Top Places to Visit in São Jorge Island

Travel 09/09/2025

Travel

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2 months ago

Copywriter

Rita Puga

Photos

João Paulo Santos

Photos

Álvaro Palácios

Known as the ‘island of fajãs’, São Jorge is one of the unique gems of the Azores Archipelago. With its dramatic cliffs, green highlands, and coastal plains formed by lava flows, the island offers breathtaking landscapes and authentic cultural experiences. Whether you’re into hiking, gastronomy, or simply enjoying raw nature, São Jorge is a must-visit.

Contents hide

1 Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo

2 Fajã dos Cubres

3 Velas

4 Urzelina

5 Pico da Esperança Viewpoint

6 Coffee Plantation at Fajã dos Vimes

7 Plan Your Visit to São Jorge Island

7.1 Best Season to Visit

7.2 How to Get to São Jorge

7.3 Where to Eat

7.4 Where to Stay

8 Complementary Information

8.1 Best Season to Visit the Azores

8.2 How to Get to the Azores

8.3 Travel Essentials

8.4 Useful Tools & Apps

9 Video

10 Conclusion

11 Map

Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo

Joao Paulo Santos | Fajã de Santo Cristo on a beautiful day — João Paulo Santos | Fajã de Santo Cristo on a beautiful day

The Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo is one of the most breathtaking and iconic places on São Jorge Island in the Azores. This secluded paradise, nestled between cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean, is only accessible by foot or quad, adding to its untouched and mystical charm.

Known for its stunning lagoon — the only one of its kind in the Azores — Santo Cristo is a sanctuary of natural beauty and biodiversity. The area is also world-famous among surfers for its powerful waves, making it a genuine hotspot for adventure seekers.

But the Fajã is more than just nature and surf. It’s also a place of history, culture, and devotion, with the small Hermitage of Santo Cristo serving as the heart of local traditions and annual pilgrimages. Highlights not to miss include:

The Lagoon of Santo Cristo is perfect for photography and birdwatching.
The Hermitage of Santo Cristo is steeped in history and faith.
The chance to taste clams from the lagoon is a local delicacy.
Scenic trails that offer unforgettable views over the coast and cliffs.

Fajã dos Cubres

Dotted with traditional stone houses, Fajã dos Cubres is a perfect example of a typical fajã and is so photogenic. Take a stroll in the narrow streets of this fantastic place located in such an unlikely place. Don’t forget to visit the century-old church.

The houses fit perfectly in the landscapes. You will not find any buildings that are higher than two floors or supermarkets. The high cliffs perfectly protect the village and open towards the ocean. It is a very peculiar way of life. To protect the inhabitants from the sea, you will see the natural protection all around: black pebbles. Everything about Fajã dos Cubres makes it a special place.

Velas

Álvaro RP | The natural beauty of Poça Simão Dias

Velas, the largest town on São Jorge Island, stands out for its rich historical, cultural, and religious heritage. Museums, churches, and ancient forts contribute to the town’s architectural diversity. They invite visitors to explore its charming streets. Visitors can wander through the streets and uncover the town’s essence.

Affectionately known as the ‘Cheese Capital of the Azores’, Velas is a top destination for cheese lovers. Visitors can taste the renowned São Jorge cheeses, one of the region’s most iconic products.

For nature lovers, Velas offers unique experiences by the sea and inland. The Natural Pools of Poça dos Frades and the Preguiça Bathing Area offer swimmers crystal-clear waters surrounded by volcanic rocks. Visitors enjoy breathtaking views of the Pico and Faial islands while swimming in the calm waters.

The town is also a gateway to the island’s iconic fajãs, which offer stunning and authentic landscapes:

Fajã do Ouvidor: Famous for the Poça Simão Dias natural pool.
Fajã d’Além: A peaceful retreat with orchards full of fruit trees.

Velas has something special for you, whether you’re seeking history, gastronomy, or natural beauty!

Urzelina

Urzelina, a charming parish in the municipality of Velas, is a true seaside paradise on the island of São Jorge. Nestled along the coast, the village offers peaceful walks framed by traditional windmills and sweeping ocean views that take your breath away.

Beyond its natural beauty, Urzelina is rich in cultural and historical heritage, inviting visitors to explore its unique landmarks and hidden gems. Perfect for family outings or moments shared with friends, this parish combines history, nature, and leisure in one destination. Here are some suggestions:

Tower of the Church of Urzelina;
Church of São Mateus;
Furna das Pombas (Cave);
Urzelina Volcano;
Ponta dos Casteletes Viewpoint;
Urzelina Natural Pools.

