Best things to do in Flores island

Who would have thought that an island as small as Flores, with only 4,000 inhabitants, could have so many fantastic places to visit?

Flores covers an area of ​​141.7 km², most of which is mountainous terrain, characterized by large ravines and gigantic cliffs.

There are so many options that I made this list of the best things to do in Flores island – I hope you enjoy it!

Best things to do in Flores island

Explore the best hiking trails

Flores Island is a very small island and therefore has few hiking trails. Furthermore, one of these trails – PR01 FLO – is currently closed due to unstable soils on the northwest coast of the island.

However, there are three hiking trails that you can do. They are all very beautiful, although none of them is particularly easy.

The hiking trail that I enjoyed the most was PR03 FLO Miradouro das Lagoas – Poço do Bacalhau, because it allows you to explore the center of the island on foot, which, in my opinion, is the most beautiful area. On this trail, you can admire the views of several explosion craters (also known as “maars”, which the locals call calderas), namely Caldeira Funda, Caldeira Branca and Caldeira Comprida. Around the “caldeiras” you can find a lot of endemic flora of the Azores, which is fantastic.

This trail is linear, of high difficulty, with an extension of approximately 7 km and an estimated duration of 3 hours.

However, this trail can only be done on days with good visibility, as it starts at the highest point of Flores Island.

If the visibility is poor, which is very common in the Azores, choose the PR02 or PR04 hiking trail, as both are located along the coast.

For more information, read my article on the best hiking trails in Flores Island.

Take photos of the Flores calderas

Even if you don’t feel like walking, I STRONGLY recommend visiting the viewpoints of the famous 7 crater lakes of Flores island, namely: Caldeira Negra, Caldeira Comprida, Caldeira Branca and Caldeira Rasa (these four are located in the natural forest reserve of Morro Alto and Pico da Se). There is also Caldeira Rasa and Caldeira Funda and, separately, Caldeira da Lomba.

All of these crater lakes have viewpoints that can be reached by car, and it takes no more than 1 hour to visit all of the craters.

I only recommend this activity on days with good visibility. If you want to find out the best way to ensure that you have sufficient visibility or not, read my article on crater lakes on Flores island.

See the most beautiful waterfalls in the Azores

If there is one thing that truly sets Flores apart from the other islands in the Azores archipelago, it is its stunning waterfalls. In fact, I bet you decided to book your trip to Flores because you saw a photo of one of them somewhere on social media ;)

In fact, one of the best things to do in Flores island is to explore one of its three waterfalls:

Poço do Bacalhau waterfall

The advantage of visiting the Poço do Bacalhau waterfall is that it is the ONLY waterfall on Flores island where you can bathe (in fact, it is the only place where you can bathe in fresh water).

In addition, the Poço do Bacalhau waterfall is easily accessible via a mini 150-meter trail on a paved road, that is, a 5-minute walk.

Ribeira do Ferreiro waterfall

The Ribeira do Ferreiro waterfall is the postcard image of Flores and the reason why thousands of people undertake the long journey to this remote place. In fact, it is a beautiful placel: a kind of natural amphitheatre, with a shallow lake, which allows you to admire a series of stunning waterfalls.

It is not very difficult to get there, just follow a short trail (about a 20-minute walk) from the car park. In fact, when you go to the Ribeira do Ferreiro Waterfall, type “Parque de Estacionamento do Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro” into Google Maps, which will take you straight to the aforementioned car park. The hiking path is a little treacherous, be careful as the path is uneven and often steep.

The only downside to visiting this waterfall is that, as it is the most popular spot on the island, it is always full of people, especially during the high season (May to September). So, mentally prepare yourself to share the magnificent view with dozens of other people.

Ribeira Grande waterfall

Right next to the Ribeira do Ferreiro waterfall is the Ribeira Grande waterfall, which is a lesser-known waterfall but no less beautiful.

The trail to get there starts at the point marked on Google as “Início do Trilho da Cascata da Ribeira Grande”, right next to a bridge next to the Ribeira da Alagoa water mill.

