Pedro DominguesPico is the second largest island in the Azores archipelago and has the highest point in Portugal, located on top of the Pico mountain (Piquinho).
On this island you can also admire a UNESCO World Heritage Site called Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture, and taste the famous Pico wine. There are also many natural pools to discover.
I propose a 2, 3 or 4 day itinerary and, of course, going to the top of Pico mountain is a must if you are fit for a little exercise. 😉
Note that: in this travel blog you can find information about other islands in the Azores: - São Miguel Itinerary and Things to do in Ponta Delgada - Terceira Itinerary and Things to do in Angra do Heroísmo - Faial Itinerary You also have an itinerary to visit Madeira Island here, in case you are planning a trip there. And also an article with Things to do in Funchal.
Location and Geography of Pico Island
Pico Island is located in the Azores archipelago, and is part of its central group, together with the islands of Graciosa, São Jorge, Faial and Terceira.
In terms of dimensions, Pico Island is approximately 42 km long by 20 km wide, with an area of 447 km2 and a coastline of 151 km. Its highest point is at 2351 meters above sea level, in Piquinho.
Pico Itinerary | Useful tips
1. When to visit Pico island?
The best time to visit Pico Island is the summer months or late spring (May, June, July, August or September). You will have better visibility, better water temperature and, in general, more favorable conditions for the main activities. In winter you can find snow when climbing Pico mountain.
Consider also the main annual festivities:
- The Whaling Week, at the end of August, in honor of the whalers and their patron saint, Nossa Senhora da Lourdes (Lajes do Pico).
- The Holy Spirit Festivities take place from May to September, with greater emphasis on the 7th weekend after Easter.
- Festivities of Santa Maria Madalena, in July (Madalena).
- Bom Jesus Milagroso from São Mateus, in early August.
Did you know that the island of Pico is considered the Gray Island of the Azores? This color is associated with the dark gray of the basalt that covers the island, a legacy of past volcanic eruptions.
2. How to get to Pico Island?
There are several ways to get to Pico Island, depending on where you come from. I leave you all that information below! 😉
Option 1 – By Plane
Pico Island has an airport, so you will easily find flights from mainland Portugal, with a stopover in Terceira or São Miguel.
Option 2 – By boat, from another Azores Island
Considering that Pico Island is one of the 5 islands belonging to the central group of the Azores, you will most likely have to travel between them by boat. It is very easy, as there are regular boats from Atlânticoline making the crossing. I, for example, took the ferry to cross between Faial and Pico. You can check all timetables and buy tickets online on the Atlânticoline official website.
3. Take out Travel Insurance to visit Pico Island
I also recommend that you take out travel insurance for your stay in Pico Island, as it is a nature destination where you will certainly want to go hiking. Shit happens, and you should always opt for prevention.
>>> Travel Insurance with World Nomads
4. How to visit Pico Island, in the Azores?
As for how to visit Pico Island in 2 or 3 days, my recommendation is to use a car and just go exploring. However, there are other possibilities, such as organized tours.
Option 1 – Rent a car to visit Pico Island
If you haven’t thought about renting a car yet, start thinking. Pico Island is to be visited by car so you can easily access the most incredible places, and above all, you can stop as often and wherever you want along the ride. I recommend that you use Discover Cars to handle your reservations and compare prices between the different companies available.
Note that: For a trip between several islands in the Azores, it is not usually advantageous to transfer the car by boat, although it is possible. It is easier, simpler, and more convenient to rent a different car on each island.
Option 2 – Go on organized tours to visit Pico Island
I do not recommend visiting Pico Island without a car, as I have already mentioned. However, even if you have a car, there are organized tours that you can do anyway: I leave it up to you.
Excursions to visit Pico Island with Get Your Guide: 1 - Wine Tasting Tour in Pico Island 2 - Azores Whale and Dolphins Watching Boat Tour
Excursions to visit Pico Island with Viator: 1 - Whale and Dolphin Watching in Pico Island 2 - Full-Day Guided Tour in Pico Island 3 - Wine Tour in Pico Island 4 - Climb Pico Mountain with a Professional Guide 5 - Night Climb to Pico Mountain in Small Groups
Excursions to visit Pico Island with Civitatis: 1 - Mount Pico Night Hike 2 - Pico island full-day tour 3 - Pico island Wine Tour 4 - Pico island Dolphin & Whale Watching
Always look at the comments of those who have already taken each tour, and at their ratings. Likewise, book those that allow free cancellations, in case you change your mind latter on.
Option 3 – Visit Pico island on foot, hiking
You can also discover Pico Island on foot. The hike to the top of Pico mountain is an adventure not to be missed, but there are other trails to follow. Know more about them here.
