22 Best Photo Spots in Terceira: Capturing the Beauty of this Azorean Island

Terceira is one of the most underrated islands in the Azores, and if you’re into photography, it’s a dream to explore. From dramatic coastlines to colorful towns, there’s no shortage of great places to shoot. Knowing the best photo spots in Terceira ahead of time can help you make the most of your visit.

While the island isn’t large, it’s full of variety, and one you'll be constantly find new unique angles to appreciate. Some of the most photogenic locations are easy to find, while others take a little more effort. Most Terceira photo guides have just 5-10 locations on it, but after a week we were able to find so many more!

This guide will point you in the right direction so you can focus less on research and more on creating the kind of photos you came for.

Terceira Photo Guide: a Brief Intro

Are you ready to learn all about taking the perfect pictures in Terceira? Before diving into the top photo spots in Terceira though, let's go over some of the basics.

What is Terceira Island Known For?

While Sao Miguel is known for its hot springs, and Flores is known for its waterfalls, Terceira often gets overlooked when it comes to the nature it has to offer. The island is most famous for Angra do Heroismo, whose city center has been declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city of Angra is super charming, but we personally think Terceira has so much more to look forward to!

 Is Terceira Island Worth Going to for Photography?

If you're a photographer you're going to love Terceira! It's a lot more relaxed than Sao Miguel, and more accessible than Flores, making it super easy and fun to photograph. You never have to do massive hikes, fight crowds, or spend a lot of time getting anywhere.

Terceira is full of lush greenery, volcanic formations, and some incredible viewpoints across the island. If you have good weather, then you'll really love the different photos spots in Terceira we picked out for you.

 When is the Best Time to Visit Terceira for Photography?

The best time to visit Terceira if you're a photographer is definitely the summer. The island is full of lush greenery, the views are clearer, and the hydrangeas are in full bloom.

The Best Photo Spots in Terceira

Now that you know a bit about the island, let's explore all of the best photo spots in Terceira to capture!

Serra do Cume

Serra do Cume is often listed as one of the top things to see in Terceira. Sitting up high on the island, it has 360 degree views that showcase Terceira's beautiful green patchwork. It has two different viewpoints that are each on the other side of the road, allowing you to enjoy both amazing sunsets and sunrises.

One thing to keep in mind when visiting Serra do Cume is that the weather can be totally different just minutes down the road leading up to it.

We actually had to try three different times to enjoy the views because of the thick fog - a common theme amongst the top viewpoints on Terceira island. When we did see it, it was absolutely one of the best photo spots in the Azores!

 Serra do Santa Barbara

Serra do Santa Barbara is the highest point on the island, which has extensive views of the vibrant green fields and shining waters in the distance.

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

At the top you'll be able to enjoy 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 and creative with your photography.

Monte Brasil

Monte Brasil is certainly one of the most photographed places on the island. The peninsula juts out from the side of Angra do Heroismo, and offers sweeping views of the city and the ocean. 

The hike up there takes you through forested trails featuring panoramic lookouts, and due to it being situated along a peninsula, it's the perfect place to photograph during both sunrise and sunset.

Algar do Carvão

One of the most unique things to do in Terceira, Azores is exploring its underground lava tubes, and the number one lava tube to visit is Algar do Carvao. 

Formed by volcanic activity, you’ll be able walk through winding passages inside of of solidified lava while learning about the island’s explosive geological past.

Guided tours are offered daily from 2:30 pm-5:00 pm, so make sure to adjust your schedule to fit this in, as it really is one of the best photo spots in Terceira. Unfortunately for us it was closed for maintenance, but it's on the top of the list for our next visit!

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Misterios Negros

There are some great hikes in Terceira, but the most photogenic one is Misterios Negros. It's a 5 km loop trail which passes by a small lake, along mossy trees, and up through hilltops that offer sweeping views of the surrounding area. Make sure to bring a wide lens to truly capture the nature at it's best!

The Imperios

When you're driving around Terceira you see these tiny colorful chapels called "imperios". There's actually one in every municipality, so there is no shortage of these vibrant structures to capture!

Obelisco do Alto da Memória

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

It's open all day, closing at 9 pm, and is free of charge to visit. As a bonus, bring your drone for some truly epic perspectives!

The Churches of Angra do Heroismo

Apart from the adorable chapels you can see dotted around the island, there are also some beautiful churches you can find in a variety of pastel hues, many of them being in Angra do Heroismo. Our favorite is the big pink one right in the center, but we also loved a few other ones that you can see below.

