The 10 Best Viewpoints in Terceira: Where to Find the Island’s Most Scenic Spots

Terceira may be one of the smaller islands in the Azores, but it’s packed with incredible views. If you're looking to find the best viewpoints in Terceira, there are plenty of places that offer sweeping landscapes and unique perspectives.

Some of them are marked and easy to access, while others are tucked away in less-traveled corners of the island. Whether you're looking for the best photo spots in Terceira or just want to take in the scenery, it's worth knowing where to go in advance, so you can plan your days.

This guide will help you find the island’s most scenic spots so you don’t miss the views that make Terceira so special.

The Best Viewpoints in Terceira: a Brief Intro

We know you're here to see the best viewpoints in Terceira, but before we dive into all of the best spots to visit, we want to share some helpful info for getting around and things to keep in mind while you're visiting.

 Do You Need a Car in Terceira to See the Viewpoints?

The absolute best way to explore Terceira is by car. Some of the viewpoints in Terceira you can reach by public bus, and others can be seen if you plan on doing a tour. Truthfully though, the best way to see all of the best viewpoints in Terceira is to rent a car.

 Weather in Terceira

One of the things to really keep in mind while visiting Terceira is that the weather is crazy! In one area of the island you may see blue skies, but then drive 5 minutes up to one of the viewpoints and all of the sudden the entire area will be grey and covered in clouds, not giving you a thing to see.

Many of the top viewpoints in Terceira lie high in the middle of the island and are not always visible. For these ones, you'll need to measure how cloudy it is. The good news is that a lot of the other viewpoints are dotted along the coast, and these one can be enjoyed at any time!

 How Many Days Do You Need in Terceira?

The first day we got to Terceira we realized how tiny it was. We laughed and said "pshh- we could see this island in one day". In theory, you can see all of these viewpoints in just one day. The reality? The weather in the Azores is crazy and some of them we actually needed to try three different times to experience.

There are a ton of great things to do in Terceira, and while it may seem small, it's an island that has plenty of hidden gems to explore. Having 3-4 days will allow you to enjoy the island at a more relaxed pace, immerse more in the culture, and give you wiggle room for crazy weather.

The Best Viewpoints in Terceira, Azores

So, are you ready to explore the best viewpoints in Terceira? The island is full of gorgeous views of green patchwork, deep blue waters, and fields full of adorable cows. While there are plenty of great viewpoints in Terceira to discover, here are the top 11 you should prioritize.

Serra do Cume

If you have time for one viewpoint and one viewpoint only, then make sure to visit Serra do Cume, which is one of the best viewpoints in Terceira.

Perched up high on the island, it has 360 degree views featuring Terceira's green patchwork. Actually, there are two different viewpoints that are each on the other side of the road. One faces east and the other faces west, so no matter what time of day you come you'll be able to get sweeping views of the islands breathtaking landscapes.

One thing to note about Serra do Cume is that the weather can be completely different just minutes down the road. We actually had to try three different times to enjoy the views because of the thick fog - a common them amongst the top viewpoints on Terceira island. But when we did see it, it was absolutely worth it!

 Miradouro da Serra de Santa Barbara

This is the highest point on the entire island, giving you extensive views of the vibrant green fields and sparkling waters in the distance.

Just like Serra do Cume, this one was another "third time's a charm" situation. If there's even a cloud in the sky, you may want to reconsider, because it can be bright and sunny in Angra, and the top of Serra de Santa Barbara can be absolutely covered in fog with nothing to see.

There is a large parking lot at the top, a few platforms jutting out of a boardwalk to check out, and some hiking trails that go deep into the hills of Terceira, making it an area you can really get adventurous.

Tip: For one of our favorite photo spots in Terceira, stop along the curvy road that leads up to the top! It's lines with trees, and is truly stunning when the sun starts to shine through them.

 Miradouro do Raminho

Located all the way on the west side of the island, Miradouro do Raminho is one of the best viewpoints in Terceira for sunset. It has a small set of stairs up to a platform that looks out over the grassy cliffs and vast Atlantic.

Make sure you drive here from the south, as there was a landslide just north of Raminho, and the road is closed - of course we had to learn the hard way .

 Miradouro da Ponta do Queimado

Just a few minutes south of Raminho is another one of the best viewpoints in Terceira to enjoy the sun going down.

