City break in Azores. Active leisure ideas for Azores - attractions, recreation and nightlife

Beach rest remains the main tourist attraction of the Azores. The best beaches are located on San Miguel, Santa Maria and Faial Islands. Here you can snuggle under the shade of palm trees and enjoy exotic water sports. No need to say that all beaches are perfectly equipped. Fans of eco-tourism will also find numerous ways of fascinating pastime. Terceira Island is home to large relic forests. Those, who visit the islands during the period from May to June, will be able to see flocks of dolphins and whales. Visitors can see them in coastal waters almost every day on this time of a year.

You should definitely climb to the crater of a volcano. Time turned the craters of extinct volcanoes into beautiful lakes, which are also one of the major local attractions. Divers should not forget to visit Pico Island – one of the most beautiful places to dive. On the island of San Miguel are organized exciting jeep safaris for tourists. During such ride you will be able to experience full diversity and contrast of local landscapes. Large forests are replaced with semi-arid zones and gloomy volcanic landscapes, and the coast is an interesting place where sand is mixed with huge layers of lava.

Flores Island is a perfect place for fans of secluded rest. There are also seven great lakes on the territory of the island. The largest one is called Funda. You will find an excellent sandy beach at its shore. Sunbathing is possible from April to September. In autumn and winter all the lakes of the island are tightened with fog. The local beach is a perfect choice for family holidays. That place will be also liked by those who want to stay away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. Such lakes as Branca, Comprida, Seca, Lomba, Rasa and Funda das Lajes are also perfectly suited for secluded rest, but there are no large beaches of these lakes. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Every tourist to the Azores will be able to enjoy a great variety of recreation, sports, and facilities for entertainment. A mild climate and rich natural resources create excellent conditions for golf, tennis, hunting, fishing, surfing, windsurfing, yachting, rowing, sailing and swimming. Whether you like quiet walks or strive for adrenaline splashes - in the Azores you will find over 60 walking routes, where all conditions for safe walking are created. Dare to such a journey and in search of unique landscapes, go along roads surrounded from all sides by nature. The Azores trails are a network of hiking routes classified by the Azores' regional government to ensure the safety and tranquility of pedestrian tourists.

Depending on the difficulty of routes, the network is divided into three levels of complexity: easy, medium and difficult. The route should be selected in accordance with the age and physical preparation of tourists. Many of the classified routes run along footpaths that local residents have used for centuries in their daily lives, when moving between settlements, transporting goods or driving cattle. The wisdom of ancestors who paved the shortest paths is useful today for tourists who want to admire the grandiose landscapes of the archipelago from various points and consider all sorts of details. It is these paths that connect all the secluded places on each of the islands - both near the sea and high in the mountains.