Pico da Esperança Viewpoint

Mélissa Masvaleix | Looking at Pico mountain from Pico da Esperança

The island’s highest point offers the best views. From up there, observe the “dormant dragon” and the other four islands around. On a cloudless day, it is quite a fantastic panorama.

Coffee Plantation at Fajã dos Vimes

Alvaro RP | The coffee plantations at Fajã dos Vimes — Álvaro RP | The coffee plantations at Fajã dos Vimes

On the south coast of São Jorge Island, one of the fajãs grows coffee. The Nunes family owns the only coffee plantation in the Azores behind their house. They invite people to taste the delicious aromatic drink and visit the plantation, one of the island’s most popular attractions. The frequent rains at Fajã dos Vimes create a microclimate perfect for agriculture. UNESCO protects this fajã as a Biosphere Reserve.

Plan Your Visit to São Jorge Island

Alvaro RP | Fajã do Ouvidor, São Jorge island — Álvaro RP | Fajã do Ouvidor, São Jorge Island

Best Season to Visit

The best time to visit São Jorge Island, Azores, is spring (April to June) and summer (July to September).

During this period, the climate is milder, and the temperatures are more pleasant for exploring the region and enjoying the natural landscapes. In addition, the flora will be lush, and many outdoor activities, such as hiking, boat trips, and visits to vineyards and orchards, will be possible.

It’s important to note that the climate in the Azores can be relatively unstable throughout the year, so be prepared for weather variations, even during the warmer seasons.

How to Get to São Jorge

Reaching São Jorge Island requires some planning, but the journey is part of the adventure. Since the island has no international airport, you’ll first need to fly to the Azores’ main gateways — São Miguel (Ponta Delgada, PDL), Terceira (Lajes, TER), or Faial (Horta, HOR).

From there, you have two options:

Domestic flights: SATA Azores Airlines operates regular connections from São Miguel, Terceira, and Faial to São Jorge Airport (SJZ), located near Velas. Flights are short and offer spectacular views of the archipelago from above.
Ferries: In spring and summer, Atlanticoline ferries connect São Jorge to the nearby islands of Pico, Faial, and Terceira. It’s a scenic and affordable way to travel, though schedules are more limited in the off-season.

Pro Tip: Many travelers combine São Jorge with Pico or Faial, as the three islands form the central group of the Azores and are just a short ferry ride apart.

Where to Eat

Click on the following link to find a place to eat in São Jorge Island. It will take you to TripAdvisor, where you can review the 10 best restaurants.

Where to Stay

Searching for the perfect place to stay? We’ve made it easy by filtering top accommodation options from Airbnb and Booking. Here, you’ll find the ideal place to stay and enjoy your visit!

Complementary Information

Best Season to Visit the Azores

The Azores Archipelago boasts a unique climate that shapes its lush landscapes, making it a splendid year-round destination. With mild temperatures and minimal fluctuations, each season offers something unique. Spring averages 16 °C, summer reaches 21 °C, autumn cools to 18 °C, and winter remains mild at 14 °C.

How to Get to the Azores

The Azorean Archipelago is easily accessible through numerous flight routes. Lisbon and Porto are the main entry points to the continent, with direct flights available to São Miguel (PDL), Terceira (TER), Faial (HOR), Pico (PIX), and Santa Maria (SMA). To find the best flight, use search engines like eDreams or Skyscanner. These platforms enable you to compare prices and schedules from various airlines in one convenient location.

For more details on how to get to the Azores, take a look at our complete guide. But what if you want to explore beyond your arrival island? We’ve got you covered!

→ Once you’ve found the perfect route, book your tickets and get ready to experience one of the world’s most stunning island groups!

Travel Essentials

Useful Tools & Apps

The weather in the Azores can be variable, so it’s helpful to use some apps before visiting the islands. Spotazores provides live camera feeds from the main tourist attractions, allowing you to check the weather and plan your visit. For accurate weather predictions, use Windy or Windguru — they provide the most reliable predictions.

