The “Triangle Islands”: Pico, Faial and São Jorge

The Azores Archipelago consists of 9 islands, all with their own beauty and particularities. It is ordered by 3 groups: the Oriental, with São Miguel and Santa Maria, the Central, with Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico and Faial, and finally, the Western Group with the island of Flores and Corvo. Of these nine islands, 3 of them are very close to each other, the famous islands of the Triangle (Pico, Faial and São Jorge) and it is possible to see the other two of anyone.
Faial is in the foreground, in the background and on the right is Pico and on the left is the long island of São Jorge. Anyone of them is different, with unique specificities, but they end up completing each other in what is a fantastic destination that stimulates the trip to all 3 at once.

Pico-Faial Channel (Sentado e em Pé Islets)
© Photography of João Santos

Pico Island presents itself with its majestic mountain of 2351 meters of altitude, not only is it the highest point of the Azores but it is also the highest point of mainland Portugal. An island with strong lava and basalt marks, it is possible to see one of the largest man-made constructions in the world, the dry stone masonry corrals that give way to the well-known wine tradition. This landscape has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 2004 and it is the source of the famous green wine with its already achieved degrees of excellence, even internationally. Mountain land, basalt and wineries, in a recent past whaling was practised, being today a landmark of the culture of the picaroot people.

© Photography of João Santos

The island of Faial recently suffered a land increase, coming from one of its major tourist attractions, the Capelinhos Volcano. It is an island characterized by maritime adventures as a result of its magnificent colorful marina, which served and serves as a stopover for thousands of yachtsmen. In addition, this marina was very important for the insular condition of the archipelago, since it was from there that several food products were shipped to the other islands of the archipelago. Its boiler with immense shades of green, the Monte da Guia and the famous gins of Peter’s Sport Café are more than enough reasons for anyone to surrender and go visit this magnificent island.

The island of São Jorge is known for being the island of fajãs. It has about 70 fajãs and some of them have breathtaking landscapes. From the beautiful Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo, very connected to surfing and clam production, to the beautiful Fajã dos Cubres, from Fajã dos Vimes and its coffee and handicraft production to the picturesque Fajã de São João, the island of São Jorge presents high cliffs and its famous 12 kilos cheese presents a unique flavor.

The triangular connection of these islands fortifies the essence of the tourist offer of the Azores and motivates the visit.