Azores Archipelago Self Drive Tours & Road Trips
A self-drive tour throughout Azores Archipelago is the ultimate road trip. Travel off the beaten path, stop for photo breaks whenever you want and craft the perfect itinerary tailored to you. Whether you hire a car, a campervan or a motorcycle, these 12 tours are guaranteed to deliver an one-of-a-kind experience.
10 Self drive tours in Azores Archipelago
Compiled by
MelissaAzores Archipelago travel expert at TourRadar
- Short Break in Azores, Terceira Island, Self-drive
- Azores: Wild Volcanic Islands of the Atlantic
- Azores Road Trip: Lake Forest Living on São Miguel (including Fenais da Luz)
- Azores: Wild Volcanic Islands of the Atlantic (11 destinations)
- Azores Island Hopping: a Road Trip Between Green Volcanic Formations (from Ponta Delgada to Terceira Island)
- Azores Island Hopping: a Road Trip Between Green Volcanic Formations
- Lisbon & Azores: City Adventure Meets São Miguel
- Azores: Wild Volcanic Islands of the Atlantic (8 destinations)
- Azores - Trekking on the island of São Miguel (8 Days)
- Whale watching and island hopping (from Ponta Delgada to Faial Island)
Spend 3 nights at Hotel Caracol in Angra do Heroísmo and pick up your rental car to explore Terceira at your own pace. Wander through the UNESCO-listed old town to see Cathedral da Sé and walk along Rua Direita, then head to Monte Brasil Natural Reserve for sunset views over the Atlantic. Drive to Serra do Cume for great panoramas of the island's patchwork farmlands, go down into Algar do Carvão volcanic cave, and check out Biscoitos wine village with its lava rock pools.
Duration 4 days Destinations Terceira Island, Angra do Heroismo, Praia da Vitoria Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Portuguese Operator Destination Services Portugal From $1,132
15% Off- US$962You save $170
No departure dates availableDuration 14 days Destinations Sao Miguel Island, Sete Cidades, Furnas, Vila Franca do Campo, Nordeste, Pico Island, Lajes do Pico Municipality, Madalena, Faial Island, HortaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 99+ Operator Journaway Azores Road Trip: Lake Forest Living on São Miguel (including Fenais da Luz)
1 Review by TourRadar travelers
Navigate São Miguel Island at your own pace with unlimited mileage in your rental car, checking out volcanic landscapes from the twin lakes of Sete Cidades to the steaming caldeiras of Furnas. Drive through Ribeira dos Caldeirões Nature Park to reach cascading waterfalls, then wind along coastal roads to Miradouro da Ponta do Escalvado's cliffs and the natural rock pools at Piscinas Naturais Caneiros in Mosteiros.
No departure dates availableDuration 8 days Destinations Ponta Delgada, Fenais da Luz, Nordeste, Furnas Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
You'll drive through the UNESCO-listed lava stone walls of Zona de Adegas on Pico Island and stay in a traditional stone cottage in Madalena. Winding roads lead to the twin lakes of Sete Cidades on São Miguel, where you can hike along crater rims with views of one bright blue and one turquoise lake. The Rocha da Fajã Trail takes you through the mystical Laurissilva forest in Faial, and later you can soak in 40°C thermal baths at Terra Nostra Park in Furnas.
No departure dates availableDuration 11 days Destinations Ponta Delgada, Fenais da Luz, Sete Cidades, Pico Island, Madalena, Horta, Faial Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
Take the wheel through three Azorean islands on this self-drive adventure across São Miguel, Pico, and Faial. You'll navigate winding roads to the twin volcanic lakes of Sete Cidades. The steaming Caldeiras in Furnas are included with hiking through the lush Ribeira dos Caldeirões Nature Park to cascading waterfalls. Pico's rugged coast offers routes to the hidden Furna de Frei Matias lava cave and the Arcos Vulcânicos rock formations at Cabrito.
No departure dates availableDuration 14 days Destinations Ponta Delgada, Sete Cidades, Parque Terra Nostra, Furnas, São Jorge, Terceira Island, Praia da Vitoria Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
Drive São Miguel's coastal roads to the UNESCO-listed twin lakes of Sete Cidades, where one crater lake appears bright blue while its twin shows turquoise tones. Head through Pico's Zona de Adegas lava stone wall labyrinth, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, before making your way to Madalena's waterfront Cella Bar. On Faial, take your rental car to the Caldeira volcanic caldera rim for wide views of Pico volcano across the Atlantic, then check out the black sand beach at Praia do Almoxarife with your vehicle parked nearby.
No departure dates availableDuration 11 days Destinations Ponta Delgada, Fenais da Luz, Pico Island, Faial Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
Drive across São Miguel's volcanic terrain at your own pace, starting at the twin crater lakes of Sete Cidades where the waters shift between blue and turquoise shades. Head to Furnas to see the steaming caldeiras where hot springs bubble up at 40°C. The coastal route takes you to Piscinas Naturais Caneiros in Mosteiros, a series of natural swimming pools carved into the rocks. Stop at Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego for clifftop views looking out over the Atlantic. You'll stay in a wooden bungalow in Furnas and have time to walk the waterfall trails at Ribeira dos Caldeirões Nature Park on your own. Later, you'll join a whale-watching trip departing from Ponta Delgada.
