Best Sunset Spots in Terceira: Top Places to Watch the Sun Go Down

If you’re looking for the best sunset spots in Terceira, you’re in for a treat. This island in the Azores offers stunning coastal cliffs, volcanic landscapes, and plenty of quiet spots to watch the sun sink below the horizon without fighting crowds.

From oceanfront viewpoints to scenic hilltops, Terceira has no shortage of beautiful places to catch sunset. Whether you’re exploring the island by car or staying near Angra do Heroísmo, you’ll find plenty of options to choose from.

In this guide, we’ll share the best sunset spots in Terceira, including both popular viewpoints and some hidden local favorites, so you can make the most of your time on the island.

The Best Sunset Spots in Terceira: a Brief Intro

Before diving into all of the best sunset spots in Terceira, let's go over some of the basics.

 When Does the Sun Set in Terceira?

In the summertime the sun sets much later in Terceira than it does in the winter. The average time that the sun sets during summer months is around 9:15 pm, while in the wintertime the sun can set as early as 5:30 pm.

 Weather in Terceira

One of the things that's super important to put into consideration while visiting Terceira is that the weather is wild! In one area of the island you may see blue skies, and then you can drive 5 minutes up to one of the viewpoints and all of the sudden the entire area will be gloomy and smothered in clouds, not giving you anything to see at all.

Many of the top sunset spots in Terceira lie high up, and don't always have great visibility. For these ones, you'll need to measure how cloudy it is before planning to go there for sunset. 

You'll probably notice that most of our recommendations don't match the pictures shown. We got extremely unlucky in Terceira with the sunset - either we went to a certain viewpoint and the weather turned, or we had a work obligation at the last minute and couldn't go at sunset. We hope you'll have more luck though!

 Where are the Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Terceira?

There are a ton of great sunset spots in Terceira! Generally speaking, the best places to enjoy the sun go down will be along the west coast of the island, or one of the areas that sits up high giving beautiful views with the sun in the back. 

In this guide, we'll be sharing all of the top spots to watch the sunset in Terceira from coastal locations to some of the most epic viewpoints on the island.

The Best Sunset Spots in Terceira

Now that you know some of the basics about watching the sunset in Terceira, it's time to share the best places and experiences to sign up for that will ensure you an epic way to end the day.

The Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Terceira

From some of the best viewpoints in Terceira to enjoying the sun melt behind the horizon, here are some of our favorite places on the island to catch an incredible sunset. 

Serra do Cume

Visiting Serra do Cume is one of the best things to do in Terceira, and is also fabulous for both sunset and sunrise.

Perched up high on the island, it has 360 degree views showcasing Terceira's green patchwork. Actually, there are two different viewpoints here that are on the opposite sided of the road, which is why you can enjoy both sunset and sunrise here.

One thing to note about Serra do Cume though is that the weather can be wildly different just minutes down the road. We actually had to try three different times to enjoy the views there because of the thick fog - a common theme along the islands top viewpoints. When we did see it though, it was absolutely worth it!

Monte Brasil

Monte Brasil is one of the best places to watch the sun go down, as well as up! The peninsula juts out from the side of Angra do Heroismo, which allows it to offer 360 degree views of the island and the Atlantic surrounding it.

You can either hike up there through forested trails which have various panoramic lookouts, or you can drive right up to the top.

Miradouro do Raminho

Located along the west coast 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 the Atlantic Ocean, with the sun setting over the waters.

This area is so peaceful, and you can even do a local picnic there, a truly unique way to enjoy the sunset in Terceira!

PS: Make sure you drive here from the south of the island, as there was a landslide just north of Raminho, and the road is closed on that end.

Miradouro da Ponta do Queimado

Just a few minutes south of Miradouro do Raminho is another one of the best sunset spots in Terceira to enjoy along the coast.

Miradouro da Ponta do Queimado has a long set of stairs that towers over the Atlantic and leads to a beautiful lookout. You can access the platform right off the side of the road (on your right-hand side), or you can drive down and do a bit of a walk up the stairs. 

Serra da Ribeirinha + Serra de los Miradouros

Serra da Riberinha is a viewpoint located up the road, just outside of Angra do Heroismo (you can see it in the distance in our picture below). 

