Like a giant, the volcano Pico towers over the second largest island of the Azores, which is also named after it. Climbing Portugal’s highest mountain is an absolute must, because the view over the highlands on one side and over the Atlantic Ocean to the islands of Faial and Sao Jorge on the other is simply breathtaking. But there is much more to see on Pico. In this article, I will give you tips on how to climb the Pico volcano and all the other Pico attractions.
Pico was not named Pico for no reason. Because in German, it means something like “peak”. And the island is significantly shaped by its summit. Over the centuries, Montanha do Pico erupted repeatedly, such as in 1562 and 1718. At 250,000 years old, Pico is the youngest island in the Azores and is still volcanically active everywhere.
Pico is not only known for its volcanic activity, but is also considered a hotspot for whale watching.
If you don’t have much time or don’t feel like exploring on your own, then guided day tours to the highlights of the island are a great option for you. These usually start from Madalena. Depending on your preferences, you can choose from a variety of tours (these can also be booked in English, but German is rather rare):
- Discover Pico in 1 day with lunch and wine tasting (8 hours, also in German)
- Tours on the island of Pico – cultural and natural landscape (7.5 hours)
- Full-day wine culture tour with tastings (8 hours)
- Guided day tour to the volcanoes and lakes of Pico (8 hours)
You can find a lot more information about traveling in the Azores in general here:
So. Now enough of the introductory words. Here are the best Pico attractions:
1. Climb the Pico volcano
Actually, there is no place on the island from which you cannot see the great Pico volcano (unless it is covered by clouds). So it makes sense to climb it at least once. However, this is not so easy. Only 320 visitors are allowed on the volcano per day, and only 160 at a time. So you should plan your visit to Pico well.
Normally, it is enough to reserve a place to ascend a few days in advance on the official Montanha-Pico website as soon as you can estimate when you would like to climb the volcano. However, this always depends somewhat on demand.
In general, there are 4 different time slots with limitations on the number of visitors allowed, which you have to determine in advance for the ascent:
- 0:00 – 8:00
- 8:00 – 12:00
- 12:00 noon – 6:00 p.m.
- 6:00 p.m. – 12:00 midnight
Please note that the mountain house is only open 24 hours a day from May 1 to September 30. During the other seasons, there are also time slots on the website, but the mountain house may decide not to allow access during certain periods. However, this always depends on the weather. In this case, it’s best to just call the phone number provided on the website. The staff speak good English.
Can I climb the Pico volcano without a reservation?
It is also possible to get tickets without a reservation directly at the mountain house (Casa da Montanha). However, this is risky, especially in the summer months when many tourists travel to the Azores. Because it may be that you then make the journey for nothing, because all places are already taken.
What are the prices for climbing Pico volcano?
The normal ascent to the volcanic crater costs €15 per person.
From there, you can also walk to the top of the volcano (Pico Pequeno/Piquinho). However, only 30 people are allowed to do this at a time. A fee of €25 (the normal €15 plus €10 extra) is also due for this. I definitely recommend that you hike to the very top once you get there.
You can get a form online. It’s best to print and fill out the form in advance so that it goes faster in the queue at the mountain house.
What equipment do I need for the Pico volcano ascent?
In addition to the permit for the ascent, the price includes only a GPS receiver that you must always carry with you. In the event that you get lost, it can save your life.
You have to take care of everything else yourself. The staff at the mountain hut will also check that you have the right shoes. The following is important:
- Enough water (1.5 liters should be enough)
- Something to eat for energy, e.g. a few power bars or a sandwich
- Proper, sturdy hiking boots
- Warm, waterproof clothing that you can also take off and put back on, depending on the weather
- Rain jacket in case it gets wet
- Sunscreen
- Extra sun protection for sunny days, because there is nothing that provides shade during the ascent
Is it possible to stay overnight during the ascent?
Yes, you can even spend a night on the volcano if you want. However, only 32 people per night are allowed to do so.
All you have to do is select one of the later time slots so that the option to book the overnight stay appears online, and pay an extra €10. So if you book everything, including the ascent to the summit and overnight stay, this adventure will only cost you €35. However, you must bring the following equipment, which you will need for an overnight stay, with you:
- Tent
- Sleeping bags
- extra warm clothing
- torch
A very cool report about this adventure and what to expect can be found here from Kaddy (in Garman).
How long does it take to climb the Pico volcano?
I started the ascent at 8:00 a.m. and reached the top around 11:00 a.m. It usually takes 3-4 hours to get to the top and back down, so a total of 6 to 8 hours.
However, I would rather plan with 8 hours, because you will surely take some breaks in between to enjoy the breathtaking view. You can also spend some time exploring the volcanic crater.
How do I get to the Casa da Montanha mountain house?
The road to the mountain house is not necessarily the best. There is a main road that is a bit better developed, but Google Maps sometimes also takes you along paths that consist more of potholes than asphalt. Plan about 40 minutes for the journey up to the mountain, no matter what Google Maps says. If you are staying in one of the larger towns in Picos, you can also take a taxi up and then back down.
Find out more about the island of Faial here:
Can I also climb the volcano with guides?
If you are not sure about mountaineering, there are also local guides and several providers of guided tours, for example:
- Piquinho mountain hike with photos and coffee + guide (€79)
- Day trip to Pico with certified Pico mountain guide (€80)
- Ati Pico Azores for 60 € (day) or 80 € (night)
This is more expensive than planning everything yourself, but the locals often have a lot of additional information that you can’t easily get otherwise.
2. Drive along the highlands of Pico
Actually, I only knew such roads from Australia: Endlessly long and straight. But just such a road, namely the EN3, leads over several hills, past idyllic lakes and over the high mountains of Picos. Every now and then, a few cows block the road.
