The Azores: Pico Island
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The Azores: Pico Island
Nally
There are two major reasons to visit Pico Island: hiking and wine. Though there are trails all over the island, Ponta do Pico is the biggest (literally) draw for hikers. Mount Pico, a dormant stratovolcano, is the highest mountain in not only the Azores, but in all of Portugal. The wine is equally impressive. The vineyards are a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to the basalt stone walls that surround them. So the two reasons to visit Pico Island are very good ones.
Pico Island is in the Azores' Central Group of islands. You can see and easily visit two others, Faial and São Jorge, from here. The Black Island (the black volcanic soil says it all) was discovered in the 14th century, though it wasn't settled until the 1480s. Volcanic eruptions kept deterring people, though. It wasn't until the 18th century that the lava flow ceased, Verdelho grapes started thriving, and whale hunting became popular. Pico found its groove.
Similar to São Miguel, tourists are now flocking to Pico. They're lured by the humid and mild climate, rarely exported wine, bucket-list hikes, and whale-watching trips. Madalena, the tiny main town, blends history and nature on the west coast. While Pico's east coast feels like it's still waiting to be discovered.
This detailed guide includes:
Places: towns
Stay: hotels
Eat: bakeries, pizzerias, restaurants
Drink: tapas bars, wineries
Do: churches, mountains, natural swimming pools, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, windmills
Transportation: airports, car rentals, ferries
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Pico Island
Pico Island
@nally
There are two major reasons to visit Pico Island: hiking and wine. Though there are trails all over the island, Ponta do Pico is the biggest (literally) draw for hikers. Mount Pico, a dormant stratovolcano, is the highest mountain in not only the Azores, but in all of Portugal. The wine is equally impressive. The vineyards are a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to the basalt stone walls that surround them. So the two reasons to visit Pico Island are very good ones.
Pico Island is in the Azores' Central Group of islands. You can see and easily visit two others, Faial and São Jorge, from here. The Black Island (the black volcanic soil says it all) was discovered in the 14th century, though it wasn't settled until the 1480s. Volcanic eruptions kept deterring people, though. It wasn't until the 18th century that the lava flow ceased, Verdelho grapes started thriving, and whale hunting became popular. Pico found its groove.
Similar to São Miguel, tourists are now flocking to Pico. They're lured by the humid and mild climate, rarely exported wine, bucket-list hikes, and whale-watching trips. Madalena, the tiny main town, blends history and nature on the west coast. While Pico's east coast feels like it's still waiting to be discovered.
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Mount Pico
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Montanha do Pico is the highest mountain in Portugal. Yes, the entire country. Mount Pico stands nearly 8,000 feet above sea level. On a clear day, it's visible from nearly everywhere on Pico Island. Until the early 18th century, the stratovolcano erupted fairly regularly. It's been dormant since 1720, though. The volcano, including its pit crater, was designated a nature reserve in 1972. An observatory, built to study the impact of air pollution, was also placed atop the summit in 1998.
Hiking reservations: In order to hike the steep, 4.4-mile, out-and-back trail, you must make a reservation in advance. Guides are highly recommended.
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Bandeiras
Bandeiras
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If you fly from Ponta Delgada to Pico Island--the flight is less than an hour-then Bandeiras (Flags) will be your first stop on the Azorean island. The small, pie-slice-shaped suburb of Madalena lies east of the little capital on the island's northwest coast. In addition to Pico Airport, it's home to several churches, historic vineyards, and a gorgeous new winery.
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Pico Airport
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If you thought that Ponta Delgada's airport was small, just wait until you land at the Pico Airport (PIX). The airport sits just five miles east of the capital, Madalena, in Bandeiras. It opened in 1982, extended the runway in 1990, and added a new terminal in 2002. There are now flights direct to Lisbon. As for services, there are a handful of car rental companies, a small cafe before security, and only a coffee machine and a small shop after security. The airport also has a fabulous view of Mount Pico.
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AutAtlantis Rent-a-Car
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As soon as you decide to travel to Pico Island, you need to reserve your rental car. There are only a set number on the island, and it can be tough to find one, much less one the size you want, during the high season.
AutAtlantis Rent-a-Car has a booth in the terminal at Pico Airport. It's an old-school company with friendly agents, handwritten notes about the vehicle, and long check-in and check-out processes. So why this company? AutAtlantis was chosen for its good reviews.
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Azores Wine Company | Vinhos dos Açores
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The most widely grown grape on Pico Island is Arinto. The white wine has a soft palette, tropical-fruit notes, and lots of salinity thanks to its island setting. Yet, as you're about to find out, not all Arintos taste the same. At the Azores Wine Company, you can do an "Around the Volcano" tasting of Arintos. Without leaving the winery, you can taste wines whose grapes grow high on the slopes of Mount Pico and those that grow closer to the sea. Some come from the southern side of the island; others are grown right outside in the historic, basalt-walled vineyard. Plus some are young, while others have been aged in oak barrels. You'll understand not only the grape, but the island as a whole, by the end of your tasting.
The Azores Wine Company is a relatively new winery. Its striking, modern building sits on a hill, which slopes down toward the ocean, on the northwest corner of Pico Island. It's surrounded by historic, basalt-walled vineyards that continue to be revived today. Mount Pico looms in the background. It's an epic setting.
The winery offers a variety of different tastings. They range in color, price, and varietal. An attached restaurant serves tasting menus with wine pairings in the evening. You can even stay at the winery in one of their new rooms or apartment.
Notes:
-Reservations, even for wine tastings, are necessary. Bookings are available online.
-The winery closes for about two months during the winter.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nally
Big destinations. Little details.
I travel—a lot. I’m always taking notes, organizing quick getaways, plotting big holidays, and dreaming. I’ve been to six continents (I’ll get to Antarctica eventually), nearly 40 countries, and too many cities and islands to count.
Tons of planning, way more than is actually necessary, goes into each adventure. Your trips can benefit from my little addiction.
No two people are exactly alike. No two vacations should be the same either. These guides are designed to help you follow your passions, satisfy your cravings, and spark new whims. Think of them as starting points as you create your own exciting itineraries.
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Pico Island, Portugal
Europe
Portugal
Azores, Portugal
Madalena, Azores, Portugal
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