Azores – unreal archipelago of eternal spring

Cradled in the vast North Atlantic, the nine volcanic islands of the Azores emerge like emerald outposts halfway between Europe and America. Rising abruptly from the sea – some peaks towering 2,351 m (7,713 ft) above the waves – this Portuguese archipelago weaves together rare geological drama and subtropical lushness. Despite lying at latitudes comparable to London, the Azores enjoy a mild, ocean-moderated climate; daytime temperatures generally hover between 16 °C and 25 °C (61–77 °F) year-round. Locals boast there is “no such thing as an off-season” here, and it’s easy to believe: tulips and hydrangeas bloom even in winter, and far-North-European notions of frost or snow are alien to these islands. Beneath ever-changing skyscapes of shifting sun and mist, the Azores reveal forests, crater lakes, waterfalls and turquoise coves that feel otherworldly – truly an “eternal spring” archipelago where nature’s palette is permanently fresh and vibrant.

The Azores (Portuguese: Açores) lie some 1,400 km (870 mi) west of Lisbon and 1,500 km (930 mi) northwest of Morocco. Covering roughly 2,350 km² (908 sq mi) of land and spread out over 600 km (373 mi) of ocean, the islands cluster in three groups: the western pair (Flores and Corvo), the central quintet (Graciosa, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico and Faial), and the eastern duo (São Miguel and Santa Maria). Every island is volcanic in origin – some still whispering steam or rumbling quietly underground – and together they form a UNESCO Global Geopark. Mount Pico (on Pico Island) is Portugal’s loftiest summit, its 2,351 m (7,713 ft) cone piercing the skies. From Santa Maria’s red-granite shores (its bedrock nearly eight million years old) to Pico’s youngest lava flows (about 300,000 years), the terrain bears witness to an ancient and ongoing geological saga. The islands’ highest peaks – like Pico, and São Jorge’s Pico da Esperança – loom thousands of meters above sea level, so if measured from the base of the ocean to the summit these are among the tallest mountains on the planet. Shielding the mid-Atlantic, these highlands are dotted with calderas and crater lakes: Sete Cidades on São Miguel alone contains two emerald and sapphire lagoons in one grand five-kilometre-wide caldera. Jagged cliffs tumble into the sea everywhere, and everything feels wild and untamed – whether it’s a pasture of grazing cows atop a foggy cliff or a fern-carpeted forest opening onto an endless blue horizon.

The crater-rimmed Lagoa do Fogo (“Lake of Fire”) on São Miguel Island is one of the Azores’ legendary landscapes – a nearly circular highland lake surrounded by forested peaks. Crater lakes like this, often bordered by trails and dotted with observation decks, are a hallmark of the landscape. Every scene in the Azores seems painted: deep-blue volcanic lakes reflect fluffy clouds, while fields flush with wild hydrangeas in summer burst like watercolor splashes against green hills. In fact, about a quarter of the archipelago’s land area is protected for conservation, underlining that these islands are truly a natural reserve in the Atlantic. Four of the nine islands themselves (Corvo, Graciosa, Flores and Pico) are UNESCO-designated biosphere reserves, preserving everything from laurel forests to marine sanctuaries. The “Garden of the Atlantic” reputation is well-earned: volcanic soils are richly fertile, moisture is plentiful, and even distant horizons shimmer with grasses and bamboo. Locals joke that one can experience all four seasons in a single walk, but none of those seasons bring the extremes of many continents. Indeed, “the great thing about the Azores is… there’s no such thing as an off-season.”

The archipelago’s climate earns it the nickname “Islands of Eternal Spring.” Its position astride warm ocean currents – the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift – keeps winters very mild and summers restrained. In Ponta Delgada (São Miguel), average January highs are around 13 °C (55 °F) and nighttime lows seldom drop below 10 °C. In mid-summer one sees comfortably warm days around 22–25 °C (72–77 °F), often with cloudless skies. Even the ocean bathes in moderation: summer water temperatures climb only to about 20 °C (68 °F) around São Miguel (cool by tropical standards, but warm enough for casual swimming). Extremes are virtually unknown: temperatures above 30 °C or below 3 °C have never been recorded in the major Azorean cities. The result is moist, emerald-green landscapes and legendary flower bloom. Hydrangeas – which thrive in the Azorean humidity – paint the islands pink, purple and blue from spring through summer. Patchwork fields of heather, lupins and lilies, plus historic orchards of oranges and figs, make spring and autumn hikes feel like wanders through giant gardens.

Despite the steadiness, the weather can turn on a dime. The Azores lie in a volatile storm track, and one island can even cast a shadow on its neighbor. Locals advise dressing in layers and always carrying a rain jacket. “Bring a lightweight jacket, umbrella, sunglasses and sunscreen,” warns the regional travel bureau – because on the Azores “you may find yourself needing it all” during one outing. The good news is that mildness begets softness in travel planning: tour boats run year-round (though many operators quiet down in winter), and outdoor activities are rarely cancelled by cold. In sum, spring (March–June) offers wildflower displays and perfect hiking weather; summer (June–September) delivers warm sea swims and festivals; autumn (September–November) is almost as warm but with fewer crowds; and even winter (December–February) provides a green landscape for those seeking solitude, if one is prepared for fog or showers.