What is the best time to visit the Azores

There is always a reason to visit the Azores at any time of the year.

The Azores have so much to offer throughout the year that it would be unfair to say that one season is better than another. The decision always depends on what you want to enjoy and explore in the Azores. The climate in the Azores is inviting and mild throughout the months, with averages between 14 and 22 degrees Celsius. This means that there is no impediment to choosing any time of the year. When we say it's cold here, in reality, the temperature is considered pleasant for most people from other latitudes. Naturally, the spring and summer months between June and September are the warmest and driest, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 degrees.

Visiting the Azores in spring and summer.

If what you want most is to enjoy lush landscapes, participate in outdoor activities, hiking, or enjoy active tourism in nature, then spring and summer will be the most suitable times for you. Between May and October, the weather is warmer and drier, with temperatures ranging between 17 and 24 degrees Celsius and less rainfall.

This is the time when the divisions of rural lands and roads are filled with flowers and the green reaches the exuberance that characterizes the island landscapes. It is the ideal time to take impressive landscape photos, with the sky and sea stretching endlessly in contrast to the green of the islands. The temperature invites long and relaxing walks on trails that transport us into nature, to another world.

Whale watching, which can be done almost all year round, also finds the most favorable conditions during this time of year. Not only because of the greater diversity and abundance of cetacean species that cross the Azores at this stage, but especially because there is less swell, making the activity even more enjoyable.

And the sea, the vast sea. The volcanic black sand that characterizes the beaches of the Azores, and the water temperature are irresistible. Although they can be enjoyed throughout the year, they have a greater influx at this time, but they still offer the necessary tranquility to peacefully enjoy a pleasant day at the beach.

The longer days and warm nights invite long dinners, with freshly caught fish, the best meat, local vegetables and fruits, and desserts with famous Azorean sweet recipes.

Experiencing the festive culture of the Azoreans first-hand is another reason that might lead you to decide to visit the Azores archipelago during this time of year. During spring and summer, there is always a festival happening in one or another parish of the islands. The majority are traditional religious festivals that over time have incorporated profane elements into the celebration. But there are also numerous summer festivals and concerts such as the Azores Fringe Festival, the Azores Jazz Festival in Ponta Delgada, Marés de Agosto in Santa Maria, the street arts festival Walk & Talk, bullfights in Terceira, the Immigrant Festival, the chicharro (mackerel) festival, just to mention a few.

Visiting the Azores in fall and winter

If you prefer the Azores in a more intimate and calm environment, then this time is for you. The school period usually starts in mid-October, which is why most families with children do not take vacations at this time and consequently the number of tourists visiting the islands drops considerably. This is an opportunity to discover the quieter and more intimate version of the Azores. Usually, the last two weeks of October and the month of November maintain pleasant temperatures. The month of October is the month of spectacular sunsets par excellence.

Whale watching is still possible, as well as nature walks and many outdoor activities. It is a changed landscape but still maintaining all its untouched grandeur. The month of December and the Christmas festivities bring luminary decorations to the streets of cities and towns and traditional commerce has a special charm, including window display contests and street entertainment.

Without the exuberance of other destinations, the Azores still celebrate New Year's Eve with pomp and circumstance while offering time and space for the tranquility and reflection that we seek on these dates.

From January to March are the months of the lowest tourist influx. But that does not mean there are no reasons to visit the Azores. On the contrary. Starting with the economic aspect, these are the months with the lowest travel costs. But as if that were not enough, for those who love nature and do not mind some weather instability, they will surely understand why these islands are called the islands of mist. The Azores present at this stage a nostalgic, magical scenario, where temperatures, while a bit cooler, still allow for outdoor walks and activities. It is also the marking of a new cycle where important cultural, religious, and profane activities take place.

The Feast of the "Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres" (Lord Holy Christ of Miracles) in Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel, during the fifth Sunday after Easter, is one of the biggest religious festivals in Portugal and attracts many pilgrims and tourists. Among other cultural activities, the original and always surprising music festival Tremor would justify a visit to the Azores on its own, now add the rest and there is no reason not to come.

As we stated at the beginning of this text, there is always a reason to visit the Azores at any time of the year. The choice is yours.