Miradouro da Ponta do Queimado has a steep set of stairs that towers over the Atlantic and leads to a beautiful lookout. You can access the small platform right off the side of the road, or you can drive down and do a little walk up the stairs. This is also a cool spot to do a picnic!

 Obelisco do Alto da Memória

Looking for one of the best viewpoints in Terceira that you can easily reach from Angra? Up on the top of town is an obelisk that overlooks the entire city, giving panoramic views of the orange roofs, Monte Brasil, and the beautiful waters surrounding them.

This is the one viewpoint in Terceira that does have opening and closing times, and this is because there is a gated area around the obelisk, with security monitoring the premises. It's open all day, closing at 9 pm, and is free of charge to visit.

 Serra da Ribeirinha + Serra de los Miradouros

Serra da Riberinha isd a viewpoint located uphill, just outside of Angra do Heroismo (you can see it in the distance in the photo below). 

Serra do Riberinha is ideal for sunset (although we never made it for then), and if you drive down the road you'll see various beautiful spots that have incredible panoramas. This area is Serra de los Miradouros, which is basically a route of viewpoints that have different vantage points facing different directions.

As some face the opposite direction as Serra da Riberinha, this area is also great for sunrise!

 Pico Dona Joana 

Located right near Serra do Riberinha, Pico Dona Joana is another one of the best viewpoints in Terceira for sunset. Well, actually it's not so much a viewpoint, but a really unique volcanic cone located in a crater. We saw an incredible sunset video on Instagram here, and knew we had to check it out.

While we were never able to make a sunset, we did head over to check out the views. We were tight on time so simply flew our drone to check it out, but we're guessing there must be a way to make it up there!

If you're feeling adventurous you can explore the area and see if there is a way to the top - please let us know in the comments if you end up making it up there because it's probably spectacular.

 Miradouro da Cruz do Canario

Miradouro da Cruz do Canario had to be one of our favorite viewpoints in Terceira. Located right on the water, the large cross lies across a platform that juts out facing the goat islands. It has plenty of seating, allowing you to soak up the stunning views, and also has a cute archway on the right side of it as a photo op.

We decided to head over the rocks and fly our drone there. While this isn't technically the main viewpoint itself, it was certainly a plus of the area - just be extra safe if you plan on going to this area!

 Miradouro de Alagoa

This was one of the only viewpoints in Terceira that we didn't make it to, as we had to suddenly leave the island early due to flight issues. However, we had to add it to the list since it was on our to-do list, and looks simply stunning in the photos we saw.

Located right along the coast, it offers unique lava formations lining the dramatic cliffs of the island, making it was one of the best photo spots in Terceira.

Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!

 Miradouro dos Moinhos

This is a simple viewpoint, and was one we came across on accident simply when we were driving along the northern coast of the island after we arrived. It's situated just off the main highway and has views over the ocean, making it an easy and beautiful stop while driving around Terceira.

Pico Matias Simão

We had to save one of our favorite viewpoints in Terceira for last. With the cutest little white and blue church on top, this viewpoint feels like a little bit of a hidden gem. 

You'll drive down a small road surrounded by patches of green and all of the sudden come to a staircase. Park at the bottom and the walk up is just a few minutes. The church sits at the top and the views overlook the patchwork sitting below it.

The Best Viewpoints in Terceira: Final Thoughts & Tips

Now you know pretty much everything you need to know for how to get to Terceira, Azores. But in case you missed anything, here is a recap, along with some other helpful tips for visiting.

What's Next?

Now that you know how to get to Terceira, Azores, you're ready to learn more about visiting! We currently have a guide about the best things to do in Terceira, and each week we will be having another new article about the island (as well as other Portuguese islands!).

So are you ready to explore all of the best viewpoints in Terceira? The island has so many beautiful landscapes to appreciate, so we know you're going to love all of these incredible accessible vantage points.

Want to learn more about visiting the Azorean islands? We have a bunch of other Portugal travel guides coming up, so make sure to subscribe to our newsletter-you'll receive all of our weekly article updates, as well as exclusive discounts on our shop!

Ready to start planning an amazing trip to the Azores? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers custom travel planning services, ready to design you specially-curated itineraries for you and your group. Want to learn more? Simply send us an email so we can set up your free consultation!

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