Flores, the flower island is probably the island where you can get the most condensed experience of the Azores. Flores is an insider tip among regular Azores visitors, due to its remoteness nature is untouched and latest on the second day of your stay you will start meeting the tourists you have seen on the day before.
The flower island
Flores, the flower island is the westernmost of the nine islands of the archipelago, its hiking trails will lead you to mystical places. Not unlikely, you have seen the waterfalls of Ribeira do Ferreiro already on you computer as Windows start screen. The settlements of Flores are mainly located on the eastern coast close to the sea, the highlands are spotted with craters of extinct volcanoes, most of them being nowadays lakes. Around most of the island there are steep high cliffs dropping down into the North Atlantic.
Main attractions
Fajã Grande the westernmost settlement of Europe is situated on a headland surrounded by more than 500 meter high cliffs. After a rainy day, there are many of them on Flores, smaller and bigger streams are cascading down uncountable waterfalls. The waterfalls of the Ribeira do Ferreiro splash down into a small lake where they are mirrored, just magic. In the highlands of Flores, you find in the natural reserve of Morro Alto four distinct crater lakes. On a sunny day, a drive to the village of Ponta Delgada on the northern tip is a breathtaking experience. If you drive a bit further to the lighthouse of Farol de Albarnaz, you have a great view to the neighboring island of Corvo. Due to its steep coast line, Flores is the perfect place for a boat trips around the island making you visit coastal caves and spotting whales. The old whaling factory of Santa Cruz das Flores has been completely renovated and serves today as whaling museum. For the fans of geology, not only the craters are interesting but you should not miss out the vertical basalt prisms of Rocha dos Bordões.
Quick facts
Flores measures about 17km from South to North and spans 12 km across. The main road leads along the east coast, the western part can be reached either across the highlands or along the south tip. There are daily flights to Faial and Terceira from where you have connections to São Miguel or to the mainland. On several days a week there is also a ferry service in a small pilot boat to Corvo.