Leave your car there and follow a gravel road, always with the Ribeira Grande (it’s a stream, at the bottom) on your left. The gravel path then converts into big rocks that you need to find a path through, so I only recommend this adventure to those with mountain boots. If you’re lost, always follow the “mariolas”, which are small pyramids of stones that hikers use to mark the way for other hikers.

The hike to the waterfall takes about 25 minutes. Going back down is slightly harder/ more treacherous.

Visit a historic village

There are two historic villages on Flores island. One of them has been restored and is now a tourist resort, which everyone knows about. The other is still abandoned, but is beautiful. They are practically next to each other and both are worth a visit!

Aldeia da Cuada

I already mentioned Aldeia da Cuada in my article about Where to stay in Flores island because it is, in fact, a magical place. In fact, The village of Cuada, which dates back to the 17th century, has a curious history.

In the 1960s, the village’s inhabitants emigrated to various countries, mainly to America, leaving the village abandoned. Since then, Teotónia and Carlos have been rebuilding the village, without losing the connection with the past and the original building lines, preserving the stone houses, but adapting them to all the current requirements for a dream stay.

At the moment Aldeia da Cuada consists of a village of 16 houses, connected to each other by small stone roads, and with a restaurant with a lovely view.

It really is a cute and photogenic place, as if you had suddenly moved in with the hobbits from Lord of the Rings. :)

Caldeira do Mosteiro

Caldeira do Mosteiro is a place known by few people, which is basically what the village of Cuada used to be before it was restored. In fact, Caldeira do Mosteiro is a small abandoned village that will soon be restored with European funding. So, if you want to see how people used to live in the past, hurry up!

Visiting Caldeira do Mosteiro is like visiting a magical place, where you can dream in silence. Its houses face the interior of the valley, towards the small Ribeira do Barreiro, which winds between the houses and ends up flowing into Ribeira da Caldeira. Thus, houses and haystacks, streams and trees, in their valley inside the caldera, form a harmonious whole, which will make you feel at peace evokes. It’s wonderful.

Take a bath in the sea

Natural pools of Santa Cruz das Flores

One of the best things to do in Flores island is to take a dip in the sea. Since it is a small island, there are not many options and none of them are very good, except for the natural pools of Santa Cruz das Flores. They are BEAUTIFUL! In fact, I have already traveled up and down the Azores and I think they are some of the most beautiful natural pools in the archipelago :)

The natural pools of Santa Cruz das Flores are HUGE natural pools, very sheltered from the waves of the sea. The waters are crystal clear, and you can swim with small local fish. It is so cool! :)

To get around between the pools you will have to use cement walkways. In fact, don’t expect to find sand or nice places to lay down your towel: in the natural pools of Santa Cruz das Flores, as in most of the islands of the Azores, people lie down or sit directly on the cement.

To access the natural pools of Santa Cruz das Flores you will have to go down a large staircase, so I do not recommend them for people with reduced mobility.

Fajã Grande Bathing Area

The Fajã Grande bathing area is also very popular, mainly for its stunning views over the northwest part of the island, where the famous Flores waterfalls are located.

However, if you decide to bathe in this area, be VERY careful: the waters here are full of Caravelas portuguesas e Águas vivas, two cute Portuguese names for jellyfish. The sting, besides being very painful and potentially fatal, leaves a nasty mark that takes weeks to disappear.

Take photos at the viewpoints on Flores island

Flores is FULL of stunning viewpoints! I’ve already mentioned the viewpoints in the centre of the island, which will allow you to photograph the crater lakes of Flores. However, there are others that are worth exploring.

On the west coast, there is the Miradouro do Portal, which has a stunning view over the island’s waterfalls. Between the towns of Mosteiro and Lajedo, you’ll also find small viewpoints that allow you to see Mosteiro’s small bay and Rocha dos Bordões (a unique geological formation visible from the road).

At the northernmost point of the island, there is the Miradouro da Baía de Além, a beeeautiful viewpoint that allows you to see the westernmost point in Europe, the islet of Monchique.

On the east coast, it’s hard to choose, because there are so many viewpoints and each one is more beautiful than the last! Therefore, I recommend that you drive in an anti-clockwise direction (i.e. in the direction of Lajes das Flores => Santa Cruz) because that way it’s easier to park at the viewpoints you find along the road.

