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In my opinion, Angra do Heroísmo is THE most beautiful city in the entire Azores – and I’ve been to 7 of the 9 islands! Its historic centre, completely destroyed during the strong earthquake of the 1980s, was rebuilt with fire and iron by its inhabitants, who made a point of preserving the city’s original design. Thus, a few years later, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO – the first site to receive this distinction in Portugal.
It is indeed a very pretty city, with small, colourful houses that flank a small bay, with the Monte Brasil peninsula in the distance.
This is a long article, so here is a quick summary in case you don’t have time to read it in full. Below is a table of contents for the article – use it to navigate to the part that interests you most.
No time to read a long article? Here’s a summary:
These are the best things to do in Angra do Heroísmo:
- Best water activities: go on a sea expedition to see whales and dolphins or go snorkeling.
- Physical activities: hike in Monte Brasil. You can also ride an electric bike there.
- Cultural activities: buy a book at Lar Doce Livro bookstore and visit MAH, Angra do Heroísmo’s only museum.
- For families with kids: enjoy the playgrounds at Parque do Relvão :)
- Free activities: walk in the city centre and enjoy the view from the Alto da Memória obelisk.
How to get to Angra do Heroísmo?
The best way to get to Angra do Heroísmo is by plane. Terceira Island is served by Lajes International Airport (TER), in Praia da Vitória, which is 21 km from Angra do Heroísmo. Currently, there are direct flights to Terceira Island from three U.S. cities: Boston, New York City, and Oakland, California, as well as from Toronto, in Canada. These non-stop flights are operated by Azores Airlines (SATA). If you are an European traveler, you will have to take a flight from Porto or from Lisbon. You can get more information on my article about the flights to the Azores.
The maritime connections between Terceira Island and the other islands of the Central Group (Pico, Faial, São Jorge and Graciosa) are operated by Atlanticoline. It only operates in the summer, on specific days of the week, with variable schedules and frequencies, always subject to weather conditions. You can read more about the Ferries in the Azores.
How to get from Lajes Airport to Angra do Heroísmo?
Angra do Heroísmo is 21 km away from the only airport on Terceira Island, Lajes International Airport (TER), and you have three ways of getting to the city centre:
- you can rent a car on AutoEurope and drive from the airport.
- for hassle-free logistics, you may prefer to book a private transfer service. For two or more travellers, check out this private transfer to Angra do Heroísmo. It offers a door-to-door service from 05:30 to 23:30 and has reasonable prices (€27 for up to 4 passengers).
- you can also take the bus. It is the cheapest way, but slower and requires a change at Praia da Vitória (line 15 Lajes–Praia + line 2 Praia–Angra). The stop is in the Departures area. The journey takes between 50 and 70 minutes and costs €2.95. Check the routes, timetables and prices on the Empresa de Viação Terceirense website.
For more information, read my Guide about how to move around Terceira island.
These are the best things to do in Angra do Heroísmo
Watch whales and dolphins from a Zodiac boat
For me, the best thing to do in Angra do Heroísmo is to go on a sea expedition to see whales and dolphins :) I love nature and for me it is simply magical to have the opportunity to see wonderful creatures, straight out of the BBC programmes, live and in colour.
The guides are experienced, professional and friendly, ensuring the safety of all occupants of the boat while explaining in detail everything about the animals they spot. What’s more, as there are staff at Monte Brasil constantly looking for marine animals to spot, it is almost 100% guaranteed that you will see whales, dolphins or both on the tour.
The zodiac boats are not very large, which allows for a more intimate experience. They are quite fast – but safe -, so you will get covered in water, but they provide us with raincoats so that we don’t get soaked.
All in all, a magical, well-organised and safe experience that will remain in your memory forever. It is one of the most popular things to do in Terceira, so make sure to make your reservation.
Schedule: this activity starts at 8h30.
Price: 65€ / adult, 32,50€ / children from 6 to 9 years old. Yes, children above 10 years old pay the same as an adult (they also occupy the same space in a boat, let’s be honest!).
Go snorkeling in Terceira
Snorkeling in Terceira Island is a unique experience that offers the opportunity to explore vibrant underwater ecosystems.
Terceira is known for its clear, calm waters, perfect for snorkeling. You can admire the rich marine life, including colorful fish, octopuses and, occasionally, even rays.
In addition, the excellent visibility allows you to have a clear view of the underwater wonders, making Terceira Island a must-see destination for sea lovers.
Schedule: this activity starts at 15h.
Price: 25€ / adult.
Strolling around the city centre
For me, one of the best things to do in Angra do Heroísmo is to wander around its historic centre. It is full of cobblestone streets dotted with low, colourful houses, surrounding the city’s beautiful bay. Everyone has their own personal taste, but I particularly like walking down Rua da Rocha until I reach Pátio da Alfândega, which gives me the opportunity to enjoy the views over the municipality’s only sandy beach, as well as the Marina. From there, you can explore Rua Direita and Rua de São João, two beautiful streets with lots to see.
Visiting the Duque da Terceira garden
The Duque da Terceira garden, also commonly known as the Angra garden (because it is the only one), is a very beautiful garden, made up of wide and narrow paths that lead to a garden centre, with a beautiful bandstand at the head of a small lake. It really is beautiful!
Opening hours: every day from 9am to 8pm.
Price: free entry.
