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Even though I am not a huge beach fan, even I reckon that one of the best things to do in the Azores is to spend a day at one of their fabulous beaches. Therefore, I wrote this list of the best beaches in the Azores islands. Please note that this is not a list of the best natural pools in these islands; the main difference between a swimming pool and a natural pool is that, well, beaches have sand :) Because I think they are quite different things, I also wrote an article about the best natural pools in the Azores!
Because I don’t know exactly what islands you’ll be visiting, I decided to make an “inclusive” list of the best beaches in the Azores as a whole, with examples on every single island.
I hope you like it, and that you find it useful!
Best beaches in the Azores – São Miguel island
Praia de Santa Bárbara
I have to start this list of the best beaches in the Azores with Praia de Santa Bárbara, on São Miguel island, right next to the Santa Bárbara Eco Beach Resort hotel. No wonder: it is a beach with a very long stretch of black sand that contrasts beautifully with the deep blue of the ocean and the surrounding vegetation.
It is a perfect beach for both surfing and windsurfing, and has even hosted several championships in this sport.
You can, of course, take a nice swim in the sea – but you need to be aware of the occasional strong currents, especially if you are traveling with children, as well as the occasional presence of Portuguese caravels (Portuguese man o’ war).
Santa Bárbara beach is also one of the best beaches in the Azores in terms of support infrastructure, as it has free car park, a Restaurant and a Beach Club with a large terrace, showers and changing rooms with WC (that close around 6pm) and plenty of lifeguards.
Santa Bárbara beach’s overview
Praia dos Mosteiros
Praia dos Mosteiros is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in the Azores and is particularly known for being one of the best sunsets spots on São Miguel island. It is, therefore, one of the most romantic and photogenic beaches I know, as we can take beautiful pictures of the sunset over the ocean, framed by the natural rocks. It’s so pretty! :)
On the other hand, it has the advantage of being close to several natural pools, which tend to appear more with low tide; the natural pools of Caneiros, for example, are just a 15-minute walk from Mosteiros beach.
This beach has several car parks available, as well as a restaurant/bar with good prices and delicious drinks.
Mosteiros beach’s overview
Praia do Fogo
Praia do Fogo is another excellent option on São Miguel island. It is a small beach, with soft sand and calm, warm waters, especially during low tide. In addition, it has a small beach bar where you can have a light meal (sandwiches and pizzas) for fair prices, which is not always the case on the best beaches in the Azores.
There’s also a car park right next door (if it’s too full at peak hours, drive towards Ribeira Quente and you’ll find more places where you can park safely).
The only downside – well, for me it’s actually a BIG plus – is that dogs are not allowed on this beach 😛
Praia do Fogo’s overview
Praia do Pópulo
Pópulo beach is another good option in São Miguel. It is a small beach located right outside the city of Ponta Delgada, the largest city on the island, so on hot days it gets crowded very quickly.
The waters of Praia do Pópulo are very calm, which is why it is one of the most popular beaches for families with children.
Being a city beach, it has good access and plenty of bars and cafes nearby.
Praia do Pópulo’s overview
Praia dos Moinhos
Praia dos Moinhos has a very beautiful location, close to the Porto Formoso Tea Factory and one of the best restaurants in São Miguel, Cantinho do Cais. But if you don’t want to get in the car to go eat, don’t worry: this beach has a bar famous for its hamburgers, the Moinho Terrace Café.
It’s a quaint beach, good for surfing and where you can watch… chickens on the sand. true story 😀
I leave the note that the waters of Praia dos Moinhos are rough, not being the most suitable beach for families with children.
Praia dos Moinhos’ overview
Best beaches in the Azores – Terceira island
Praia da Vitória (Zona Balnear da Praia Grande)
The bathing area of Praia Grande, commonly known as Praia da Vitória, is a beach with calm waters and one of the only beaches in Terceira island with sand, which is why it is very popular. Due to its characteristics, it is the perfect beach for practicing sports such as beach volleyball, windsurfing and even sailing. You can also simply rent an umbrella and hang out like a roasted chicken under the sun 😛
This is also where the famous Festas da Praia take place (usually between July and August), which include bullfights, exhibitions, parades, gastronomic fair, concerts and nautical sports events.
It is a well located beach, close not only to several cafes and restaurants but also to hotels and the pier where boats depart, during the high season, to the nearest islands.
On the other hand, nearby you will find a very interesting cultural landmark: an optical telegraph dating from the time of the Portuguese civil war (19th century). Don’t miss it if you go to Praia da Vitória!
Praia da Vitória’s overview
Zona Balnear da Prainha
Prainha is one of the 3 beaches that make up the bathing area of Baía da Praia, located in the bay of Praia da Vitória – (Praia Grande, Praia dos Sargentos and Prainha). It is a very quiet beach and the water has a very pleasant temperature, which makes it perfect for families with children. In addition, it is possible to rent an umbrella, which is always useful on hot days.
Prainha is located close to a lot of hotels and AirBnB’s, so during the high season – and especially on weekends – it tends to be quite crowded. However, during the week (that is, from Monday to Friday) and during the shoulder season, it is usually a very quiet and pleasant beach.
If you decide to go to Zona Balnear da Prainha, one of the best beaches in the Azores, don’t forget to have lunch at O Pescador, one of the best restaurants in Terceira island.
Zona Balnear da Prainha’s overview
Best beaches in the Azores – Faial island
Praia do Almoxarife
I debut the section of the best beaches in the Azores on Faial island with Praia do Almoxarife, because it has a magnificent view of the Pico island. Furthermore, it is located between two of the best viewpoints in Faial (they are really BEAUTIFUL!) and close to Praya, one of the best restaurants on the island. It is also just a 10-minute drive from the Maritime Terminal of Horta, where boats depart for the islands of São Jorge and Pico. It is, therefore, a very, very versatile beach.
