The Poço do Bacalhau Waterfall is considered one of the most emblematic tourist attractions on the island of Flores. It is located in the Protected Landscape Area of the Central Zone and West Coast Cliffs and is part of the Flores Natural Park.
This magnificent waterfall is located in the parish of Fajã Grande, in Lajes das Flores, on the island of Flores. Here you can enjoy the crystal-clear water that collects in the Poço do Bacalhau and appreciate the natural beauty of this space – this is certainly one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island.
So, to get to know this imposing waterfall, we’ve prepared a guide with the most relevant information about this place and some of the tourist attractions you can’t miss during your stay on the island.
What is Poço do Bacalhau?
The Poço do Bacalhau Waterfall is an imposing waterfall that falls approximately 90 metres to form a small lake called Poço do Bacalhau. As you might expect, this place is popular with kids and adults alike, who come here to enjoy themselves.
This magnificent natural tourist attraction, often used as a bathing area, is surrounded by a magical atmosphere where the Azorean endemic vegetation is predominant — the well-known Macaronesian Laurissilva and the extensive area of moss (sphagnum sp.).
Did you know
The Poço do Bacalhau Waterfall has been part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 2009.
It’s important to note that despite being a popular spot for tourists, the Poço do Bacalhau waterfall is very well-preserved in terms of fauna and flora. In addition, there are tourist facilities such as car parks and restaurants near the waterfall.
What are you waiting for to dive into this magical pool? Savour these clear, refreshing waters!
Origin of the Name “Poço do Bacalhau”
As you might expect, there are various local theories about the origin of the name of the Poço do Bacalhau waterfall.
However, we believe that the most plausible explanation is the one that suggests that, at a certain time of day with a specific solar orientation, it is possible to observe in the landscape some visual similarities to a codfish steak.
What To Do In Poço do Bacalhau?
Regardless of age or personal tastes, Poço do Bacalhau is a place that will fascinate anyone. In this sense, we can say that exploring this waterfall will always be a good option for those looking for a memorable experience surrounded by nature.
From activities that appeal more to your spirit of adventure, to permanent contact with nature that gives you more peaceful and relaxing experiences, the Poço do Bacalhau Waterfall has options for everyone!
Did you know
This waterfall is known for its extreme activities, such as canyoning.
To complement your visit, we’ve decided to show you the activities and experiences you can’t miss during your time there.
Take the Lagoas Viewpoint/Poço do Bacalhau Hiking Trail (PR03 FLO)
To access the Poço do Bacalhau waterfall, you’ll have to walk along the Lagoas Viewpoint/Poço do Bacalhau (PR03 FLO) footpath, which will take you from the Lagoas Viewpoint to the waterfall.
This linear trail is approximately 7.3 kilometres long and is considered a challenging route — with a high degree of difficulty for beginners. In addition, it takes an average of 3 hours to reach your destination.
The best time to visit this trail is between March and September. Here, as well as having the opportunity to enjoy the peace and tranquillity provided by the walk, you’ll also be able to observe countless birds and species of endemic flora.
Note: Although PR03 FLO is the most popular route, there are links to other parts of the island via the Fajã Grande/Ponta Delgada (PR01 FLO) and Fajã Grande/Lajedo (PR02 FLO) routes.
Visit Tourist Attractions Near the Poço do Bacalhau Waterfall
To complement your visit to Poço do Bacalhau, we’ve decided to leave you with a list of the ten main points of interest located less than 5 kilometres from this fantastic waterfall.
- Fajã Grande Parish Council (773 m);
- São José Parish Church (785 m);
- Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo (1 km);
- Chapel of St Anthony of Lisbon (1 km);
- Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro (3 km) — another natural tourist attraction not to be missed;
- Império do Divino Espírito Santo da Fajãzinha (3 km);
- Ribeira Grande Waterfall (3 km) — the largest waterfall in the Azorean archipelago, with a height of 300 metres;
- Fajãzinha Parish Council (3 km);
- Church of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (3 km);
- Morro do Alto viewpoint (3 km).
