While there are plenty of adventures to be had along the mainland, Portugal’s various island settings are some of the country’s most beautiful regions, promising a blend of outdoor exploration and cultural immersion.
From the rugged trails of Madeira to the pastoral rolling hills of Sao Miguel, the Portuguese islands are a varied collection of destinations promising a world of adventures through their distinct landscapes.
Whether seeking a relaxing isolated holiday in the Azores or an intrepid adventure off the African coast, these are the 13 most beautiful Portuguese islands just waiting to be explored.
A Quick Look At The 13 Most Beautiful Portuguese Islands
The 13 Best Portuguese Islands You Must Visit
1. Madeira
Best Portuguese Island For Hiking And Outdoor Adventures
If you only have time to visit one Portuguese island, I highly suggest making it Madeira Island. This hidden paradise is found about 500 kilometres off of the Moroccan coast and is a natural playground of outdoor adventures, offering a great variety of attractions ranging from world-class hiking trails to rugged coastal beaches.
Known as Garden Island, Madeira’s most alluring draws are its natural landscapes, which visitors can explore along one of the destination’s famous Levada walks. Meanwhile, on the westernmost point of the island in Porto Moniz, visitors can soak in natural tidal pools as they unwind after partaking in Madeira’s more arduous adventures.
While there are plenty of untouched natural landscapes to explore, tourists also need to plan to spend at least a couple of days in the island’s capital city of Funchal. Here, you can explore the breathtaking waterfront before riding the cable car up the mountain, where you will find the Madeira Botanical Garden, which is among the ten most beautiful gardens in the world.
Mini Madeira Travel Guide
Size: 741 km2
Population: 253,945
Location: Madeira Archipelago
Main Cities: Funchal | Santana | Porto da Cruz | Santa Cruz | Porto Moniz
Main Airport: Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (FNC)
Best Hotels: Hotel Quinta Do Furao | Enotel Sunset Bay | Aqua Natura Madeira
Top Attractions: Madeira Botanical Gardens | Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools | Levada Walks
2. Sao Miguel
Best Portuguese Island For Sightseeing
Known as the Green Island, Sao Miguel is the largest of the Azore islands and is the best island for first-time visitors to the archipelago. From rugged volcanic interiors and black sand beaches to its vibrant Azorean culture found in its capital city of Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel offers a little taste of everything that makes the archipelago such a great tourist destination.
Among the island’s most alluring attractions is its breathtaking caldera lakes. There are several to explore, but the most iconic is, by far, the Sete Cidades Caldera. This massive ancient volcano encompasses two lakes along with a municipality found within the crate. Visitors can drive through the town and crater lakes or embark on a 20 km hike along the caldera ridges.
Other great attractions found on the island include the Parque Terra Nostra Botanical Gardens, the Ponta da Ferraria hot springs, and Lagoa de Fago. With that said, the island itself is a beautiful attraction, and visitors can easily spend a day or two simply driving along its surreal coastal roads.
Mini Sao Miguel Travel Guide
Size: 744.6 km2
Population: 133,295
Location: The Azores Archipelago
Main Cities: Ponta Delgada | Sete Cidades | Ribeira Grande | Furnas
Main Airport: Joao Paulo II Airport (PDL)
Best Hotels: Pero Eive Bay Apartments Hotel | Sul Villas & Spa | Hotel Verde Mar & Spa
Top Attractions: Caldeira das Sete Cidades | Parque Terra Nostra | Lago das Furnas
3. Santa Maria
Best Portuguese Island Pleasant Weather And Beach Holidays
As the southernmost island within the Azores Archipelago, Santa Maria boasts the warmest waters, driest climate, and generally better weather conditions throughout the year.
What’s more is that while many Portuguese islands have beautiful beaches, none quite compare to the soft white sands of Santa Maria, especially within the Azores islands, where most volcanic islands boast black sands.
For this reason, Santa Maria is one of the best islands for a traditional tropical getaway, lounging along the soft sands while partaking in a great selection of water sports, including jet skiing and kayaking. Other beachside attractions include a 16th-century fort and natural tidal pools.
Beyond the beach, Santa Maria offers plenty of opportunities to immerse in the local Azorean culture and natural landscapes, from exploring the town of Vila do Porto to hiking through its numerous nature parks.
Mini Santa Maria Travel Guide
Size: 96.87 km2
Population: 5,500
Location: The Azores Archipelago
Main Cities: Vila do Porto
Main Airport: Santa Maria Airport (LPAZ)
Best Hotels: Hotel Santa Maria | Hotel Colombo
Top Attractions: Macela Viewpoint | Praia Formosa Beach | Gonçalo Velho Lighthouse
4. Porto Santo
Best Portuguese Island For Beautiful White Sand Beaches
While Santa Maria promises the best beaches in the Azores, Porto Santo is the premier beach holiday spot within the Madeira Archipelago. With over six kilometres of beautiful white sanded shorelines, Porto Santo is the perfect place to unwind along the relaxing shores of the North Atlantic Ocean.
