Where to stay in São Jorge island

São Jorge is definitely one of my favourite places in the Azores and, like in any other place, you need to know your way around in order to decide where to stay.

I have been there many times (I made some really good friends there 🥰 so I have the knowledge to help you to decide where to stay in São Jorge island in the Azores.

It’s a loooooong article, so here is the table of contents to help you navigate it:

What to know before deciding where to stay in São Jorge island

• São Jorge island is very long and the weather changes dramatically from the south side of the island, where you will find warmer temperatures, to its north side, where it tends to be much windier, more foggy and even colder. In this sense, I advise you to, whenever possible, stay on the south side of São Jorge island.

• São Jorge is a beautiful island but without excellent accommodation options, unlike São Miguel island. It has a small offer and, in general, a very modest one. In this sense, I recommend that you book your stay in São Jorge island as soon as possible.
• If you want to stay at the more central and convenient location, book your stay in Velas.
• If you want to stay at the most unique, romantic and lovely places, book your stay in Urzelina (read down below my suggestions).

Velas

Why Stay in Velas in São Jorge island?

Velas is the main village of São Jorge island in the Azores, and hence it is where the port, where the boats to both Pico island and Faial island, depart from. The only airport in the island is also located in Velas.

Moreover, Velas is a very convenient place because it is where everything is located: the ONLY large supermarket in São Jorge island, the post office, the ONLY pharmacy, the rental car companies, etc. 

So, for those of you that are not going to rent a car in São Jorge island in the Azores, the best place to stay is definitely Velas.

Moreover, Velas is a really cute place – it has a lovely (even though tiny) garden, cute little houses and a promontory, next to the football field, from where you can see a wonderful sunset. It really is a nice village!

What is the catch?

There is none, really. I sincerely adore Velas, I made great friends there and I highly recommend you to book your stay in São Jorge island in the Azores there 🙂

Where to stay in São Jorge island | Velas

The first place I recommend is Casa do António, a guesthouse with a fantastic view and a beautiful porch that reminds me of the holidays I spent in Greece :) António is a local artist (he paints and makes ceramics) and both he and his employees are very friendly and will make you feel at home.

Another option of the same kind, which is very comfortable, is Cantinho do Piano.

If you prefer to stay in an apartment all to yourself, there is none that compares to the Blue Planet São Jorge Azores! These are BEAUTIFUL apartments, decorated with great taste and with a fabulous view, and with the advantage of having a parking lot in front. On top of that, they can accommodate large groups, which is not always easy to find.

If you are traveling with children and need a place with a swimming pool, I have two recommendations:

• Quinta do Canavial – a beautiful summer house, located between the two hills of Velas, from where you can see one of the best sunsets on the island.

• Cantinho da Avenida, a super cute apartment (but, unfortunately, it only sleeps 3 people).

Urzelina

Why Stay in Urzelina in São Jorge island?

I vividly remember the first time I was in Urzelina, a coastal village in São Jorge island, the first time I was there. It was a sunny day in the middle of winter and, despite the cold, I immediately felt the desire to stop in this small village by the sea.

I’m glad I did, because not only did I discover a series of nice restaurants (O Manezinho used to be the best of them), but also an avenue by the sea that is perfect for taking a romantic walk at the end of the day.

Furthermore, Urzelina is home to one of my favorite places on the island: the Torre da Igreja da Urzelina, the only monument that survived an earthquake in 1808.

Urzelina has a small market, as well as an ATM. Therefore, it is a convenient place to stay in São Jorge island in the Azores.

What is the catch?

The only thing I can think of as a “problem” if you choose Urzelina to stay in São Jorge island in the Azores is that it is located around 10 / 15 minutes driving distance from Velas, where the main things are located. 

But honestly, Urzelina is sooo cute that I don’t really see it as a problem!

Where to stay in São Jorge island | Urzelina

Urzelina is BY FAR the best place to stay in São Jorge island in the Azores if you prioritize beauty and romance as it has amazing countryside hotels, B&Bs and apartments.

There are plenty of options, but these are my very favorite ones:

• If you are looking for an apartment to stay in São Jorge island, Cabanas da Viscondessa is SUPERB. Imagine a cabin in the middle of a lush green forest, spacious, well decorated and with a well equipped kitchenette. Breakfast is simply fantastic but you can also have dinner at Cabanas da Viscondessa (for me it was great, as I’m always too lazy to cook at night). It’s really, really special.

