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15 Best Places to Visit in Flores Island, Azores

A Local's Picks 2026

Last Updated
August 2026
Reading Time
30 min
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Flores island
Written by Fabio Filipe · Azores Unlocked
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Flores Island may be one of the smallest islands in the Azores, but don't let its size fool you. From dramatic viewpoints and hidden waterfalls to volcanic lakes, natural swimming spots, authentic local gastronomy and outdoor adventures, Flores packs an extraordinary amount into a small space enough to fill a full week without repeating yourself. In fact, most visitors leave wishing they had stayed longer.

15 best places to visit in Flores island, Azores

Flores Island has several beautiful places worth including in your itinerary, from stunning viewpoints and natural swimming spots to hidden gems you will never find in a standard travel guide.

The places listed below are some of my personal favourites on Flores, but if you want to go deeper, my Interactive Guide covers 173 hand-picked locations across Flores and Corvo with local tips, accessibility notes and practical information for every stop: Get the Interactive Guide

Ponta da Faja, Flores island, Azores, Portugal
📍 Ponta da Fajã Grande · Flores island

Ponta da Fajã

From this viewpoint, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of Ponta da Fajã and Fajã Grande. It's one of the best spots for panoramic photos of both villages. Ponta da Fajã is also one of the best spots to observe the Monchique Islet, the westernmost point of Europe.

📍
Location Ponta da Fajã Grande
⏱️
Time Needed 1 hour
🅿️
Parking 🟡 Limited - After passing the church, you'll find an open area where you can park your car.
🥾
Difficulty 🟢 Easy
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Senior-Friendly ✅ Good.
💡
Local Tip Climb the steps in front of the church for an even better panoramic view of Ponta da Fajã and Fajã Grande

Fajã Grande

It's not just because it's the village where I was born and raised, Fajã Grande has something magical I have never found anywhere else in the world. The surrounding cliffs with waterfalls, the bay and the view of Monchique Islet, the westernmost point of Europe, make it one of the most beautiful and memorable places to visit when travelling to Flores Island.

📍
Location Fajã Grande
⏱️
Time Needed 2-4 hours
🅿️
Parking 🟢 Easy
🥾
Difficulty 🟢 Easy
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Senior-Friendly ✅ Good
💡
Local Tip Fajã Grande is one of the best places to watch the sunset on Flores Island. If you decide to have dinner at a local restaurant, make sure to book in advance as spots are limited during the summer months.
Faja Grande, Flores island, Azores, Portugal
📍 Fajã Grande · Flores island
Poço do Bacalhau, Fajã Grande, Flores island, Azores, Portugal
📍 Poço do Bacalhau · Flores island

Poço do Bacalhau

Poço do Bacalhau is a must-see when exploring the west coast of Flores Island. This impressive 90-meter (300-foot) waterfall can be seen from almost anywhere in Fajã Grande thanks to its height. It is also one of the most spectacular places to go canyoning on Flores Island. See all the activities you can do on Flores Island here.

📍
Location Fajã Grande
⏱️
Time Needed 1-2 hours
🅿️
Parking 🟢 Easy - There is free parking beside the small white bridge at the start of the trail.
🥾
Difficulty 🟢 Easy
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Senior-Friendly ✅ Good
💡
Local Tip If you're visiting in June, July, or August, take a swim in the natural pool at the base of the waterfall. The water is much colder than the ocean, but it's a unique experience you won't regret.

Poço da Alagoinha

Poço da Alagoinha has become one of the most iconic places in the Azores and is an absolute must-see when visiting Flores. Dozens of waterfalls cascade down the cliffs, creating one of the island's most unforgettable landscapes. In addition is the perfect place for a break and picnic when exploring the island.

