Flores is a place that you rarely find in the world – a remote island in the middle of the Atlantic, yet it is touristically developed. An island so green that it almost glows. Pure nature – you can expect lots of waterfalls, volcanic craters to walk across, a subtropical variety of plants and endless blue hydrangeas.
Flores, together with Corvo, forms the westernmost archipelago of the Azores and is also the westernmost point of Europe. On Flores, you should not expect too much luxury or an exciting nightlife. Instead, nature will spoil you with truly breathtaking spectacles. You will find plenty of peace and serenity on Flores.
If you need some inspiration, whether Flores is your thing, then take a look at this video here:
Flores: Overview
- Capital: Santa Cruz das Flores (approx. 1,600 inhabitants)
- Other larger towns: Fajã Grande, Lajes
- Population: Only about 4,000 people live on Flores
- Size: Flores is the fourth smallest island of the Azores. It is 16.6 kilometers long and 12.2 kilometers wide at its widest point.
- Area: 141.4 km²
- Island group: Flores, together with its neighboring island Corvo, belongs to the North-Western Azores (Grupo Ocidental).
- Trivia: Flores is closer to the American continent than to the European.
Travel to Flores
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the large ferries between the island chains no longer operate. The ferry for tourists to Flores has also been discontinued because it is simply not profitable for the provider Atlânticoline.
This means that you can currently only reach Flores by plane. There are several regular flights from São Miguel but sometimes also from the other islands of the Azores with Sata Azores Airlines.
There are no direct flights from Germany to Flores. You first have to come to one of the islands in the Azores, and then continue from there to the airport in Santa Cruz das Flores.
Accommodation on Flores
Since Flores is a rather remote and small island, with fewer tourists than other Azores islands, there is not a very large number of hotels. You will mainly find accommodation here in holiday apartments and guest houses. Many of these are in old traditional houses, which are not always very comfortable. Sometimes you only have a room and have to share the kitchen, bathroom or living room with other guests. Here you should read the descriptions carefully.
A really great holiday home is the Moinho da Cascata, because it is located in the immediate vicinity of one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island.
Accommodation on Flores costs around €100 per night during the high season. The really good places are more expensive. But you can also get a slightly cheaper bargain every now and then if you are quick. My experience is that the longer you wait to book, the fewer houses are available at lower prices.
If you can’t do without the comfort of a hotel, then you will find it in the capital, Santa Cruz. Here you will find the 4-star hotel Inatel Flores, located directly on the cliffs, with great ocean views. It is also the best-rated hotel on the island. However, the Hotel Ocidental is the only other alternative.
Car rental on Flores
I myself traveled around Flores without a rental car. There are simply not that many of them on the small island, which is why a car in the smallest category costs at least €100 per day (excluding fuel). The later you book, the more expensive it will be.
Although I like to be flexible and that is possible with a rental car, I found this price to be simply too high. Instead, I tried to get a local transport company to drive me to the best spots, since I had planned to do a lot of hiking anyway.
A ride from the airport to Fajãzinha costs about €17. If you want to go from Fajãzinha or from one place to another, you have to pay for the trip to your pick-up location, because the drivers always come to you from Santa Cruz first. Nevertheless, it is still cheaper than with a rental car. The most expensive route for me was Fajãzinha to Lajes das Flores for €25 each way.
In addition, there is also a public bus service with UTC, which runs more or less regularly. On the website you will also find the current bus timetables for Flores. (However, only in Portuguese. But you can also use the Google translator).
Conclusion: you can also get around well with local taxis and buses, and for half the price of a rental car.
Best time to travel to Flores
Flores is particularly beautiful in July, when the hydrangeas are in full bloom. However, most tourists are also there in July and everything is correspondingly expensive.
The main tourist season actually runs from May to the end of September. The low season runs from October to April, with April and October still being marked as mid-season for some accommodation. But generally speaking, everything is a bit cheaper during the low season.
From November and generally in the low season, it is very quiet on Flores. Most locals are drawn to other islands, where many also have apartments. The weather is getting more uncomfortable. One or the other storm can sometimes cause there to be no deliveries to the island for several days. Also, many tourist offers are then no longer available.
Therefore, my recommendation for Flores is to use the main travel season, despite the fact that I usually prefer to travel out of season.
