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Pico island, named for its imposing mountain, is one of the most beautiful and most underrated island of the Azores. Only second to S. Miguel in size the 'Mountain Island' stands majestically in the middle of the Azorean central group, at about 4.5 nautical miles from Faial Island and 11 miles from S. Jorge Island. It is approximately 167 square miles (433 km2).
 Sao Roque Nautical Club |
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Pico island history was built on the destiny of is whale hunting and winery traditions. The famous Pico wines and the UESCO world patrimony designated vineyards, as well as wooden boat building, are contemporary fixtures of Pico. Whale hunting, long gone, gave way to a movement of fair treatment study and observation of whales, dolphins, and other sea mammals. Whale and dolphin watching trips can be organized from Madalena or Lajes. Volcanic eruptions ended 300 years ago. Pico is considered a dormant volcano adding to the mystique of the island and serving as a magnet for scientists.
The Pico island landscape is a sublime mixture of lava rock and exotic vegetation in an ever changing scenery that envelopes this scarcely populated island. Pico features the best swimming holes in the Azores, and every so often an occasional sand beach appears. In 2006 is Prainha’s turn to offer a beach to the delight of the locals and the tourists. Pico is also the ideal island to trek, hike, jog, walk, bird watch, whale and dolphin watch, swim, fish, ride bikes and motto-quad bikes. Speleology is also a favorite pastime of Pico and its visitors.
Why is it better in Pico? Because it has great roads and trails and it is not crowded. Take a day to ride a bicycle or walk from Cabrito to Madalena passing by Arcos, Lajido, Cachorro and Cais do Mourato and taste the history of this island. Pico is an Island where calm and peace can be found around every corner, yet there's always the choice of escaping to the village and experience the bustling culture or the occasional festival. Trips to Faial and S. Jorge are one ferry trip away. While it takes no time to know the smaller Faial Island, it takes a long time to get to know Pico as it is the type of destination where one must get out of the car to explore all that it has to offer.
As one local governor puts it, Pico is California of the Azores Islands (well at least until the gold rush), offering the sun, the ocean, the plains and the mountain. It is a puzzle for locals that people will consider stay in Faial and make one day trips to Pico. Pico is the place to visit if you want to experience the unadulterated Azores. Hurry up, it won’t last.
Pico island is best from June to January. However as any island in the Azores the weather can be unpredictable and February through June can also be delightful.
To really experience Pico stay at one of the local rustic villas such as Villa Cabrito or Adegas do Pico. All those are listed on the Azores.com lodging pages.
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Some of the Festivals
Espirito Santo Festivities - Seven weeks after Easter, from Friday to Tuesday in several villages of the island, but Tuesday in Madalena is one of the most significant ones.
Cais de Agosto (music festival) in S. Roque - Last weekend of July or the first of August.
Festa do Senhor Bom Jesus Milagroso (religious) in Sao Mateus - First week of August.
Semana dos Baleeiros in Lajes (religious and music festival) - Last week of August
