The Biscoitos Natural Pools, located on the northeast coast of Terceira, are one of the most emblematic and popular bathing areas on the island and in the Azorean archipelago.
This beautiful tourist attraction is the result of successive volcanic eruptions that have formed various rock formations in the open sea. Today, you can enjoy the natural pools surrounded by black volcanic rocks.
In addition, the parish of Biscoitos is well known for its tradition and for producing excellent quality wines — Verdelho wine.
So, to get to know this natural wonder and everything that surrounds it, we’ve prepared a guide with the most relevant information about this place. And some of the tourist attractions that you can’t miss during your visit to Biscoitos.
Where are the Biscoitos Natural Pools?
The Biscoitos Natural Swimming Pools are a group of rocky marine formations. One of Terceira’s most famous bathing areas, these pools are located in the parish of Biscoitos, in the municipality of Praia da Vitória, on the island of Terceira.
This natural wonder is the result of AA-type basaltic flows from ancient volcanic eruptions emitted around 4,500 years ago by Pico Gordo, a volcanic cone located in the central part of Terceira island.
Did you know
This volcanic bathing area has transparent waters that are inviting for swimming and diving. The seawater has very pleasant temperatures in summer, averaging around 21°C.
Recognized annually with the Blue Flag, the Biscoitos Natural Swimming Pools are supervised and safe, where you can enjoy this leisure space in peace during the hottest months of the year. It is equipped with complete support infrastructures for bathers, such as a bar, showers and free parking.
Also, take the opportunity to visit the typical “curraletas das vinhas” (vineyard corrals) near these pools. This traditional form of wine production marks the landscape of what is one of the most emblematic cultural geosites in the third region.
History of Biscoitos
Framed by peculiar black rock formations, the Biscoitos Natural Pools are more than just a place for leisure. They are the “living” witnesses of the region’s geological history and a true gift from Mother Nature to be enjoyed by all who visit.
The Biscoitos Natural Pools are a fascinating work of nature shaped by volcanic heat and marine erosion. They have depressions filled with the sea that blends harmoniously with the black rocks, creating a unique landscape.
In 1969, the Biscoitos Natural Pools were adapted and became a privileged place for locals and tourists alike, offering a natural refuge for those who want to enjoy the crystal-clear waters and stunning scenery.
What To Do In Biscoitos?
Here you can enjoy real moments of peace in communion with nature. So here are a few suggestions:
- Contemplate the landscape that surrounds you;
- Sunbathing;
- Diving in the pool or snorkelling.
In addition, to make your experience even more enriching, below we suggest some of the main points of interest that you can’t miss during your stay in Biscoitos.
Discover Biscoitos Parish
The parish of Biscoitos, located on the north coast of Terceira Island, is an important rural area in the municipality of Praia da Vitória. Its name derives from the black, fragmented soil formed by volcanic lava.
In addition to the magnificent Biscoitos Natural Swimming Pools, this parish has its unique history and traditions. That’s why we’re going to suggest the main points of interest that combine natural beauty, history and culture, providing a complete experience.
- Historical heritage: with a history dating back to the colonization of Terceira Island, Biscoitos is home to ancient churches and has a noble heritage linked to the region’s founding families;
- Military fortifications: along the coast of Biscoitos, you’ll be able to see military fortifications dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, bearing witness to the island’s defensive past against pirates and privateers;
- Wine tradition: Biscoitos is known for its strong wine tradition, especially Verdelho wine, produced with traditional grape varieties in basalt curraletas;
- Biscoitos Wine Museum: founded in 1990, this museum is dedicated to the history and production of wine in the region, displaying a collection of instruments related to the grape harvest, photographs and historical documents.
Venture along the Vineyard Route (RVI01 TER)
Walking the Rota das Vinhas Trail (RVI01 TER) is the ideal experience for you if you enjoy permanent contact with nature and wine-growing traditions. Located in the parish of Biscoitos, this is a walking route that you can’t miss on your visit to the island.
This walking trail takes you to discover the history of Biscoitos Verdelho wine. It starts at the Wine Museum, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the history of Terceira’s vineyards and wine, from production to bottling.
This tour then takes you to discover the magnificent Biscoitos Wine Landscape, where you can contemplate the exuberant landscape, built by the strength and determination of the Azorean ancestors.
To end this tour on a high note, we suggest a tasting of the wines produced in this emblematic region. We suggest one of the following options:
- Adega Cooperativa dos Biscoitos;
- Dimas Adega;
- Adega Oliveira;
- Casas do Morgadio.
Best Time to Visit Terceira
Terceira Island, located in the Azores archipelago, is characterized by an atypical climate resulting from various factors that contribute to its botanical richness and scenic value.
The climate is mild regardless of the season in question, and the average values do not change much. Temperatures vary between:
- 16. °C in spring;
- 21. °C in summer;
- 18. °C in autumn;
- 14. °C in winter.