Places of interest in Flores
Here I will show you the best places of interest in Flores. These are the absolute must-sees that you should not miss during your visit.
1. Wall of waterfalls – Poço Ribeira do Ferreiro
The Poço Ribeira do Ferreiro is not only a highlight on Flores, but one of the most breathtaking sights in the whole of the Azores.
It is a very special moment when you arrive at Lagoa dos Patos after a 20-minute hike from the parking lot through the dense jungle and look up at the green wall with its countless waterfalls plunging into the depths.
I found it particularly beautiful here in the fog just before sunset. Most tourists don’t want to drive home in the dark, so it is often quite lonely at the waterfalls at this time and you can best enjoy the silence of nature then. In addition, there is the best light for photos.
This place is almost untouched and is therefore a protected natural area. So take your trash with you and do not cross the barriers.
2. Cascata da Ribeira Grande
Almost around the corner from Poço Ribeira do Ferreiro is another three-tiered waterfall, the Cascata da Ribeira Grande.
On rainy days, so much water flows here that the volume of the waterfall is so strong that you can hardly hear anything else. On sunnier days, on the other hand, you can even walk through the waterfall.
You can reach the lower end of the waterfall by continuing along the path from the bridge over the Ribeira Grande river. You may have to walk along the riverbed to reach the waterfall.
You can even enjoy the view at the top of Cascata da Ribeira Grande, but there is no official hiking trail there. It’s best to get a local guide who knows the area and can lead you past the cows and down the steep slope to the small lake on the upper plateau. You can also swim there if you’re not afraid of cold water.
3. Morro Alto Nature Reserve and Pico da Se
The Reserva Florestal Natural do Morro Alto e Pico da Se has 4 calderas to discover, volcanic craters, some of which also contain lakes:
- Caldeira Negra – home to Lagoa Funda, the island’s deepest lake. It is 115 meters deep.
- Caldeira Comprida – Between this crater and Caldeira Negra, there is the “Miradouro Lagoa Funda” lookout point from which you can see both lakes from above.
- Caldeira Seca – The only one of the four craters without a lake.
- Caldeira Branca – At this crater, you will find a bird watching station.
They are all located on the island’s central plateau. Morro Alto is also the highest point in Flores, at 914 meters.
4. Cascata do Poço do Bacalhau
The Casas da Cascata on the outskirts of the village of Fajã Grande is arguably the most photographed and therefore most famous waterfall on the island of Flores. The 90-meter-high waterfall is accessible to tourists and quite easy to reach.
When you visit the place, be sure to take your swimsuit. The crystal-clear waters of the lagoon below the waterfall are a great place to cool down from the heat of the day. Afterwards, watch the rainbows that form through the spray of the water hitting the rocks.
Tip: In the afternoon, the sun has already moved over the steep cliff, which is why it is then warmer at the waterfall. However, more visitors come then too.
Next to the waterfall is a traditionally built house that is perfect for photos. It is the private accommodation Moinho da Cascata*, which you are only allowed to enter if you have booked an overnight stay. It’s not cheap, but the accommodation often books up quickly anyway. This is probably because from here you have the absolutely best view of the Cascata do Poço do Bacalhau.
5. Rocha dos Bordões
The impressive rock formation Rocha dos Bordões is also known as the organ pipes of Flores. These are basalt columns that rise up to 30 meters out of the ground and into the air, created by the rapid cooling of lava rock.
A road leads around the Rocha dos Bordões and there are also a few parking lots along the way from which you can marvel at this natural monument.
6. Mosteiro
Mosteiro is a small parish in the west of the island, near Rocha dos Bordões. Founded in 1676, it stands out for its beautiful location on the coast, surrounded by nature.
Mosteiro is a great starting point for smaller hikes. Especially the path that takes you along the coast is really very beautiful.
7. Ghost village of Caldeira
The former village of Caldeira stands between Mosteiro and Fajãzinha. Named after a crater, the village has been abandoned since 1992 when the last inhabitant emigrated to the USA. The village was never connected to the island’s power grid, which most of the inhabitants probably didn’t like.
Even today, you can still walk along the streets, which are now overgrown with all kinds of plants, and explore the ruins of the houses.
8. The westernmost point of Europe
On Flores you will find the westernmost point of Europe. It is less spectacular than it sounds, because it is just a small rock on the coast off Fajã Grande.
