Holiday in Faial (Azores)

About Faial (Azores)

Faial is the "Blue Island" of the Azores — named after the hydrangea hedges that bathe the entire island in a bright blue during summer, lining the paths, fields, and gardens like a botanical dream in the middle of the Atlantic. The fifth largest island of the Azores has been a hub of transatlantic navigation for centuries, combining volcanic drama with cosmopolitan charm. Horta, the small capital, is one of the most legendary sailing cities in the world: Since the 1930s, sailors who have crossed the Atlantic have painted their coats of arms and ship names on the quay walls of the marina — there are now over 10,000 graffiti that transform the harbor into a colorful open-air artwork. At Peter Café Sport, an institution that has existed since 1918, sailors gather over gin and tonic to share stories of stormy voyages and calms — an atmosphere that can only be found in a few places in the world. The geological highlight is the Caldeira, a huge caldera with a depth of 400 meters and a diameter of two kilometers, whose emerald green floor is covered with ferns, mosses, and cedars. The hiking trail around the crater rim offers a breathtaking view on clear days: the entire island at your feet, the neighboring Pico volcano (Portugal's highest mountain) towering above the clouds, and nothing but the endless Atlantic surrounding you. The Capelinhos at the western tip are the youngest piece of Europe: A volcanic eruption in 1957-58 created a new peninsula from ash and lava, which partially buried a lighthouse and changed the entire west coast. This moon-like landscape, a fascinating interpretation center, and the lighthouse rising from the ash form one of the most impressive geological experiences in Europe.