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Terceira Island is a volcanic island in the Azores archipelago. It is about 950 mi (1500 km) west of mainland Portugal.
We visited Terceira in October 2023 and absolutely loved our trip! Mountainous terrain, gorgeous patchwork pastures, lush greenery, stunning coast, fun water activities, hydrangeas galore, welcoming people, and delicious food, coffee, and pastries?
Yes, please!
Looking for what to do in Terceira Island? This post will give you ideas of things to do in Terceira Island and tips to plan a great trip!
Terceira Island Overview
Terceira Island has a varied topography because of its volcanic history. Much of the settlement is around the outer perimeter with the interior hillier region being less populated.
We were struck by the prevalence of patchwork pastures seemingly everywhere. They are separated by small rock walls and filled with very happy-looking cows. Seeing cows in small pastures trailing off to an oceanside cliff was an amazing view.
Like São Miguel Island, hydrangeas are very popular on Terceira!
Map of things to do in Terceira
You’ll find all of the attractions mentioned here on this map of Terceira to help you plan your trip.
Too much to plan? Book a guided island tour!
There’s a lot to plan when visiting Terceira Island. Several providers offer guided tours of the island often with lunch! You can relax and let them handle the logistics for you. Here’s a popular one on Viator and another popular one.
Things to do in Terceira
An overarching theme to our activities in Terceira Island was admiring nature and the green beauty of the island. Adding in rich culture, history, and food rounds out a wonderful trip.
Here are some of the things you can do in Terceira.
See the many miradouros
The island has a variety of well-marked, stunning miradouros (viewpoints). They are generally accessible by car.
Miradouro da Serra do Cume
Miradouro da Serra do Cume is one of the most famous with its sweeping views of pastures. There are viewing platforms built here that provide absolutely stunning views.
Save this for a clear day. Clouds and fog will limit visibility and detract from the experience.
Note that the drive will have you on cobblestone roads for a while. There was plenty of parking at the top during our visit. During the busy season, I imagine things may fill up.
Miradouro da Cruz do Canario
Miradouro da Cruz do Canario was close to where we stayed and gave lovely views of the coast and the pretty Ilhéus das Cabras. Sunrises and sunsets here were gorgeous!
The coastal walking trail there is a treat. It honors local artists and has a small outdoor gym partway through.
Ponta do mistério
The Baías da Agualva trail – PR2TER was one of the most beautiful hikes we’ve ever done! Fairytale-like paths through the brush take you alongside pastures and breathtaking oceanside cliffs. The area around Ponta do mistério and the neighboring outlooks were incredible!
Go hiking in Terceira
There are so many gorgeous places for beautiful Terceira hiking and walking. Visit Azores has a list and map of some of the trails.
You can find others on Google Maps, AllTrails, and similar resources.
Baías da Agualva trail
Baías da Agualva trail – PR2TER was one of the most beautiful hikes we’ve ever done! Fairytale-like paths through brush alongside pastures lead to breathtaking oceanside cliffs. Just wow.
The trail has a section along the northern coast of Terceira, north-south legs, and an east-west inland leg. We only did the coastal stretch and the north-south leg from Canada da Baleeira. Some other reviews said the long inland section paled in comparison.
We parked on the small Canada da Baleeira and walked down the dirt road to the trail and then Ponta do mistério. That is a tiny road but it leads to gorgeous brush passages. Based on the map, it appears you can also park at the nearby Miradouro de Alagoa to access the trail.
Rocha do Chambre
Rocha do Chambre is a famous trail. We walked it for a few km and enjoyed the views until the rain picked up.
Note Rocha do Chambre can collect large puddles and mud after rain. So waterproof shoes are a must around wet weather.
We started from the parking shown here on Google Maps.
Furnas do Enxofre
The trail around Furnas do Enxofre gave pretty views of the caldeiras and surrounding landscapes. The scent of sulfur reminded us of Furnas in São Miguel.
Hike Fortes de São Sebastião – PR05TER
Hike Fortes de São Sebastião – PR05TER was a short trail. It goes by the remains of a fort and has gorgeous views of the coastline.
Popular tours
Visit Angra do Heroísmo – UNESCO World Heritage Site
Angra do Heroísmo is one of the oldest cities in the Azores and a past capital of the Azores. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll find a quaint downtown with intricate Portuguese white and black cobble sidewalks, parks, a beach, and gorgeous views from Monte do Brasil.
Historic downtown and plaza
The historic downtown area is in the south-central part of the city. The city center Praça Velha has gorgeous calçada portuguesa (Portuguese pavement) with chairs and a small cafe/bar hut.
After that, walk the streets and see the many shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants! Walking south will take you to the beautiful Igreja da Misericórdia and the beach and harbor area.
Angra do Heroísmo beach and harbor area
Head to Portas da Cidade at the southern end of the historic downtown for great views of the harbor and marina. You’ll also see the famous Vasco Da Gama statue here.
Then head down the stairs and see the shops, walk along the water, and head to the beach.
Jardim Duque da Terceira
Jardim Duque da Terceira (Duke of Terceira Garden) is a small but beautiful free botanical garden. If you’re in the Angra do Heroísmo downtown, I think it is worth a visit.
Walk the paths, enjoy the flora and fauna, and rest on a bench to enjoy the tranquility. Continuing north, you’ll reach a higher point with excellent views of Angra and Monte Brasil.
See lava tubes and caves
The volcanic origins of the Azores and Terceira are on display when visiting two extremely accessible caves Algar do Carvão and Gruta do Natal.
