Terceira

UNESCO heritage, caves, and sea trips from Angra.

Terceira is home to one of the most striking cities in the entire Atlantic — Angra do Heroísmo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose colourful harbourfront, Baroque churches, and carefully preserved cobbled plazas have stood since the 15th century when Angra served as a vital provisioning point for ships crossing from Europe to the Americas. That deep sense of history lingers on every street. Beneath the island's surface, Algar do Carvão is a remarkable volcanic chimney that descends sixty metres into the earth, its walls draped in rare silica crystals and endemic ferns — one of the most unusual underground experiences anywhere in the Azores. On the north coast, the Biscoitos natural lava pools form a series of crystalline basalt basins overlooking the open Atlantic, ideal for swimming when the sea is calm. The island's calendar revolves around the Tourada à Corda, a uniquely Azorean tradition in which the bull is held by a long rope and kept unharmed — a centuries-old summer event celebrated in parishes across the island. Sea trips from Angra's marina, cave tours, whale watching excursions, and guided walks through the Serra de Santa Bárbara highland reserve complete the picture.

Why visit Terceira?

• Angra do Heroísmo — UNESCO World Heritage City with 500 years of Atlantic history
• Algar do Carvão volcanic lava tube descending 60 metres into the earth
• Biscoitos natural lava rock pools along the north coast
• Tourada à Corda — unique Azorean bullfighting tradition held every summer
• Whale and dolphin watching from Angra do Heroísmo marina
• Serra de Santa Bárbara highland reserve and native forest walks

Frequently asked questions about Terceira

Other Azores islands

São Miguel

The Green Island. Lakes, hot springs, and the biggest choice of tours.

Pico

Mountain climbs, volcanic wine, lava tubes, and whale watching.

Faial

Marina life, Capelinhos landscapes, sharks, and sailing.

Flores

Waterfalls, crater lakes, and the wild edge of the Azores.