Visiting Flores Island in the Azores: A complete travel guide
The first things that come to my mind when I think about my trip to Flores Island in the Azores are its wild and unspoiled nature, the feeling of remoteness and landscapes that look like they belong to a fairytale.
This enigmatic Portuguese island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean feels like a world away from everything else. There are no big towns, highways or tourist crowds. Instead, you can expect to find green mountains, mysterious lakes, dreamy waterfalls, fields of blue hydrangeas and breathtaking coastal views when visiting Flores.
Out of the three islands I visited during my Azores trip, Flores ended up being my favorite. I spent four days road-tripping around the island and exploring almost every corner of it. It left me so in awe of nature and so grateful that this kind of serene untouched places still exist in the world. Therefore I wanted to compile all of my tips for visiting Flores so that you can enjoy your time there to the fullest as well.
In this travel guide, I’ll be going through everything you need to know to plan your trip to Flores Island in the Azores, including how to get there, top places to visit, where to stay and eat, when to visit and more. At the end of the blog post, you’ll also find a map that shows you where all the main attractions and points of interest are located on the island.
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General info about Flores, Azores
Flores is the westernmost island of the Azores archipelago in Portugal. It is situated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Canada and Portugal, and has a population of about 4000 people. It is the westernmost territory of Europe and contrary to other Azores islands, it sits on the North American tectonic plate together with the nearby Corvo Island.
Flores means flowers in Portuguese and the island definitely lives up to its name in the summer months when countless hydrangeas bloom on its hills and valleys. Because of the high number of endemic species and unaltered vegetation areas found on Flores, the island and the ocean around it have been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The biggest town on the island is Santa Cruz das Flores, which is where you’ll arrive when you fly to Flores. There you’ll also find a few supermarkets and a pharmacy if you need to stock up on anything. The shops in other parts of the island are small and poorly stocked.
Note: Both Guatemala and Indonesia also have an island called Flores so don’t get these mixed up with the one in the Azores when planning your trip!
How to get to Flores Island, Azores
The best way to get to Flores is by plane. The only airline flying to and from Flores Island is SATA, which is a local Azorean airline. It has frequent flights connecting Flores with other Azores islands, such as Sao Miguel, Terceira, Faial and Corvo. There are currently no direct flights to Flores from outside the Azores archipelago.
For our Azores trip, we flew from Lisbon to Sao Miguel (the largest island of the Azores) and spent some time exploring it before flying on to Flores. Be sure to read my blog post on how to spend 10 days in the Azores, which covers three islands and shows you how to plan your trip in the most optimal way.
Getting around the island
I highly recommend renting a car when visiting Flores. Not only is it the fastest way to get around but it will also give you the freedom to go wherever you want. Public transportation is limited and infrequent and doesn’t take you to the more remote spots on the island. However, if you still want to consider it, you can find the bus schedule here.
Flores is a fantastic destination for a road trip. There’s very little traffic, the roads are generally in good condition and the views are spectacular. Just keep an eye out for the wild rabbits when driving through the mountains in the interior of the island – we saw dozens of them on the sides of the road.
Also, sometimes there are cows on the road. Just remember to slow down when passing them.
You should book your rental car well in advance – at least six months before your trip if you’re visiting in the summer, which is the peak season. The island only has a small amount of rental cars and they get booked very early.
We visited Flores in July and when we started looking into rental cars in March, almost everything was sold out already. I use Discover Cars to book rental cars and also had a great experience with them in the Azores. Everything went very smoothly and there were no surprises.
If you can’t or don’t want to rent a car, you can take this full-day guided tour of the island, which covers many of the best places to visit in Flores.
Best things to do in Flores
1) Marvel at Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro waterfalls
This otherworldly place is one of the top attractions in Flores and it’s easy to see why. Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro is a small lake formed by a series of waterfalls cascading down a rock wall covered with lush green vegetation. Getting there requires a quick and easy 20-minute hike along a forest trail.
With its serene ambience and untouched nature, this place looks like something straight out of a Jurassic Park movie. There’s no doubt that these are some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Azores. We loved it so much that we came here twice. It was definitely one of the highlights of my Azores itinerary.
2) Hike to Fajã de Lopo Vaz
This short hike offers an incredible view of the south coast of Flores, where steep green mountains rise vertically from the turquoise ocean. The hike starts at Miradouro da Fajã de Lopo Vaz, where a walking trail carved into a mountainside leads you down to the secluded beach of Fajã de Lopo Vaz.
The total distance of this out-and-back hike is 3.4 km (2.1 mi). Be aware that the trail is pretty steep and will definitely get you out of breath on your way back.
The beach itself is not great for swimming since it’s very rocky and has big waves. We also saw lots of Portuguese man o’ war washed up on the shore there. These are colorful jellyfish-like sea creatures with a venomous sting. You shouldn’t go anywhere near them in the water and also not touch them on the shore.
3) Take in the views from Miradouros
Another one of the top things to do in Flores is to visit its viewpoints – locally known as miradouros. There are many miradouros all over the island, where you can just stop your car and take in the jaw-dropping scenery.
