Faial Island
Lying in the Atlantic Ocean about 1500km from Lisbon, Faial is a small volcanic island with 173km2 and less than 1 million years old. It is almost pentagonal in shape, measuring 21km in length and 14km wide, with an encircling 50km road that runs along the coast. The island is mountainous and is dominated by its central crater (Caldeira) and nearby highest point Cabeço Gordo of 1043m. From there a sequence of secondary volcanic cones spread westwards to Capelinhos, where an eruption in 1957/8 added 1,5km2 to the island. Horta is the only town.
Climate
The Azores have a mild temperate maritime climate influenced by the warm Gulf Stream, with little temperature variation throughout the year. The average winter temperature is 14ºC and in summer the average is 23-25ºC. Rain falls every month, but is seldom persistent. Average humidity is around 80-85%. Winds can be temporarily strong in winter, but in summer most days are still or with a gentle breeze.
The water temperature varies between 16-23ºC, with the lowest sea temperatures in February and March and the highest in August and September.
Current weather forecast for Horta, Faial Island: www.meteo.pt/en/index.html (charts, satellite images, UV index) or www.weatheronline.co.uk/Portugal/Faial.htm
When to visit
When to visit Faial depends upon what you want to do. For nature lovers the best season is between April and early October, when the weather is usually more stable.
Best whale & dolphin watching season: April to September. Spring months for baleen whales, sperm whales and dolphins; summer and early fall for sperm whales and dolphins.
Best diving season:
For macro subjects - April, May and June
For pelagic fish and to dive the most remote dive sites - July, August and September
Getting to Faial
The best way to arrive to Faial is by plane. TAP Air Portugal and SATA Air Açores operate daily direct flights (duration around 2h15) between Lisbon and Horta Airport in Faial.
For current fares and schedules contact the airlines.
TAP Air Portugal: http://www.flytap.com/
SATA Air Açores: http://www.sata.pt/
Bagage Limitations
Airlines have baggage limitations that can affect divers and photographers. Both TAP Air Portugal and SATA Air Açores allow a limit of 20kg at the check-in and one volume of hand luggage with max. 6kg.
SATA allows an extra 10kg at the check-in for diving equipment, but passengers have to inform the company when booking the flight. TAP Air Portugal has a different policy and doesn’t allow overweight diving luggage. A fee of 35 EUR will allow extra diving equipment at the check-in.
In doubt, please contact the airlines when booking the flight.
Entry Requirements
The Azores are a Portuguese territory and belong to the European Union. Citizens from the EU, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Malta only need an identity card to enter in Portugal. American and Canadian nationals may stay without a visa for up to 60 days with a valid passport. Visitors from countries requiring a visa, the maximum length of stay in Portugal is 90 days, but if in doubt we recommend checking more detailed information with the Portuguese consulate.
Language
The official language is Portuguese, but most locals who are active in tourism speak English and French.
Money
Portuguese currency is the Euro. ATMs are found in the main centres and exchange money can only be done at banks, which are open from Monday to Friday between 8h30am and 3h00pm. Credit cards are generally accepted in hotels and some shops and restaurants. Traveller checks are only accepted in the banks.
Time Zone
Time is GMT -1, one hour less than Lisbon.
Check the local time: www.worldtimeserver.com/current_time_in_PT2.aspx
Electricity
The electricity is 220V and plugs are the usual European two-pin style.
Clothing
In summer the temperatures are very pleasant and usually light clothing is ok. However, at night, at sea or at high altitudes a warm sweater can be necessary. A raincoat and wind-jacket are recommended due to occasional showers that can occur at any time of the year.
In spring and autumn there are many warm nice days, but you should be prepared for more rain and slightly colder temperatures than in summer. In winter, even though the temperatures are mild, it often rains.
Most of the streets are cobbled, so comfortable shoes are a good option.
Health & Safety
No vaccinations are required. There is a Hospital and a Health Centre in Horta. There are 3 pharmacies in the city that open weekdays from 9h00am to 07h00pm. On Saturday they are open until 01h00pm. At Sundays and every day after the closing hour one pharmacy continues on duty until midnight (out of business opening hours are usually posted in every pharmacy).
Tap water is generally safe to drink.
Faial is very safe and peaceful and street violence towards tourists is inexistent.
People & Culture
People in Faial are naturally friendly and relaxed. We do not have the stress found in other places of Europe, so the best advice for tourists is to slow down and enjoy the beautiful nature and culture of the islands.
The Azorean population is predominantly Roman Catholic and popular festivals are living proofs of the people’s religious spirit. In Faial, the Holy Spirit festivities (Festas do Espírito Santo) are celebrated throughout the island with folklore groups and religious ceremonies from Easter until the end of August.
The Sea Week in Horta (Semana do Mar) is by far the most popular festival in Faial. Starting every year on the first Sunday of August, this is mainly a nautical event with yachting regattas, old whaling boat races and many other sea related activities. The city avenue is closed and many “tasquinhas” with typical food are set up. Each evening different musical groups perform.
Internet & Phone Services
Some hotels and lodges have internet service available for their guests. In the city there are some internet shops.
Horta Municipality created a free of charge broadband internet access for residents and visitors. The city Wi-Fi net signal is accessible in most places if you bring your laptop.
Mobile phones work very well in Faial and phone booths are available as well.
Dining & Food
In Horta there are plenty of places where to eat, from traditional bakeries and coffees shops to good restaurants. Supermarkets and groceries are widely available.
