The Azores are remote Portuguese places and territories comprising nine volcanic islands and part of the Central Group of the Azores archipelago. Poetically referred to as "Portugal's nine daughters in the Atlantic," the Faial Island covers an area of approximately 173 rectangular kilometers, with a duration of 21 kilometers and a width of 14 kilometers.
Faial Island, along with Pico Island and São Jorge Island, forms the "Triangle Islands" and is the third most populous island within the archipelago. The highest point on Faial Island is Cabeço Gordo, which reaches an altitude of 1043 meters.
Map of Faial Island
| Name | Faial Island (Portuguese: Ilha do Faial, Nickname: The Blue Island) |
| Country | Portugal |
| Region | Azores |
| Coordinates | 38°34′57″N 28°42′17″W |
| Area | 173.06 km2 (66.82 sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC -1 |
| Population | 14,334 |
| Heliport | Horta Airport (HOR) |
How to Get to Faial Island
There are frequent flights from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada Airport, with a flight time of approximately 2 hours. SATA Air - Açores operates flights from São Miguel Island (1-hour flight) and Terceira Island (40-minute flight).
Additionally, sea transport will be available from May to September to connect all islands. Ferries connect the Triangle Islands year-round (Faial, Pico, and São Jorge Islands).
History of Faial Island
Faial Island boasts a wealthy record intertwined with various regions internationally. Since its settlement using Flemish and Portuguese human beings, Horta has been a pivotal stopover at the Atlantic route linking Europe with the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
Legend has it that the Portuguese observed Faial rapidly after Terceira Island. The name possibly derives from the abundance of Morella Faya specimens observed there.
Around 1465, the first reputable citizens—Flemish and Portuguese—arrived on the island, beginning the primary explorations for tin and silver, albeit unsuccessfully.
Two years later, Flemish nobleman Josse Van Huertere returned to Faial, drawn by its fertile soil, and became the Captain-Major below Portuguese jurisdiction in 1468, comparable to a governor. King Afonso V authorized settlers from Flanders, who first resided within the Flamengos Valley before settling in Horta.
In the 17th century, following the healing of the Portuguese monarchy, life flourished again way to its harbor. Horta thrived as a platform among Europe and the American continents, facilitated by its blanket bay and exports of wine produced on Pico Island. This wine, akin to that from São Jorge and Graciosa grapes, became exported to Portugal, other European international locations, and British colonies.
During the 18th century, Faial also saw a boom in orange manufacturing and export, which became a source of wealth for the complete archipelago. Horta's port loved a golden age, steamships crossing the Atlantic and North American whaling fleets. However, a decade of blight devastated vineyards and orchards within the mid-19th century. Despite this, the island became a telecommunications hub due to its strategic area. Information transmission between North America and Europe became facilitated through submarine telegraph cables connected to Horta, with the city's first community relationship returning in 1893. Subsequently, several global corporations hooked up undersea cables, connecting continents through the island.
In the early 20th century, in 1915, Faial received further significance with the status quo of a meteorological observatory.
The aviation industry also applied Faial's wonderful role, with the island serving as a transit point for the primary transatlantic seaplanes. The first seaplane arrived in Horta at once after World War I in 1919. From 1930 to 1940, important airlines from Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and North America selected the island as a seaplane landing place.
These geographical privileges preserve to define the island. The Horta Port opened in 1986 and remains one of the world's most renowned ports. With the established order of nearby autonomy, Horta became the headquarters of the Azores Regional Parliament, sharing in all financial adjustments of the archipelago, basically specializing in tertiary area improvement like different islands.
Best Things to Do on Faial Island
Cabeço Gordo
Cabeço Gordo is positioned within the critical part of the island, standing as its maximum factor at approximately 1043 meters above sea level. From right here, one could forget the complete Faial Island, as well as Pico Island, São Jorge Island, and Graciosa Island. From the perspective of the island's highest top, the land appears to slope toward the ocean gently.
Abundant hydrangeas blanket the terrain, creating a harmonious blend of blue flowers against the inexperienced shades of plant life and pastures. This landscape is visible along the road leading to Cabeço Gordo inside the island's middle and on other trails and pathways throughout Faial Island, earning it the nickname "Blue Island."