Take a day trip to Corvo island

Corvo Island is the smallest island in the Azores and it is truly a treasure. With just 17 km2 and less than 400 inhabitants, it has one of the most impressive landscapes in Portugal: its famous caldera! On the island, there are two trails, both very beautiful: the PRC02 COR, which allows you to explore the interior of the Corvo caldera, and the PR01 COR “Cara do Índio”, which connects the caldera to the centre of the only village.

Both trails are short (< 3h) and you can do one of them if you take a day trip to Corvo.

There are basically three ways to visit Corvo Island:

• You can choose to take a boat trip with the Azores ferry company, Atlântico Line. The crossing takes around 40 minutes and is made on board the small Ariel boat, with capacity for just 12 passengers.

Price: The ticket costs €10 per adult and €5 for children up to 12 years old.
How to book your ticket: book your ticket online at Atlântico Line’s website.

• Alternatively, there are agencies that transport tourists between the islands of Flores and Corvo, in semi-rigid boats. The tours usually include visits to the caves on the coast of Flores, about four hours to explore the island freely, and the return trip to Corvo.

I personally like this option because it is completely different to do the trip alone or with a local guide, who knows the history of the island, the fauna and flora well and who also shows you the famous Flores caves :)

Price: €58 per person.
How to book your ticket: book your day trip to Corvo island now!

The third option is to take a plane from Flores to Corvo, but I honestly have never done it so I can’t advise you on this.

Enjoy a volcanic landscape

There is a specific viewpoint that allows you to do one of the best things to do in Flores island, which is to admire a volcanic landscape. This viewpoint is the Miradouro do Vale da Fazenda, and it allows you to have a stunning view of Pico da Sé.

Pico da Sé is a trachytic dome nestled between the valleys of Ribeira da Badanela and Ribeira da Fazenda de Santa Cruz, two important watercourses on the island. This volcanic structure is formed when the lava is very viscous and, having difficulty flowing, accumulates directly on the conduit or emitting opening, giving rise to a high relief form with very steep slopes.

You can have a privileged view of Pico da Sé not only from the Miradouro do Vale da Fazenda but also from the Miradouro Pico da Casinha, which is closer to Santa Cruz das Flores (the main village of the island).

Try the local cuisine

Look, I am not going to lie to you: the cuisine of the Flores island is NOWHERE as interesting as the cuisine of Terceira island, for instance.

In fact, Flores Island is a poor island and difficult to access, and its subsistence cuisine reflects this. It is also a poor cuisine, with little variety. Even so, there are some places that are worth visiting:

Watch the sunset at Restaurante Pôr do Sol

I’ll start at Restaurante Pôr do Sol, in Fajazinha, which, as the name suggests, is the best place on the island to watch the sunset :)

The traditional pork stew is my favourite dish – tender and tasty, accompanied by vegetables from the owner’s land. I also loved the grilled fish and the homemade ice cream (especially the peanut one) is good.

By the way: foreign cards are not accepted, so always have some cash with you.

Papadiamandis – Restaurant Bar

Papadiamandis is the most popular restaurant on the entire island, and no wonder. For starters, the views are unbeatable: you can see the waterfalls of Fajã Grande.

Then, the food is simple but well prepared, with generous portions. I particularly like the roasted cod and octopus, but if you opt for the fresh fish of the day, it will also be very good. And, of course, finish your meal with a coconut pudding :)

Restaurante Casa do Rei

Casa do Rei is a restaurant that is different from the other restaurants in Flores. It belongs to a German couple who have their own organic farm, so their cuisine fuses traditional Portuguese flavours with flavours from their travels and experiences.

For example, they serve fish accompanied by almonds and a delicious tomato and pineapple soup, which is to die for.

The only problem with this restaurant is that it is closed for a good part of the year, because its owners go away on holiday.

Eat fresh fish at Restaurante O Moreão

If you really fancy a fish meal, I recommend you go to Moreão, in Santa Cruz das Flores, as the owner is a fisherman and therefore always has the freshest fish on the island. If you prefer meat, order the regional steak and you won’t be disappointed.