Most of the restaurants open for lunch between 12h00 and 2h00pm and for dinner from 19h30pm to 9h30pm (remember to confirm closing days). Few exceptions serve food after hours.
Faial has many typical dishes, though sometimes they are a little fatty. The grilled fresh fish and the meat are usually very good. Tuna (atum), swordfish (espadarte), forkbeard (abrótea), wreck fish (cherne) and small fried mackerels (chicharros fritos) are favourite fish dishes in Faial. Azorean sausages (morcela and linguiça) with pineapple and yams and torresmos vinha-de-alhos are a specialty (pork in wine and garlic).
Seafood is also appreciated, mainly the limpets (lapas), the barnacles (cracas) and the lobster (cavaco), but because of overexploitation is becoming scarce. As a fact, local laws protect these animals from illegal catches and the capture of juveniles and breeders is forbidden. Unfortunately, some restaurants still offer seafood caught illegally.
Some Azorean cheeses like Queijo de S. João from Pico, Queijo de S. Jorge from S. Jorge and Queijo Ilha Azul from Faial are very good and worth to try with typical corn (pão de milho) and sweat breads (massa sovada). There are excellent wines from the mainland and from Pico Island available in most of the restaurants. Try also the famous liqueurs Angelica and Licor de Amora (blueberry) from Pico.
Below we give you a list with some of our preferences.
Bakeries & Coffee Shops (good option for breakfast and snacks):
Padaria Popular (the best bakery in town), Café Volga and Café Porto Pim
A Casa - the only cultural tea house in the island; family-run, most products are homemade; very cosy, with a nice garden and terrace with view
Self-service meals and snacks:
Clube Naval da Horta (Yatch Club) – right in the marina, with view to Pico; it also offers vegetarian dishes; opens daily
Ponto Come – self-service with plenty of options, with an entertainment area for kids and free wireless internet access
Restaurants:
Canto da Doca – local fresh fish and meat cooked on a hot stone; nice view to the harbour; opens every day until 12h00pm
Pousada de Santa Cruz – right in the town centre, this fine restaurant belongs to the Pousada; panoramic view over the harbour and to Pico mountain
Barão - typical Azorean food, with fresh fish and meat
Kabem Todos – this is a small restaurant, but the food is very good
Taberna do Pim – street restaurant by Porto Pim beach, with a great view to the bay
A Árvore – typical Azorean food with buffet service
Medalhas – traditional place with typical Azorean food
Mini-Mar – in Praia do Almoxarife (5km from Horta), this is a small restaurant by the beach with really good food
Places to visit
While you are in Faial it is certainly worth to visit some of the most beautiful places in the island.
Horta is a small town with plenty of history. The colourful and lively Marina, the Museum of Horta and the churches are worth a visit.
Don’t miss the splendid views of Monte da Guia and the Whaling Museum, an old whaling factory. The Botanic Garden in Quinta de S. Lourenço is devoted to the endemic and indigenous plants of the islands and a visit is a good opportunity to know them.
Outside the city the impressive views of Caldeira, Capelinhos volcano and Morro de Castelo Branco are a must. In summer the island is covered with flowers and its natural beauty is overwhelming. At the top of Caldeira, on a clear day, Pico, S. Jorge and Graciosa can be seen.
For adventurers, there are plenty of trekking and birdwatching opportunities.
If you have enough time, you can take a day or two to visit the neighbour islands of Pico and S. Jorge. Climbing Pico Mountain (Portugal’s highest peak) can be a challenge for the most fit and in the summit the view is impressive; a visit to the vineyards (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and to Gruta das Torres (a lava cave) is mandatory. S. Jorge is a beautiful island known for its cliffs and peacefulness.
Ferries provide regular maritime connections between Faial, Pico and S. Jorge islands. There is a regular 15-30min. ferry between Horta and Madalena on Pico throughout the year. In summer (usually from June to September) there is a daily ferry between Horta and S. Jorge (via Pico) that takes about 2 hours. Check www.transmacor.pt for further details.
Getting around
Traffic in Faial is very light, so it is easy to drive around. Taxis, rent-a-car/scooter services are available at reasonable prices. Some local companies offer walking and jeep/van tours along the most beautiful routes of the island.
Beaches & Natural Rock Pools
Though not being a beach destination, the sea in Faial is warm and clear in summer and there are some fine beaches and natural rock pools.
In Horta there are two beaches: Porto Pim, very protected and ideal for children, and Conceição. In Praia do Almoxarife there is a nice black sandy beach.
The natural rock pools of Varadouro and Porto Comprido (by the Capelinhos volcano) are also very nice and with beautiful surroundings.
Shopping
Traditional local crafts include beautiful crocheted laceworks, delicate fish scales and fig pith miniatures, wickerwork baskets, folk figures made from corn husks and scrimshaw carvings (in whale bone or teeth). Nowadays, because whaling was banned in 1981, modern artists are working with cow bone and vegetable ivory. The Handicraft School in Capelo (by the road in the way to Capelinhos volcano) sells and exhibits traditional crafts, with local artists demonstrating their work to visitors. T-shirts, postcards and books are also widely available.
Regional wines, liqueurs and cheeses are favourite gifts. In the local market a shop called Loja do Triângulo offers a wide variety of regional products.
In Faial you are welcome to enter any shop and buying pressure is inexistent.
Shops in Faial open weekdays from 9h00am to 1h00pm and from 2h00pm to 6h00pm. On Saturdays they open until 1h00pm (some may open the hole day in summer) and on Sundays expect them to be closed.