The second largest island in the Atlantic archipelago, Pico has everything you’d expect from an Azorean paradise—plus a little extra. Along with whale watching, hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking, you can sample some of Portugal’s finest wine at Pico’s UNESCO-listed volcanic vineyards, where mineral-enriched soil gives grapes extra flavor. But things to do on Pico don’t just revolve around wine: The island is also home to Portugal’s highest mountain, so it draws adventurers looking to summit the 7,713-foot (2,351-meter) Mt. Picol For culture lovers, the island has an interesting clutch of museums exploring themes ranging from whales to wine.
Like the rest of the Azores archipelago, the best time to visit Pico is between May and October, which is also peak whale-watching season. While the Azores islands are always prone to some rain because of their remote location in the Atlantic Ocean, these months have the highest chance of sun and clear skies. July and August are busiest—but compared to mainland Portugal, the Azores never really feels too crowded. If summiting Mt. Pico, try to set off before sunrise.
You can fly directly to Pico from Lisbon with Portugal’s national airline—it takes around 2.5 hours. Flights also depart from the Azorean capital of Ponta Delgada on São Miguel or from Terceira Island, and ferries run between Pico and all of the other islands in the central section of the archipelago (Faial, Terceira, Graciosa, and São Jorge). Once you’re on Pico, your best bet is renting your own set of wheels, as public transport is limited.
Stretching for more than 16,896 feet (5,150 meters) below the ground, the Gruta das Torres is the longest lava tube not just on Pico, but in all of Portugal. You can explore the volcanic cave via stairs and walkways and discover the lava stalactites and stalagmites formed more than 1,500 years ago. If you’re a real lava lover, you can see more volcanic rock formations and caves at Arcos do Cachorro (Dog Arches) on the coast.
