Planning on visiting the Azores in July this year? July is one of the most popular months to visit the Azores, along with August. Many people rush to our beautiful islands for some wonderful landscapes, pure air, and a tranquil lifestyle for their holidays. But is the weather in the Azores in July good enough to explore the islands? We will answer all your questions below.
This month is actually when you can get more chances of having great weather. Which is very nice! Unlike mainland Portugal and other countries in Europe, the Azores do not get so hot that you need to wear a bikini at all times and still sweat so much. Plus, there are not as many visitors as in the big cities of Europe.
So let’s see what you should know about the weather in the Azores in July, what to do there at that time of the year, and everything you need to know before packing.
How is the Weather in the Azores in July?
July offers limited rainfalls, with only 9 expected days of possible rain and 32mm of rain for the whole month. It generally has better weather than the other months of the year.
Daily, there are 9 hours of expected sunshine, which means that you can enjoy sunny days in July in the Azores. Of course, there will still be some cloudy and rainy days, but overall, summer is nice on the 9 islands.
Air Temperatures
In July, temperatures are getting higher. It feels warm and the high humidity levels of 85% can make it feel warmer, but it is still not chaotic hot like on the mainland. The summer temperatures of the Azores allow you to hike and not be all sweaty and stinky.
There are pleasant highs of 24ºC and an average of 20ºC. At night, it can go down to 19ºC and usually never go below 17ºC.
Water temperatures
The water temperatures in July in the Azores, are about 22ºC — only 2 degrees lower than the peak temperature yearly.
It is charming to swim or experience other water activities like sea kayaking, stand-up paddling, jet skiing, snorkeling, and so much more! Don’t forget the sunscreen!
Sunrise and Sunset Times
On average, a day in July in the Azores has about 14h30 of daylight, which is a bit less than June but still one of the months with the longest time of sun. This is perfect to fully enjoy the day exploring and doing many activities.
The sun will rise between 5:25 am at the beginning of the month and 05:46 am at the end. For the sunrise, on July 1st, it will be at 08:08 pm and on July 31st at 07:52 pm.
Nature in July
July is the perfect month to see the beautiful and famous blue hortensias of the Azores. The roads are spectacularly scenic. The weather in the Azores in July creates bushes that can go up several meters or even cover hills. Which turns the islands all blue.
In the ocean, you can still spot the resident species of cetaceans: sperm whales, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and Risso’s dolphins. July is right after the migration of the giant whales such as blue whales, fin whales, and Sei whales, so maybe you can get lucky and see one still.
What to do in the Azores in July
The weather in the Azores in July is perfect for experiencing any kind of outdoor activity. Go hunting for viewpoints as the weather will probably allow you to have the most spectacular panoramas. Swim in refreshing waterfalls after a hike, or take pictures of incredible sunsets while barbecuing at the picnic areas with extraordinary views. In July, the summer festivals are already beginning and there are many animations in the city centers. Anyway, life can get busy in a good way in the Azores in July.
Swimming at the Natural Pools and Beaches in July
July is the official bathing season, which means that the most popular beaches and natural pools have lifeguards. This is helpful if you are not aware of the local sea conditions like currents for instance.
👉 Post related Best Beaches in the Azores Islands. Read more
On the 9 islands, you can enjoy beautiful black sand beaches like Mosteiros in São Miguel island. The only white sand beaches are on Santa Maria island. On Graciosa island, you can swim on a red sand beach. About the natural pools, they are surrounded by rough volcanic rock, a wonderful scenery for a swim.
But one of the most epic beaches, maybe around the entire world, is undoubtedly Vila Franca do Campo islet. This is an old submarine volcano that emerged, and you can swim in it’s perfectly round crater and shallow clear waters enclosed in. Great for snorkeling!
Climb Pico Mountain in July in the Azores
In the summer, it is the perfect season to climb Mount Pico. The weather in the Azores in July offers good temperatures to spend the night up in the crater, and stable weather conditions to climb safely. Moreover, you will have more daytime to climb in your rhythm.
From up there in July, you will have more chances of having the most incredible view over Pico and its surrounding islands. It is the ultimate Azorean experience.
If you wish to hike Pico in July you will need to book in advance as there is a quota for people climbing at the same time, and sleeping inside the volcano the same night. We always recommend taking a guide with you, and you will need to book this early as well.
Local Events in July
Every 2 years, there is the art festival Walk and Talk by a cultural association with representations all around the island of São Miguel. It allows people to discover the island through artistic and cultural events. The next one will be in 2025.
Also in July, you can enjoy many music festivals. Almost all weekends, there is something to do outdoors.
What to Wear with the Weather in the Azores in July
Never forget that even though you are visiting the Azores in July, in the summer, with more chances of incredible weather, here we still have the four seasons in one day. So come prepared!
The best advice is to dress in layers. A T-shirt is a good base, then a light jacket for the night, and a rain jacket is absolutely a must-have! The trails can still be muddy depending on the rain, so if you want to hike, it is better to bring good hiking shoes. Finally, a swimsuit is mandatory with the weather in the Azores in July!