The EN3 is only a small part of the route. When you reach the junction with the EN2, it’s best to turn right and then left at the first turn-off. Here a gravel road leads along a really great route, where you can make cool stops at idyllic mountain lakes or simply enjoy the view over the mountains to the neighboring island of Sao Jorge, for example:
- the Lagoa do Capitão
- the Lagoa do Caiado
- Lagoa do Paúl, which can be reached by following a track for about 20 minutes
- Lago de Peixinho
During these stops, you can enjoy the magnificent landscape with its laurel trees and, in the background, the volcano can be seen towering above, when it is not hidden by clouds.
3. Climb into the Gruta das Torres
The Gruta das Torres is one of the largest lava tubes in Europe and an absolute must-visit when you are on Pico. It is over 5 km long, but for the protection of the site, only a small section (about 450 meters) is open to tourists. For €10, you can explore this section with a guide on a one-hour tour, which is well worth doing.
During the tour, you will learn all sorts of exciting details about how the cave was formed, but also how people have used it over the centuries. The most impressive moment for me was when everyone had to turn off their lamps and the blackest black spread before my eyes. Because you really can’t see anything in the cave without artificial light. And if it weren’t for the relaxing dripping of the water, you wouldn’t hear a thing either.
Again, you should book in advance, either by email or phone. However, it is now also possible to do so online on the national park website. Because to protect the cave, only a limited number of people per day are allowed inside. I myself was there once and it was already fully booked for that day, but I was able to get tickets for the next day and the day after that. But you shouldn’t rely on that.
The English tours usually start at 12:00 and 16:00 and last about 90 minutes. You get a flashlight and a helmet.
4. Take a walk through the Pico wine cultural landscape
The vineyards of Pico (Paisagem da Cultura da Vinha da Ilha do Pico) are so special because they were built on the island’s lava fields. The vines do not grow along hillsides, but between walls built from black lava stones. It almost looks as if they are growing wild in the area.
The vineyard cultural landscape (also known as “Paisagem da Cultura da Vinha da Ilha do Pico”) covers around 987 hectares. The vineyards on the island are now even UNESCO World Heritage because the surrounding villages, with their special architecture and traditions, are also very special.
I especially liked the coastal road in the north. In addition to the vineyards right on the coast, you can also discover many small settlements here, where houses have been built in the traditional Azorean style. Volcanic stones were used for the walls of the houses. Some of them reminded me of the pattern of cowhide.
5. Taste Pico’s wines
Pico is known for its special wine-growing. A special type of grape is grown on the volcanic soil: Verdelho.
You can learn more about wine at the Museo do Vinho.
The Cella Bar is a great place to taste wine. The building itself is special. In addition to the wine bar, there is also a restaurant.
But you can also just buy a bottle (or two ;)) at the supermarket. You will quickly realize that the wine from Pico is not exactly cheap. But it tastes great.
6. Take a swim in a natural pool.
Pico doesn’t really have any beaches for swimming. But there are lots of natural pools. Almost every place has one, so it would be too much to list them all.
Here is a small selection:
- Piscinas Terra Alta Azores : with a view of the island of Sao Jorge
- Poceirão
- Zona Balnear da Fonte
- the pool at the Bar das Baixas: right at the foot of the volcano
- the pool at the Café dos Arcos
7. Watch whales
There are only a few places in the world where you have the chance to easily observe the largest mammals on earth. Pico is one of them.
Especially in April and May, there is a particularly good chance of seeing even blue whales off the coast of Pico. During this time, they often pass the Azores on their way north.
Other whale species such as the dusky whale, Cuvier’s whale, sperm whale, bearded whale, fin whale or sei whale can also be seen here during the rest of the year. Your best chance of seeing them is on a boat tour. Here you can, for example, take a Whale watching boat tour with biologist guides for €65 per person.
Depending on the weather at sea, the whale trips either take place or not. So you should be flexible in your planning. I would also recommend taking appropriate medication for seasickness. Even on days with normal weather conditions, the sea can be a bit stormy, and not everyone can tolerate the ups and downs of the waves like a professional sailor.
8. Visit the whaling museum in Lajes do Pico
For a long time, whales were not only relevant to the island as a tourist magnet. Whaling also played an important role for the island’s inhabitants until the 1980s. The last sperm whale was caught and slaughtered in 1987.
You can find a lot of information about whaling on Pico and in the Azores at the whaling museum in Lajes do Pico. You can marvel at several old whalers’ houses and a lot of exhibits, and there is also a photo archive with pictures from the past. The museum gives a pretty good impression of the traditions of the region and how the whalers once lived here.
9. Drive around the island
Pico is the second largest island in the Azores in terms of area. Accordingly, there is a lot of coastline to explore. And the best way to do that is on a road trip along the island’s coastal roads.
On your way, you will pass idyllic places, small fishing villages, but also fantastic viewpoints, for example:
- Miradouro da Terr’ Alta
- Parque Florestal da Prainha
- Manhenha
Other things to do in Pico
Besides the volcanic activities, whale watching and wine tasting, you can also do a lot of other things on Pico. Here is a selection:
Accommodation on Pico
Pico has many accommodation options in holiday homes (called Casas). A special experience is certainly the overnight stay in a traditional, built of volcanic rock house such as the Areias da Prainha or the Homepico. hotels are few and far between. One of the best is the Pico Terramar & SPA in Madalena.
Pico is one of the islands in the Azores that you shouldn’t miss. What places of interest can you recommend on Pico? I look forward to your comments!
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