Health and Safety Tips in the Azores

Azores 101 08/04/2025

Azores 101

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6 months ago

The Azores Archipelago is the ideal destination for those who enjoy traveling in close contact with nature and seek to relax from everyday stress. Like mainland Portugal, it is a safe place (low crime rate), and health services are very competent so that you can feel at ease throughout your stay in the archipelago. In this short article, we will provide some medical and safety tips that may be relevant to your trip.

Contents hide

1.1 If I Need a Doctor, Where Should I Go?

1.2 Should I Get Travel Health Insurance When Visiting the Azores?

2 Safety Tips During Your Visit to the Azores Archipelago

3 Complementary Information

3.1 Best Season to Visit the Azores

3.2 How to Get to the Azores

3.3 Travel Essentials

3.4 Useful Tools & Apps

4 In Summary…

Emergency Services in the Azores

If you need to call the Police, an ambulance, or the Fire Department, contact emergency services by dialing 112. Yes, this is the same number used across the European Union!

If I Need a Doctor, Where Should I Go?

In the main islands of the Azores Archipelago, you will find several health centers available for urgent and non-urgent medical care, with or without an appointment. Additionally, regardless of which island you’re on, you can visit the many pharmacies open 24 hours to purchase medication with or without a prescription.

However, if it’s a medical emergency, you should call 112 or go directly to the nearest hospital for more specialized care!

Should I Get Travel Health Insurance When Visiting the Azores?

Regardless of the destination, and the Azores are no exception, it is always recommended to get travel insurance for your trip. The Azores are known for their nature and magnificent trails and waterfalls. Because of this, there is always a higher risk of sprains and minor injuries during hikes. Remember, if you are a citizen of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), you can present the European Health Insurance Card when visiting a medical center or hospital.

Safety Tips During Your Visit to the Azores Archipelago

The Azores are very popular with both local and international tourists, especially for their nature. Therefore, here are some tips to ensure your visit is as relaxed as possible:

Pay Attention to the Weather Forecast: The Azores have a tropical climate, meaning the weather can change quickly in a matter of hours. So, regardless of the season, always pay attention to weather forecasts when doing long trails or other outdoor activities.
Trail and Hiking Care: There are trails with different levels of difficulty and terrains. We recommend wearing appropriate footwear, comfortable clothing for both rain and sun, and carrying a backpack with water, a portable charger, and a map in case you lose your mobile signal. Trails are usually well-marked, so it is not advisable to venture off recommended paths or hike alone.
Thermal Springs and Volcanic Areas Safety: Several islands have unique thermal springs, which are a must-see during your visit to the Azores. However, they can pose extra risks. Respect the signs, don’t cross safety barriers, and avoid stepping on areas with boiling water.
Personal Safety: The Azores are a very safe place, but it’s always good to take some precautions, such as not leaving valuables visible in your car and avoiding walking alone at night in poorly lit areas.
Beach Safety: If you like to take a swim in the ocean, look for beaches monitored by lifeguards. There may be currents, riptides, and jellyfish that can pose a danger to your safety.
Be Aware of Earthquakes: The archipelago experiences frequent but low-magnitude earthquakes that are often barely perceptible. However, if you feel a tremor, seek shelter, avoid windows, and, if possible, move to open areas away from streams and cliffs.

👉 Related Article: Best Beaches in the Azores Islands

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 to São Miguel (PDL), Terceira (TER), Faial (HOR), Pico (PIX), and Santa Maria (SMA) available. 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.

In Summary…

The Azores Archipelago is a paradise destination that deserves a visit at least once in your lifetime. However, like any destination, there are precautions to consider to ensure your trip goes smoothly and without any surprises.

From appropriate equipment and respecting signage rules to having travel health insurance, these small details can help in case of emergency. Moreover, remember that the Azores have a tropical climate. You should always have a raincoat in your backpack — even during the summer.

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.

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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.