• Retiro do Atlântico: it is the most romantic and adventurous option, as you will stay in beautiful (and comfortable) yurts, with plenty of space, in the middle of nature. The bed is very comfortable and the bathroom provides all the privacy you need. Equally important, the breakfast is fabulous, with everything homemade, from bread to almond milk.

• Make it Happen Farm is a dream come true for people like me because it is a certified organic farm, in the middle of nature and with lots of friendly animals. The farm itself is beautiful, with spacious common spaces (living room and kitchen, barbecue and laundry) and impeccably clean. But the cherry on top is the breakfast basket, with products from the farm itself, and the sunsets on the porch, that I will never forget.

• Azorenhaus am Atlantik is a family house that can accommodate up to 9 people and is BEAUTIFUL to die for: imagine a spacious living room, with large windows overlooking a private garden where you have a porch perfect for alfresco dining. I love the privacy, the space and the location, right in front of the sea. It’s not cheap, so I recommend Azorenhaus am Atlantik for groups.

Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo

Why Stay in Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo?

If you are looking for a unique stay in São Jorge island in the Azores you should consider staying in a fajã; and Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo is one of the cutest ones.

This fajã, one of the most beautiful and certainly the most famous one on the island, is classified as a Nature Reserve, especially because of the existence of clams in its lagoon. It is a warm water lagoon and therefore you can bathe there.

In the 1980s there was an earthquake and since then all permanent residents of Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo have settled elsewhere on the island of São Jorge or emigrated. 

Of the fifty old houses, many have been restored, and either belong to people who go there for holidays or are rented out to tourists.

Moreover, thanks to the existing swell and the magnificent landscape, Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo is considered a sanctuary for bodyboarding and surfing, being sought after by practitioners of the sport from all over the world.

What is the catch?

There are two BIG catches in staying in Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo.

The first one is that this fajã is not accessible by car. You can either hike from Serra do Topo (a 2h, down the hill hike) or you can walk from Fajã dos Cubres, a one hour hike, to get there.

This means that there are some serious logistical considerations, like how to get food there and, more importantly, if there is a medical urgency, how the hell do you get help!

There is another thing that is reaaaaally annoying in Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo. Unfortunately, quad bikes can circulate in this fajã and also on the trail between Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo and Fajã dos Cubres, which means that it is an extremely noisy fajã during the day.

So if you are looking for a quiet place to stay in São Jorge island in the Azores, Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo is NOT the place for you, unless you plan to go there during the low season.

Where to stay in São Jorge island | Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo

Understandably, in the fajã of Caldeira de Santo Cristo there are not many accommodation options but the ones that exist are super nice.

I’ll start with one that is truly unforgettable, which is the Caldeira guesthouse. Lined with stone and wood, it immediately reminded me of a Hobbit Hole (is anyone else a Tolkien fan? 🙂 especially when all the guests got together to share a dinner prepared by the host. The feeling of sharing and community I experienced was fantastic and I can’t wait to get back ❤️

For those who prefer a more private space, I highly recommend Casa da Lagoa. Its simple and traditional decoration makes you feel at home, perfect for a small family. The house has an incredible view of the lagoon (ideal for children).

It has a luggage transport system by quad bike (25€) that allows you to walk to the village (1 hour on foot without major difficulties). 

Kuanza Nature Experience is not in Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo but in Fajã do Belo, which is a very short walk away. And it’s such a cool accommodation that I couldn’t not mention it in this list of the best places to stay in São Jorge island.

The Kuanza Nature Experience consists of several apartments, with capacity for up to 5 people, with a modern and super comfortable decoration. But what makes this place unique, besides the exceptional comfort, are the hosts, who will do EVERYTHING for you to truly enjoy the island, including doing activities with you. Trust me on this, you will not regret this stay :)

Fajã da Caldeira dos Vimes

Why Stay in Fajã dos Vimes?

If you would like to sleep in a Fajã but with proper access, then I am recommending you Fajã da Caldeira dos Vimes, as it is a cool place to stay in São Jorge island in the Azores.

It is a place where actual people live (it even has a primary school), so you don’t have the touristy vibe of Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo.

It is located on the South face of the island, where the weather is much better than in the fajãs located in the North (true story!).

Moreover, there are several coffee producers who have their coffee plantations in Fajã dos Vimes, which is one of the best things to do in São Jorge island.

Last but not the least, some of the best hikes in São Jorge island in the Azores start in Fajã dos Vimes, so it is a great spot for hikers!

