Touristic Info

HOW TO GET THERE

To get in Graciosa island, you have the option to fly to Azores in one of the national airlines: TAP - Air Portugal http://www.flytap.com/Portugal/pt/Homepage or Azores Airlines https://www.azoresairlines.pt, or alternatively in one of Low Cost airlines flying to the Archipelago: Rayanair https://www.ryanair.com and Easyjet https://www.easyjet.com. We recommend you to follow  the route  Lisboa-Terceira-Graciosa, because is the shortest one, however there are other alternatives. If you plan to fly in Low Cost please mind the regional rules about the inter-islands connecting flights. Check the web site: http://encaminhamentos.sata.pt/en/conditions.

Alternatively you can fly to Terceira island and than, take a ferry boat http://www.atlanticoline.pt/ to Praia da Graciosa.

CLIMATE

Temperate maritime climate, is confortable and mild thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream. Sometimes unstable, but with minor changes in temperature.
Average air temperature: 23ºC (73ºF) in Sumer and 13ºC (55ºF) in Winter time. Average sea water temperature: 24ºC (75ºF) in Sumer and 17ºC (24ºF) in Winter (http://www.climaat.angra.uac.pt/)

CURRENCY

Euro - €

WHAT TO CARRY WITH YOU

Notwithstanding soft temperatures all the year, it is advisable to carry sweatshirts and rainproof jackets so you can keep warm, dry and confortable when at the sea.

PLACES TO VISIT IN THE ISLAND

You must visit: Caldeira and Furna do Enxofre (Caldera and Cave of Sulfur); Monte de Nª Senhora da Ajuda (viewpoint); Ilhéu da Baleia (rock with whale shape); Ilhéu da Praia (islet of Praia); Carapacho hot springs and natural pools; Porto Afonso (old fishing port); Barro vermelho natural pools; Serra Branca; Baía do Filipe, Baía da Folga; Serra das Fontes; Fontes windmill museum; water reservoirs - "mãe de água"; Graciosa wine house; Guadalupe ethnographic museum; Graciosa museum; Bullfight arena (unique in the world due to peculiar localization); Lighthouses of Ponta da Barca and Ponta da Restinga; São Mateus beach; Poceirões da Vitória (natural pools); Caldeirinha of Pêro Botelho; Santa Cruz main church; Vitória, Guadalupe, São Mateus e Luz churches. 

OPEN AIR ACTIVITIES

Hiking; biking; boat trips around the island and islets; canoeing; whale and dolphin watching; sport fishing; diving; snorkeling; horse riding; donkey riding (the “Burro Anão da Graciosa” – Dwarf Donkey of Graciosa, was recognized as a native breed); visit to a factory of Graciosa cookies “Fábrica das Queijadas da Graciosa”; visit to a traditional cheese factory; watching milking cows.

RENT-A-CAR

It is advisable to make a previous reservation of a car, for at least a couple of days. We can recommend or make some arrangements on your request.

REGIONAL AND TYPICAL PRODUCTS

Fish and crustacean typical dishes: fresh fish fried or grilled, fish soup, fisherman sauce, stewed octopus, grilled limpets or natural, barnacles and  lobsters (Scyllarus latus).
Meat typical dishes: "holy spirit" soup, pork crackling, spicy pork sausage, linguiça, roast meat.

Sweets: "massa sovada", rice pudding, "queijadas", rice pies, "Donas Amélias" and "lavadoures".
Cheese: island cheese and fresh cheese.
Wines: "angelica", "verdelho", brandy and liqueurs.