So, if you like warmer temperatures, take advantage of summer and spring to enjoy Terceira’s emblematic bathing areas. On the other hand, if you prefer peace, book your trip for the fall or winter, when there aren’t so many tourists, and you can enjoy all the island’s nooks and crannies in peace.
Best Time To Visit the Biscoitos Natural Pools
In the particular case of the Biscoitos Natural Pools, given that we are talking about a bathing area, the best time of year to visit the place is from May to September.
This is if you want to take advantage of the warmer, sunnier days to go bathing in the Biscoitos Natural Pools.
How to Plan Your Visit to Biscoitos
The Biscoitos Natural Pools are a natural monument that attracts thousands of visitors every year, especially in the summer months. Here you can enjoy the beauty of the surrounding landscapes and permanent contact with nature.
To enjoy this unique experience, we recommend that you plan your visit to Biscoitos in good time. So, once you’ve decided on the days and duration of your trip, choose the ideal accommodation for you according to your tastes and financial possibilities – the earlier you book, the more likely you are to find good deals at prices that are more friendly to your wallet.
You should also plan an itinerary with all the places you want to visit and all the activities and experiences you want to do during your stay in Terceira.
What to Bring to Biscoitos Bathing Area?
Enjoying the Biscoitos Natural Pools is something you really can’t miss when you visit Praia da Vitória. So it’s time to find out which items we consider essential and which you can’t miss if you want your experience to be the best it can be.
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We recommend that you bring a bathing suit, comfortable clothes and equally comfortable shoes. You should also take a backpack with you:
- Beach towel;
- Camera to capture moments;
- Sunscreen;
- Hat and sunglasses;
- Some snacks;
- Water.
Excursions & Activities in Biscoitos
To make sure you don’t miss out on the many places that we consider to be a must-see, we recommend that you go on an excursion or do some activities/experiences.
By purchasing an excursion or experience, you can enjoy the wonders of nature calmly without worrying about organizing your itinerary. As well as seeing all the most interesting places, you’ll also have the chance to hear the stories and curiosities that the guides have to tell you.
There are many excursions and activities you can do in Biscoitos, with prices ranging from €60 to €490 – always depending on the type of service, the extras included in the packages and the number of people.
How to Get to Biscoitos
Leaving the city of Praia da Vitória in the direction of the parish of Biscoitos, you will have to travel around 21 km to reach this beautiful town. To get to your destination you have several options: you can choose to travel by car/motorcycle, cab, bus, or bicycle.
Did you know
There are many routes available to you, so you can take the alternative that suits you best — the journey time changes depending on the route you select.
Following the EN1-1A, the journey takes approximately:
- Car, Motorcycle or Taxi: 28 minutes;
- Bus (CA3): 56 minutes — the bus journey takes 48 minutes, but you should allow an extra 8 minutes for walking;
- Bicycle: 1 hour and 32 minutes.
In any case, if you like long walks, you can select to do this route on foot, but it will take you (on average) 4 hours and 51 minutes to reach your destination.
What to Do Around Biscoitos?
Have you enjoyed all the tourist attractions in the parish of Biscoitos? It’s time to find out about other magnificent tourist attractions that you should include in your visit to Terceira.
For example, in the municipality of Praia da Vitória, many other attractions will surprise you with their beauty and atmosphere.
So remember to plan an itinerary with all the places you want to visit. So, we’ve put together a few points that we consider to be a must-see. Take a look at our suggestions!
Visit Praia da Vitória
Praia da Vitória is located in a large bay on the east coast of Terceira island — one of the islands in the central group of the Azores archipelago. With an extensive bathing area and a beautiful marina, this is an area where you can relax and enjoy great walks around the region.
The city is very well-preserved and is steeped in the history that has marked this town for hundreds of years. The historic centre of Praia da Vitória is characterized by its many monuments, buildings and historic and traditional streets.
So don’t miss these places when you visit this beautiful city:
- Mother Church;
- Church of Senhor Santo Cristo das Misericórdias;
- Fort of Santa Catarina;
- Império da Caridade;
- Town Hall;
- Customs House;
- Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios.
In addition to these places, you should pass through Rua de Jesus. This is the city’s best-known shopping street and has very typical and colourful architecture — worthy of a good photo shoot. At the end of the street, you’ll find the municipal market, built at the beginning of the 19th century.
Enjoying the Porto Martins Bathing Area (Natural Pools)
The Porto Martins bathing area is known for its magnificent natural pools and is one of the most popular places for bathers in the summer months. It is located in the parish of Porto Martins, in the municipality of Praia da Vitória, on the island of Terceira.
The bay of Porto Martins serves as a backdrop to the natural pool. Here you can enjoy two different pools:
- A smaller, sheltered pool – suitable for children;
- A larger pool open to the sea.