Get a crepe at Big Love by Monica’s

If you’re a digital nomad and need to get some work done, I highly recommend Big Love by Monica’s. It’s a super cute café in Santa Cruz das Flores where you can order sandwiches, French crepes and even bagels. I really liked the atmosphere – in fact, that’s where I wrote this article! – and I ended up spending a lot of time there.

The only problem with Big Love by Monica’s is its opening hours: it’s only open from 12pm to 6pm, and it’s closed on weekends.

Admire a water mill

Right at the start of the Ribeira Grande waterfall trail, there is a mill from 1862. It is extremely rare to see mills with an ancient operating method, like this one, still in operation. On the other hand, there is usually a lady there, at the request of the city council, who will be able to answer any questions you may have about the mill. It is an incredible educational experience!

Visit a pirate’s grave

Behind the church of Mosteiro (a tiny village in the western part of the island), there is the tomb of a pirate who was involved in the opium trade in Asia. Seriously: on his tomb you can even see the typical pirate symbol, the skull with two crossed bones! :) So, if you are travelling with children or if you simply really like pirates, I recommend you stop by Mosteiro!

Visit a beautiful lighthouse

There are several beautiful lighthouses on Flores island. One of them is in the municipality of Lajes das Flores. It is called Farol da Ponta das Lajes and is said to be the most beautiful lighthouse in the Azores.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to visit the interior of this lighthouse. The lighthouse is nothing special during the day, but I suggest you visit it at night, because when it is lit up it is very beautiful.

There is another very interesting lighthouse, and visiting it is one of the best things to do in Flores island, on the northern face. It is the Albarnaz Lighthouse, located on a cliff on the cape of the same name. From here you have a magnificent view over the cliffs of Flores, the Atlantic Ocean and the island of Corvo.

It is a military zone, so it is not possible to visit the interior of the lighthouse.

Be a geologist for a day

There are several points on the island from which you can admire the unusual geological formations of Flores. I have already mentioned two of them (the Miradouro do Vale da Fazenda and the Miradouro Pico da Casinha, in the centre of the island), but there are others.

I particularly like Rocha dos Frades, a high geological rock formation on the south side of the island. Rocha dos Frades has a religious connotation and a story behind it, which involves a sick young woman who finds inspiration in the daily sight of this rock in her room.

In addition, the rock can be seen from several perspectives, as a relatively new road allows close access and even circles it, providing wonderful views of the interior of the island, where the relief with the various shades of green, the peaks and the coast are part of the landscape.

How to plan your trip to Flores island

Where to stay in Flores island

I have already written a detailed guide of Where to stay in Flores island, so make sure to read it.

One thing I can tell you right now is that accommodation is VERY scarce on Flores island and it sells out MONTHS in advance, so BEFORE booking your flights, make sure there is accommodation available.

How to get to Flores island

I have written a detailed guide explaining How to get to Flores Island, make sure to read it!

How to get around

On the Flores island (as on most of the Azores islands) there is no public transport, so the ONLY reasonable way to get around the island is to rent a car.

Yes, there are some taxis on the island, but there are only a handful (literally a handful, I’m not kidding) so, in addition to being very expensive, they are in high demand.

I recommend you to book your car with AutoEurope, a price aggregator that will give you the best prices on the market. It also allows you to cancel your reservation 48 hours in advance without penalty.

How many days to stay?

I personally didn’t fall in love with Flores Island, and it was one of the few islands in the Azores where I felt really suffocated (maybe because it’s so small?).

I’m telling you this because I think it has an impact on my answer: while on the other islands I could easily stay for weeks and months on end, on Flores island I felt like I could see the whole island in 4 or 5 days at most.

When to visit Flores island

The island of Flores is the westernmost point of Europe and the weather is terrible. There’s no way around it. It’s really, really bad. It rains a lot all year round, not to mention the fog that covers the central part of the island. I’ve been there in April, August and September and I’ve had bad weather every time!

In this sense, I REALLY recommend that you visit Flores island in the summer months: June, July and August.

Yes, you’ll encounter loads of tourists but it’s easier to deal with crowds than to spend the day cooped up in your room because it’s raining!

If you get rain though, don’t despair: instead, read my Guide on What to do on a Rainy day in Flores Island.