Azores Named Among Europe’s Most Beautiful Places to Visit

Published: 11 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

For travellers dreaming of turquoise water, volcanic landscapes and secluded beaches without crossing the Atlantic for a long-haul holiday, one European destination is increasingly standing out. The Azores, a remote Portuguese archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic, has been recognised by Lonely Planet as one of Europe’s most beautiful places to visit and its top choice for a remote island escape.

Often compared with Hawaii and increasingly described by travel writers as the “new Canaries”, the nine volcanic islands offer a striking combination of crater lakes, black-sand beaches, waterfalls, forests, thermal springs and rugged coastlines. Despite their dramatic scenery, the islands can be reached from the UK in around four hours, making them a surprisingly accessible option for British travellers seeking something beyond the traditional Mediterranean holiday.

Lonely Planet placed the Azores fourth in its September 2026 selection of Europe’s most beautiful destinations, describing the islands as “stepping stones to another world”. Its assessment highlights the archipelago’s lava peaks, brilliantly blue caldera lakes, misty forests, tea plantations, subtropical gardens and geothermal landscapes.

The description reflects what makes the Azores different from many better-known European beach destinations. Rather than relying solely on long stretches of sandy coastline, the islands combine the ocean with dramatic volcanic terrain. Travellers can move from a black-sand beach to a mountain trail, a crater lake or a naturally heated pool within the same day.

The Azores consist of nine main islands scattered across the North Atlantic, each with its own character. São Miguel is the largest and most frequently visited, while islands such as Flores, Pico, São Jorge and Corvo provide opportunities for travellers looking for quieter and more rugged experiences.

São Miguel is often the easiest introduction to the archipelago. Lonely Planet describes it as the gateway for first-time visitors, partly because it combines spectacular scenery with a wider range of facilities, restaurants and transport connections.

The island is known as the “Green Island”, a description that becomes apparent almost immediately when visitors begin travelling through its interior. Green hills, forests and pastures surround volcanic lakes, while hydrangeas and other vegetation add colour to the landscape.

One of São Miguel’s most famous sights is Sete Cidades, a huge volcanic caldera containing two striking lakes commonly known as the Blue Lake and Green Lake. The contrasting colours, surrounded by forested slopes, have made the area one of the Azores’ most recognisable landscapes.

The location is also well suited to walking. Lonely Planet highlights trails around the Sete Cidades caldera, including routes that provide elevated views of the lakes before descending towards the settlement.

For visitors wanting a different kind of experience, São Miguel’s volcanic character can be felt in its geothermal springs. Caldeira Velha, surrounded by dense vegetation, is one of the island’s best-known thermal attractions. The naturally heated waters offer an opportunity to relax while remaining immersed in the landscape that was created by volcanic activity.

The Azores are also increasingly associated with wildlife tourism. The surrounding Atlantic waters are home to whales and dolphins, and whale-watching has become one of the region’s signature activities. Lonely Planet identifies the islands as a destination where visitors can encounter species including sperm whales and humpbacks, while Pico is particularly noted for its position along migratory routes.

Pico itself offers one of the archipelago’s most dramatic experiences. Rising 2,351 metres above sea level, Mount Pico is Portugal’s highest mountain and a near-perfect volcanic cone. The climb is challenging and conditions can change quickly, meaning preparation and, particularly for less experienced hikers, professional guidance are important.

For travellers who prefer the coast to the mountains, the Azores have a distinctive collection of beaches. Many are volcanic rather than golden, with black sand contrasting against the deep blue Atlantic. Praia dos Mosteiros on São Miguel, for example, is known for its rugged setting and surfing conditions, while other islands offer natural swimming pools formed by volcanic rock.

The islet of Vila Franca do Campo, off São Miguel, is another memorable example of the relationship between volcanoes and the sea. Its circular volcanic crater has been transformed by the Atlantic into a natural swimming area, creating one of the archipelago’s most unusual coastal landscapes.

Beyond São Miguel, the islands become progressively more appealing to travellers looking for isolation. Flores is celebrated for waterfalls, lagoons and lush landscapes, while São Jorge is known for its steep cliffs and distinctive coastal plains known as fajãs. Corvo, the smallest island, offers an especially secluded experience and is home to the Caldeirão volcanic crater.

São Jorge can be particularly rewarding for walkers. One of its best-known routes descends towards Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo, a remote settlement surrounded by dramatic vegetation and cliffs. Lonely Planet describes the area as one of the archipelago’s most isolated locations, where visitors can experience a much slower pace of life.

The combination of remoteness and accessibility is perhaps the Azores’ greatest attraction. The islands feel considerably farther away than they actually are. From London, direct flights to Ponta Delgada on São Miguel take roughly four hours and 20 minutes, according to British Airways, which operates the route from Heathrow during the summer season.

Azores Airlines also operates direct London-Ponta Delgada services during part of the summer season, while travellers from other UK departure points can use connecting services. Flight schedules and prices vary by season and availability, so travellers should check current fares before booking rather than relying on advertised starting prices.

The relatively straightforward journey means the Azores can work for both a longer island-hopping holiday and a shorter escape. Ponta Delgada provides the principal gateway to São Miguel, while ferries and regional flights can connect travellers with other islands.

The destination is also increasingly attractive because it offers a different definition of an island holiday. Instead of spending an entire week beside a conventional resort pool, visitors can combine swimming, hiking, wildlife watching, volcanic sightseeing and local food in a single trip.

Lonely Planet’s latest assessment suggests that this combination is precisely why the Azores are gaining attention. The islands have historically been overlooked compared with more famous European destinations, but their appeal lies partly in the fact that they still retain a sense of space and natural character.

For British holidaymakers, September can also be an appealing time to consider an Azores trip. Lonely Planet notes that May and September can be useful months for travellers wanting to avoid the biggest crowds while still benefiting from favourable conditions in parts of Europe.

The “new Canaries” label may therefore be useful as shorthand, but it does not fully describe what the Azores offer. These islands are not simply another warm-weather beach destination. Their identity is built around volcanoes, Atlantic wildlife, green mountains, crater lakes and communities shaped by their isolation.

For travellers who want the visual drama of a tropical island but prefer to stay within Europe, the Azores provide an unusually compelling alternative. With direct flights from London taking little more than four hours, the archipelago is close enough for a manageable journey while still offering landscapes that can feel remarkably distant from everyday life.

That balance between accessibility and wilderness is what makes the Azores increasingly distinctive on Europe’s travel map. They may be called the “new Canaries”, compared with Hawaii and celebrated as one of Europe’s most beautiful destinations, but their greatest attraction is perhaps that they remain unmistakably themselves.

Checkout our latest news>>