Taste the Azorean sweets at O Forno
If there’s one thing I like to do, it’s stuff my face with Azorean sweets. It’s a delicate and diverse sweets, with origins lost in the centuries of its history, and which find their greatest exponent in the O Forno pastry shop, in the centre of Angra do Heroísmo. It’s a small, old pastry shop, with a small covered terrace, right on the street. There you’ll find the best pastries on the island, which are the Dona Amélia and the Conde da Praia, but that’s not all: this pastry shop is a hymn to the queijadas produced on all the Azorean islands, in a variety that I haven’t found anywhere else. That’s why one of the best things to do in Angra do Heroísmo is to go to Forno, taste the queijadas and order some to take home.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, from 8am to 7pm. Closed on Sundays.
Hike the Monte Brasil trail
One of the best things to do in Angra do Heroísmo is to explore the Monte Brasil peninsula. There are so many things to do there (including one of the best trails in Terceira) that I highly recommend you read my complete guide to Monte Brasil.
Sunbathing at Praínha beach
Praínha, besides being one of the best beaches in Terceira, is one of the few beaches with sand. Don’t be fooled: in the Azorean islands it is rare to find beaches in the traditional sense of the word, which makes Praínha even more special.
If you are staying in Angra do Heroísmo, I recommend that you walk to Praínha beach, because it is difficult to park there.
Eating an ice cream at Quinta dos Açores
Quinta dos Açores is a brand that is very present in the daily lives of the Azoreans, as it is an excellent producer of meat, jams and ice creams made with milk from Azorean cows. On the main islands – that is, São Miguel and Terceira – Quinta dos Açores has establishments open to the public. And that is how we arrived at Loja do Gelado – Quinta dos Açores, an ice cream shop on Cais de Angra. The ice creams are nothing out of this world (I am being completely honest) but it is worth going there to eat a crepe with ice cream while enjoying the view of the pier. This ice cream shop is right next to Praínha beach, so take advantage and then go for a swim.
Buy a book at Lar Doce Livro
A bookstore that is a real hidden gem, called Lar Doce Livro, has recently opened. In addition to selling books by Portuguese and foreign authors, this bookstore also has a small café where you can have breakfast, lunch and even a snack. Their brownies are famous and are really good. But what I like most about Lar Doce Livro is that its owners, the couple Marta and Joel (who is a writer), have a genuine cultural, political and social concern for the Azores, which translates into an abundant monthly events schedule. It really is a magical place!
Opening hours: every day from 11am to 8pm.
Have a drink at Pirata
Pirata is an iconic bar in the city. Located on Rua da Rocha, it has a privileged view over the sea, the bay and the marina itself. The decor is appropriate to the name, and helps to give a greater touch of mysticism to the place.
Pirata has a versatile menu that includes everything from Portuguese snacks, mainly meat dishes (including Francesinhas, the typical dish of the city where I was born) and a good selection of beers. So accept the invitation: have a drink in the late afternoon or have dinner at Pirata, and then walk down the street to the city center. It really is one of the best things to do in Angra do Heroísmo.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 5 pm to 11 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays it only closes at 2 am. On Sundays it is closed.
Try Alcatra at Tasca das Tias
Taste das Tias, one of the best restaurants in Terceira, combines the warmth of a traditional tavern with a subtle sophistication that can be seen in the good wine list and impeccable service. The food is excellent – and perhaps the dish that brings the most fame to this pastry house is the Alcatra Açoriana – a stew made with rump, lard and a lot of black pepper from Jamaica. If you’re not that hungry, you can go for one of the snacks, which are delicious.
Another great thing about Tasca das Tias is that, unlike most restaurants in Terceira, it is open every single day of the week.
Local tip: on Tasca das Tias’ menu it says that it only serve Alcatra Açoriana for 2 people, but ask for half a portion if you’re eating alone and they’ll provide it!
Enjoy the sunset from the Alto da Memória obelisk
A huge yellow obelisk was built at the top of the city in honour of our king D. Pedro IV, who fought a civil war against his own brother in the 19th century to establish a constitutional monarchy in Portugal.
In addition to the obelisk and its historical significance, the view from the viewpoint is stunning, overlooking the old part of the city, where you can easily identify the most emblematic buildings of Angra do Heroísmo, as well as Monte Brazil.
There are very few parking spaces available at this viewpoint, so I recommend that you park in the lower part of the city and then walk up to the obelisk. Afterwards, if it is still open, you can visit the Jardim Duque da Terceira, which I have already mentioned in this article on the best things to do in Angra do Heroísmo.
Buy souvenirs to remember Terceira back home
Forget the junk you usually find in Indian shops that you see all over Europe and that always sell the same kind of rubbish. The Azores have increasingly created their own brands with different products that make great souvenirs of your trip, such as Azorean embroideries, hand-painted tiles, delicious jams and liqueurs and even a skincare line.
So, one of the best things to do in Angra do Heroísmo is to look for these little treasures. I’ll give you a hand: I really like the Marina Prestige Store and A Mulher do Capote, both on Rua Direita, but there are others. Set off to discover them.
Take a dip in the Silveira bathing area
Just a 5-minute drive from the city centre is one of the best beaches in Terceira. Well, calling it a beach is not the right term: it is actually a small bay (it used to be a fishing port) where a bathing area with showers, changing rooms and even a café has been built. Locals love to go diving there because it is very safe.
