Faial Island Getaway

Discover one of the Azores’ most-popular islands on our Faial Island Getaway.

The Azorean island of Faial has held a bewitching fascination over visitors to its shores for over four hundred years.

Pioneering Flemish settlers chose to abandon their homeland in search of a new life in the mid-Atlantic. Spanish forces occupied the island in the 1500s – shortly followed by French and English pirates who frequently raided their treasure ships at anchor in Porto Pim Bay. Victorian telegraph magnates chose to build their grandiose headquarters on the island, and their ostentatious architecture still looks strangely out-of-place on this diminutive western outpost of Europe. For 20th century New England whaling fleets and trans-Atlantic sea plane pilots, Faial was a safe haven and crucial resupply point – and it continues to provide a home-from-home for present-day, 21st century yachtsmen.

Modern-day Adventurers can always be sure of a warm welcome on the island and the main town of Horta is our preferred base – staying at Hotel do Canal or self-catering at the Porto Pim Bay Apartments. You’ll become part of the island’s maritime-set with two trips to sea – whale watching in the Faial channel and exploring the island’s volcanic south coast on a sunset boat tour. Inland, you’ll learn of the more explosive side of the island’s history with visits to the beautiful Cabeco Gordo caldera and the infamous Capelinhos peninsula. You’ll also make the short hop over to the neighbouring island of Pico, learning about the Azores’ successful transition from whale hunting to whale tourism.

We’ve suggested a week’s stay – if you’re thinking of a longer holiday, it’s easy for us to combine our Faial Island Getaway with our Best of Sao Miguel holiday. Just fill out an enquiry form and we’ll do the rest.