📍
Location Fajãzinha
⏱️
Time Needed 1–2 hours
🅿️
Parking 🟢 Easy - Free parking is available at the start of the trail, just after crossing the Ribeira do Ferreiro Bridge when driving towards Fajãzinha.
🥾
Difficulty 🟡 Moderate
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Senior-Friendly ⚠️ Some limitations - The trail is well maintained, but some sections are uneven and slightly steep.
💡
Local Tip For the most peaceful experience, visit in the morning. Although it rarely gets very crowded, you'll enjoy an even quieter atmosphere and better lighting for photos.
Poço da Alagoinha Viewpoint, Flores island, Azores, Portugal
📍 Poço da Alagoinha Viewpoint · Flores island
Viewpoint over Fajãzinha, Flores island, Azores, Portugal
📍 Viewpoint over Fajãzinha · Flores island

Viewpoint over Fajãzinha

This viewpoint offers what is probably the best panoramic view of the charming village of Fajãzinha. With just over 70 residents, Fajãzinha is one of the most peaceful villages on Flores and is well worth a relaxing stop.

📍
Location Fajãzinha
⏱️
Time Needed 30 min
🅿️
Parking 🟡 Limited - Limited parking is available beside the road, right next to the viewpoint.
🥾
Difficulty 🟢 Easy
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Senior-Friendly ✅ Good
💡
Local Tip In Fajãzinha you find one of the best and typical restaurants of the Azores called Restaurante Por do Sol.

Viewpoint Portal

From this viewpoint, you'll enjoy one of the best panoramic views of Fajãzinha and Fajã Grande. It's also one of the best places on Flores to take memorable photos with your partner or family.

📍
Location Fajãzinha
⏱️
Time Needed 30 min
🅿️
Parking 🟡 Limited - There are approximately 2–3 parking spaces beside the viewpoint.
🥾
Difficulty 🟢 Easy
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Senior-Friendly ✅ Good
💡
Local Tip On windy days, look to your right towards the Ribeira Grande Waterfall. The wind is often so strong that it blows the falling water sideways, making it appear as if the waterfall never reaches the ground.
Viewpoint Portal, Flores island, Azores, Portugal
📍 Viewpoint Portal · Flores island
Viewpoint Craveiro Lopes, Flores island, Azores, Portugal
📍 Viewpoint Craveiro Lopes · Flores island

Viewpoint Craveiro Lopes

Thanks to its high elevation, this viewpoint offers a unique perspective of Flores' west coast, where you can admire the dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and endless Atlantic Ocean all at once.

📍
Location Flores west coast
⏱️
Time Needed 30 min
🅿️
Parking 🟢 Easy - Free parking is available at the entrance to the viewpoint.
🥾
Difficulty 🟢 Easy
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Senior-Friendly ✅ Good
💡
Local Tip Once you reach the main viewing platform, walk to your right. In 2025, a new section of the viewpoint was opened, offering even better views of Ribeira Grande and Poço da Alagoinha.

Viewpoint Caldeira Negra e da Caldeira Comprida

This is a must-visit viewpoint because you'll be right between two of the most beautiful lakes in the Azores: Lagoa Negra and Lagoa Comprida.

📍
Location Central Flores
⏱️
Time Needed 30 min
🅿️
Parking 🟡 Limited - Parking is limited, and you may need to park along the roadside.
🥾
Difficulty 🟢 Easy
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Senior-Friendly ✅ Good
💡
Local Tip Try to visit in the morning, as it can get busier later in the day and parking is limited.
Viewpoint Caldeira Negra e da Caldeira Comprida, Flores island, Azores, Portugal
📍 Caldeira Negra · Flores island
Morro Alto, Flores island, Azores, Portugal
📍 Morro Alto · Flores island

Morro Alto

Morro Alto is the highest point on Flores Island, standing at 914 metres (2,999 feet) above sea level. It's well worth the drive along the secondary roads to experience one of the island's most impressive viewpoints.

📍
Location Morro Alto
⏱️
Time Needed 30 min
🅿️
Parking 🟢 Easy - You can park easily at Morro Alto.
🥾
Difficulty 🟢 Easy
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Senior-Friendly ✅ Good
💡
Local Tip Avoid visiting on foggy days, as Morro Alto is the highest point on the island and visibility can be very limited.

Fajã de Lopo Vaz

This is one of those places that feels like pure peace and quiet-almost meditative. It's the perfect spot if you want to sit by the coast, completely surrounded by nature, with nothing but towering cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean around you. If you're looking to disconnect from everything, this is one of the best places on Flores to do it.