Volcanic landscape
Caldeira stands as the genetic emblem of the island, its significant expanse embellished with shimmering vegetation, vegetation and bushes glistening under the sun, leaving onlookers in awe. The partitions of this volcanic caldera stretch seven kilometers in circumference, cloaked in Morrella faya, Azorean laurel, moss, ferns, and other endemic species. The crater is unique as a herbal reserve, surrounded by hydrangeas and plenty of other uncommon plants.
Below the Caldeira standpoint, at a distance of 450 meters, lies an intermittent lake and a small volcanic cone embellished with remnants of the pristine Laurissilva wooded area, which adds an exciting hue to the landscape. Access to the crater's interior is authorized only under the steering of certified guides, but you are free to walk along the encircling paths at any time, basking in the beauty of the scenery.
Shoreline
On the "Triangle Islands shoreline," Faial boasts the largest variety of volcanic seashores: Porto Pim, Praia do Almoxarife, and Praia do Norte beckon you to swim inside the clean seawater. The eastern coast seems characteristic of a steep slope, divided into numerous large chunks by effective geological forces, now growing almost to sea level.
To the west, the coast is dominated by superb cliffs between Ribeira Funda and Praia do Norte and between Morro de Castelo Branco and Varadero: they nearly entirely plunge into the extensive sea, forming rocky cliffs on a peninsula. Capelo, extending westward, corresponds to the island's geologically youngest location.
The beaches of Porto Pim and Conceição are best for bathing, complementing the rugged beauty of Almoxarife Beach, a long and dark stretch wherein the particular vista of Pico Mountain can be a favorite.
In the Varadouro region, an herbal pool lies between the bay caves and the rocky points of black lava. Numerous hiking trails, the Capelinhos volcanic area, the crater, and its superbly serene lake at the bottom may be reached by strolling with a tour guide, making it a must-go vacation spot.
Marina da Horta
Established in 1986, the dock is one of the busiest in the world, attracting several sailors and adventurers. The dock's partitions are decorated with artwork traditionally created by passing sailors seeking the right fortune for their return journeys. The Alta Bay, where the dock is situated, is the second Portuguese bay to join the "World's Most Beautiful Bays Club."
Peter Sport Café and Scrimshaw Museum
This famed café in maritime circles was founded in 1918. Adorned with flags from around the sector brought by traveling sailors, the upstairs houses the Scrimshaw Museum, showcasing a plethora of whalebone and enamel carvings and engravings.
Fishing and Spearfishing
Along the coast of Faial Island, there are numerous exact fishing ports. The style of fish you can catch consists of sea bream, parrotfish, grouper, triggerfish, and scabbardfish. You also can revel in fishing from a boat. Faial Island has continually been a pretty famous fishing spot. A fleet of condominium boats is available for game fishing, crewed by experienced sailors who recognize the high-quality fishing spots. Sport fishermen worldwide come here to enjoy the joys of catching blue or yellowfin tuna.
Spearfishing is a very famous method of fishing on Faial Island. Divers can catch large fish and experience unforgettable underwater scenery. Commonly caught fish include sea bass, parrotfish, mackerel, triggerfish, and conger eel.
Faial Island's Cuisine
Octopus stew is one of the most normal dishes on Faial Island, normally discovered on other islands in the archipelago. Fish soup and calorosairada (fish stew) at the dining table reflect the sea's bounty.
Bread and cornbread are made as an accompaniment. As for meats, black pudding and sausages can be enjoyed as snacks or as part of a main meal, where they're paired with yams. The recipe for "molho de carne" (a meat sauce) includes spices, which include pepper, cumin, and cinnamon, enriching the sauce used for cooking meats. Among cakes, the charming "massa soda," a sweet dough cake with a fennel taste, baked in the oven and full of a cream made from egg yolks, milk, sugar, flour, and lemon zest, is especially traditional.
Weather of Faial Island
In Faial, the summer is brief, warm, and muggy, while the winter is long and mild, with abundant rainfall and strong winds. The weather is generally partly cloudy throughout the year. The temperature typically ranges between 13°C and 25°C, rarely dropping below 10°C or rising above 27°C.
The best time to visit Faial for warm-weather activities is from mid-July to early September.