Pedro DominguesAngra do Heroísmo is not the capital of the Azores, but for me it is the most beautiful city. For some reason, its historic center was classified by UNESCO as a world heritage site, making it a must-visit place when traveling through the archipelago. Of course, you should also discover more of Terceira Island, especially its main highlights, such as the fabulous volcanic chimney that is Algar do Carvão.
In this article you will have all the details on things to do in Angra do Heroísmo and surroundings. For the Portuguese, like me, this city is ideal for a weekend getaway. Terceira is truly one of the most spectacular islands in the Azores! 😉
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 - Faial Itinerary - Pico 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.
Where is Angra do Heroísmo located, in the Azores?
Angra do Heroísmo is located on the south coast of Terceira Island in the Azores, being one of its two municipalities: the other is Praia da Vitória.
With regard to the archipelago as a whole, Terceira is in the central group, which also includes other islands, such as the islands of Pico, Faial, Graciosa and São Jorge. São Miguel and Santa Maria are in the eastern group, while Flores and Corvo are in the western group.
Travel tips to visit Angra do Heroísmo
As far as travel tips for visiting Angra do Heroísmo are concerned, I share the most important ones below, being essential not to forget to rent a car. 😉
1. When to visit Angra do Heroísmo?
The best time to visit Angra do Heroísmo is summer or late spring, as this is when you will find the hydrangeas in bloom, and you will also have a more favorable climate for water or outdoor activities, better visibility to the viewpoints, and better water temperature. In summer, the water temperature is around 25º in the Azores archipelago!
When it comes to festivities on Terceira Island, don’t forget the Holy Spirit Festivals, centered around the colorful “Empires” in honor of the patron saint of the Azores. There are more than 40 empires spread across the island, and the festivities take place over several weeks, between Easter Sunday and Holy Trinity Sunday.
Other important festivities are:
- The Sanjoaninas (in June).
- The Carnival.
- The Festivities at Praia da Vitória (in August).
- Or the festivities related with Wine, Vine and Biscuits (in September).
You can also go see the traditional Bull Races, taking all the necessary precautions, as the bulls will run freely through the streets of the villages.
2. How to get to Angra do Heroísmo?
Lajes International Airport will be your means of arrival in Angra do Heroísmo, and is located next to Praia da Vitória. There are many regular flights from mainland Portugal or even from the island of Madeira, with Ryanair, SATA or TAP.
I usually use Skyscanner, Google Flights or the airlines’ own websites to make my ticket reservations.
3. Take out Travel Insurance to visit Angra do Heroísmo and Terceira Island
I also recommend that you take out travel insurance for your stay in Angra do Heroísmo, as Terceira Island is a nature destination mostly, where you will certainly want to go hiking. Shit happens, and you should always opt for prevention.
4. Rent a Car to visit Angra do Heroísmo and Terceira Island
A car is also essential if you want to discover the island at your own pace and see more than the UNESCO-listed old town of Angra do Heroísmo. It also gives you more flexibility, not depending on public transportation or guided tours.
I recommend that you compare prices from different companies on Discover Cars, in order to select the best price/offer before your booking.
5. Guided Tours from Angra do Heroísmo to visit Terceira
If guided tours are really what you’re looking for, I also leave you some tips in this article. 😉 I often use Get Your Guide, Viator or Civitatis to book my own tours and activities while traveling, and I recommend you do the same.
With only 2 days to visit Angra do Heroísmo, how about spending the 1st in its center and Monte Brasil, and taking a tour on the second? Below I leave several examples.
