Pico

Pico first appears in the 14th century Medici Atlas under the name Li Columbi or Island of Pigeons, before the Portuguese renamed her on their arrival in the 15th century.

Pico and the neighbouring islands of Sao Jorge, Faial form the ‘Ilhas Triangulo’ – a triangle of islands which are both geographically and culturally close. The three islands were settled around 1460 under the leadership of Flemish nobleman and émigré Josse van Huerter. Escaping the devastation the Hundred Years War was wreaking on his native Flanders, Josse encouraged his fellow countrymen to follow in his footsteps. Their technological know-how built the windmills you’ll still see dotted around the island, and the drystone Currais plots which protect the vines in the wintertime – a technique which was granted UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2004.

Away from the vineyards, the island’s most visually-striking natural monument is the Montanha do Pico: an immense 2351m stratovolcano which dominates the landscape. Pico’s an island of fascinating volcanic landscapes: at Arcos do Cachorro in the north you’ll see some of the most unusual lava formations in the Azores, where the volcanic coastline is perforated with grottoes, tunnels and arches. And in the south, there are the lava caves at Gruta das Torres – formed just 1500 years ago, the cave system’s total length is still not 100% confirmed but it’s thought to be in the region of 5km.

Pico is the original home of whale watching in the Azores – where French conservationist Serge Viallelle first demonstrated that whale tourism offered a more sustainable future than whale hunting. Spend a week mixing trips to sea with vineyard tours on our Whales and wine holiday.

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