Horta Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Locality

Facts and practical information

Located on the island of Faial in the Azores region of Portugal, Horta is a charming and picturesque town that offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, vibrant culture, and fascinating history. With its stunning landscapes, colorful marina, and rich maritime heritage, Horta is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking an authentic Azorean experience.

One of the main attractions in Horta is its vibrant marina, which is considered one of the most famous in the world. The marina is a hub for sailors and yachtsmen from all over the globe, making it a lively and cosmopolitan place. Stroll along the waterfront promenade and admire the array of colorful boats and yachts, or simply soak up the atmosphere in one of the many waterfront cafes and restaurants.

For nature lovers, Horta offers breathtaking natural beauty at every turn. The town is surrounded by lush green hills, volcanic landscapes, and stunning coastal cliffs. Take a hike along the trails of the Caldeira, a massive volcanic crater that offers panoramic views of the island, or visit the nearby Capelinhos volcano, which erupted in 1957 and created a unique and otherworldly landscape.

Horta's rich maritime history is evident throughout the town. Visit the Horta Museum, housed in a 19th-century mansion, to learn about the town's seafaring past and discover artifacts and exhibits that showcase its important role as a stopover for transatlantic voyages. Don't miss the iconic Peter Café Sport, a legendary sailor's bar that has been welcoming sailors and travelers for over a century. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of gin while admiring the walls adorned with nautical memorabilia from around the world.

In addition to its natural beauty and maritime history, Horta also offers a vibrant cultural scene. The town is known for its lively festivals and events, including the Semana do Mar (Sea Week), which celebrates Horta's close connection to the ocean. During the festival, visitors can enjoy traditional music, dance performances, and a variety of water sports activities.

Alternative names: Population: 6.6 thous. (2019)Area: 66.82 mi²Elevation: 39 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 38°32'5"N, 28°37'36"W

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AzoresPortugal

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Horta Top Attractions

Horta Attractions - What to See and Explore

Horta offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Porto Pim Whale Factory Museum, Botanical Garden of Faial, Santa Maria Natural Park, Nature Park of Flores. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Museum
Porto Pim Whale Factory Museum
The Porto Pim Whale Factory Museum is a whaling museum in the civil parish of Angústias, in the municipality of Horta, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
Botanical garden • Garden • Park
Botanical Garden of Faial
The Botanical Garden of Faial is an ecological garden, component of the Faial Nature Park, established in 1986 to educate and protect the biodiversity common on Faial, an island of the Azores archipelago.
Park
Santa Maria Natural Park
Santa Maria Natural Park is a protected area on Santa Maria Island in the Azores. The park was created by the Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e do Mar, of the Autonomous Regional Government of the Azores to better manage the protected areas of Santa Maria Island.

Park
Nature Park of Flores
The Nature Park of Flores, or simply Flores Nature Park, developed from the intention of better managing the protected areas of the island of Flores, and was instituted by the Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e do Mar, of the Autonomous Regional Government of the Azores.
38°32'20"N • 28°37'44"W
Convent of Nossa Senhora do Carmo
The Convent of Carmo is a former-convent situated in the civil parish of Matriz, municipality of Horta in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
38°32'2"N • 28°37'45"W
Protected Landscape of Barreiro da Faneca
The Protected Landscape of Barreiro da Faneca is a geological region and protected landscape of the Portuguese island of Santa Maria, Azores.
38°32'2"N • 28°37'45"W
Fajã do Pedregalo
The Fajã do Pedregalo, is a permanent debris field, built from the collapsing cliffs on the northern coast of the civil parish of Rosais, in the municipality of Velas, island of São Jorge, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
38°32'2"N • 28°37'45"W
Fajã do Calhau Rolado
The Fajã do Calha Rolado is a permanent debris field at the foot of the crumbling cliffs on the northern coast of the civil parish of Rosais, in the municipality of Velas, on the island of São Jorge, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
38°32'30"N • 28°37'37"W
Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas
The Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, normally shortened to DOP/UAç, is an Azorean oceanographic institute and research arm of the University of the Azores, with its seat in the city of Horta, on the island of Faial.
38°32'23"N • 28°37'35"W
Sociedade Amor da Pátria
The Amor da Pátria Society MHM is a Masonic society founded in the city of Horta, Azores, on November 28, 1859. A masonic lodge, under the influence of the Lusitanian Grand Orient, under the motto "Love for the Homeland is what guides us", the...
Tower
Torre do Relógio
The Clock Tower is currently a monument and what remains of a Portuguese Christian religious temple located in the parish of Matriz, municipality of Horta, on the island of Faial, in the Azores archipelago.
Park
Jardim Florêncio Terra
The Florêncio Terra Garden is a garden located in the city of Horta, Faial Island, Azores Archipelago.

Day trips

Horta – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Horta, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Mount Pico (Pico), Farol dos Capelinhos (Faial), Gruta das Torres (Pico).

13 milesE
Towering volcano with hiking trails
Mount Pico, Pico
Rising majestically above the verdant landscapes of the Azores, Mount Pico stands as a testament to nature’s awe-inspiring beauty and power. Located on Pico Island in Portugal, this stratovolcano is not only a geological wonder but also the highest point in Portugal...
12 milesW
Vernacular architecture, Lighthouse
Farol dos Capelinhos, Faial
The Lighthouse of Ponta dos Capelinhos, or alternately Lighthouse of Capelinhos, is a former beacon/lighthouse located along the coastal peninsula of Ponta dos Capelinhos and Costa Nau, in the civil parish of Capelo, on the island of Faial in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
7.2 miE
Natural attraction, Park, Cave
Gruta das Torres, Pico
Gruta das Torres, is a lava cave, a geological formation of volcanic origin formed from the flow and cooling of subterranean magma rivers.
17 milesE
Church
Convent of São Pedro de Alcântara, São Roque do Pico
The Convent of São Pedro de Alcântara is a Baroque convent and church complex in the civil parish of São Roque, in the municipality of the same name, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
21 milesE
Lake
Lagoa do Caiado, Pico
Lagoa do Caiado is the largest lake on Pico Island, Azores. The high-altitude lake is located on the Achada Plateau, an extensive volcanic mountain range covering most of the central area of the island.

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Best Time To Visit Horta

Learn when is the best time to travel to Horta weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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July and August are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in June.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in July, August and September. While the coldest is in January, February, March, April and December.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in July. Most of it rains in January and December.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Horta?

The top attractions to visit in Horta are:

What is the best time to visit Horta?

July and August are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in June. The highest air temperature is in July, August and September. While the coldest is in January, February, March, April and December.