Terceira, Graciosa, Săo Jorge, Pico and Faial Islands form the central group of the Azorean Archipelago. Terceira is located 27ş 10’ W and 37ş 43’ N, distant 167 km from Săo Miguel and 122 km from Faial Island. Its surface is of 381, 96 sq km, with a maximum length of 29 km and 17, 5 of width.

The visit Terceira, you can choose between rent a car, use a taxi or the bus lines, which link all village-places of the island.

Itinerary 1

Go around the island (half a day). Leave Angra do Heroísmo toward Praia da Vitória City; a few kilometres ahead, turn to Porto Judeu place, and admire the Cabras islet; cross the parish, and follow by seashore through Baia da Salga and Salgueiros (a bathing area), Porto Martins (a bathing area), Cabo da Praia, arriving at Praia da Vitória. Once in that City, go up to Facho belvedere and continue to Lajes, Vila Nova, Agualva, Quatro Ribeiras (bathing area) and Biscoitos, where you should visit the wine museum and the natural pools. Continue to Altares, Raminho, Serreta (woods and belvedere), Doze Ribeiras, Santa Bárbara, Cinco Ribeiras (Azularte - Regional pottery hand painted), São Bartolomeu, Negrito (bathing area and a youth hostel), São Mateus (a fishing port), Cais da Silvei ra, returning to Angra do Heroísmo City. This circuit can also be done in the contrary way.

Itinerary 2 (about 2 or 3 hours)

Leave Angra do Heroísmo City in direction of Săo Mateus, Santa Bárbara, Doze Ribeiras, and go up to Santa Bárbara Mountain to admire the magnificent view. Return by the same road and continue to Serreta (woods and a belvedere), Raminho, Altares, Biscoitos, where you must visit the wine museum and the natural pools. Nearby the wine museum turn right taking the road to Angra do Heroísmo, and at Pico da Bagacina take the road to Caldeira do Guilherme Moniz. Get back the same way, passing through Terra Chă till Angra do Heroísmo.

Itinerary 3

Taking the high-way, leave Angra in direction of Praia da Vitória. At the end of the straight road, leave the high-way and follow by a secondary road toward Praia da Vitória. Take the road to Serra do Cume, and enjoy the view at the top, and then return to the road to Praia da Vitória. Once there, take a pleasant walk through its streets and visit the Facho belvedere. Leave the city toward Angra do Heroísmo, passing through Cabo da Praia, Porto Martins (bathing area), Salgueiros (bathing zone), Baía da Salga, and Porto Judeu, a viewpoint over Cabras Islet.

Terceira Island has many attractions. People of Terceira give much importance to cultural aspects, as well as to entertainment. The festivities that take place in Terceira Island are the most cheerful of the Azores and include many specific aspects: “Alcatra” (meat stew) and “Sopas do Espírito Santo” (a special soup) are part of the festival’s gastronomy; “foliőes”, a group of men colourfully dressed, sing and play instruments; and “tourada à corda”, a unique bullfighting played in the streets, greatly enjoyed, is played with the ox tied with a rope and controlled while he runs through the streets, challenged with umbrellas and coats by the bravest. During the festivities in honour to S. Joăo, the animation is very lively; the festival begins on a Friday and continues for ten days till the second following Sunday. Music concerts, sport competitions, theatre, bullfighting and fire work are included in the festivities program. The most important time of the festival is achieved with the popular parades: the characters are colourfully dressed, and march singing original lyrics, especially made for this night, filling the ambience with their joy. The bullfight in the square receives the participation of famous bullfighters, and counts with the quality of the cattle-breeder of Terceira Island. Praia da Vitória City celebrates its festivities during August: music concerts, folklore, sport competitions, exhibitions and parades. The bullfighting in the sand and the firework are the most remarkable events.

The cult of the Divino Espírito Santo is very traditional; between the Pentecost and the ending of summer, festivities take place in all the parishes of the island. The hand made embroideries in raw white or red linen, the pottery and wicker-work, weaved quilts made by local artisans are of rare beauty. The most famous themes of local folklore are: Să Macaio, Sapateia and Tirana. The singing in impromptu in competition, challenging the improvise abilities, cheer up Terceira festivities. The dances and carnival “bailinhos” (humoristic sketches) are very much appreciated. The vine and wine festival, in Biscoitos, takes place in the first weekend of September.  

