Travel & Nightlife
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Scroll To Top
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Courtesy of Brandon Presser.
Turns out Europe is a lot closer than we thought -- in the form of nine small volcanic outcrops that seem lost in the middle of the Atlantic. Formed by the cataclysmic collision of three tectonic plates, and decorated by Portuguese seafarers in the 1400s, the Azores dazzle visitors like a strange European version of Hawaii.
Sao Miguel, the archipelago's largest island, is primely positioned for short escapes from North America--it's just four and a half hours from Boston--and offers visitors a multitude of earthly anomalies carved out by eons of geological activity. Case in point: Sete Cidades, a hulking crater filled with glittering emerald lakes.
Hike the perimeter of the caldera and then soothe your feet at the steaming baths of Furnas. The thermal water pools--tinted ochre color due to the deposits of natural iron -- at the Terra Nostra Garden (ParqueTerraNostra.com) have been a functioning spa for almost 300 years.
Black sand beaches, resembling crushed Oreo cookies, ring around the island as well; the best of them are located on the north coast near Ribeira Grande and the island's top stay, Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort (SantaBarbaraAzores.com), situated on a quiet strand of unadulterated oceanfront.
Ponta Delgada, the Azores' largest town, pairs nicely with the island's natural assets. Although the Mediterranean architecture and cobbled lanes feel quaint at first, the international airport and large-container seaport have transformed what would be a sleepy outpost into a small city with bursts of cosmopolitan flair and an impressive street art scene established by the Walk & Talk program (WalkTalkAzores.org).
Tapas bars unsullied by international price gouging serve Azorean cheese and homemade chorizo with Olivia Pope-sized glasses of Verdelho. Try the fried sardines with mixed potato mash and pickled veggies at Mane Cigano (1 rua Eng Jose Cordeiro), a hole-in-the-wall so undistinguished it practically doesn't look like a restaurant at all. Or dine on the other side of the culinary spectrum at Anfiteatro Restaurante (Efth.com.pt), an upscale concept tied to the local culinary school that showcases the best of the islands through elegant prix fixe menus worthy of Michelin consideration.
A small taste of the Azores is, however, problematic -- short-staying visitors are highly prone to wanting more. Fortunately there are eight more islands to explore beyond Sao Miguel.
Like what you see here? Subscribe and be the first to receive the latest issue of Out. Subscribe to print here and receive a complimentary digital subscription.
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
41 male celebs who did full frontal scenes
September 16 2024 2:02 PM
38 LGBTQ+ celebs you can follow on OnlyFans
July 23 2024 2:33 PM
33 actors who showed bare ass in movies & TV shows
September 17 2024 5:43 PM
These pics prove that Maluma is still our supreme thirst trap king
May 22 2024 6:29 PM
26 LGBTQ+ reality dating shows & where to watch them
July 03 2024 4:21 PM
20 times male celebrities had to come out as straight
September 13 2024 3:47 PM
15 queens who quit or retired from drag after 'RuPaul's Drag Race'
July 09 2024 11:33 AM
52 steamy celebrity Calvin Klein ads we'll always be thirsty for
August 27 2024 1:08 PM
A gay adult film star's complete guide to bottoming
September 16 2024 8:50 AM
'Selling the OC's Sean shares new texts with Austin to prove his story
May 17 2024 12:22 PM
Latest Stories
Unpacking the dangers of homonormativity in queer communities
October 02 2024 12:50 PM
11 historic icons who tragically died in the closet
October 02 2024 12:21 PM
October 2, 2024
October 02 2024 11:55 AM
11 artists who delivered ICONIC covers of Chappell Roan songs
October 01 2024 5:25 PM
Diddy aka Sean Combs accused by 120 new victims—including men, women & minors
October 01 2024 3:40 PM
Is Ross Lynch starting an OnlyFans? We're investigating!
October 01 2024 2:55 PM