Guided Tours to visit Terceira with Get Your Guide: 1 - Whale and Dolphin watching in Terceira 2 - Terceira Half Day Tour + Cheese Tasting 3 - 3 Hour Vulcano Tour in Terceira 4 - Terceira Full Day Tour 5 - Scuba Dive in a Shipwreck 6 - Mistérios Negros Guided Hike 7 - Electric Bike Tour in Monte Brasil
Excursions to visit Terceira island with Viator: 1 - Whale Watching in Terceira Island 2 - Buggy Tour Off-Road 3 - Terceira Island Highlights Tour 4 - Underground Van Tour (Half Day) 5 - E-bike Tour Monte Brasil 6 - 2-hour Cabras Islet Boat Cruise from Angra
Guided Tours to visit Terceira with Civitatis: 1 - Barbeque in Serreta Forest 2 - Guided tour to Terceira Volcanic Caves 3 - Terceira Island Full Day Tour 4 - Whale Watching in Terceira Island 5 - Swimming with Dolphins in Terceira 6 - Terceira Sunset Cruise 7 - Terceira Viewpoints Tour
6. What to eat and where to eat in Terceira Island?
As far as gastronomy is concerned, be sure to try the traditional Alcatra. The cheeses are also very good, for example the regional Queijo Vaquinha. Try some barnacles and limpets. And don’t forget Dona Amélia cakes, made with sugarcane honey and cinnamon.
To drink, you have the wine from Biscoitos or the KIMA passion fruit soda. As for restaurants, I leave you the following tips:
- Beira-Mar restaurant in São Mateus, whose specialty is fish.
- Ti-Choa to taste an excellent Alcatra.
- The Emperor in Praia da Vitória, also for fish.
- The Birou Bar, for an affordable meal.
- Roberto’s Tavern
- A Tasca das Tias.
7. Where to sleep when visiting Angra do Heroísmo?
| Accommodation | Score | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Azoris Angra Garden | 8.5 | Central |
| Casa de Hospedes Isaias | 8.7 | Affordable |
| Terceira Mar Hotel | 9.0 | Superior |
| My Angra Boutique Hostel | 9.6 | Good Hostel |
| Memória Boutique Hostel | 9.9 | Good Hostel |
| Quintal d’Angra | 9.9 | Apartment |
| Casa da Sé | 9.6 | Apartment |
| Alluar Lodge | 9.6 | Great View |
Things to do in Angra do Heroísmo – 1 or 2 days
Finally, all the things to do in Angra do Heroísmo, what to see and visit in the city and near surroundings for a 2 day itinerary in Terceira island.
Visit the Historic Center of Angra do Heroísmo
The first place to discover is the city center of Angra do Heroísmo, and I think one morning is enough to see the essentials. Then you should enjoy the beach in the afternoon, head to Monte Brasil, or to any of the nearby places I’ll mention later in this article.
1. Old Square and Town Hall of Angra do Heroísmo
I stayed at Azoris Angra Garden when I visited Angra do Heroísmo before. So I started to explore the city from Old Square, where it is located. This is one of the most central places in the city, where you can find the Town Hall of Angra do Heroísmo, surrounded by old buildings in the historic center.
2. Duke of Terceira Garden and Memorial to D. Pedro IV
The entrance to Duke of Terceira Garden is a short distance from Old Square. It is for me the most beautiful green space to visit in Angra do Heroísmo, composed of several types of vegetation, which transform it into an authentic botanical garden. It is an excellent place for a stroll.
At the top of this garden is a monument to D. Pedro IV, in the form of an obelisk, and the best viewpoint over the city and Monte Brasil. The obelisk appeared in the middle of the 19th century, as a reminder of the passage of the Portuguese king through Angra do Heroísmo during the Portuguese Civil War.
3. Church of Nossa Senhora da Guia and MAH (Museum of Angra do Heroísmo)
The Church of Nossa Senhora da Guia is where one of the main nuclei of Angra do Heroísmo Museum, also known as MAH, is located. Its origin dates back to a small chapel from the 15th century, although the current building dates from the 17th century. Its sacristy stands out, recently recovered and open to the public (2018).
With regard to the Museum of Angra do Heroísmo, there are 3 main sections to know:
- Part 1 of the museum is located in São Francisco Building, attached to the Church of Nossa Senhora da Guia. It is the main space of the museum, with several permanent exhibitions. Of note are the animal-drawn vehicles from the 18th and 19th centuries, the rooms with details on the history of Angra do Heroísmo, the ethnographic spaces and the archeology section.