But you can also take a stroll along the promenade in Fajã Grande and observe the westernmost point as much as you like. There are also a few restaurants and smaller bistros to stop by.
9. Church Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
In Fajãzinha, the blue color of this building makes it stand out in the landscape from a distance – the church Nossa Senhora dos Remédios.
The color reminded me strongly of the blue-flowering hydrangeas that you usually find in June and July on the Azores islands.
10. Lajes das Flores
It is worth exploring the whole community of Lajes das Flores. What I found special about Lajes das Flores was how this place is built on a hillside. A few streets lead from the top of the mountain down to the harbor.
In between, there are terraces on which houses were built. The lighthouse Farol da Ponta das Lajes, with its red tiled roof, stands idyllically on a plateau with a panoramic view of the Atlantic in about the middle.
Incidentally, the port of Lajes was completely destroyed by Hurricane Lorenzo in 2019 and is now being rebuilt.
Near the harbor, you will find the Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora do Rosário, a church built in the mid-18th century, facing the sea and almost hidden from view. The church square is a great photo spot with the cannons you can look out towards from the harbor.
11. Albarnaz Lighthouse in Ponta Delgada
The Albarnaz Lighthouse is located in the north of the island in the municipality of Ponta Delgada. If you visit this place, you can claim to have been to the westernmost lighthouse in Europe.
Otherwise, Ponta Delgada on Flores is a rather sleepy village with great views of the Atlantic. PR01, one of the most beautiful hiking trails on the island, also starts here.
12. Fábrica da Baleia do Boqueirão
This attraction is visited by most tourists on the day of departure. For only €1 entrance fee, you can visit the whaling museum, and store your bag in a storage room to spend the last few hours without lugging your luggage around in Santa Cruz.
The museum itself is about whaling and the history of the island, which is closely linked to whaling.
Hiking on Flores
Flores offers some really great hiking trails, all of which you can do if you are on the island long enough. Most of them are not round trips, which means you have to be picked up and dropped off by one of the taxi companies. But that is usually possible without any problems. You just have to let the taxi drivers know in advance.
The most beautiful hikes are in the west of the island. So it’s a good idea to find accommodation there. This way you can often start a hike directly from your accommodation. It is also often a highlight if you only hike a smaller part of the official routes. You don’t have to hike all of them if you don’t have enough energy.
I found the section between Mosteiro and Fajãzinha along the PR02 to be the most beautiful. But the section from Fajãzinha to Fajã Grande is also great because it takes you past many of the great sights, such as the Poço Ribeira do Ferreiro.
Keep your eyes open while hiking. You will often find herbs or fruits along the way, such as wild mint for an intense tea after an intense hike. Juicy figs also grow just like that in the middle of nowhere and are eaten by birds if you are not faster. Figs are a great energy booster for a strenuous hike.
Furthermore, while hiking on Flores, water taps keep appearing in all kinds of impossible places. The water from them is drinkable. It is crystal-clear water from the mountains. The farmers had pipes laid here once, instead of having to transport the water from above to below. Just let the water run a little and then help yourself as much as you want to replenish your fresh water supply.
Private guide on Flores
If you are not on Flores for that long or just don’t feel like hiking and exploring on your own, then a private guide who will take you to the most beautiful places on the island is a good idea. Not only will you get the knowledge of a local, but you will also have transportation included.
There are several providers on the island that offer day tours to the most beautiful places in Flores. Local taxi companies also offer tours, for example. But here you can book some in advance online:
Swimming in Flores
Flores has only one easy-to-reach sandy beach. It is located right next to the harbor in Lajes das Flores, where you can lie under umbrellas in the black volcanic sand.
On the Fajã de Lopo Vaz headland, there is also a larger sandy beach with black volcanic sand. However, you can only reach it via the PR04 hiking trail.
Otherwise, there are still natural pools that allow you a shallow entry into the Atlantic. There are several in Fajã Grande and also 2 in Santa Cruz.
You can also swim in some waterfalls. The best known for this is the waterfall Cascata do Poço do Bacalhau near Fajã Grande. The water here is very refreshing and there are also small harmless fish in the lagoon.