5. What to eat and where to eat when visiting Pico island?
As for the gastronomy of Pico Island, you have a huge variety of fish and seafood to taste: barnacles, limpets, lobsters, crabs, spider crabs, octopus or squid. To drink, Pico wine is king!
My restaurant suggestions are as follows:
- Casa Âncora (São Roque do Pico)
- Magma Restaurant (São Roque do Pico)
- O Petisca (Madalena)
- O Cinco (Madalena)
- O Ancoradouro (Madalena)
- Ritinha Restaurant (Lajes do Pico)
6. Where to sleep in Pico Island?
| Accommodation | Score | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Casa dos Caldeiras (Lajes do Pico) | 9.6 | Countryside |
| Pico Dreams (São Roque) | 9.2 | Price / Quality |
| Vila Barca (Madalena) | 9.1 | Mountain View |
| Jeirões do Mar (Madalena) | 9.2 | Apartment |
| Baía da Barca (Madalena) | 9.2 | Natural Pools |
| Aldeia dos Caldeirões (São Mateus) | 9.0 | Apartment |
| Casavó (São Roque) | 9.5 | Apartment |
Pico Itinerary | Things to do and see in 2, 3 or 4 days in the Azores
There are several places to visit on the island of Pico, in addition to the extraordinary mountain that gave it its name. In this article I hope to help you plan your trip, with the tips I have prepared. The first one comes in the form of a map of the Azores: open it in a new tab and zoom in to analyze all the tourist spots that I marked for this island.
Pico Itinerary | Map with all things to do in the island
Day 1 | Pico Itinerary: Things to do in the island apart from climbing the mountain?
I left the Pico Mountain hike for the 2nd day of this itinerary, so I hope that this 1st day doesn’t tire you too much, as the climb will be difficult (but worth it!).
1. Visit Gruta das Torres in Criação Velha
The first stop is Gruta das Torres, the largest lava tube in Portugal. It is more than 5km long, although only about half a kilometer can be visited. They will provide you with a helmet and flashlight for the visit, and then you will penetrate the darkness to discover this place, which is estimated to have emerged from a volcanic eruption on the island of Pico about 1500 years ago. There is another one, still not adapted for tourism, which is Furna de Frei Matias.
2. Visit the Pico Island Wine Museum
The wine and vineyards of the island of Pico are undoubtedly one of the main attractions to discover. I recommend that you visit the Wine Museum before setting off to discover the landscape.
3. Go on a trail through the vineyards of Criação Velha and visit Moinho do Frade (old mill)
Criação Velha is an excellent region of Pico to walk around and observe the typical vineyards, although you can find them in more places on the island. You should do this trail through the region, passing by Moinho do Frade and stopping for a dip in the natural pools of Criação Velha, with a privileged view to Faial Island.
4. Visit and Relax in the Natural Pools of Pico Island
As for the Natural Pools of Pico Island, of volcanic origin, there are several of them, and of good quality. My favorites are the ones from Criação Velha, which you can visit while doing the trail I recommended before. However, Cachorro Bathing Area also pleased me, and it is located in a place where you can observe a magnificent volcanic landscape of Pico Island.
Criação Velha Natural Pools, on the west coast of Pico
I will never forget that transparent and clear blue water that I found there, and of course, the magnificent view to Faial Island. For me, they are the most beautiful natural pools on Pico Island: the natural pools of Criação Velha! They are not very spacious, but they are completely worth it, especially if you visit early in the morning, or when there are few people.
Cachorro Bathing area, on the north of Pico Island
Cachorro Bathing Area, on Pico Island, has a volcanic rock formation in the shape of a dog’s head, and it was this volcanic formation that gave it its name. This is an emblematic place on the island, in my opinion, so it’s mandatory to go take some pictures of the “dog”, and then walk around in the surrounding space that nature has built.
5. Visit the Whaling Industry Museum (São Roque) and Whalers Museum (Lajes do Pico)
Two distinct locations: the Whalers Museum is located in Lajes do Pico and the Whaling Industry Museum in Almas – São Roque. As you will see on a visit, whaling was very important in the past and was only completely eliminated in the late 1980s, after which whale watching started to be practiced instead of hunting. You can, if you want, pay to go out on a boat in search of whales, but you’re never sure you’ll see one.
Even if you don’t really like museums, you should visit the places where they are located: Lajes do Pico and São Roque / Almas. They are by the sea, so you will find interesting spots for a quick dip in the ocean or in any natural pool that exists there. Don’t forget Lajes do Pico Sea Arts and Sciences Center.
6. Explore the Lagoons of Pico Island
Just go to one or two of the lagoons on Pico Island. There are several, probably the most famous being Lagoa do Capitão. Others are Lagoa do Caiado, Lagoa do Paul and Lagoa da Rosada. There is nothing better to get to know the interior of the island than exploring its lagoons.
