São Jorge Island Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Island

Facts and practical information

With its dramatic cliffs, lush green landscapes, and charming villages, São Jorge Island in the Azores region of Portugal is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. This small island, located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and outdoor adventures.

One of the highlights of São Jorge Island is its stunning coastline, characterized by towering cliffs that plunge into the deep blue sea. Hiking along the coastal trails is a must for nature enthusiasts, offering breathtaking views and opportunities to spot dolphins and whales in the surrounding waters. The Fajãs, small fertile plains formed by lava flows, are also a sight to behold. These picturesque areas are home to charming villages and provide a glimpse into the island's agricultural traditions.

For those seeking tranquility and relaxation, São Jorge Island's secluded beaches are the perfect escape. Praia do Almoxarife, with its golden sand and crystal-clear waters, is a true paradise for sunbathers and swimmers. The beach is framed by rugged cliffs, creating a peaceful and intimate atmosphere. Another hidden gem is Fajã do Ouvidor, a small cove surrounded by lush vegetation and natural rock pools, ideal for a refreshing dip.

Exploring São Jorge Island's villages is like stepping back in time. The main town, Velas, is a charming place with colorful houses, narrow streets, and a picturesque harbor. The town's historic center is a delight to wander around, with its traditional architecture and quaint shops and cafes. Don't miss the opportunity to try the local cuisine, which includes delicious fresh seafood and traditional Azorean dishes.

For the more adventurous travelers, São Jorge Island offers a range of outdoor activities. The island's rugged terrain is perfect for hiking, with trails that lead to breathtaking viewpoints and hidden waterfalls. Kayaking and snorkeling are also popular activities, allowing visitors to explore the island's crystal-clear waters and marine life.

Local name: Ilha de São Jorge Area: 90.15 mi²Elevation: 2894 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 38°38'10"N, 28°2'32"W

Location

AzoresPortugal

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São Jorge Island Top Attractions

São Jorge Island Attractions - What to See and Explore

São Jorge Island offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Church of Santa Catarina, Pico da Esperança, Lighthouse of Ponta dos Rosais, Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Church
Church of Santa Catarina
The Church of Santa Catarina is a church in the civil parish of Calheta, municipality of Calheta, on the Portuguese island of São Jorge, archipelago of the Azores.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Pico da Esperança
Pico da Esperança is the highest mountain of São Jorge Island, Azores. Its elevation is 1,053 m. It is situated in the Norte Grande parish, Velas municipality.
Vernacular architecture • Lighthouse
Lighthouse of Ponta dos Rosais
The Ponta dos Rosais Lighthouse is a beacon/lighthouse located along the 200 m cliffs of Ponta dos Rosais near Rosais in the extreme northwest of the island of São Jorge, in the Archipelago of the Azores, Portugal.

Church
Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário
The Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário is a 16th-century Azorean temple in the civil parish of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, municipality of Calheta, being reconstructed after the Mandado de Deus earthquake that affected the islands of São Jorge and Pico.
Vernacular architecture • Manor house
Solar dos Tiagos
The Solar dos Tiagos is a solar in the civil parish of Topo, in the municipality of Calheta, on the Portuguese island of São Jorge in the archipelago of the Azores. The manor grounds contain a chapel notable as the burial place of Willem van der Haegen, an early settler of the Azores.
View point
Fajã de São João
The Fajã de São João is a permanent debris field, built from the collapsing cliffs on the northern coast of the civil parish of Santo Antão, in the municipality of Calheta, island of São Jorge, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
Nature • Natural attraction • Volcano
Bocas de Fogo
Vulcão da Urzelina is a volcano near the community of Urzelina, Velas municipality, São Jorge Island, Azores.Bocas de Fogo or “Bocas de Fogo da Urzelina” is a colloquial name of the volcano used only locally, but it is neither used in science nor in administrative maps!.
38°37'58"N • 27°56'51"W
Fajã dos Cubres
The Fajã dos Cubres is a permanent debris field, known as a fajã, built from the collapsing cliffs on the northern coast of the civil parish of Ribeira Seca, in the municipality of Calheta, island of São Jorge, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
Nature • Natural attraction • Volcano
Topo Volcanic Complex
Volcanic Complex of Topo is a complex of scoria cones and volcanic structures, located near the village Topo in the southeastern part of the island of São Jorge, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
Park
Reserva Florestal de Recreio das Sete Fontes
Sete Fontes Forest Park is a Portuguese forest park with about 50ha located in the parish of Rosais, in the northeastern tip of the island, in the municipality of Velas, São Jorge island, Azores archipelago.
38°37'40"N • 28°4'34"W
Fajã das Almas
The Fajã das Almas, also known as Fajã do Calhau, is a debris field, known as a fajã, built from the collapsing cliffs on the southern coast of the civil parish of Manadas, in the municipality of Velas, island of São Jorge, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
38°40'37"N • 28°3'11"W
Fajã do Ouvidor
The Fajã do Ouvidor is a permanent lava field originated from Pico da Esperança when was active, and the most recent from the collapsing cliffs on the northern coast of the civil parish of Norte Grande, in the municipality of Velas, island of São Jorge, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
38°35'5"N • 27°55'54"W
Fajã dos Vimes
The Fajã dos Vimes is a permanent debris field, known as a fajã, built from the collapsing cliffs on the south coast of the civil parish of Ribeira Seca, in the municipality of Calheta, island of São Jorge, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
38°43'49"N • 28°13'41"W
Fajã de João Dias
The Fajã de João Dias 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°37'52"N • 27°56'35"W
Fajã do Belo
The Fajã do Belo is a permanent debris field, known as a fajã, built from the collapsing cliffs on the northern coast of the civil parish of Ribeira Seca, in the municipality of Calheta, island of São Jorge, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
38°45'16"N • 28°18'24"W
Fajã Mata Sete
The Fajã Mata Sete is a debris field formed over time by collapsing 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°37'38"N • 27°56'13"W
Fajã dos Tijolos
The Fajã dos Tijolos is a permanent debris field, built from the collapsing cliffs on the northern coast of the civil parish of Ribeira Seca, in the municipality of Calheta, island of São Jorge, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.
38°44'38"N • 28°15'50"W
Fajã de Fernando Afonso
The Fajã de Fernando Afonso 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°39'22"N • 27°59'33"W
Fajã das Pontas
The Fajã das Pontas is a permanent debris field, known as a fajã, built from the collapsing cliffs on the northern coast of the civil parish of Norte Pequeno, in the municipality of Calheta, island of São Jorge, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores.

Day trips

São Jorge Island – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of São Jorge Island, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Mount Pico (Pico), Fortress of São João Baptista (Angra do Heroísmo), Farol dos Capelinhos (Faial).

22 milesSW
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...
44 milesE
Historical place, Forts and castles
Fortress of São João Baptista, Angra do Heroísmo
The Fortress of São João Baptista, a formidable castle overlooking the picturesque city of Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira Island in the Azores, Portugal, stands as a testament to the region's rich maritime history and strategic military importance.
42 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.
27 milesW
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 milesSW
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.

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Best Time To Visit São Jorge Island

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in São Jorge Island?

The top attractions to visit in São Jorge Island are: