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Location<\/strong>The Azores are an archipelago of nine volcanic islands in the Atlantic, about 2 hours by plane from Lisbon. Each island has its own personality, but all offer incredible natural landscapes.
Currency<\/strong>Euro (\u20ac), as in the rest of Portugal. Most places accept cards, but in smaller towns, it is always useful to carry some cash.
Language<\/strong>Portuguese is the official language, but in tourist areas, especially in S\u00e3o Miguel and Faial, it's easy to find people who speak English. Still, learning a few phrases in Portuguese will open doors and bring smiles to your face.
Best time to go hiking<\/strong>Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) are ideal. The weather is milder, the trails are less crowded and the vegetation is at its best. Summer is also a good time, but there may be more tourists. High season is from May to September. Winter is not either.
Climate<\/strong>The weather in the Azores is quite unpredictable. You can start a hike in sunshine and end up in a light drizzle - waterproof clothing is key! Temperatures are mild all year round, but the wind can be strong in coastal areas and in the mountains.
Transport<\/strong>You can fly to Ponta Delgada in S\u00e3o Miguel, the largest island and the main air hub. There are also flights to Horta (Faial) and Terceira. Between islands, you can travel by plane or by ferry (my recommendation to enjoy the seascape). Renting a car is essential for exploring each island.
Documents<\/strong>If you come from the EU, you only need your ID card or passport. There are no strict customs controls within the Schengen area.
Plugs<\/strong>They use type C and F plugs (the standard in Europe), with 230V. Bring an adapter if you come from outside Europe.
Medical care<\/strong>Fortunately, medical care is of good quality and, as an EU traveller, you are covered with the European Health Insurance Card. However, I recommend having travel insurance that covers outdoor activities.
Nature and Respect<\/strong>On my tours of the islands, I have seen how tourism can have an impact on the environment. The Azores are a protected paradise, so always remember to take your rubbish with you and respect the natural areas. Many trails pass through nature reserves and protected areas, so it is vital to follow the local signs.
Trails<\/strong>The Azores have an impressive network of marked trails (PR and GR). On my last visit, I loved walking the Caldeira de Faial Route and the Lagoa do Fogo in S\u00e3o Miguel. Be sure to check local maps and choose routes that suit your level of experience. Some of the trails are demanding, but the views are worth it.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Location: The Azores are an archipelago of nine volcanic islands in the Atlantic, about...","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-45607","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sin-categoria"],"episode_featured_image":false,"episode_player_image":"https:\/\/travesiapirenaica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Caratula-Podcast-Maldita-Montana_1500x1500_72pp-p_.jpg","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":[],"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/travesiapirenaica.com\/en\/feed\/podcast\/maldita-montana","embedCode":"Azores. Gu\u00eda pr\u00e1ctica.<\/a><\/blockquote>