Best Time To Visit Poço do Bacalhau
Poço do Bacalhau is a tourist attraction known for its natural pools. In this sense, we believe that the best time to visit and fully enjoy this attraction is during the hottest and driest seasons of the year.
Spring and summer may therefore be the best times to visit Poço do Bacalhau. During these months, temperatures are milder and there is less chance of rain, which makes conditions more favourable for exploring the natural pools, swimming and enjoying the surrounding landscape.
However, it is important to note that the climate in the Azores can be quite variable, and there can be some rainfall even during the summer months. We therefore recommend that you:
- Check the weather conditions before planning your visit;
- Be prepared for rapid changes in the weather.
In any case, if you prefer to avoid crowds, spring and early autumn may also be good options, as Flores Island tends to be less crowded in the low season. However, regardless of the season, Poço do Bacalhau offers a unique experience and an opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of the island of Flores.
Planning Your Visit To Poço do Bacalhau Waterfall
The Poço do Bacalhau waterfall is a natural monument, so whatever the season, you can enjoy permanent contact with nature. To enjoy this unique experience, we recommend that you plan your visit to Poço do Bacalhau in good time.
The Poço do Bacalhau is open to the public 24 hours a day all year round and access to this natural monument is completely free.
So, to help you out, we’ve put together a list of the essentials you need to take with you. It’s also advisable to book flights and accommodation in advance so you can get more deals and better value for money, taking into account your tastes.
What To Bring To Poço do Bacalhau Waterfall?
Have you planned your visit to the Poço do Bacalhau Waterfall? It’s time to find out which items we consider essential and which you can’t do without if you want your experience to be the best it can be.
In this regard, we recommend that you take comfortable clothes and equally comfortable footwear suitable for the trail you have to follow to your destination.
You should also take a rucksack with you:
- Extra warm clothing;
- Swimsuit – in case you want to dive into the waterfall
- Beach towel for cleaning yourself or sitting on the ground;
- Waterproof or windbreaker;
- Camera to eternalise moments;
- Sun cream;
- Some snacks;
- Water.
Note: When visiting Poço do Bacalhau, please respect the environment and follow the local rules to preserve the unique beauty of this natural area.
How To Get To Poço do Bacalhau?
Setting off from the town of Lajes das Flores (the seat of the municipality of Lajes das Flores) in the direction of the parish of Fajã Grande, you’ll have to travel around 18.5 kilometres to reach the imposing Poço do Bacalhau waterfall.
To get to your destination you have several options: you can choose to travel by car/motorbike, taxi, public transport (bus) or bicycle.
Following the ER1-2, the journey takes approximately:
- Car, motorbike or taxi: 25 minutes;
- Bus: 55 minutes – although the journey by bus only takes 42 minutes, you should allow an extra 15 minutes on foot. In other words, this journey takes a total of 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Alternatively, you can cycle along the Galo Municipal Road, although it will take you (on average) 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach your destination.
What To Do Around Poço do Bacalhau?
Have you been on the hiking trail, canyoning and diving in the famous icy waterfall? Don’t worry, your adventure doesn’t end here!
Poço do Bacalhau is a paradise that attracts thousands of visitors, but the municipality of Lajes das Flores has a lot to offer. Here, you can easily find your next ideal destination.
Quick Info
The island of Flores, known as the capital of the cascades, is the westernmost point in Europe and presents us with the wildest and most radical side of the Azores.
To help you in this selection process, we’ve highlighted other tourist attractions that we think would be an excellent choice for our readers, regardless of their tastes.
Explore the Municipality of Lajes das Flores
Based in the town of Lajes das Flores, the municipality of Lajes das Flores is located on the south coast of the island of Flores and is part of the Western Group of the Azorean archipelago. The municipality of Lajes das Flores is the westernmost in Europe.
Founded in 1515, this municipality is divided into seven parishes: Fajã Grande, Fajãzinha, Fazenda, Lajedo, Lajes das Flores, Lomba and Mosteiros.