But while the beaches are the primary draw, this small island is also home to a great variety of attractions, including the former house of Christopher Columbus and beautiful hiking trails, making Porto Santo popular amongst adventure seekers and history enthusiasts.
Mini Porto Santo Travel Guide
Size: 42.17 km2
Population: 5,258
Location: Madeira Archipelago
Main Cities: Vila Baleira
Main Airport: Porto Santo Airport (PXO)
Best Hotels: Paraiso Dourado | INATEL Porto Santo | Vila Baleira Suites
Top Attractions: Porto Santo Beach | Porto Santo Windmills | Quinta Das Palmeiras
5. Pico Island
Best Portuguese Island For Volcano Hikes
Named after Pico Mountain, which dominates its landscape and serves as the highest point within the Azores, Pico Island has garnered a reputation as being the archipelago’s adventure capital.
The most prominent attraction is by far the mountain itself, which, at 2,351 metres, is not only the highest mountain in the Azores but actually of all of Portugal, including the mainland.
Depending on where you start your ascent, the hike to the mountain’s peak can take anywhere from 3 to 8 hours but rewards some of the most surreal views that include surrounding islands such as Sao Jorge and Faial.
Meanwhile, Pico Island’s other attractions are just as exciting as the mountain and include dramatic landscapes of sweeping vineyards where you can sample the destination’s famous Verdelho wine.
Mini Pico Island Travel Guide
Size: 445 km2
Population: 13,883
Location: The Azores Archipelago
Main Cities: Madalena | Lajes do Pico
Main Airport: Pico Airport (LPPI)
Best Hotels: Alma do Pico | Hotel Caravelas
Top Attractions: Gruta de Torres | Pico Mountain | Wine Museum
6. Sao Jorge
Best Portuguese Island Combining Azorean Culture And Nature Hikes
While not as popular amongst tourists, Sao Jorge is one of the most beautiful islands in the Azores and is one of the best areas to visit to experience authentic Azorean cultures within its small coastal villages.
What’s more, Sao Jorge is home to one of the best food scenes in the Azores, offering a great selection of flavours within the local cuisine featuring unique clam dishes.
Along with boasting quiet, relaxing villages where you can enjoy the subtleties of island living, Sao Jorge inland is also a hotbed of exotic adventures. Too rugged for the development of communities, the island’s interior offers breathtaking nature hikes, complete with mountains, ravines, and coastal cliffs.
Mini Sao Jorge Travel Guide
Size: 243.6 km2
Population: 8,373
Location: The Azores Archipelago
Main Cities: Velas | Topo | Calheta
Main Airport: Sao Jorge Airport (SJZ)
Best Hotels: Hotel os Moinhos | Hotel Solmar | Hotel Sao Jorge Garden
Top Attractions: Preguica Natural Pools | Fajas dos Vimes Coffee Plantation | Urzelina Windmills
7. Cape Verde
Best Portuguese Island For Relaxing Shorelines And Island Hopping
Cape Verde is a unique destination on this list of the best Portuguese islands in the fact that it has been independent of the European country since 1975. Still, the heritage and language are still very prevalent within the 10-island archipelago.
What’s more, thanks to its location off the Senegal coast, Cape Verde is the northernmost collection of Portuguese islands, resulting in warmer climates and year-round sunny weather conditions.
As such, Cape Verde is the perfect destination for enjoying a variety of activities, from soaking along some of the world’s most beautiful beaches to exploring local markets or island hopping between its various and unique island getaways.
Mini Cape Verde Travel Guide
Size: 4,033 km2
Population: 587,925
Location: Cape Verde Archipelago (Off The Senegal Coast)
Main Cities: Praia | Mindelo | Sao Filipe
Main Airport: Aristides Pereira International Airport (BVC) | Amilcar Cabral International Airport (SID) | Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI)
Best Hotels: Spinguera Ecolodge | Casa da Djedja | Branco Suites
Top Attractions: Viana Desert | Santa Monica Beach | Pico de Fogo
8. Flores Island
Best Portuguese Island For Untouched Natural Beauty
Known as the Yellow Island of the Azores Archipelago, Flores Island is unmatched when it comes to sheer natural beauty and breathtaking biodiversity. In fact, the island earned its name thanks to the colourful foliage that lines its beautiful landscapes, with Flora literally translating to “Flowers.”
Thanks to its natural beauty and biodiversity, the island has been recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. As such, Flores is the best Portuguese Islam for immersing in the untouched landscapes of the Azores, with breathtaking hiking trails weaving through lush mountain peaks, sweeping valleys, and unique rock formations.