Canyoning on Flores
Flores is an island for adventurers. Canyoning along the waterfalls, which are less visited by tourists, is particularly popular here:
Excursion from Flores to Corvo
Corvo is the neighboring island of Flores and the smallest island in the Azores. It is famous for its huge crater, through which an official hiking trail leads. The crater of Corvo is not only the main attraction of the island, but also one of the absolute highlights of the Azores. It has a circumference of about 3.5 km and the crater walls rise 300 m into the air.
A beautiful circular hiking trail leads through the crater, past the lakes and the pastures where the cows graze. This takes about 2.5 hours.
Most tourists make a day trip to Corvo: they go there early and come back in the evening. That’s great if you only have a day, and I can highly recommend such a trip.
I am looking down on the crater of Corvo. The wind is blowing mercilessly over the slope. The cows, next to which I had just walked, look like ants from here and the landscape reminds me of the scenery in a snow globe – just without the snow.
from my travel notes
If you want to enjoy nature here without other people and also see the sunrise or sunset at the crater, then you should stay one night on Corvo. There is a limited amount of accommodation in the main town of Vila do Corvo:
However, be aware that the ferries to and from the island do not run every day.
Two times a week, a ferry with Atlanticoline goes from the port of Santa Cruz das Flores to Vila do Corvo – sometimes more often during the summer months. This route costs €10 per person there and €10 back. However, there are only 12 seats, which are usually booked up quite quickly.
Alternatively, there are also tours on offer where, in addition to transportation to the island, you can also explore the coast of Flores and go on a dolphin search. This costs €40 per person and you can actually book it from anywhere. Ask at your accommodation or at one of the taxi drivers on the island. They will then organize a place for you.
When you arrive in Corvo, taxi buses are already waiting at the harbor to take visitors up to the top. This costs €10 each way if you take the same driver. There are no rental cars on Corvo, but there are only two roads where cars drive at all.
The best restaurants and bars on Flores
Flores is a remote island with few opportunities to go out. That’s why you should always call ahead and make a reservation at most restaurants. Otherwise, you often won’t get a free seat. Most restaurants in the main town of Santa Cruz are easy to find. So here is a selection of other places:
- A Pimentinha Bar & Petiscos – A street food cart right next to the airport in Santa Cruz
- Restaurante Pôr-do-Sol – Right on the coast in Fajãzinha. You should definitely reserve here 1-2 days in advance.
- Bar O’Trancador in Lajes das Flores – a great little harbor restaurant with burgers, sandwiches, French fries, etc., but also cakes and coffee
- • Restaurante Casa do Rei – Just outside Lajes, you will find one of the most popular restaurants on the island. Here, almost exclusively products from Flores are used. The menu is also available in English.
- Mechim da Judite – This green food truck is parked in the middle of Fajãzinha.
Frequently asked questions about Flores
Flores is the westernmost island of Europe and the Azores, belongs to Portugal and is located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Note: There is also a Flores in Indonesia.
You can only reach Flores by plane with SATA Azores Airlines. There are flights from all the other islands in the Azores and from mainland Portugal. The ferries to Flores, which also transport tourists, have been suspended due to the pandemic.
In my opinion, you should spend at least 3 days on Flores. If you also want to visit the neighboring island of Corvo, then I recommend staying 4 days on Flores. If you don’t want to rent a car on Flores, then I would even plan for 5 days.
There are no poisonous animals in the Azores. Not even on Flores. You don’t need to be more afraid of animals here than in other southern European countries. One exception, however, is the Portuguese man-of-war – a pink jellyfish in the water that you should definitely avoid. However, this only occurs in the sea during the summer months. You should still always shake out your shoes before hiking. There are all kinds of insects and beetles that feel very comfortable in them, such as the black mold beetle. It can be found all over Europe and can give you a painful fright if you step on it barefoot, for example. Cockroaches are also found on Flores, as in all warmer regions of the world.
The westernmost point of Europe is located off the coast of Fajã Grande, a municipality on the Azores island of Flores, which belongs to Portugal. It is a small rock. Cabo da Roca is often referred to as the westernmost point of Europe. However, this is only correct if you start from the mainland and do not consider the islands of Europe.
The westernmost island in Europe is located in the middle of the Atlantic and is called Flores. It is part of the Azores archipelago, an autonomous region of Portugal.
As you can see, Flores in the Azores is truly a dream destination, even if it is a bit more difficult to reach. What are your favorite highlights on Flores? Let us know in the comments.
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