10 most beautiful waterfalls in the Azores

There’s no doubt that the best part about visiting the Azores Islands in Portugal is experiencing their spectacular unspoiled nature. Not only do these islands have vivid blue crater lakes, bubbling hot springs, lush forests and unique volcanic landscapes, but there are also dozens of magnificent waterfalls in the Azores.

They might not be the tallest or the most powerful but what they lack in size, they definitely make up for in beauty.

During my trip to the Azores, I made it a priority to visit as many waterfalls as I could. In this post, I’m sharing my favorite ones together with all the information you need to plan your visit to each of them. At the end of the post, you’ll also find a map with the exact locations of the waterfalls.

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General info about Azores waterfalls

The island with the most waterfalls in the Azores is Sao Miguel. It is also the largest island in the archipelago with lots of beautiful places to visit and the perfect starting point for any Azores itinerary.

It’s useful to know that the words ‘cascata’ and ‘salto’ both mean waterfall in Portuguese so if you see signs with these words, you’re on the right track. My understanding is that ‘cascata’ is usually used for a larger waterfall and ‘salto’ for a thinner one (although this logic didn’t always seem to apply to the waterfalls I visited).

Most of the Azores waterfalls are free to visit and can be accessed anytime. Among the ones I’ve listed below, there are only a few that have an entrance fee as they’re located in a park or private property.

Swimming is possible in many of the waterfalls in the Azores so remember to bring your swimwear if you feel like taking a dip. The water is on the chilly side but on a hot summer day, it’s the perfect way to cool down. 

I visited the Azores in July, which is one of the driest months of the year and therefore some of the waterfalls had quite a small flow of water. If you visit the islands in the autumn, winter or early spring, the waterfalls will be much fuller as there’s more rain than in the summer.

Best waterfalls in the Azores

1) Cascata da Ribeira do Ferreiro

This jaw-droppingly beautiful place is located on Flores and is one of the top attractions on the island. Here a series of waterfalls drop down a massive green rock wall into a pond below. With its lush vegetation and the steep mountains around it, this place truly looks like something out of a Jurassic Park movie.

We liked this place so much that we visited it twice – once on a clear sunny day and once when the waterfalls were partially covered with mist, which created such an ethereal ambience. 

To get to Cascata da Ribeira do Ferreiro, leave your car at the designated parking lot (Parque de Estacionamento do Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro) near Fajãzinha village. From there, it’s a short 600 m (0.4 mi) hike through a forest, which takes about 20 minutes. The path is quite rocky though so I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Swimming is not allowed here.

Tip: For the best light, visit Cascata da Ribeira do Ferreiro in the afternoon. 

2) Cascata da Gruta

Cascata da Gruta is another one of my favorite waterfalls in the Azores and is a real hidden gem on the island of Sao Miguel. Surrounded by a serene fairytale-like forest, the waterfall has a sheer drop into a large natural pool where you can swim. There’s also a cavern behind it where you can stand right behind the water curtain.

Despite its beauty, Cascata da Gruta is very little known. We had the place to ourselves when we were there.

The waterfall is located on the Moinho do Felix trail near Lomba de São Pedro village. It’s a longer hiking trail but you only have to hike a part of it (about 30 minutes) to see the waterfall. I have marked the exact location of the trailhead on the map at the end of this post. 

As the waterfall sits at the bottom of a valley, the trail leading there is steep and has lots of stairs. The hike is very scenic though since you’ll be walking through a gorgeous forest full of fragrant flowers, chirping birds and tall trees.

Tip: This trail also leads you to several other waterfalls such as Cascata do Teofilo (more about it below) and Cascata do Homem.

3) Cascata do Teófilo

Cascata do Teofilo is another lesser-known waterfall on Sao Miguel and is located very close to Cascata da Gruta which I just described above. It sits next to an old water mill and has a plunge pool perfect for taking a dip. 

With its green mossy rocks and lush foliage, the nature around the waterfall is fantastic. Just like Cascata da Gruta, it’s a very tranquil place that doesn’t receive a lot of tourists.

Cascata do Teofilo is situated on the Moinho do Felix trail and the hike takes about 35 minutes (one way). The trail is steep but well-maintained and leads you through a picturesque forest. You can find the location of the trailhead on the map at the end of this blog post.

4) Salto do Prego

Salto do Prego is a popular waterfall on Sao Miguel Island. It’s not very tall but it had the largest flow of water out of all the waterfalls we visited. At the base of the waterfall, there’s also a nice emerald pool where you can cool off.

As Salto do Prego is a popular spot, it can get pretty crowded, at least in the summer months.

The trailhead is just north of Faial da Terra village and it takes about 40 minutes to reach the waterfall. The hike itself is also beautiful as it leads you through a valley full of flowers and lush greenery. For some reason, there are also a lot of chickens along the trail.

Although we did see people hiking in flip-flops, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes as the trail can get a bit muddy and slippery.

Tip: If you continue hiking past Salto do Prego, after about 2 km (1.2 mi) you will arrive at another waterfall called Salto do Cagarrão. On your way back, make a stop at the abandoned village of Sanguinho.

5) Cascata do Poço do Bacalhau

Cascata do Poço do Bacalhau is located on Flores Island and is one of the taller waterfalls in this list. It’s thin and wispy and drops about 90 m (300 ft) into a scenic plunge pool at its base. In the summer it’s a popular swimming spot. However, when we visited it on a beautiful evening in July, we were the only ones there. 

During summer, when there hasn’t been much rain, Cascata do Poço do Bacalhau can sometimes dry up to just a trickle.

