Print This Page

Faial island is part of the central group of the archipelago, about 66 miles from Terceira, 4.5 miles from Pico and 11 miles from S. Jorge. The surface area of Faial island is approximately 67 square miles (173 km2). The island has about 15.000 inhabitants and its main municipal seat is located in the city of Horta. Different colours of blue decorate the houses, divide the fields and line the roadsides, giving Faial the name of Blue Island.

Flamengos Village

In the 18th century the development of whale hunting brought the early whaling fleets to Horta. By 19th century, Horta had become an important sea port, and a stopping point for a large number of yachts crossing the Atlantic.

In 1957 a great volcanic eruption from the "Ilheu dos Capelinhos", about 1 km from the coast, projected large quantities of lava and ash forming an islet that later became connected to Faial island by an isthmus.

The green circle of a volcanic cone at the top of a hill. The white houses of a town mirrored on the sea. The masts of sailing boats that have come from all over the world. The ochre walls of a fortress that has witnessed naval battles. The unforgettable sight of sunrise with the island of Pico in the background. The quiet inlets with beaches of soft sand. The hydrangeas standing out against the landscape, framing houses and roads, thus ustifying the fact that Faial has been called the "blue island".

Faial Highlights:

Cabecao Gordo - With an altitude of 3422 feet (1043 meters). Located in the centre of the island, it offers amazing views of the neighbour islands of Pico and Sao Jorge

The Caldeira - Also a great attraction, an enormous crater with 6560 feet (2 km) diameter and 1300 feet (400 m) deep. This area is classified as a natural reserve.

Monte da Guia - A mountain from where you can have a look over the town,it is also a protected natural reserve.

Ponta dos Capilinhos - One of Faial's main tourist attractions. Here the visitor can see the results of the eruption of 1957/8 which transformed the landscape, burying fields and houses. The old lighthouse can still be seen.

Lajinha and Ponta Furada - Great attraction for their caves and strange lava arches, where the sea often flows violently against the rocks.

Vale de Flamengos - Attractive area full of colourful plantations, flowers and picturesque houses.

Scrimshaw Museum - This is a private collection belonging to the owner of the popular Peter's Cafao. Over a hundred pieces are exhibited here, engraved with beautiful sailing boats, mermaids, images of whale-hunting, among many others.

Horta Museum - Housed in the former Jesuit College, the museum is noted for its collection of fig wood, one of the island's traditional handicrafts.

Port of Horta - Built in 1876, this important sea-port is a principal port-of-call for many transatlantic yachts. The sea wall is of special interest as it is covered with hundreds of paintings and messages left by the sea-travellers who call in at the port.

Some of the Festivals

The "Semana do Mar" or Sea Week, which begins on the first Sunday in August, is organized by various institutions connected with water sports and tourism. It includes all sorts of activities connected with the sea, as well as other cultural events, and has become internationally famous.