Angra do Heroísmo

In 1983, the city was considered World Patrimony by UNESCO, qualification that attests its architectonic, historic and cultural value. Sé Catedral is a cathedral dating back from the XVI century, which keeps a great treasure: tiles, images paintings and silvers from the XVII century, jacaranda furniture, religious garments, and oil-paint portraits of the diocesans prelates. S. Joăo Baptista Castle, whose construction was ordered by Felipe II of Spain, presents a ditches system, a main portico, turrets, an arched bridge, the church of S. Joăo Baptista and the Governor’s Palace, attesting the greatness of this monument. In this place, important people of national history, as Gungunhana and King D. Afonso VI were imprisoned. S. Sebastiăo Castle was built during the reign of D. Sebastiăo. Capităes Generais Palace was a former Jesuits College, after that a residence, and finally the seat of a government department. It keeps inside valuable pieces of art. The church annex to the palace, dating from the XVII century, detains the biggest collection of Dutch tiles from the XVII century. Paços do Concelho is the City Hall, built in the XIX century in the centre of the city of Angra. Convento de S. Francisco is an old convent of Baroque style; it presently lodges the Angra Museum. Nossa Senhora da Conceiçăo Church was built in the XVI century in Baroque style. Alto da Memória is an obelisk rose in the place of the first castle; it evokes the visit of King D. Pedro IV to Terceira Island. S. Gonçalo Church was built in the XVII century, and from that time it keeps valuable images, golden carvings and paintings. Forte do Negrito is a fortress integrated in the defence system against the Spanish invasions. Misericórdia Church dates back from the XVII century, preserving sculptures and paintings. Santa Bárbara Church was built in the XV century. Solar da Madre de Deus is a manor house, built in an elevate area of the city of Angra; it may have been built in the XVII century. Bettencourt Palace is a manor house built between the XVII and XVIII centuries, in the former place of the Public Library and Regional Archive of Angra do Heroísmo. Săo Sebastiăo Church was built by the first settlers between the XV and XVI centuries. It is of gothic inspiration, outstanding its portal, the arches and vaults of its chapel.

Praia da Vitória

"Ramo Grande" architecture has a great expression in Praia da Vitória municipality. Igreja Matriz, the Mother Church, was built in the XV century ordered by Jacome de Bruges, the first Capităo Donatário. It presents a gothic doorway and a Manuelino portico; inside, it keeps valuable pieces of art sacra, glazed earthenware and porcelains. Paços do Concelho, the City Hall, was built in the XVI century Santa Catarina Church, located in Cabo da Praia, was built in the XVII century. Santa Catarina Fortress was one of the fortresses that defended the bay of Praia da Vitória in the XVI century. Telha da Boa Vista Oven was supposedly built between the XVI and XVII centuries during the Spanish occupation; its chimneys and framings made in masonry and stone work are outstanding. Vitorino Nemésio birthplace is a building from the XVIII century, altered in the XIX century and located in S. Paulo Street

Lajes

S. Miguel Arcanjo Church is a monument of baroque style Casa do Espanhol is a building dating from the Spanish occupation, XVII century, located in Quatro Ribeiras Santa Beatriz and S. Brás Churches are monuments dating back from the XV century Vila Nova Church dates back from the XV century. Impérios The cults of the Holy Spirit (Divino Espírito Santo) lead to the building of small chapels “impérios” in all the parishes of the island. They are very easy to identify in the island’s scenery.

There are two yacht-harbours in Terceira Island, one located in the bay of Angra do Heroísmo and the other in Praia da Vitória.

There are regular tours done by local companies. Look for further information on the next pages.

Surrounded by rate nature beauty, a golf course of 18 holes offers the necessary facilities to the practise of this sport.

Along the coast of the island, there are good fishing grounds, where one can capture species like seabream, grouper, wrasser, axillary seabream, bluefish, barracuda, mackerel and saw fish depending on the technique and bait used. On boat, captures of bigger specimens like swordfish and tuna are possible due to their abundance. Several extraordinary spots invite for underwater fishing, and the capture of species like swordfish, anchovy, long beaked fish, saw fish, sargus and grouper among others.

The fauna and flora of Terceira Island coast are very rich. Wonderful diving spots are waiting for this sport lovers. Specialised companies give all the needed support to practise diving.a.

Rabbit is abundant in the island. Dial 295212126 and get all the necessary information in the Forestry Services of the island..

Beautiful paths are an invitation for pleasant walks through nature. Look for the booklets available in your lodging. There are no dangerous species ou snakes in the island.