Serra do Riberinha is one of the most ideal spots for sunset in Terceira, and if you drive down the road you'll see various pretty spots that have amazing panoramas with the sun setting in the back.

This area is Serra de los Miradouros, which is basically a road of viewpoints that have different vantage points facing different directions, many of them being great for sunset! We'd recommend getting there early and driving the area to find exactly where you want to enjoy the sun go down.

Obelisco do Alto da Memória

Looking for one of the best views in Terceira that you can easily access from Angra? Sitting just above town is an obelisk which overlooks the entire city, giving gorgoeus panoramas of the orange roofs, Monte Brasil, and the beautiful waters surrounding them.

It's the perfect place to catch the sunset - the only catch is that it closes at 9, so if you're visiting in the summer you'll just catch the final moments before the sun hits the horizon. If you visit any other time though, you'll be able to stay and watch the entire show!

 Quinta dos Acores

Located just up the hill from Angra do Heroismo, this is the ultimate place to enjoy a meal with great views.

The food is absolutely delicious, and the restaurant sits high overlooking Angra in the distance with the sun setting right behind it. Head there early to catch a seat on the balcony, and enjoy beautiful views with a tasty Azorean mean all-in-one.

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

 Miradouro da Cruz do Canario

Miradouro da Cruz do Canario has to be one of our favorite sunset spots in Terceira. Located right along the water, the giant cross lies along a platform that juts out facing the goat islands. 

Whether you decide to enjoy the sunset on one of the benches or down on the rocks below, it certainly is a magical place to get great views and watch the sun go down.

Pico Dona Joana

This is one of the coolest photo spots in Terceira, and isn't very well-known either! The volcanic cone is located inside a crater, and is covered with greenery. 

We found out that Pico Dona Joana was one of the best sunset spots in Terceira from an amazing video on Instagram we saw, and we knew we had to check it out. While we didn't make it for sunset, the views were stunning (captured with our drone), and we just know it would have been even more epic during sunset.

We didn't see a way to climb up there, so if you do want to see if you can make it to the top then we'd recommend going early and asking a local.

The Best Activities for Sunset in Terceira

Now that you know the best sunset spots in Terceira, we want to share our best one for last!

 Sunset Cruise

Looking for a unique way to enjoy an incredible sunset on Terceira? Head out on the waters and have a relaxing sunset sail. It's scenic, peaceful, and includes a drink - truly the absolute best way to finish off the day.

We actually had this planned and couldn't do it because of a last-minute meeting we had. But we will surely have this as our number one activity for when we return!

The Best Sunset Spots in Terceira: Final Thoughts & Tip

Now you know all of the best places to watch the sunset in Terceira! But before you go, here are a few tips you may find handy.

• Have flexibility in your schedule, as the weather can be unpredictable, and vary throughout the island.
• Only attempt to go up to Serra do Cume on a really clear day.
• Serra do Cume has two viewpoints facing different directions, so it can be enjoyed during both sunrise and sunset.
  
• Monte Brasil also can be admired during both sunrise and sunset.
• Miradouro do Raminho can only be accessed by the south, since the road in the north is currently under construction.
  
• We recommend having a tripod or drone with you, as many times you'll find yourself alone at the different sunset spots.
  
• There are so many more places to enjoy too! Simply look along the west coast, or places that jut out of the island.

What's Next?

Now that you know the best sunset spots in Terceira, you'll probably want to know all of the other great things to see and do on the island! Here are some other guides we've written which will help you plan an awesome trip to Terceira:

 How to Get to Terceira, Azores: Flights, Ferries, & Travel Tips

 21 Awesome Things to Do in Terceira, Azores

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

 22 Best Photo Spots in Terceira: Capturing the Beauty of This Azorean Islands

...and more coming each week!

So are you ready to enjoy the prettiest sunset spots in Terceira? The island has so many incredible landscapes and  beautiful viewpoints, so we know you'll enjoy the amazing sunset opportunities there.

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

Ready to start planning an unforgettable trip to the Azores? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers custom travel planning services, creating you specially-curated trip itineraries. Want to learn more? Simply send us an email for your free consultation!

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