Here, the locals seem to live in perfect balance with nature. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes in every nook and cranny, there is an extensive natural and built heritage that deserves to be visited.
With this in mind, we’ve decided to highlight some main tourist attractions in this region:
- Lajes das Flores Pier Battery;
- Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário;
- Fort of St Anthony of Lajes das Flores;
- Lajes das Flores harbour;
- Sete Lagoas — Lagoa Branca, Lagoa Comprida, Lagoa Funda, Lagoa Funda das Lajes, Lagoa Rasa and Lagoa Seca;
- Lagoa da Lomba;
- Rocha dos Bordões;
- Rocha dos Frades;
- Fajã de Lopo Vaz;
- Craveiro Lopes Viewpoint;
- Lajedo Viewpoint;
- Fajã do Conde viewpoint;
- Ponta Negra Lookout Viewpoint
- Gruta do Galo;
- Enxaréus Cave;
- Monchique Islet;
- Alagoa Bay;
- Among many others.
Discover Rocha dos Bordões
Rocha dos Bordões is a geological formation made up of large vertical prismatic basalt columns 20 metres high that resemble “bordões”. This tourist attraction has been classified as a Regional Natural Monument since 2004 by the Regional Government of the Azores.
Did you know
Rocha dos Bordões is approximately 570,000 years old and is located in Cabo Baixo das Casas, in the parish of Mosteiros, in the municipality of Lajes das Flores, approximately 10 kilometres from the Poço do Bacalhau waterfall.
This fantastic rocky monument is part of the Special Conservation Area of the Central Zone — Morro Alto, within the Natura 2000 Network and is a geosite of the Azores Geopark — UNESCO World Geopark.
In addition, this Natural Monument is home to species of flora and fauna endemic to the Azores which, together with its geological features, make it an ex-libris of the island and a popular observation point for nature photography lovers.
Visit Fajã de Lopo Vaz
Fajã de Lopo Vaz is located in the municipality of Lajes das Flores, approximately 15 kilometres from the Poço do Bacalhau waterfall. This fajã was most probably the first inhabited place on the island of Flores, and the name “Lopo Vaz” comes from one of its first settlers.
At one time, the inhabitants of Fajã de Lopo Vaz were self-sufficient due to the difficulties of access by land. Today, thanks to the difficult access, the fajã is practically uninhabited.
However, this area is covered in pastures and banana plantations and is a popular spot for ornithological observation, Macaronesian studies and the appreciation of deserted beaches. It is also one of the few places on the island where wild goats can be found.
However, if you want to embark on an adventure and discover this rural paradise, you can follow the Fajã de Lopo Vaz Trail (PRC04 FLO), a circular route 3.4 kilometres long.
Where To Eat Near Poço do Bacalhau
If you need somewhere to eat near Poço do Bacalhau, click here. In this link, you’ll find the 10 best restaurants on Tripadvisor.
Where To Stay Near Poço do Bacalhau
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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 Flores Island
There are many routes to get to the island of Flores by plane. The main points of entry are via Lisbon, Porto (on the mainland) and Santa Cruz das Flores (Flores 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 Flores
The island of Flores has many cultural events to offer all year round. You can see the full list of events at the following link.
Video – Poço do Bacalhau, Fajã Grande (Flores Island, Azores)
Conclusion
Surrounded by paradisiacal scenery, the Poço do Bacalhau Waterfall is a beautiful waterfall that fascinates all who visit it. It is therefore considered a must-see for anyone visiting the stunning island of Flores.
Set in the immense Flores Natural Park, Poço do Bacalhau is surrounded by beautiful natural surroundings. Here you can give free rein to your more adventurous spirit and enjoy real moments of leisure with your family and friends.
We also suggest that you set off to discover the beautiful municipality of Lajes das Flores, where you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the region’s vast natural, cultural and gastronomic heritage.
What are you waiting for? Book your visit to the Poço do Bacalhau Waterfall now to discover this and many other iconic tourist attractions on the island!
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