📍
Location Fajã de Lopo Vaz
⏱️
Time Needed 2–3 hours
🅿️
Parking 🟢 Easy - Parking is available next to the viewpoint, right at the start of the trail.
🥾
Difficulty 🟡 Moderate
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Senior-Friendly ❌ Not recommended - some parts of the 30 min trail to get there can be dangerous for seniors.
💡
Local Tip Bring plenty of water and some food if you plan to spend time at Fajã de Lopo Vaz. This is a very isolated location, and the only way back is the 30-minute uphill hike, so make sure you're well prepared.
Fajã de Lopo Vaz, Flores island, Azores, Portugal
📍 Fajã de Lopo Vaz · Flores island
Viewpoint Rocha dos Bordões, Flores island, Azores, Portugal
📍 Viewpoint Rocha dos Bordões · Flores island

Viewpoint Rocha dos Bordões

This is a must-visit viewpoint for anyone exploring Flores Island. From here, you'll enjoy an incredible view of Rocha dos Bordões, a striking volcanic formation rising 493 metres (1,617 ft) above the Atlantic Ocean. Its distinctive white trachybasalt rock formations, sculpted by volcanic activity and erosion, make it one of the most unique and beautiful landscapes in the Azores.

📍
Location Mosteiro
⏱️
Time Needed 30 min
🅿️
Parking 🟢 Easy - A small parking area is available next to the viewpoint, and it is rarely crowded.
🥾
Difficulty 🟢 Easy
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Senior-Friendly ✅ Good
💡
Local Tip Visit in the morning or afternoon for the best experience and views of Rocha dos Bordões.

Viewpoint of Cedros

From here, you'll enjoy one of the best views over the northern part of Santa Cruz. It's a must-stop if you're driving around the Cedros area and a perfect spot for taking photos.

📍
Location Cedros
⏱️
Time Needed 30 min
🅿️
Parking 🟢 Easy - There is parking right next to the viewpoint, and it's usually not crowded.
🥾
Difficulty 🟢 Easy
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Senior-Friendly ✅ Good
💡
Local Tip For the best photos, visit on a sunny day when the shallow waters around the rocks below Santa Cruz turn a beautiful turquoise colour.
Viewpoint of Cedros, Flores island, Azores, Portugal
📍 Viewpoint of Cedros · Flores island
Baia da Alagoa, Flores island, Azores, Portugal
📍 Baia da Alagoa · Flores island

Baia da Alagoa

This is one of the must-visit places on Flores Island. Baía da Alagoa is known for the impressive rock formations just off the small bay, which was shaped by volcanic activity. It's the perfect place to spend a relaxing morning or afternoon, whether you're alone or with your loved ones.

📍
Location Baia da Alagoa
⏱️
Time Needed 2–3 hours
🅿️
Parking 🟡 Limited - Parking is limited at the start of the trail, so you may need to park along the roadside.
🥾
Difficulty 🟢 Easy
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Senior-Friendly ⚠️ Some limitations - There is a short walk along the trail to reach the bay. Take your time and be careful, especially on uneven sections.
💡
Local Tip Shortly after starting the trail, you'll find a small picnic area with tables. It's the perfect spot for a break before or after visiting the bay. As with any remote location, make sure to bring plenty of water.

Viewpoint Pedrinha

This viewpoint is located right beside the road on the way to Ponta Delgada. From here, you'll enjoy stunning views of Corvo Island. This is als a perfect spot for photos with hydrangeas during the months of July and Aufust.

📍
Location Ponta Delgada
⏱️
Time Needed 30 min
🅿️
Parking 🟢 Easy - There is parking right next to the viewpoint.
🥾
Difficulty 🟢 Easy
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Senior-Friendly ✅ Good
💡
Local Tip Visit in the morning or afternoon for the best views of Corvo Island.
Viewpoint Pedrinha, Flores island, Azores, Portugal
📍 Viewpoint Pedrinha · Flores island
Viewpoint Baía de Além (Ilheu de Maria Vaz), Flores island, Azores, Portugal
📍 Viewpoint Baía de Além (Ilheu de Maria Vaz) · Flores island

Viewpoint Baía de Além

This is another must-visit spot for views of Ilhéu de Maria Vaz and Corvo Island. It's one of the best photo spots on Flores Island and one of my personal favourites.