- Part 2 is Manuel Coelho Baptista de Lima Military Historical Centre, housed in the old Boa Nova Military Hospital. It has exhibits on the Portuguese military defense on Terceira Island.
- And Part 3 is the contemporary art center Dimas Simas Lopes.
4. Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição and Silveira e Paulo Palace
Another important church when visiting Angra do Heroísmo is the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, built in the mid-16th century on top of a former hermitage with the same name. The light blue details and its tower stand out.
Next door is the beautiful and harmonious Silveira e Paulo Palace, built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a family residence. Later it was occupied by the Industrial and Commercial School of Angra do Heroísmo and by the Regional Conservatory, and today it is the seat of the Regional Directorate for Culture of the Government of the Azores.
5. Manor and Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios
At this point in the itinerary, you will have already noticed architectural similarities between the various buildings in Angra do Heroísmo. The churches are mostly built in a “ground style”, imposing and austere. The Church of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios will be no different.
Attached to it is a manor house whose purpose was to support the Portuguese fleets in the overseas territories. Today it is the seat of the regional secretariats of the Regional Government of the Azores in Angra do Heroísmo.
6. Fortress of São Sebastião and Marina of Angra do Heroísmo
On the way to the seafront, be sure to pass by one of the many Holy Spirit Empires on Terceira Island: it is called Império dos Remédios or Empire of Remedies, in English.
The Fortress of São Sebastião is located in Porto das Pipas in the Marina of Angra do Heroísmo. It dates from the 16th century and served to defend the coast of Terceira Island, more precisely the Port of Angra do Heroísmo, which at the time was very important for international maritime trade.
7. Patio da Alfândega and Misericórdia Church
After visiting the Fortress of São Sebastião, take the promenade to Pátio da Alfândega, calmly observing all the boats anchored in the marina. Be sure to walk along the pier to the marina’s small lighthouse, thus obtaining the best images of the city of Angra do Heroísmo from the sea.
In Pátio da Alfândega are located the City Doors, also known as Sea Doors. There is also a statue of Vasco da Gama and the spectacular Misericórdia Church, where the first hospital in the Azores operated at the end of the 15th century.
8. Prainha Bathing Area
Close to Pátio da Alfândega and Marina of Angra do Heroísmo, you will also find a very attractive beach: Prainha! The fact that it is right in the center of the city is amazing, but unfortunately the beach is shaded very early in the afternoon, which is not pleasant on the long summer days when you want to stay on the beach until dark, because it is still hot outside.
9. Angra do Heroísmo Science Center and Volcanoespeological Museum
Be sure to visit the Vulcanoespeological Museum, housed in Montanheiros Association building, with a diverse collection of samples collected in volcanic places on the island. The Science Center of Angra do Heroísmo, in turn, features a small exhibition on the natural ecosystems of the Azores, making it a very interesting place to visit, especially if you are traveling with children.
10. Rua Direita in Angra do Heroísmo
With the seafront well explored, follow Rua Direita towards the Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo. Along the way, you will pass by Old Square again, the starting point of this itinerary to visit Angra do Heroísmo.
11. Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo and Captains Palace
The Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo is also known as College Church or Santo Inácio de Loyola Church. It is attached to the Captains Palace, which once served as the Royal Palace during the reigns of D. Pedro IV and D. Carlos I. It is possible to visit it from the inside.
12. Duke of Bragança Market
The municipal market of Angra do Heroísmo is called Duke of Bragança. There, mainly vegetables, fruits or other fresh foods of local origin are sold.
13. Cathedral of Angra de Heroísmo and Bettencourt Palace
The Cathedral of Angra do Heroísmo, or Church of the Holy Savior, is considered the largest church in the Azores, having been built in the 16th century as the seat of the bishopric of Angra. Nearby is the Bettencourt Palace, from the early 18th century, now home to the city’s Public Library.
14. Church of the Convent of São Gonçalo
To finish, there is the largest and oldest convent complex in the city of Angra do Heroísmo: the Convent of São Gonçalo, founded in the 16th century. Before heading to Monte Brasil, don’t forget the MAH Military History Centre, which is located close to this convent.