Here are my favorite viewpoints in Flores:
- Miradouro do Portal – an epic panorama of the west coast and its spectacular green mountains
- Miradouro Craveiro Lopes – the perfect spot to watch the sunset
- Miradouro dos Caimbros – a view of the steep cliffs on the east coast with Corvo Island in the background
- Miradouro do Ilhéu Furado – another great view of the rugged east coast
- Miradouro da Baía de Além – a secluded spot next to Albarnaz Lighthouse, with a view of the islets and cliffs along the west coast; great for sunset
4) Explore Baía da Alagoa Beach
Surrounded by tall green cliffs and cool sea stacks, Baia da Alagoa (Alagoa Bay) is another great example of the amazing natural beauty of Flores Island. Here you’ll find a rocky beach with crystal clear water where you can go swimming and snorkeling. I recommend bringing water shoes.
It’s a very tranquil place, which doesn’t receive many visitors and still seems to be somewhat of a hidden gem. Apparently, there’s also a waterfall on the left side of the beach but we didn’t see it.
From the parking lot, it’s a 5-minute walk through lush nature to get to the beach. There’s also a nice area for a picnic and camping just above the beach.
5) Swim under Poço do Bacalhau waterfall
The 90-meter-tall (300 ft) Cascata do Poço do Bacalhau is considered one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Flores. Below the waterfall, there’s a nice plunge pool, which turns into a popular swimming hole on hot summer days.
The waterfall is situated right outside Fajã Grande village and is really easy to access. It’s only a 5-minute walk from the road along a paved path. Along the way, you can see old water mills and smaller cascades.
Curious to see more waterfalls during your Azores trip? Then read my post on the 10 best waterfalls in the Azores.
6) Visit crater lakes
Due to the island’s volcanic origin, there are multiple crater lakes hidden between the mountains in the central area of the island. Here are the ones I think are worth a visit:
- Lagoa Rasa & Lagoa Funda – These two lakes are situated next to each other but are at different heights. Lagoa Rasa is the upper one and Lagoa Funda is the lower one with bright green water. There are two different viewpoints here to visit – Miradouro Lagoas Rasa e Funda (my preferred one) and Miradouro Caldeira Rasa e Funda. I have marked the exact location of these viewpoints on the map at the end of this post.
- Lagoa Negra & Lagoa Comprida – This is another pair of crater lakes. Even though they sit side by side and are separated only by a narrow hill, the two lakes have totally different colors.
7) Explore unusual rock formations
Besides crater lakes, the volcanic origin of Flores also manifests itself in some interesting geological formations.
The most impressive one of them is Rocha dos Bordões which boasts a set of 20-meter-tall (66 ft) basalt columns surrounded by lush greenery and blue hydrangeas (in the summer). The best place to see this natural monument is Miradouro da Rocha dos Bordões.
Another cool formation that’s worth a quick stop is Rocha dos Frades. It has a peculiar shape and looks like a wall of rock rising up from the middle of green pastures.
8) Take a day trip to Corvo
Corvo is the smallest and the most remote island in the Azores archipelago. It makes for a perfect day trip destination from Flores but you can also spend a night or two there if you’d like to get to know the island better.
Corvo is best known for its Caldeirão – a huge volcanic crater that hides bright green pastures and blue lakes between its steep walls. The landscape here is truly amazing and looks like something from a fantasy movie.
From Flores, you can easily get to Corvo by boat, either by the Atlantico Line ferry or on a boat tour, which is definitely the more exciting option. We took this full-day boat tour and really enjoyed it.
The tour included stops at several waterfalls and caves along the coast of Flores and we also got to say hi to a pod of dolphins on our way to Corvo!
9) Relax at Santa Cruz natural pools
The natural pools of Santa Cruz (Piscinas Naturais de Santa Cruz das Flores) are the best place on the island to swim. The water in these pools is crystal clear and very calm thanks to the volcanic rocks that shelter them from waves. It’s also a good snorkeling spot with a variety of fish to see.
Wherever you swim in the ocean in the Azores, you always have to watch out for jellyfish and Portuguese man o’ war. We saw a man o’ war floating in these pools but thankfully the lifeguard was keeping a close eye on it to make sure no one got too close.
10) Go canyoning
Canyoning is not something that I personally tried in Flores but it definitely sounds like a fun adventure. There’s over 40 canyons in Flores, so you’ll be spoiled for choice if you’re into this sport.
This highly-rated 4-hour canyoning tour includes six abseils, the highest of which is 18 meters (60 ft), and is suitable for both beginners and experienced adventurers.
How many days do you need
I recommend spending at least four days in Flores. This gives you enough time to explore all of the main sights on the island, do a hike, relax as well as take a day trip to Corvo.
I’d say the bare minimum to visit Flores would be two days. This would allow you to visit the most famous spots but you’d only be skimming the surface of what this magical island has to offer. Also, there wouldn’t be any buffer time in case the weather is bad.
Flores itinerary
Here’s my recommended Flores itinerary for four days:
- Day 1: The west side of the island
- Lagoa Negra and Lagoa Comprida, Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro waterfalls, Poço do Bacalhau waterfall, Miradouro do Portal and Miradouro Craveiro Lopes (for sunset).