No departure dates availableDuration 10 days Destinations Lisbon, Ponta Delgada, Fenais da Luz, Nordeste, Furnas Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
Drive your rental car to São Miguel's Sete Cidades twin lakes, where one shines bright blue and the other turquoise from the crater rim viewpoint. Relax in 40°C thermal baths at Terra Nostra Park in Furnas valley, then walk through Pico Island's UNESCO-listed lava stone walls in Zona de Adegas before climbing Portugal's highest volcano. Head to Faial's Capelinhos to see ten volcanic craters that end at a Mars-like black ash desert, check out the hidden Furna de Frei Matias lava cave near Pico, and kayak from Lajes village for whale watching in the Atlantic.
No departure dates availableDuration 14 days Destinations Ponta Delgada, Fenais da Luz, Pico Island, Horta, Faial Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator journaway DACH 
No departure dates availableDuration 8 days Destinations Ponta Delgada, Sete Cidades, Furnas, Parque Terra Nostra Age Range Ages 16+ Operator ASI Reisen 
Navigate your own adventure across São Miguel, Pico Island, and Faial Island with three whale watching trips—leaving from Ponta Delgada with Futurismo, Lajes with Espaço Talassa, and Horta with Peter Whale Watching Company. Drive to Vista do Rei viewpoint for views of Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul in the Sete Cidades crater, check out Furnas' geothermal sites where cozido stew cooks underground, and see the Capelinhos volcanic formation from Faial's last eruption.
Duration 10 days Destinations Ponta Delgada, Pico Island, Faial Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in Only: German Operator DERTOUR From
15% Off- US$1,387
What our customers ask about Azores Archipelago Self Drive Tours & Road Trips
What is the best time of year for a self-drive tour in the Azores Archipelago?
For optimal self-drive touring in the Azores plan your visit between April and October. These months bring reliable weather that's well-suited for exploring the islands by car. Summer (June-August) temperatures make it perfect to visit spots like the Biscoitos natural pools on Terceira Island and Piscinas Naturais Caneiros on São Miguel. Spring roads are lined with flowering hydrangeas particularly around Sete Cidades while fall delivers comfortable temperatures for exploring volcanic trails. The Hotel Azoris Royal Garden in Ponta Delgada works well as a central base regardless of when you visit providing easy access to main roads and attractions.
How many days should I plan for a comprehensive self-drive tour of the Azores?
An effective exploration of the Azores takes 8-11 days to cover the key islands properly. Most travelers divide their time with 3 nights on São Miguel at the São Miguel Park Hotel followed by 2-3 nights each on Pico (Hotel Aldeia da Fonte) and Faial (Hotel Azoris Faial Garden). This schedule allows time for essential experiences: whale watching from Vila Franca do Campo exploring the twin lakes of Sete Cidades and visiting volcanic sites. As one TourRadar traveler notes "ten days gives you enough time to experience each island's unique character without feeling rushed."
What are the must-see natural attractions for a self-drive tour in the Azores?
Key natural sites include São Miguel's Sete Cidades twin lakes accessible via multiple driving routes including the Vista do Rei viewpoint. The volcanic region of Furnas offers hot springs and the historic Terra Nostra Park. Mount Pico Portugal's highest point at 2350 meters dominates Pico Island while Faial features the dramatic Capelinhos volcanic landscape and the central Caldeira volcano. The Hotel do Canal in Horta serves as a strategic base for these destinations. According to TourRadar feedback "the diverse volcanic landscapes and thermal pools make every day's drive a new adventure."
What activities can I easily access with a rental car in the Azores?
A rental car opens up access to whale watching tours from Lajes or Ponta Delgada hiking paths around Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo and the thermal pools of Furnas. Cultural destinations within reach include the UNESCO site of Angra do Heroísmo and Pico Island's historic vineyards. The Hotel Caracol in Angra works well as a starting point for these explorations. One TourRadar traveler shared "having a car gives you the freedom to combine planned activities with spontaneous discoveries."
How difficult is it to navigate between islands with a rental car in the Azores?
Moving between islands with a rental car requires advance planning. The typical process involves returning your car at one location (such as Ponta Delgada airport) taking a SATA Air Açores flight or ferry then picking up a new vehicle at your next destination. Rental offices are conveniently located at major ports and airports including Horta and Madalena. TourRadar travelers report "the rental car transitions between islands are smooth if you book in advance and allow enough time between connections."
What kind of accommodations can I expect during a self-drive tour of the Azores?
Accommodations across the Azores range from standard hotels like the Sao Miguel Park Hotel in Ponta Delgada to distinctive properties such as the Aldeia da Fonte on Pico Island. Most establishments carry 4-star ratings and include parking facilities. The Hotel do Canal offers views over Horta harbor while Hotel Terceira Mar provides convenient coastal access. Breakfast is typically included. TourRadar travelers often mention "the mix of modern amenities and traditional Azorean hospitality at properties like the Hotel Azoris Royal Garden."
More about Azores Archipelago
Self DriveMadeiraNorthern PortugalAlgarveMinhoAlentejoIntl. Flights IncludedHistoricalChristmas & New YearWildlife