Video

Portugal in 150 seconds | A brief journey through São Jorge Island

Conclusion

São Jorge Island is a true gem of the Azores Archipelago, defined by its unique fajãs, lush landscapes, and deeply rooted traditions. Whether you’re exploring trails that lead to breathtaking viewpoints, immersing yourself in the tranquility of lagoons and natural pools, or savoring the island’s world-famous São Jorge cheese, every experience here is unforgettable.

More than just a destination, São Jorge offers an authentic journey that blends nature, culture, and Azorean hospitality. When planning your trip, be sure to include this island in your itinerary — it’s an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Authors’ Note

I am pleased to inform you that all the recommendations in this article are based on my personal experience and observations. As the author, I have personally visited each attraction mentioned, ensuring that every suggestion is grounded in first-hand knowledge and genuine enthusiasm.

Map

São Roque do Pico: Capital of Rural Tourism in the Azores

Impactful & unforgetable experiences

Browse all the outstanding experiences you can live in the Azores

Whale Watching

Lying in the middle of the mystical Atlantic Ocean, the wonderful Azores islands are a permanent home or point of passage for more than a third of the entire world’s whale and dolphin species.
Dive into this lifetime adventure with ancestral creatures where science and emotion come together at their highest level!
This may be the best place on earth to observe these magnificent animals.

Jeep Tours

Feel the rush, surprise, and emotion in an all-terrain vehicle, this adventure will take you to the core of secrets. We will take you where nobody has ever reached before. Experience moments of adrenaline in our jeep tours. The adventure through the interior of the islands will begin!
The trips are made in 4×4 vehicles properly equipped, capable of taking you to places little explored. It is intended for those who want to discover new perspectives and unusual scenarios on the Azores Islands in a more adventurous way. We pass on secondary roads, which are not usually found on the usual tourist routes. They are narrow paths, dirt paths, called “canadas” in Azorean, and are mostly used by farmers.

Kayaking & SUP

Find solace in listening to the birds chirping and enjoy the peacefulness of the moment, and make sure you capture it with your camera this unforgettable experience.
Sete Cidades is a volcanic complex where you can visit several lakes. Inside one of the craters, you can find two lakes, known as Lagoa Verde (green lake) and Lagoa Azul (blue lake), that feature in a legendary love legend about the lake’s creation. This special place was elected as one of the country’s seven natural wonders and once you are there, you will definitely understand why.
The contrast of colors between the two mysterious lakes is mesmerizing, and being on the water, in the middle of the volcanic crater, will give you a different perspective of the high green cliffs around.

Canyoning

The boldest and most unique adventure! Heading through the natural landscape you will be able to enjoy some adrenaline-fueled activities. Wet, wild, and absolutely unforgettable.
This experience involves trekking through river gorges, around pools, or even behind waterfalls.
Canyoners navigate down waterways by abseiling down waterfalls, clambering over rocks, or jumping into water rock pools. You will get wet for sure, even with an exposure suit, but this is not too bad with the relatively warm climate of the Azores.

Van Tours

Take a seat in the emotion sector, stop wherever you want and where your curiosity demands it. Taste, observe, and treasure the entire originality of this Atlantic paradise.
If you want to get to know the island of São Miguel more peacefully, without the worry of renting a car, opt for more comfort, on a pleasant van ride. Make the most of your vacation and get away from the city.
This way, you are guaranteed to know the main points of interest, but also those you will not find in travel guides. This is perhaps the best choice for those looking for convenience and security.

Hiking Tours

From lush green vegetation to a great variety of wildlife, enjoy heaven after a long ramble with otherworldly vistas.
Enjoy your holidays in the Azores walking through the beautiful landscapes of volcanic origin. Breathe fresh air and contemplate all the diversity of fauna and flora you will find.
You can start the day feeling the nature among mountains, enjoy more than one lagoon on the island of São Miguel, and finally, to end the day in a perfect way, take a boat trip to see the sunset.

Bike Tours

In order to discover São Miguel island and stay active, cycling is definitely the way to go!
At Sete Cidades volcanic complex, have one of your best bike adventures! Indeed, we are not taking you to a random place. We are talking here about one of the Seven elected wonders of all of Portugal.
This is where our awesome bike adventures take place and we can tell that we love to take our guests there!

Coasteering

Here, you can explore the geography of the giant rocky cliffs climbing through the sky and how the pounding waves smooth the coastline. Coasteering is an exhilarating experience combining rock and water activity with coastal landscapes. It was originated as a combination of mountaineering and orienteering.