What is the catch?

For me there is one problem in staying in Fajã dos Vimes.

The first one is that it is a 40 minutes driving distance from Velas, where both the port and the airport are located. Moreover, it is located in the middle of the Southern Coast of São Jorge island, so you definitely need a car to go anywhere.

Where to stay in São Jorge island | Fajã dos Vimes

There are very few options to stay in Fajã dos Vimes, so I recommend you to book one of these as soon as possible:

• Casa Grão de Café is undoubtedly the best accommodation in Fajã dos Vimes. It is a very cute apartment, very well equipped (it even has a washing machine and a dryer) and it can accommodate up to 8 people, which is rare in São Jorge island.

Casa Grão de Café also has two large green spaces with large tables and a hammock to relax and enjoy the birds singing 🙂

The best part of the stay was falling asleep listening to the waves, having breakfast on the terrace overlooking the sea, and the barbecues in the evenings with my friends!

• Casas dos Vimes are small apartments decorated in a simple way, in the traditional Azorean way, but with very pleasant outdoor areas. The host (Mr. António) is very friendly, bringing fresh bread every morning, which he leaves hanging at the door in a cloth bag :)

Topo

Why Stay in Topo in São Jorge island?

Topo is one of the most remote places to stay in São Jorge island in the Azores and I LOVE IT for that 🙂

It is a non touristy location to stay in the island but, nonetheless, it is close to some major attractions in São Jorge, like the Waterfall of Cruzado, the islet of Topo, and a really nice beach.

It is a small small village, but it has a mini market, an ATM machine and a local restaurant called O Caseiro. It also has not one but two gas stations a few minutes driving distance. 

Therefore, even though it is remote, it is not a hopeless place 😀

So, if you are looking for a quiet, non-touristy place to stay in São Jorge island in the Azores, Topo might be just for you!

What is the catch?

I really like Topo. For me the only real catch is not its remoteness (I love it for that) but rather the fact that, as it is in the extreme southeast of the island, it is often bad weather there when in the south of the island it is good weather.

This is not a problem in summer (at that time it is usually good weather all over the island!), but it is a factor to consider if you are thinking of traveling to São Jorge at another time of the year.

Where to stay in São Jorge island | Topo

Like in all the other small villages in the Azores islands, you can’t really find hotels in Topo or any sophisticated places to stay. You can, however, find nice apartments that will become your home after a few days, especially if you interact with the owners 🙂

With this in mind, I wholeheartedly recommend Recanto das Vigias because this apartment is heaven. Cheap, perfectly sized for a couple, fully equipped and an intimate porch where you can watch the sunset. What else do you need?!

I also really like Casa de Ponta, especially because you can watch the sunrise from there 🙂 The owner, dear Sandy, presents her guests with products from her garden, regional cheese, local liqueur and even her grandmother’s homemade jam :)

The kitchen has everything you need, from basic supplies (salt, oil, a herb garden outside) and a welcome pack with milk, butter, Azorean biscuits and wine. Excellent reception, that made us immediately feel welcomed!

Fajã do Ouvidor

Why Stay in Fajã do Ouvidor in São Jorge island?

Fajã do Ouvidor is the one where the reeeeeally famous Poça Simão Dias, a gigantic natural pool in the Atlantic Ocean, is located, as well as a secondary one. 

It’s a tiny fajã but at least it has a nice restaurant by the sea called O Amílcar. It doesn’t much else but at least it is accessible by car.

So, if you love to swim in the sea and you are looking for a place to stay in São Jorge island in the Azores, Fajã do Ouvidor is the answer to your queries!

What is the catch?

The most important one is that this Fajã is located on the Northern side of the island, which is colder and where the waves are fiercer. This is not a major problem during summer but if you’re going to São Jorge island in Spring or in the Fall, you probably shouldn’t stay in Fajã do Ouvidor.

The other problem is that this Fajã is TINY. I mean, super super tiny 😂So I know there I would feel trapped very easily if I chose this place to stay in São Jorge island in the Azores.

Where to stay in São Jorge island | Fajã do Ouvidor

In Fajã do Ouvidor there are no hotels and very few apartments that get rented out in a heartbeat during the summer months.

So if you are staying there, I recommend you to check both Casa da Adega (for 6 people) and Casa da Eira Velha (for 4 people) as soon as possible. Personally I like Casa da Eira Velha a bit more, because the decor is more traditional, but you’d be fine with either 🙂