Best Time to Go to the Azores
July is part of the peak season, with August to visit the Azores. You will need to book everything in advance: plane tickets, hotels, rental cars, activities, restaurants, … Moreover, the prices will go up as there are more travelers in this period.
However, keep in mind that it will never be as crowded as the main European cities. You can still enjoy the least popular trails and beaches without the crowds, as long as you stay away from the touristy highlights of the islands. Furthermore, the most crowded island would be São Miguel. The other islands in general receive fewer tourists, which is a good opportunity to explore some 8 other wonderful islands.
Let’s break it down to the 4 seasons and discover which one is your best time to visit the Azores.
🌦️ For more info about the weather in the Azores, check the links below:
- The weather in the Azores in January
- The weather in the Azores in February
- The weather in the Azores in March
- The weather in the Azores in April
- The weather in the Azores in May
- The weather in the Azores in July
- The weather in the Azores in August
Winter
São Miguel island is a hot springs wonderland in the wintertime. There are five hot springs to explore:
- Ferraria, the volcanic spring in the ocean
- Terra Nostra Park, the famous yellow pool in a botanical garden
- Dona Beija, the romantic hot waters open at night
- Caldeira Velha, a relaxing experience in the jungle
- Caldeiras in Ribeira Grande, the intimate pools.
Another good point for winter is the fact that popular places are often empty or with hardly any people. What a privilege to be alone in the most beautiful viewpoints and landscapes.
For travelers on a budget, the low season is the perfect time to come to the Azores. Accommodations are usually cheaper from October to May. There is also no need to book far in advance, so the Azores in winter are great for a spontaneous trip.
Also note that even in the wintertime, the temperatures in the Azores are rather warm in comparison to the European mainland and most parts of North America. It doesn’t snow here, except for the top of Pico Mountain, the highest peak in Portugal.
Spring
Springtime is ideal to visit the Azores as the weather is slowly turning warmer and sunnier. Flowers are blooming, making the landscapes look like paintings. You can see more people on the beaches enjoying the water temperatures getting hotter.
Inside the water, the biggest whales in the world are passing by from March to June. If you go whale watching, you have greater chances to see the considerable animals that pass by during their migration. However, remember that we see whales during every month of the year.
You can also experience many events in May with live music and mingle with locals. Among them Santo Cristo in São Miguel island in May, Sanjoaninas in June in Terceira island, and much more!
Spring is a great time for outdoor adventures, and there are so many of them to enjoy in the Azores. Choose between hiking, canyoning, swimming with dolphins, kayaking, and all you can think of.
Summer
Spending summer in the Azores is an absolute blast. The islands are the best place to go to have your greatest summer of all time. There are so many things to do and events to go.
Many things can only be done in the summer.
Firstly, July and August are the time when you can see all the famous hortensias along the roads. It is such an Instagrammable landscape!
It is also the case for the islet of Vila Franca, a nature reserve turned into the most beautiful beach of the archipelago, only accessible from June to September.
For the ones who love a farniente vacation to get tanned on the beach and simply relax, then summer is the best time to visit the Azores. Namely on Pico Island, you can find the most extensive variety of natural pools where sunbathing and snorkeling are very popular.
If you love going out at night, then the summer is the best season to enjoy various concerts and events in bars and clubs. Terceira is famous for being the party island, where you can easily find a great place to have drinks and dance.
Some people might opt to travel in another season, as during the summer, many tourists come to the Azores. Some places can get easily crowded in the summer, mostly in July and August.
Fall
The landscapes of the Azores and the light of fall have a particular vibe, creating dramatic and picturesque scenes. As the vegetation turns brown, and the clouds get lower, the misty islands are mysterious and still attract many travelers from all over the world.
The temperatures are still very good to walk around and explore the islands on foot. Moreover, the ocean temperature is at its highest so you can enjoy a swim at the beaches.
During fall, there could be some more wind as most storms happen between September to November. However, what a great time to enjoy the hot springs on cloudy days.
Useful Tools & Apps for the weather in the Azores in July
As previously mentioned, the Azores have 4 seasons in a day. That is where this revolutionary website is helpful. It is called SpotAzores, and it allows you to watch the live weather in many places around the islands thanks to cameras. Avoid a road trip for nothing and check the cameras before you go to the main attractions.
For a longer-term weather forecast, Windguru can be used as it is one of the most accurate. However, bear in mind that the weather can change very quickly.
Conclusion
The Azores are a blast to visit at any time of the year. In July, you are sure to have a great time if you are more on the social side, as there will be other visitors. This is great if you are a solo traveler and want to meet people. It is also great to enjoy social events like festivals.
For the weather, it is without any doubt one of the best months to explore the islands. You will have plenty of daylight time to go on many adventures, and the weather should be on your side to experience the outdoors.
Are you coming to the Azores this summer?
