios.”
These “Impérios” can be found throughout the island. They are brightly coloured and each one is unique. They play an important role in the history of the Azores and are linked to the Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit.
After passing through these towns, you’ll arrive at the Ponta do Queimado viewpoint, perched on a cliff by the sea. On the way there, you’ll also pass by the Serreta Lighthouse. The viewpoint was once used for whale-watching, thanks to its excellent view of the sea—and what a view it is!
On your return to Angra do Heroísmo, we suggest dining at the restaurant “Quinta do Martelo”. This restaurant is housed in an old building with traditional décor, and at the entrance, you’ll find a small old-fashioned shop. The house speciality is stewed “alcatra” beef, served with bread. The flavour is intense, the texture tender — definitely worth trying!
Day 2 – S. Sebastião, Serra do Cume, Natal Cave, Sulphur Furnaces, Algar do Carvão
The first stop on the second day is S. Sebastião. On the way, you’ll pass through Porto Judeu, where you’ll get a great view of the Ilhéu das Cabras.
Upon reaching S. Sebastião, prepare to be impressed by the parish church. Built by the island’s first settlers in 1455, its interior still boasts original frescoes. The portals are in the Manueline style, while the late-medieval ribbed arches and vaults are also notable. Next to the church is the “Império” of S. Sebastião, one of the most beautiful on the island.
Just a few kilometres away are the natural pools of Salgueiros. If the weather permits, take a refreshing dip in the Atlantic waters! It’s a beautiful beach, the perfect place to pause and take in the vastness of the ocean.
After your break, head to the Serra do Cume viewpoint. This viewpoint offers two different vistas, one of which is truly breathtaking—this is where Terceira earned its nickname, “the patchwork quilt island.” Just as impressive as the view is the island’s ever-changing weather. You could be looking out at sunshine on one side of the viewpoint, while there’s fog or even rain on the other.
After visiting the viewpoint, we suggest stopping for lunch in the nearby villages or even in Praia da Vitória. If you choose Praia da Vitória, we recommend Etis Bar, a restaurant frequented by locals, serving daily specials for around €10 per person. Don’t spend too much time here, as you’ll return the next day.
In the afternoon, head towards the mountains, with your destination being the Gruta do Natal (Christmas Cave). The cave can only be visited in the afternoon, and tickets are purchased on site. We recommend buying the combined ticket for the Gruta do Natal and Algar do Carvão, which costs €15.
Terceira is home to many caves, but this is the only one with safety conditions suitable for visitors. According to the association “Os Montanheiros” (which manages tourism in the cave), it was formed by lava flows from fissure eruptions. The cave is a lava tube, 697 metres long. It’s an easy visit, with little elevation and high ceilings. Near the exit, there’s a small passage about two metres long and one metre high. You might bump your head, but don’t worry—they provide safety helmets at the entrance.
This cave is named Natal (Christmas) Cave because it has an altar inside where Christmas Masses have been held.
After finishing the visit to the cave, we recommend the Mistérios Negros Trail (PRC01), which begins near the cave. It’s a 5km circular trail of high difficulty. If you feel you’re not ready for such a challenging trail, you can choose to walk just part of it. I did the trail up to point 3, and it was already clear why it’s called the Mistérios Negros Trail (Dark Mysteries Trail)! The forest is dense, and the fog is ever-present, making the setting truly mysterious.
Returning from the trail, your next stop is the Sulphur Furnaces, which are free to visit and easily accessible via wooden walkways. The landscape is stunning, surrounded by Terceira’s mountains.
A few kilometres away is Algar do Carvão, where you’ll have the chance to enter a volcano! Access is via a tunnel, and it’s easy to navigate inside, as the paths are paved. Despite human intervention to make the visit possible, the site remains full of natural wonders. There is even a lake inside. When I visited, the lake was quite low, but it can reach depths of up to 15 metres.
After visiting the volcano, we suggest checking if there are any festivals happening on the island. Terceira is known as the “island of festivals,” and each parish holds more than one. It’s very likely there’s a local celebration going on, so our recommendation is to dine at a popular festival, where you can experience some of the island’s traditions and customs.
Day 3: Praia da Vitória, Alagoa Viewpoint, and Biscoitos
Your morning starts in Praia da Vitória, but on your way there, we suggest stopping at Porto Martins to visit the natural pools.
In Praia da Vitória, stroll through the historic centre, visit the beach area, and perhaps take a swim in the sea. Explore the Matriz Church, the Misericórdia Church, and head up to the Facho Viewpoint.
Just next to Praia da Vitória is Lajes, where you can visit the American quarter, now a ghost town. Once populated by Americans who used Terceira as a strategic base during the war, it’s sad to see the area completely deserted, especially when it could be providing much-needed housing.
A little further ahead is the Alagoa Viewpoint, offering some of the best views on Terceira. You’ll have four incredible vistas: straight ahead towards the sea, to the right over Fajãzinha da Alagoa, to the left towards Ponta do Mistério, and behind you, towering cliffs. For me, this is the most spectacular spot on the island.
Your next destination is Biscoitos. Upon arriving in Biscoitos, we suggest having lunch at “O Raul” restaurant. This family-run restaurant, operated by a father and son, prides itself on a laid-back atmosphere, where “stress stays outside.” The menu focuses mainly on fish, depending on the day’s catch. Meals cost around €20 per person, and it’s one of the best restaurants I’ve been to—absolutely delicious!
After lunch, you’ll find the Vinhas de Biscoitos viewpoint near the restaurant. This is the only area on the island where wine is produced, and only white wine can be made here, which the locals call ‘September water’. The way the vines are planted is interesting because, due to the variable climate, the land is divided into small plots called ‘curraletas’ (small parcels enclosed by stone walls), which help protect the crops.
By the sea, you’ll come across the Biscoitos Natural Pools. Although I’ve already suggested three natural pools in this itinerary, in my opinion, the Biscoitos Natural Pools are the most beautiful. Around 4,500 years ago, lava flows from Pico Gordo moved towards the sea, and when they came into contact with the water, they formed jagged rocks. These rocks, along with human intervention, created these natural pools. If the weather permits, take a swim and enjoy the area at your leisure.
A bit further ahead in the parish of Altares, you’ll find the next place to visit: the Pico Matias Simão viewpoint. At the top of the hill, there’s a cross commemorating the restoration of independence. From the viewpoint, on one side you have a view of the endless ocean, and on the other, you can see the vast farmland, Terceira’s mountain ranges, and its many peaks.
On your return to Angra do Heroísmo for dinner, we recommend the restaurant at the Terceira Island Agricultural Association. Here, you can try traditional beef prepared in various ways.
And so ends the 3-day itinerary on Terceira Island. Don’t forget to pack: a swimsuit, a raincoat, boots or hiking trainers, and a desire to enjoy!
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