- Day 2: The east and north of the island
- The natural pools of Santa Cruz, Miradouro dos Caimbros, Baía da Alagoa, Miradouro do Ilhéu Furado and Miradouro da Baía de Além.
- Day 3: The south of the island
- Lagoa Rasa and Lagoa Funda, hike to Fajã de Lopo Vaz, Rocha dos Frades and Rocha dos Bordões
- Day 4: Day trip to Corvo Island
To get an idea of how to plan the rest of your time in the Azores, read my 10-day Azores itinerary post, which also covers the beautiful Sao Miguel Island.
Where to stay in Flores, Azores
Flores doesn’t have a large variety of accommodation options but you can still find some nice hotels, holiday homes and apartments if you book early enough.
Since there’s only a limited supply of places to stay on the island, they tend to get fully booked well in advance for the summer months, which is the peak season. Book your hotel at least 5-6 months before your trip, otherwise, there’s a real chance you won’t find anywhere to stay.
The best place to stay in Flores is the Fajã Grande and Fajãzinha area on the west coast. It’s the most scenic part of the island with several natural attractions nearby.
Here are the best holiday homes and hotels in Flores, Azores:
ECOTOURISM HOTEL: Aldeia da Cuada
We stayed here and absolutely loved it! It’s a centuries-old village converted into a charming rustic hotel. Here you can stay in one of their traditional stone cottages with a kitchen and a private garden. The hotel has resident cows and donkeys, a swimming pool surrounded by mountains and the best restaurant on the entire island.
HOLIDAY HOME: Villas do Mar
Newly opened spacious and modern beachfront houses with lots of light and a view of the ocean.
HOLIDAY HOME: Sítio da Assumada
This property features spacious well-equipped cabins with a private garden.
UNIQUE STAY: Moinho da Cascata
A rustic 300-year-old house that used to be a water mill. The house also has a very special location – it sits right at the base of Cascata do Poço do Bacalhau, one of the most famous waterfalls in Flores.
If you prefer camping, there’s also a handful of campsites in Flores – in Santa Cruz, Ponta Delgada, Fajã Grande and Alagoa. The one in Alagoa is especially lovely with a secluded location between mountains, overlooking one of the most picturesque beaches in Flores.
Where to eat
Just like rental cars and hotels, restaurants on Flores Island should be booked in advance, at least a few days before. As there’s only a small number of restaurants on the island, during high season they usually get fully booked. If you’re visiting in July or August and don’t make a dinner reservation, you might not find anywhere to eat.
Here are the best places to eat in Flores:
- Aldeia da Cuada (near Fajã Grande) – The best food we had in Flores and all of the Azores. The prices are on the high side but so is the quality. The restaurant is set on a nice patio overlooking a lush garden and is part of the charming Aldeia da Cuada hotel where we stayed.
- Maresia Restaurant (in Fajã Grande) – A quirky oceanfront restaurant with a small but very delicious menu and a great view of the sunset.
- Restaurante Pôr-do-Sol (in Fajãzinha) – A small restaurant that overlooks the ocean and is perfectly located for watching the sunset. Here you can enjoy traditional Azorean food.
- Mechim Judite (in Fajãzinha) – A little food truck with an outdoor seating area. They serve delicious and healthy homemade dishes such as falafels, curries, tacos etc.
- Monica’s Authentic Food (in Santa Cruz) – A spacious cafe with quirky decor and ocean views. They offer tasty sandwiches, salads, pastries and more.
- Papadiamandis Restaurant (in Fajã Grande) – An unpretentious restaurant with simple but good local and international food plus a great view of the ocean.
Best time to visit Flores
The best time to visit Flores is the summer – from June to September. At this time of the year the days are long and warm and the conditions are usually great for exploring the island.
This is also the period when the hydrangeas are in bloom in the Azores. These beautiful blue and purple flowers spread all across the verdant landscapes of Flores – it’s an amazing sight to witness!
July and August have the least amount of rain and are the hottest months of the year but also the most popular ones. Having said that, the island was by no means crowded when we visited it in July. Quite the opposite – we found it very peaceful and quiet and only met a handful of tourists at the more popular spots.
The winter months (November to February) are the coldest and wettest months of the year. There are frequent rain storms and strong winds which often causes flights to be cancelled so I don’t recommend traveling to Flores at that time.
In general, weather on Flores Island (as well as the rest of the Azores) is notoriously unpredictable. The island has a humid subtropical climate but it can quickly go from sunny and hot to windy and rainy. I found the SpotAzores app very useful when I traveled the Azores as it provides live footage of the weather conditions and visibility in various spots on the different islands.
Flores Island map
On the interactive map below, I’ve marked all the attractions, hotels and restaurants I covered in this Flores travel guide. Click on the icon in the top left corner of the map for more details.
I hope that you found the information in this Flores travel guide useful and that it will help you make the most of your trip to this otherworldly island on the edge of Europe.
In case you have any questions about visiting Flores, leave them in the comments below and I’ll get back to you.
For more useful insights and travel inspiration, check out my other blog posts about the Azores and Madeira:
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