In addition, it has a spacious and extensive beach, being popular with those who enjoy windsurfing.
Praia do Almoxarife’s overview
Praia do Porto Pim
Praia de Porto Pim is perhaps the most famous beach on the island of Faial because it has an immense sand and very calm waters (since it is a small bay), making it perfect for families with children. However, some caution is necessary because, sometimes, many Portuguese caravels appear in the sand, which can be dangerous for the little ones.
Due to its characteristics, it is also a perfect beach for windsurfing and diving. There are also restaurants nearby, as it is located on the edge of the city of Horta, and two bars on either side of the beach, perfect for buying an ice cream or a cold drink.
Praia do Porto Pim’s overview
Praia da Fajã
I stumbled upon Praia da Fajã by chance, on a random day when I was driving around. I saw the beach sign, took the detour and fell in love with it, because it’s a black sand beach surrounded by dramatic cliffs 🙂
This beach has plenty of parking spots but, unfortunately, no support structure, such as washing rooms or even cafes. But that adds to its natural charm, at least for introverted people like me who want peace and quiet 😛
When you are returning to the main road (the EN1 – 1A), stop by the Miradouro da Ribeira das Cabras, which is a superb viewpoint right next door.
Praia da Fajã’s overview
Praia da Conceição
Praia da Conceição is very beautiful because it has an excellent view of Pico island, providing a spectacular sunset, which couples will certainly enjoy. It is also close to a beautiful park, with tables and facilities for children (playground and tennis court), which makes it perfect for relaxing with the family or having a picnic with friends. In addition, it is suitable for surfing and bodyboarding. Basically, Conceição beach is a kind of 3 in 1, pleasing pretty much everyone 😛
Another great thing is that it is literally next door to the boats terminal of Horta, so you can literally get out of the boat and walk to the beach!
There are only two drawbacks to this beach: it has rough waters, which is why it is not recommended for small children and people who are not very comfortable swimming, and sometimes it is a bit dirty.
Praia da Conceição’s overview
Best beaches in the Azores – São Jorge island
Zona Balnear Ribeira do Nabo
Zona Balnear Ribeira do Nabo is a very small and quiet beach, in a more primitive state, and I like it precisely for that reason. It doesn’t have great facilities (such as cafes or restaurants), but to make up for it, it has a magnificent view of the Pico island and a range of rocks and vegetation around, which make it a secluded charm.
It is located near São Jorge Island Airport, right in front of Make it Happen Farm, which is one of the best places to stay in São Jorge island.
Zona Balnear Ribeira do Nabo’s overview
Best beaches in the Azores – Santa Maria island
Praia da Formosa
Praia da Formosa, in Santa Maria island, is a long sandy beach with white sand (a rarity in the Azores islands, where black sand predominates). It is an easily accessible beach, close to a camping field, and where the waters of mild temperature predominate.
I really like Praia da Formosa and I only avoid it during the world music festival “Maré de Agosto” (which is great for those who like to party, but for those who like to enjoy quiet days on the beach, it is quite noisy!). This event usually takes place over three days, at the end of August.
Praia da Formosa’s overview
Praia de São Lourenço
São Lourenço beach is BEAUTIFUL, and this is due to its wonderful location, in the Bay of S. Lourenço (classified as a nature reserve) and at the foot of the vineyards where the wine of S. Lourenço comes from. The waters are temperate, mild and supervised, making it a very popular beach for snorkeling.
If you see that the sea is a little rough, don’t worry – there is a natural pool right next door.
Praia de São Lourenço’s overview
Best beaches in the Azores – Flores island
Zona Balnear da Fajã Grande
The Fajã Grande bathing area has the immense advantage of being located right next to the Poço de Bacalhau waterfall, which is a must-visit for anyone visiting the Flores island, due to its magnificent view. It is, by far, the most beautiful beach in the Azores, both for the stunning views around it and for its crystalline blue waters.
In addition, it has several terraces right next to it, where you can have lunch or dinner at sunset hours.
The only disadvantage of this beach (besides the fact that it is located on one of the most remote islands in the Azores!) is the fact that it is a cemented area with black sand, which may be a novelty for those who only frequent white sand beaches.
Zona Balnear da Fajã Grande’s overview
Praia da Calheta (Lajes das Flores)
Praia da Calheta is the only beach on Flores island without large boulders. On the other hand, it is located right next to the sea port on the island of Flores, which is considered a disadvantage by some but I think it is quite positive, because it makes access to the beach much easier.
It is a calm beach, with a family atmosphere, close to the Lajes das Flores Leisure Park and, therefore, with tables and chairs where you can sit down to eat.
Praia da Calheta’s overview
Best beaches in the Azores – Graciosa island
Praia de São Mateus
Praia de São Mateus is the only beach worthy of the name on Graciosa Island (forgive my sincerity). When I visit the island, I always go there, mainly because it is very close to the famous Graciosa cheesecake factory (a divine regional sweet!).
It also has the particularity of providing free sunbeds and umbrellas, which is always very useful.
São Mateus beach’s overview
Best beaches in the Azores – Corvo island
Praia da Areia
Corvo is a tiny island and, as such, it does not have many bathing options. However, I didn’t want to miss out on including Corvo in this list of the best beaches in the Azores islands, so here it is: Praia da Areia.
It is a small beach with very black sand and calm waters. It also has a ribbon for playing beach volleyball.
It is close to the Corvo Aerodrome, on the edge of a campsite.