The waterfall is located right outside Fajã Grande village and is very easy to access. It’s a 5-minute walk along a paved path.

Tip: The best time to visit it is in the afternoon or evening when the sun shines directly on the waterfall.

6) Salto do Rosal

The next one on my list of the best waterfalls in the Azores is the mysterious Salto do Rosal in Sao Miguel. It’s hidden deep in a forest, in a narrow green canyon and has a height of about 30 m (100 ft). 

While the waterfall itself is not particularly impressive, it’s the natural setting around it that makes this place magnificent. Swimming here is not possible since the pool below the waterfall is just too small.

Salto do Rosal is located next to Furnas Lake, in Mata-Jardim José do Canto park, which has an entrance fee of 4 euros (cash only). From the park entrance, it’s an easy 2 km (1.2 mi) hike to the waterfall.

Besides the waterfall, the park has several walking paths and super lush jungle-like nature, including huge tree ferns, Japanese cedars and towering sequoias. There’s also a cool abandoned chapel worth checking out.

7) Cascata da Ribeira dos Caldeirões

The majestic Cascata da Ribeira dos Caldeirões, also known as Bridal Veil waterfall, is located on Sao Miguel Island. It cascades gently down a rocky mountainside and is surrounded by abundant green vegetation.

The waterfall is located in Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park and is very easily accessible as it’s just a few minutes walk from the parking lot. The landscaped park is a lovely place to stroll around and it also has several other waterfalls, old water mills and a cafe.

This park is a popular place for canyoning so if you’d like to rappel down its waterfalls consider taking this 2.5-hour canyoning tour.

Many people consider Cascata da Ribeira dos Caldeirões one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Azores. I personally prefer waterfalls that are in a more ‘wild’ natural setting but it’s still very pretty and definitely worth visiting.

8) Cascata do Limbo

Cascata do Limbo is another picturesque but lesser-known waterfall on Sao Miguel. It’s located in a beautiful lush park and has a plunge pool where you can take a dip if you feel like it.

What I loved most about this place were the thousands of hydrangeas blooming around the waterfall. There were blue flowers almost everywhere you looked! It was nothing short of spectacular. If you want to see the hydrangeas in bloom, visit the Azores between June and September. 

Cascata do Limbo is located in Parque dos Moinhos and is very easy to access. It only takes a couple of minutes to walk there from the parking lot.

9) Caldeira Velha waterfall

The small but enchanting Caldeira Velha waterfall is located in a geothermal park on Sao Miguel Island. With its bubbling hot springs, thermal pools where you can relax, fantastic nature and birds chirping around you, this place is like a little slice of paradise. 

The waterfall flows into a big plunge pool and is surrounded by a canopy of dense tropical vegetation which gives the feeling of being in a jungle. Be aware though that unlike the rest of the thermal pools in the park where the water gets as warm as 38°C (100°F), the pool with the waterfall is quite cold.

The nature reserve where the waterfall is located is called Centro de Interpretação Ambiental da Caldeira Velha and has an entrance fee of 10 euros. Be sure to book your ticket a few days in advance since it’s a popular place that often gets fully booked.

Once you’re in the park, the waterfall is very easy to access and takes only about 10 minutes to walk to.

10) Salto do Cabrito

Salto do Cabrito is a very popular waterfall on Sao Miguel Island. It emerges from a small canyon in the middle of beautiful tropical nature and has a height of 16 m (52 ft). At the bottom of the waterfall, there’s a nice natural pool where you can swim. During our visit, it was very crowded so if you prefer a calmer experience, it’s probably better to come here in the morning or late afternoon.

Salto do Cabrito is also one of the best spots for canyoning on the island so if you’re looking for a little adventure, check out this 4-hour canyoning tour.

There’s a very steep and curvy road leading to Salto do Cabrito. Some people drive their car down that road but I don’t recommend it unless you have a powerful 4×4 car. Instead, you can leave your car in the upper parking lot and walk the remaining 500 m (0.3 mi) down to the waterfall.

Tip: On the right side of the waterfall, there’s a really cool trail that leads you to the top of the waterfall and into its canyon. If you’re scared of heights though, you probably shouldn’t go there.

Other waterfalls to visit

Sadly, I wasn’t able to fit all the waterfalls that I wanted to see into my Azores itinerary, so here are the ones that I’d love to visit if I ever make a return trip:

• Salto do Cagarrão (Sao Miguel) – A secluded waterfall with a nice plunge pool in the middle of a forest; you can get there via the Salto do Prego hiking trail or from Ribeira do Faial da Terra trailhead.
• Cascata da Ribeira Quente (Sao Miguel) – A tall waterfall of thermal origin hidden in a valley between two tunnels.
• Salto da Farinha (Sao Miguel) – This scenic waterfall is located near a beach and has a natural pool where you can bathe; sometimes the waterfall dries up so it’s best to visit it after it’s been raining.
• Grená Park waterfalls (Sao Miguel) – This park in Furnas has several well-maintained hiking trails, beautiful vegetation, lake views and four waterfalls to explore.
• Cascata da Ribeira Grande (Flores Island) – With a height of 180 m (590 ft), this is the tallest waterfall in all of the Azores. We did see it from a distance but there was almost no water in the waterfall so we didn’t attempt to get closer. I’m sure it looks amazing outside of the summer season when there’s more water.

A map of the best Azores waterfalls

The map below will help you get a sense of where all these waterfalls are located on the Azores. Click on the icon in the top left corner of the map for more details.

As you can see, there’s no shortage of pretty waterfalls on the Azores Islands. I hope this post helped you decide which ones you’d like to visit. In case you have any questions about these waterfalls, drop them in the comments below.

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