 Sycamore Tree Tunnel

Located in the north of the island, you can find this fascinating row of Sycamore trees that have their branches wave over the road. We drove through it quite a few times, and then finally stopped here, and it ended up being one of the best photo spots in Terceira!

 Trees on the way to Santa Barbara

This area we stumbled across on the drive up to Serra do Santa Barbara. Since we did the drive three times before successfully catching the views from the top, we finally had the sun perfectly shining through on our final drive down, and couldn't help but stop for some pictures.

While it's not traditionally on photo guides of the Azores, we think it's one of the most underrated photo spots in Terceira.

 Secret Tree Tunnel

As you can tell, we really love the beautiful rows of tall trees you can find along the island. This one we never would have found if it wasn't for our awesome jeep tour that we did!

Lagoa das Patas

We're not going to lie, when we heard that visiting here was one of the top things to do in Terceira, we were kind of disappointed. Then we saw a couple taking wedding photos, and we started to appreciate it a bit more. 

While it's not one of the most mind-blowing lakes in the world, you can get a beautiful reflection there, and it's also surrounded by tall trees giving it a bit more of a fairytale feel to it.

Cascata das Frechas

This was another spot that felt a bit underwhelming after coming from the incredible waterfalls in Madeira. However, if you're looking for a quiet and easy place to photograph in nature, then this is the one waterfall on the island to add to your photography list.

Biscoitos

Swimming in the natural pools of Biscoitos is definitely one of the best things to do in Terceira, and it's also a treat for your lens. With sharp volcanic rocks surrounding clear, natural pools, it's easy to see why this is also one of the best photo spots in Terceira.

Furnas do Enxofre

We got a little unlucky when visiting Furnas do Enxofre, as it was starting to rain. Nevertheless, seeing natural steam come from the Earth surrounded by lush greenery is certainly something you and your camera can appreciate.

Hydrangea Road

Summertime is the best time to visit the Azores, and if you're on Terceira island in the summer months then don't miss out on the beautiful hydrangeas around the island! 

On our jeep tour we were taken to a really cool road full of them. They were actually just starting to bloom, so later in the summer they're actually much higher and more vibrant!

Pico Dona Joana 

This is one of the most unique photo spots in Terceira, and doesn't even seem to be very well-known either! The volcanic cone is located in a crater, and is covered with greenery. We found Pico Dona Joana from an awesome sunset video on Instagram here, and knew we had to check it out.

While we weren't able to make it for sunset or climb up there, we flew our drone and got some pretty cool captures. If you do have a chance though, head over there to get a shot of the sun going down over the water behind it!

Gruta das Agulhas

Just a short staircase off the side of the road leads down to this awesome cave facing Terceira's azure waters. Bring a wide lens for this one to capture it all!

✝️ Miradouro da Cruz do Canario

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

Whether you decide to photograph the cross, take a snap under the arch, or capture a shot along the rocks, this is truly one of the most picture-friendly spots on the island for you to visit.

Furna das Pombas

Just down the road from the pools of Biscoitos you can find a really cool area to relax called Furna das Pombas. It has unique volcanic formations right along the water, and there are picnic benches if you want to hang out and have lunch as well.

 Reserva Florestal de Recreio do Viveiro Da Falca

Located in the heart of Terceira, this recreational area is such a peaceful area to hang out in, and also was one of our favorite spots on the island to photograph. It's full of lush greenery, a charming bridge, and tall trees with a bright orange hue to their bark.

Lagoa do Negro

If you plan on hiking the Misterios Negros trail or visiting Gruta do Natal, don't miss out on the small lake tucked away there. It's just steps away, and a fabulous place to whip out your camera or drone.

How We Capture the Best Photo Spots in Terceira:

Want to capture photos similar to ours? Here is the gear we used in the different locations around Terceira.

• Mirrorless Camera: Sony Alpha 7riii
• Drone: We use the Mavic Mini Pro 4 because it's super light, shoots vertically, and has amazing quality.
• Action Camera: We use the Insta 360 X3 because it's small & waterproof
• Tripod: 
• Presets: We use our own Scratch Your Mapa Presets (these ones are mostly with the Into the Wild Preset Collection)

The Best Spots for Photos in Terceira: Final Thoughts & Tips

Now you know pretty much everything you need to know for capturing the beauty of Terceira! But before you go, here are some tips for your photography journey around the Azores:

What's Next?

Now that you know the top photo spots in Terceira, Azores, you probably want to know more about visiting! Here are a few other guides that will help you plan your trip here:

 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

...and more coming each week!

So are you ready to snap away at the best photos spots in Terceira? The island has so many gorgeous landscapes and incredible viewpoints, so we're confident you'll get some content you love.

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

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

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