7 nights · Sao Miguel Island Azores Portugal · Departs Ponta Delgada (Portugal) · Visiting Pico Island Azores, Horta, Sao Jorge Island Azores, Angra do Heroismo, Santa Maria Island Azores · Aboard Lindblad Expeditions on the National Geographic Orion
Image courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions ©
| Cruise line | Lindblad Expeditions |
|---|---|
| Ship | National Geographic Orion |
| Duration | 7 nights |
| Port calls | 6 |
| Departures | 3 sailings |
| From fare | $9,100 per person |
| Year built | 2003 |
| Guests | 106 |
| Cabins | 53 |
| Crew | 75 |
| Length | 103 m |
| Beam | 14 m |
| Cruising speed | 15.0 kn |
Ponta Delgada is the Azores’ Atlantic gateway, set on São Miguel, the archipelago’s largest island. Roads from the city lead to crater lakes, steaming fumaroles and the green caldera of Sete Cidades. In town, tiled churches and handsome squares reward an unhurried walk, while cafés serve local cheese and pineapple. Choose a scenic island drive, or explore the historic centre before returning to the waterfront.
Pico is the Azores at its most elemental: black lava, Atlantic light and a volcanic peak that commands the island. Mount Pico reaches 2,351 metres, Portugal’s highest summit, and rewards fit walkers with a demanding ascent. Along the coast, a UNESCO-listed vineyard landscape shelters vines behind basalt walls against wind and salt. At Lajes do Pico, a museum recalls the island’s whaling past; finish with a glass of local Verdelho.
Horta sits on Faial, one of Portugal’s Azores, with Pico’s volcanic peak rising across the channel. Its marina is a landmark for Atlantic sailors, whose painted messages cover the breakwater. On shore, Peter Café Sport has welcomed generations of visiting crews. The nearby Scrimshaw Museum displays carved whale teeth and bones. Beyond town, drive to Capelinhos, where a 1957–58 eruption reshaped the coast, or walk the rim of Faial’s vast Caldeira.
São Jorge is a long, green volcanic island in the central Azores, known for dramatic cliffs and coastal fajãs. From Velas, its principal port, roads climb toward viewpoints, pastures and villages above the Atlantic. Fajãs—small coastal platforms formed by lava or landslides—reward walkers with quiet lanes, lagoons and sea views. Sample the island’s celebrated cheese, then choose a trail or an unhurried drive through this landscape of striking contrasts.
Angra do Heroísmo is the Azores’ most compelling historic port, set on Terceira’s south coast. Its sheltered bay once served ships crossing the Atlantic, and the streets still reflect that maritime wealth. UNESCO-listed since 1983, the centre rewards an unhurried walk among pastel façades, churches and Praça Velha. Climb toward Monte Brasil for wide harbour views, then explore the vast 16th-century São João Baptista fortress.
Santa Maria is the Azores’ southernmost island. Its warmer, drier climate sets it apart from the archipelago’s greener, cloud-touched islands. Explore Vila do Porto, the Azores’ oldest settlement, then follow lanes past vineyards and whitewashed houses. At Praia Formosa, pale sand and Atlantic surf invite an unhurried pause. Inland, Barreiro da Faneca’s red clay hills offer a striking change of scene.
Ponta Delgada is the Azores’ Atlantic gateway, set on São Miguel, the archipelago’s largest island. Roads from the city lead to crater lakes, steaming fumaroles and the green caldera of Sete Cidades. In town, tiled churches and handsome squares reward an unhurried walk, while cafés serve local cheese and pineapple. Choose a scenic island drive, or explore the historic centre before returning to the waterfront.
Published August 3, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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