7. Visit the Ponta da Ilha (“tip of the island”) Lighthouse
Finally, go all the way to the tip of Pico island for a sunset or just to see the views.
Day 2 | Pico Itinerary: Climb all the way to Piquinho
Option 1 – Excursion to the top of Pico mountain
If you follow my recommendation, you will go up to the highest point in Portugal while it’s dark (night time), and you will go with a guide. I recommend you select your preferred excursion with Get Your Guide, Viator or Civitatis, being able to see the sunrise up there before coming all the way down again.
The ascent starts at Casa da Montanha at 1200 meters of altitude and goes to the so-called Piquinho, the summit of the Pico mountain, at 2351 meters of altitude. It’s a big gap, do it if you’re physically prepared.
Note that: there are fees for climbing Pico mountain and it is necessary to make a reservation, even if you want to do it without a guide. Anyone who wants to do it on their own will have to take this into account and go here to make a reservation.
Option 2 – Make the ascent in 2 days, camping at the top of Pico Mountain
Yes, it is possible to climb the mountain and camp up there, see the stars, recover energy and only then go down. You have to take the necessary equipment with you, and you also need to comply with the rules I mentioned before.
Days 3 and 4 | Pico Itinerary: Things to do on Pico Island if you have more time available?
Below several tips for extras to do on the fantastic island of Pico.
1. Pico Lagoons trail
If you are interested in knowing more about the interior of Pico Island and you like to walk, I highly recommend the Lagoons trail, which is almost 24 km long. Please note that this trail does not include the visit to all lagoons, there are other trails to other lagoons.
You can always do parts of this trail by car, using the roads in the interior of the island. Having 4 days to do this itinerary, you have time to explore all the main lagoons on Pico:
- Lagoa do Capitão (“Captain Lagoon”)
- Lagoa do Caiado
- Lagoa do Paul
- Lagoa da Rosada
- Lagoa do Peixinho (“Little Fish Lagoon”)
Even if you can’t drive to all of them, by car you can greatly reduce the km of this walk through Pico island.
2. Whale watching around Pico Island
Why don’t you go out on a boat tour in search of whales? I remember the Civitatis and Get Your Guide tours:
- Azores Whale and Dolphins Watching Boat Tour (Get Your Guide)
- Pico island Dolphin & Whale Watching (Civitatis)
- Whale and Dolphin Watching in Pico Island (Viator)
3. Visit Madalena Historic Center
Madalena Center also has a lot to offer, such as the Areia Funda Bathing Area, the main church, and the permanent exhibition of Sperm Whales and Squids by Malcolm Clarke.
4. Visit more Natural pools on Pico Island
While driving along the coast of Pico Island, you will find more natural pools, or awesome places to go for a dip in the sea. I recommend the next ones, in addition to the ones already mentioned in this article:
- Poça da Branca – Prainha
- Poça das Mujas – Calheta de Nesquim
- Cais do Pico natural pools – São Roque do Pico
- Lajes do Pico natural pools
- Barca natural pools
- Furna de Santo António natural pools
5. Trekking in Lajido de Santa Luzia (Vineyards of Pico Island)
A similar trail to the one I mentioned in the vineyards of Criação Velha, is this one in Lajido de Santa Luzia. Remember that the vineyards landscape is UNESCO heritage, so it is worth doing!
6. Visit the Vineyard Landscape Interpretation Center – Lajido
Be sure to visit the Vineyard Culture Landscape Interpretation Center in Lajido, also. Next door is the “Home of the Volcanoes“, also a must visit in Pico Island. If you want to buy wine, stop in a cooperative, why not?
7. Go to Ponta do Arrife viewpoint
To finish, Ponta do Arrife viewpoint, very beautiful in the coast of the island.
Finished?
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Have a nice stay in Pico island!
Other Itineraries and Travel Guides in Portugal
- N2 Portugal Road Trip Itinerary
- Madeira Itinerary and Travel Guide
- São Miguel Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Terceira Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Faial Itinerary in Azores
- Minho | Northern Portugal Itinerary
- Porto Itinerary and Travel Guide
- Things to do In Braga (Minho)
- Things to do in Guimarães (Minho)
- Things to do in Viana do Castelo (Minho)
- Peneda Gerês National Park Itinerary
- Douro Valley Itinerary
- Trás-os-Montes Itinerary
- Things to do in Bragança
- Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary
- Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
- Things to do in Aveiro
- Things to do in Coimbra
- Things to do in Leiria
- Things to do in Fatima
- Things to do in Nazaré
- Things to do in Peniche
- Things to do in Évora (Alentejo)
- Things to do in Beja (Alentejo)
- Algarve Road Trip Itinerary
- Things to do in Lagos (Algarve)
- Things to do in Portimão (Algarve)
- Things to do in Faro (Algarve)
- Things to do in Tavira (Algarve)
