The Best Time to Visit the Azores for Every Type of Traveler

If you’re planning a trip to Portugal’s stunning Azores islands, you might be wondering about the best time to visit the Azores. 

These volcanic islands offer incredible landscapes, lush greenery, and outdoor adventures all year round, but timing your visit can make a big difference in your experience.

From whale watching and hiking to exploring charming villages and enjoying local festivals, each season brings something unique to the islands. This guide will help you figure out when to go, what to expect, and how to make the most of your Azores adventure.

The Best Time to Visit the Azores: A Brief Intro

Before going over the best time to visit the Azores and comparing each season and month, let’s go over the weather and how long you should spend exploring these stunning islands.

Weather in the Azores

The Azores enjoy a mild maritime climate, meaning temperatures are generally comfortable year-round but can vary depending on the island and elevation. Rain and low clouds are common, and the islands are infamous for quickly changing weather.

Winter (December to February) is the coolest and wettest period, and doesn't typically get super cold, but can experience a bit of snow every now and then. Spring (March to May) is still pretty cool and brings lush green landscapes after the heavy rains of winter.

Summer (June to August) is warm and sunny, with the hottest months being July and August. Autumn (September to November) starts to cool down and the rains start to pick up again.

How Many Days Do You Need for the Azores?

Each Azorean island has its own personality, so your ideal trip depends on how many islands you want to explore. A week is perfect for visiting one or two islands in depth, but if you want to hop between three or more islands, plan for at least 10 days to two weeks.

We were there for 8 days and ended up finding out we would only be able to stay on one island (unless we took a last minute flight to another island). So planning ahead is key!

Since the weather can be crazy in the Azores, it's pretty common for ferry schedule and flights to be delayed or cancelled, so that's also something to keep in mind. Not only does the weather cause hiccups in traveling from one island to the other, but it also means you may need more time than anticipated in each area.

When is the Best Time to Visit the Azores?

There isn’t a bad time to visit, but the best time to visit the Azores depends on what you want to do, whether that’s hiking, whale watching, swimming, or attending local festivals. Factors like weather, crowds, and prices should all be considered when choosing your month to visit.

The next section breaks down each season so you can decide which time works best for your trip.

The Best Time to Visit the Azores: Seasonal & Monthly Breakdown

Now that you know a bit about the weather and suggested trip length, let’s explore what each season looks like in the Azores.

Azores Seasons Explained

Let's take a deeper look at each season, so you can get an idea of what each one offers.

Spring in the Azores (March to May)

Spring brings  lush green landscapes across the islands and hydrangeas start to bloom in late spring. Hiking trails open up with fewer crowds, and the weather ranges from 15–20°C (59–68°F). This is also a great time to spot migrating whales, as the seas start warming up.

We visited the end of spring, and we certainly has some surprises when it came to the weather. It wasn't nearly as sunny or warm as we thought, and early June felt more like April/May in most other places.

The islands were super lush though, and we were really able to enjoy a quiet getaway without a ton of people, a lot of newborn animals. We had a lot of fun photographing the island of Terceira, while in Sao Miguel we had just a few hours that played in our favor.

Summer in the Azores (June to August)

Summer has the warmest temperatures, typically 20–26°C (68–79°F). It’s perfect for swimming, surfing, sailing, and whale-watching tours. Festivals like local music events and seafood celebrations take place on most islands, adding a lively vibe, and all summer on Terceira they have bull events.

Prices rise during these months, so booking your accommodation early is essential. For photography and quieter moments, you'll want to wake up early to beat the crowds.

Summer is also when hydrangeas are in full bloom, adding the islands' beauty. We personally think the best time to visit the Azores is in summer, and if when we'll do our next trip there.

Autumn in the Azores (September to November)

Autumn is warm and less crowded, with sea temperatures still suitable for swimming. It’s also harvest season for Azorean wine and tea plantations, making it an ideal time for food and wine lovers. Hiking conditions remain excellent, and the islands feel more peaceful compared to summer.

If you're looking for better prices, and less people before it starts to rain heavily again, then we'd recommend visiting the Azores in early Autumn.

Winter in the Azores (December to February)

Winter brings more rain and cooler temperatures in the Azores, ranging from 13–18°C (55–64°F), but it is still much milder than most of mainland Europe. 

Holiday celebrations and cozy village atmospheres make this season charming, but just be prepared for spending more time indoors. Whale and dolphin spotting is still possible, and fewer tourists make it ideal for experiencing the Azores on a budget.

Comparing the Azores by Month

• January: Cool and wet but quiet; great for off-season hikes when weather permits.
• February: Whale watching continues and Carnival brings festivities.
• March: Landscapes turn vivid green.
• April: Mild weather and less crowded trails.
• May: Hydrangeas start blooming, and whale watching is ideal.
• June: Warm weather; perfect for swimming and hiking.
• July: Peak tourist season; hot, sunny days for outdoor adventures.
• August: Crowds and festivals; great for beach activities.
• September: Warm seas; harvest season begins.
• October: Mild temperatures but rains pick up, fewer tourists.
• November: Quieter and cooler; budget-friendly travel.
• December: Holiday markets and festive island spirit; fewer tourists.

The Best Time to Visit the Azores for Different Travelers

• Hiking & outdoor adventures: April–June and September–October
• Swimming & water sports: June–September
• Festivals & cultural events: May–October
• Budget-friendly travel: November–March
• Photography: June-July for flowers, September for fewer crowds

 Best Time to Visit the Azores Conclusion

Here is a round up of info for choosing the best time to visit the Azores.

• Spring (March to May): Flowers starting to bloom, green landscapes, and fewer crowds make spring ideal for hiking and photography.
• Summer (June to August): Warm, sunny weather for swimming, whale watching, and island festivals, with hydrangeas in full bloom. Expect more tourists and higher prices.
• Autumn (September to November): Warm days with fewer crowds, great for hiking and food and wine festivals.
• Winter (December to February): Cooler and wetter, but still mild compared to mainland Europe. Perfect for fewer tourists and enjoying cozy island life.

For hiking, spring and autumn are best. For swimming and water sports, summer is ideal. For quiet, budget-friendly travel, winter is the most appealing.

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FAQ About the Best Time to Visit the Azores, Portugal

Still have questions? We gathered questions across the web about the best time to visit the Azores, and put the answers in our drop-down menu below!

The Best Time to Visit the Azores: Final Thoughts & What's Next

Ultimately, the best time to visit the Azores depends on your interests. If it were up to us, we would have probably visited later in June to get a bit better weather.

If you love vibrant flowers, sunny days and swimming, summer is unbeatable. Looking to beat the masses and have a quiet visit with lush greenery? Spring is a nice alternative. If wine and fewer crowds appeal to you, autumn is perfect. And for festive vibes and whale watching, winter won’t disappoint.

No matter when you go, the stunning nature of the Azores will be there! As content creators who are working while traveling, we personally would recommend late June and September for ideal weather conditions, decent prices, and lower crowds than the summer.

👀 What's Next?

Now that you when is the best time to visit the Azores, you'll probably want to know more about visiting this archipelago! Here are some other articles we've written which will help you plan an amazing trip to the Azores:

 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

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

Terceira, Azores Food Guide: The Best Restaurants & Foods to Try

...and more coming each week!

So have you decided which is the best time to visit the Azores for you? We hope this guide has helped you in deciding when you're going to travel to this fabulous archipelago.

Want to learn more about visiting the Azores islands? We have a ton of other Azores 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 incredible trip to the Azores? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers custom travel planning services, designing you specially-curated itineraries for your trip. Want to learn more? Simply send us an email for your free consultation!

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