📍
Location Albarnaz
⏱️
Time Needed 30 min
🅿️
Parking 🟢 Easy - You can park next to the e.
🥾
Difficulty 🟢 Easy
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Senior-Friendly ✅ Good
💡
Local Tip You can walk a little closer to the edge of the cliff for even better views of the islet, but be careful where you step.

Quick Comparison of These Places

Flores Island has an incredible variety of places to explore, from dramatic viewpoints and waterfalls to peaceful coastal spots and panoramic views over the island's villages. The table below gives you a quick overview of the parking situation, difficulty, and senior-friendliness of all 15 places featured in this guide.

This can help you decide which places are easiest to visit depending on your mobility, how much walking you want to do, and how convenient you want the parking to be.

Place Parking Difficulty Senior-Friendly
Ponta da Fajã 🟡 Limited 🟢 Easy ✅ Good
Fajã Grande 🟢 Easy 🟢 Easy ✅ Good
Poço do Bacalhau 🟢 Easy 🟢 Easy ✅ Good
Poço da Alagoinha 🟢 Easy 🟡 Moderate ⚠️ Some limitations
Viewpoint over Fajãzinha 🟡 Limited 🟢 Easy ✅ Good
Viewpoint Portal 🟡 Limited 🟢 Easy ✅ Good
Viewpoint Craveiro Lopes 🟢 Easy 🟢 Easy ✅ Good
Viewpoint Caldeira Negra e da Caldeira Comprida 🟡 Limited 🟢 Easy ✅ Good
Morro Alto 🟢 Easy 🟢 Easy ✅ Good
Fajã de Lopo Vaz 🟢 Easy 🟡 Moderate ❌ Not recommended
Viewpoint Rocha dos Bordões 🟢 Easy 🟢 Easy ✅ Good
Viewpoint of Cedros 🟢 Easy 🟢 Easy ✅ Good
Baia da Alagoa 🟡 Limited 🟢 Easy ⚠️ Some limitations
Viewpoint Pedrinha 🟢 Easy 🟢 Easy ✅ Good
Viewpoint Baía de Além (Ilheu de Maria Vaz) 🟢 Easy 🟢 Easy ✅ Good
💡

Local Tip

All these places can be visited during the whole year, although the views will change because of the different weather during winter, which gives a different and unique beauty to each place. To see the weather throughout the year in the Azores, visit our guide to the best time to visit the Azores.

FREE INTERACTIVE GUIDE
Flores and Corvo interactive guide preview

The Places I'd Take My Friends & Family on Flores & Corvo

Flores and Corvo are two of the most untouched islands in the Atlantic but they're small, remote, and easy to miss the best parts of without a guide who actually knows them. I was born and raised on Flores. This map is everything I'd tell a close friend and family before their trip.

  • Over 170 hand-picked locations
  • The viewpoint most visitors drive past without knowing what they've missed
  • The cafés and restaurants where locals actually eat (not the ones on Google Maps)
  • Personal notes on timing, parking, difficulty level and whether each spot is suitable for older or less mobile travelers

Explore it free — no signup required.

Explore the Free Interactive Guide →

Curated by Fabio - I grew up on Flores. These are the places I still think about.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some of the most common questions travellers have before visiting Flores Island.

How many days should I stay on Flores Island?
I recommend staying about 3–5 days to see everything on Flores Island and also have enough time to visit Corvo Island by boat.
Do I need to rent a car to move around the island?
Renting a car is strongly recommended because public transportation on Flores Island is limited. Having your own car gives you much more flexibility to explore the island.
How do I get to Flores Island?
There are direct connections from Faial, Terceira and São Miguel Islands. For more information, see How to arrive in Flores Island.
Is Flores Island worth visiting?
Yes. Flores is ideal for travellers looking for dramatic landscapes, waterfalls, viewpoints, hiking trails, peaceful villages and a more authentic Azorean experience.
Fabio

Who I Am

Fabio Filipe • Azores Unlocked

Growing up on Azores gave me something no travel course could teach, a genuine understanding of what makes these islands special. After living and working across different countries in the world, I saw firsthand what international travelers truly need. I created Azores Unlocked because I kept seeing people arrive unprepared for how remote and extraordinary these islands really are. My job is to make sure that doesn't happen to you.

Learn More About Me

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