Algar do Carvão
Algar do Carvão Terceira is a 300 ft (90 m) deep lava tube. It opens to the air with a lovely green shaft. Stairs lead down to explore the cavern that ends in a lagoon.
The cavern was much larger than I expected. The perspective looking up through the sinkhole was impressive with gorgeous greenery!
We were also impressed with the infrastructure installed in the cave. Stairs provide access to the entire shaft so that non-cavers like us can explore this natural phenomenon.
Tip Although you’ll be underground, some rain can still enter. So, bring your rain gear if the weather is wet.
Gruta do Natal
Gruta do Natal Terceira is a cave system where you can see lava flows and the unique rock formations they caused.
It was inspiring to see these remnants of volcanic activity. Various formations that look like flowing liquid and stretch marks from the cooling lava showcased the past activity.
Gruta do Natal doesn’t have the spectacular scale of Algar do Carvão with its green shaft. It is wholly underground. The focus is on the cave system and old lava flows.
Gruta do Natal is less polished than Algar do Carvão. You’ll be provided with hard hats to protect against overhead hazards. Crouching is required in a few spots. The floor is natural and quite irregular. Sturdy shoes are a must.
Tips for visiting the caves
Passes can be purchased for these separately or as a combination to save a little money.
They are close to each other and make for a nice outing along with Furnas do Enxofre.
Given that you’ll be underground at the caves, they’re a good rainy-day option. Note that Algar do Carvão is open to the air so you will still get rained on a bit near the top.
Want a guide in the caves? Check out some of the guided tours to learn from an expert!
Play in the water and beaches
Terceira has several natural swimming areas. You’ll see these called “piscinas naturais” (natural pools) on maps. You’ll also see “zona balnear” on maps and street signs designating bathing areas.
Piscinas Naturais Biscoitos
Piscinas Naturais Biscoitos are a beautiful set of natural pools with some infrastructure like umbrellas.
You can swim among the black lava rock! There are many fish here making the area a good snorkeling and diving spot as well! We also saw tons of baby lobsters in the tide pools.
The Biscoitos natural pools range from highly protected ones to some which are more open to the ocean. On our first visit, the ocean was too rough to swim in the outer areas. On our second visit, the water was more approachable.
You’ll find changing rooms and showers here. They were serviceable but not in ideal repair when we visited in the off-season in October.
Beyond swimming, Biscoitos Terceira is a cute town. There are vendors along the walkway to the pools. Check out Padaria Délia Martins for various sweet and savory goodies.
Piscinas Naturais de Porto Martins
Piscinas Naturais de Porto Martins were also quite pretty! We didn’t swim there on our visit but enjoyed a walk around the area.
The complex is smaller than Biscoitos, but still of a good size. There are suggested routes for snorkeling and scuba diving here.
There is a concrete flat area as well as a small sandy beach. You’ll also find restrooms and changing rooms.
We stopped by Bela’s Cafe on our way to the pools and had a nice coffee.
Go snorkeling and diving
Many options for snorkeling and diving exist on Terceira. The ocean was rough during our trip so we only got one dive in. Explore Terceira has a great guide to snorkeling and diving areas.
We did a boat dive with Octopus Diving Center. Alex and João were excellent divemasters. Our dive briefing was thorough and they were attentive while underwater. I saw my first eels and wild octopus on this dive! I’d recommend checking them out.
Go whale watching
The Azores are an important path in the migration of whales and other marine mammals. Opportunities abound to go whale watching. You’ll find many providers on sites like TripAdvisor, Viator, and GetYourGuide.
Sample the cuisine
We absolutely loved the food in Terceira! Beef and dairy are prevalent in the cuisine due to the large number of cattle. And wow, are they delicious! The beef was among the best tasting we’ve ever had! I still think about the bolognese we made.
The range of cheeses, butter, and ice creams was amazing as well.
Chicken, sausage, seafood, garlic, bread, and pastries were also prevalent in the cuisine we found in Terceira. Salads, rice, olives, potatoes, and beans show up frequently. Garlic also had a large presence.
Up for a food or wine tour? Check out a food tour of the island to get a great intro to the cuisine! If you want a truly local experience, you can even try dining with a local family! Is wine your passion? Check out a guided local wine tour of Azorean wine!
Dive into Terceira food with our detailed Terceira food guide.
Visit the Queijo Vaquinha cheese shop or tour a farm
Queijo Vaquinha is a signature cheese of Terceira. Their shop and cafe has a great selection of cheeses and beverages. The outdoor seating also has gorgeous views.
More generally the Azores Islands are famous for their cheeses like Queijo Vaquinha and São Jorge. So try them all!
Check out farm tours on sites like Viator where you can see a working Terceira farm!
Too much to plan? Book a guided island tour!
There’s a lot to plan. Several providers offer guided tours of the island often with lunch! You can relax and let them handle the logistics for you. Here’s a popular one on Viator and another popular one.
If you want to get a bit more adventurous, there are off-road tours too!
Wrapping up
We were impressed with the variety and quantity of activities we found on Terceira! Even after eight days there, we still have much more to do when we return.
What do you think? Are you ready to visit Terceira? Have we missed any must-do activities? Let us know below!
Disclaimer: I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you when you make purchases via links on this site. Thanks for supporting me in creating content like this! See the privacy policy.
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My favorite travel websites and apps
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Viator, GetYourGuide – Research and book tours, outings, and excursions in various destinations.
Google Maps and Docs – Trip planning, note taking, etc.
iOverlander – Invaluable info for road trips. Helps find the nearest campground, place to get drinking water, or place to park your rig.