Mini Flores Island Travel Guide
Size: 141 km2
Population: 3,907
Location: The Azores Archipelago
Main Cities: Santa Cruz das Flores
Main Airport: Flores Airport (FLW)
Best Hotels: INATEL Flores
Top Attractions: Pouco da Ribeira do Ferreiro | Lagoa Negra | Lagoa Rasa
9. Terceira Island
Best Portuguese Island For Wine Lovers
Like Sao Jorge, Terceira Island is much less visited than other destinations within the Azores Archipelago. Still, the lack of tourism has kept this island as a hidden gem perfect for exploring the authentic island setting.
Boasting a strong agricultural industry, Terceira Island boasts plenty of pastoral areas perfect for a relaxing hike. The island is most notably famous for its production of green wine, which can be sampled at one of the island’s vineyards.
Meanwhile, visitors looking for a cultural immersion can head over to Angra do Heroismo, the island’s largest city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, promising plenty of sightseeing opportunities and colonial buildings.
Mini Terceira Island Travel Guide
Size: 400.3 km2
Population: 53,244
Location: The Azores Archipelago
Main Cities: Angra do Heroísmo | Praia da Vitoria
Main Airport: Lajes Airport (TER)
Best Hotels: Quinta da Nasce Água | Palacio Santa Catarina Hotel | Atlantida Mar Hotel
Top Attractions: Prainha da Praia da Vitoria | Miradouro do Facho | Monte Brasil
10. Faial Island
Best Portuguese Island For Hikes, Culture, and Beautiful Beaches
The Blue Island of the Azores, Faial, offers a little sampling of everything that makes the archipelago a great travel destination, including volcanic landscapes, beautiful hiking trails, and charming island towns.
However, what distinguishes Faial as one of the best Portuguese islands is its breathtaking sandy beaches leading into the remarkably azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The Marina of Horta is one of the coast’s main attractions and tells the story of historical sailors through its wall murals.
Meanwhile, attractions within Faial’s inland include the town of Horta itself and the Caldeira do Faial.
Mini Faial Island Travel Guide
Size: 173.1 km2
Population: 14,334
Location: The Azores Archipelago
Main Cities: Horta | Ribeirinha
Main Airport: Horta Airport (HOR)
Best Hotels: Lofts Azul Pastel | Apartamentos Kosmos
Top Attractions: Calderia | Capelinhos | Horta Marina
11. Ilha De Armona
Best Portuguese Island For A Quieter Beach Holiday
Located just off the mainland near Olhao, Ilha de Armona is a beautiful Portuguese island promising a breathtaking quiet beach day along its white sand shores near the Algarve coast.
The island is accessible via ferry and boasts over 6 km of untouched beach, perfect for lounging in the sun, frolicking in the waves, or partaking in its great selection of traditional beach activities.
The island features very minimal development, although its small, car-free Armona promises a welcoming atmosphere for some sightseeing, including its cobblestone streets and Moorish architecture.
Mini Ilha De Armona Travel Guide
Size: 9 km2
Population: 50
Location: Algarve
Best Hotels: Real Marina Hotel & Spa | Solar Alvura Wellness Hotel
Top Attractions: Armona Island Beaches
12. Graciosa
Best Portuguese Island For Its Mediterranean Charms
While not located within the Mediterranean, Graciosa definitely boasts Mediterranean charms with its white sand beaches and white-washed buildings reminiscent of Greece or Ibiza.
Known as the White Island of the Azores thanks to its unique buildings, Graciosa is the perfect destination for escaping the tourist hordes while you explore the many draws of the archipelago, including its famous beaches, volcanic caves, and intrepid hiking trails.
Mini Graciosa Travel Guide
Size: 60.65 km2
Population: 4,091
Location: The Azores Archipelago
Main Cities: Santa Cruz da Graciosa
Main Airport: Graciosa Airport (GRW)
Best Hotels: Calendula Beach 1 Linea Mar
Top Attractions: Windmills of Graciosa | Queijadas da Graciosa Factory | Ponta da Barca Lighthouse
13. Ilha de Tavira
Best Portuguese Island For Laid-Back Beach Vibes in the Algarve
Like Armona, Ilha de Tavira is a small island just off the Algarve coast and is a famous beach destination perfect for day trips.
The expansive sandy island is the perfect destination to sprawl out along the Mediterranean shores while soaking in the sun. Unfortunately, there are no hotels on the island, but accommodations can be found in nearby Tavira on the Portuguese mainland.
Mini Ilha de Tavira Travel Guide
Size: 11 km long
Location: Near Tavira On Mainland Portugal
Best Hotels: AP Cabanas Beach & Nature Resort | Hotel Don Rodrigues | Authentic Tavira Hotel
Top Attractions: Ilha de Tavira Beaches