Visit Monte Brasil in Angra do Heroísmo
Monte Brasil is a nature reserve and what remains of an extinct volcano that originated in the sea. It is connected to Angra do Heroísmo and is today almost a city park. For those who want to discover Monte Brasil on foot, my recommendation is the trail I share below.
- Link of the trail in Monte Brasil – Wikiloc
- Total of 7,5km – 2h30m
1. Fortress of São João Baptista and Relvão Municipal Park
At the entrance to Monte Brasil are the Municipal Park of Relvão and the Fortress of São João Baptista. The latter was built to defend the south coast of Terceira Island against ships from the West Indies, dating back to the end of the 16th century.
2. Monte Brasil Viewpoints
On Monte Brasil itself, you can access several viewpoints, such as:
- Pico das Cruzinhas Viewpoint, where you will find a statue in honor of D. Afonso VI. The view is incredible directly to the city of Angra do Heroísmo.
- The Viewpoint to the center of the crater of Monte Brasil volcano.
- Pico Zimbreiro and Pico do Facho Viewpoints, to the west and east coasts from Angra do Heroísmo.
- And Pico da Quebrada Viewpoint, formerly used for whale watching.
Visit Angra do Heroísmo surroundings
Even if your focus is on Angra do Heroísmo, there are some places on Terceira Island that are really mandatory, and that are very close to the city.
1. Algar do Carvão, Gruta do Natal and Furnas de Enxofre
Algar do Carvão is an authentic volcanic chimney in the interior of Terceira Island: a gigantic and impressive volcanic cave that will not leave you indifferent. This is the most spectacular place to visit on the entire island, but it is only open for visits in the afternoon.
Gruta do Natal and Furnas de Enxofre are accessory places to the previous one, being close by. The first is a lava tunnel about 700 meters long, while the second is a set of vents of volcanic gas being released from the earth at high temperatures.
Note that you can go on guided tours to visit these places. 1 - 3 Hour Vulcano Tour in Terceira with Get your Guide. 2 - Guided tour to Terceira Volcanic Caves with Civitatis. 3 - Underground Van Tour (Half Day) with Viator.
2. São Mateus da Calheta and Silveira Bathing Area
On the west coast from Angra do Heroísmo you will find São Mateus da Calheta, and two different bathing areas nearby, Silveira and Negrito. Be sure to visit the Port of São Mateus, the main church of the village and also the old church, the small fortress and the House of Botes Baleeiros.
3. Cabras Islet and Cruz do Canário Viewpoint
Heading towards Praia da Vitória, the view of the largest islet in the Azores is a must from Cruz do Canário Lookout.
4. Porto Judeu and Ponta das Contendas
Another point of interest in the vicinity of Angra do Heroísmo is Porto Judeu and Ponta das Contendas. Highlights are as follows:
- The Fishing Port and the Holy Spirit Empire of Porto Judeu.
- Refugo Natural Pool
- Gruta das Agulhas, another lava tunnel on Terceira Island, this time by the sea.
- Praia da Salga (natural pool)
- The Lighthouse and Viewpoint of Ponta das Contendas
5. Porto Martins and Praia da Vitória
In Porto Martins you will also find excellent natural pools, and another Holy Spirit Empire. In Praia da Vitória is the largest beach in the Azores, where you can relax, but don’t forget to also visit the Church of Santa Cruz and the Holy Spirit Empire of Charity.
6. Viewpoints of Facho and Humberto Delgado
Facho Viewpoint is one of the most beautiful on Terceira Island, overlooking Praia da Vitória. Humberto Delgado Viewpoint allows you to observe the landings and takeoffs of planes at Lajes airport.
7. Viewpoint of Serra do Cume
At last I highlight Serra do Cume viewpoint, without a doubt the most fantastic landscape on Terceira Island, and its most important postcard.
As you will have noticed, I am not mentioning in this article places along the entire coast of the island, but only around Angra do Heroísmo. If you want to make a wider itinerary, having more time to travel there, check my detailed article by clicking on the red button below.
Map | Things to do in Angra do Heroísmo
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)
- Pico Itinerary in 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)