You can also enjoy the beautiful Porto Martins waterfront, a very pleasant place for walks by the sea.
Diving in the Quatro Ribeiras Natural Pools
The Quatro Ribeiras Natural Swimming Pools are located on a site characterized by volcanic formations of a trachytic nature, which comprise the island’s eruptive activity over the last 23,000 years. This bathing area, located in the parish of Quatro Rieiras, in the municipality of Praia da Vitória, has a children’s pool as well as a natural pool open to the sea.
Due to its importance in geological terms, marine life, birdlife and flora, this bathing area is recognized as one of the geosites of the Azores Geopark. It is part of a Marine Protected Area for Resource Management and an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area.
Getting to Know the Vila Nova Bathing Area – Escaleiras
The Vila Nova bathing area, also known as “Escaleiras”, is located in the parish of Vila Nova, in the municipality of Praia da Vitória, on the island of Terceira. Here you can enjoy sunbathing and a dip in the sea.
Did you know
The name Escaleiras came from the initial difficulty people had in getting to this bathing area. In other words, in the past, this place was only accessible through holes in the rock, which people climbed through.
This place has a wide variety of rocky habitats such as reefs, walls or canyons and sandy clearings. In addition, here you can find numerous species of marine fauna – this coastal area is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) of the BirdLife International organization.
Enjoy the Praia Grande Bathing Area
Praia Grande is considered the largest sandy beach on Terceira Island and is located in the bay of Praia da Vitória. It is known for windsurfing.
Despite being very central, this beach is quite spacious and not usually crowded, so it’s easy to find a quiet spot to lie in the sun. It also has good infrastructure to support bathers and is awarded the Blue Flag.
Explore Paul da Praia da Vitória
Located in the urban centre of the city, Paul da Praia da Vitória is surrounded by a very peculiar ecosystem. Here, you’ll find a wetland that arose as a result of the meeting of a water table with a graben (Graben das Lajes) and a dune system.
Over the years this tourist attraction has undergone numerous changes, but Paul da Praia da Vitória has recently been restored. It is now possible to enjoy nature and its beautiful scenery in the everyday life of this coastal town.
Enjoy the Scenery at Miradouro da Serra do Cume
If you want one of the most typical views on the island, the Miradouro da Serra do Cume is the viewpoint you should be looking for. This breathtaking place sits at the top of a volcano with a crater about 15 kilometres long.
Its viewpoint was opened in 2008 and is located at an altitude of 542 meters. From here you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Lajes plain, the bay, and the city of Praia da Vitória as well as the inland plains of the island of Terceira.
Did you know
During the Second World War, Serra do Cume served as a military control site. At this time, an underground military complex was built — the Casamatas da Serra do Cume, which is now abandoned.
Where to Eat Near Biscoitos
If you need somewhere to eat near Biscoitos, click here. In this link, you’ll find the 10 best restaurants on Tripadvisor.
Where to Stay Near Biscoitos
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Complementary Information
Useful Tools and Apps
The weather in the Azores is quite unpredictable. For this reason, there is a very useful App that you can install on your mobile phone before visiting any of the 9 islands: Spotazores. Thanks to the cameras installed in many of the biggest points of tourist interest, you can see the weather in real-time and decide where to go.
To check the weather forecast for the next few days, use Windy or Windguru, they are the most accurate.
How to Get to Terceira Island
There are many routes to get to the island of Terceira by plane. The main points of entry are via Lisbon, Porto (on the mainland) and Lajes (Terceira island), but there are already many direct routes.
The best way to find a flight that works for you is to use a flight search engine like eDreams or Skyscanner. As you may already know, these sites allow you to compare prices and schedules of various airlines in one place.
Once you find a flight you like, all you need to do is book! And in a few hours, you’ll be on your way to one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the world.
Cultural Agenda on The Island of Terceira
The island of Terceira has many cultural events to offer all year round. You can see the full list of events at the following link.
Video of Biscoitos Natural Pools (Terceira Island, Azores)
Conclusion
The Biscoitos Natural Swimming Pool is a pleasant surprise, the crystal-clear water with its inviting temperatures and the dark volcanic rocks are an excellent reason to visit Terceira.
After enjoying a good time in this emblematic bathing area, take the opportunity to get to know the parish of Biscoitos and the municipality of Praia da Vitória, where you can visit some of the region’s best-known points of interest.
From the wine museum, trails, bathing areas to breathtaking viewpoints, this town has a lot to offer.
Come and collect memories on one of the most beautiful islands in the Azorean archipelago.
References
- Mendonça, L. (2017). Questions and Answers on the History of the Azores. 2nd Edition, Letras Lavadas. Ponta Delgada.
- Forjaz, V., Ribeiro, L., Almeida, L., Pereira, N. and Rodrigues, J. (2019). Volcanoes of the Azores (4th Edition). Letras Lavadas. Ponta Delgada.
