Pico Island is the second-largest island of the Azores archipelago in Portugal. It’s part of the central island group and a great island to visit if you’re looking for natural beauty and a good base to discover other islands from. From volcano craters to lagoons and the biggest lava tubes I got to visit: Pico Island is a must visit for adventurous nature lovers! And for those looking for a more laid back experience, Pico island offers whale watching and wine tasting as well.
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Table of Contents - Top 3 Very Best Things to Do on Pico Island, Azores
How to get to Pico Island in the Azores
International travelers wanting to visit Pico Island will most likely need to fly into Lisbon or Porto on the mainland and change to a domestic Pico-bound flight↗ from here.Â
There are some flights from other Portuguese cities on the mainland as well, like Faro and Sata offers frequent inter-island flights for those who are island hopping in the Azores.
If you’re coming from Faial, then you can also take a ferry↗ from Horta to Pico Island (Madalena).
When to visit Pico & the Azores
If you want to hike Mount Pico, the best time of year to visit Pico Island is in June. Summer experiences a little less cloud cover than the other seasons and isn’t as busy as July and August. If you’re not planning to climb Mount Pico, then I would aim for shoulder season for lower prices and less tourists.
How to get around Pico Island
In order to get around Pico, especially if you would like to visit the top 3 things to do on Pico, you’d need to rent a car↗. While there is some limited public transport on Pico, this is mainly intended for workers and schoolkids, not so much for tourists to explore the island. If you can’t rent a car and you want to see what your option would be exploring Pico Island by bus, you can find the current lines and timetables here↗.
Where to stay on Pico Island, Azores
While Pico is the second largest island in the Azores, it’s a relatively small island. If you’ve rented a car, there is not really a specific place that’s better than others. We stayed just outside of SĂŁo Roque do Pico↗ which is close to the airport and quite a central location.
I also quite liked the town of Madalena. The ferry to Faial leaves from here, it’s close to the lava tunnels and Mount Pico is not far from here either.
Lajas do Pico is another nice town to stay at. While it’s further away from the airport than Madalena and SĂŁo Roque, it’s a central location to discover the top 3 things to do in Pico from, and whale watching tours leave from this town.
Top 3 things to do on Pico Island
For me, the best thing about Pico Island is the landscape. It’s green and wild and with the iconic Mount Pico towering over the island, it’s just stunning everywhere you look. So it’s probably no surprise that my top 3 things to do on Pico are nature related.Â
| 🌄 Place / Activity | Why you’ll love it |
|---|---|
| Hike Mount Pico | Climb Portugal’s highest peak via a volcanic trail starting at Casa da Montanha; demanding but rewarding views |
| Drive Caminho das Lagoas | Scenic drive past several lakes (lagoas); enjoy remote and wild landscapes |
| Furna do Frei Matias | Hidden lava tunnels which can be explored individually: no tour or guide needed |
✅ Hiking & nature | 🌊 Scenic drives | 🕳️ Unique volcanic features
1. Hike Mount Pico
Hiking Mount Pico is by far the best thing to do on Pico island, on a clear day at least. Mount Pico is a lovely, wild mountain with no facilities past Casa da Montanha, from where the trail starts. Hike on the lavastone until the crater and even further to Piquinho, which is not only the highest point of this mountain, it’s the highest point of Portugal! While the hike is demanding, it’s definitely not impossible to climb Mount Pico. For a detailed guide with everything you need to know in order to plan a (solo) hike to Mount Pico, check out my guide “How to hike Mount Pico“
2. Drive Caminho das Lagoas
Caminho das Lagoas is a small road which, as the name suggests, passes by a few lakes. The road itself is not very long, but it’s not in a great shape so you need to drive slowly. Calculate about half a day to drive the road and visit some of the lakes.
My favorite lakes were Lagoa Seca and Lagoa do PaĂşl, but the beauty of this road is just driving through this beautiful, remote and wild landscape and enjoying the views all around you. The lakes are just part of it.
Bonus tip: My actual favorite lake on Pico Island isn’t on the Caminho das Lagoas, but on the way to Pico Mountain: Lagoa do CapitĂŁo. Walk to the backside of the lake and you’ll have Mount Pico as a backdrop. Amazing!
3. Discover the lava tunnels of Furna do Frei Matias
After hunting for natural lava tunnels on the Canary Islands which you can explore on your own, I had kind of given up on them. We did find one in Lanzarote, but while it was definitely a cool experience, it wasn’t the big thing. But then we discovered Furna do Frei Matias on Pico Island.
This lava tunnel, or these lava tunnels, I should say were everything we ever imagined and more! There are quite hidden in the farm land, but just follow Google maps↗ and you’ll find them! There are entrances to a cave, a short tunnel which you can walk through, and a huge tunnel we entered, but turned around after walking for a while, since it didn’t seem to end! Very cool to explore! And save to visit on your own: no guide or tour needed, which adds to the adventure.
Other things to do on Pico Island
The above spots are my top 3 of the things I loved most about Pico, and I recommend anyone to do. But of course there is more to explore on the island! If you have more time on the island, or just want some relaxing time, you could consider a whale watching tour, wine tasting, or swimming in a natural pool.
Whale watching
Whale watching tours are often mentioned as one of the best things to do on Pico Island, or in the Azores in general. While there are indeed very good chances of seeing whales here, I think there is one important remark to be made, which other blogs often (if not always) skip: The resident whales are Sperm Whales, and Sperm Whales don’t breach and only show their tail if they are going for a deep dive.
So, while it is still very cool to be in proximity of these amazing animals, you won’t get to actually see much of the animal, except for its tail when it goes for a dive. So while I enjoyed the tour, I enjoyed other whale watching tours or dolphin watching tours more because you can see the animals better. Having said that, Pico also has some resident dolphins which are common to see during the whale watching tours.
Note that tour prices are generally quite high (€ 60+), but you can try to negotiate.
Wine tasting
Let’s first start with saying that I didn’t do a wine tasting tour on Pico Island. I’ve done several already in other countries, like New Zealand and Argentina, so I skipped it here. But these tours are a popular activity so if you’re wondering what to do on Pico beyond the above top 3, wine tasting could be a fun activity.Â
Pico’s vineyards are actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for their unique setting: vines planted between low black lava stone walls (called currais) to shield them from wind and sea spray. Most of the vineyards are found around Madalena, Criação Velha, and Santa Luzia, on the western side of the island.
If you want to taste Pico’s wines, you can book a guided tour, visit a producer, or stop at the Cooperativa VitivinĂcola da Ilha do Pico↗ in Madalena (the island’s main wine cooperative) to sample Pico’s Verdelho wine and other local varieties.
Swim in natural pools
Another disclaimer, I also didn’t swim in any natural pools in Pico. I focused on the above top 3, because they are more unique things to do than the natural pools. Plus we had just come from SĂŁo Miguel, where we swam in a hot natural pool and did feel how cold the water just coming in from the ocean was (June), so we decided to skip the pools.
Finishing thoughts on the top 3 very best things to do on Pico Island, Azores
I personally recommend any nature lover to at least visit these top 3 things to do on Pico Island. Hiking Mount Pico, driving Caminho das Lagoas and visiting Furna do Frei matias are absolute must-visits! And if you have more to spare on Pico than that’s great!
Head for a whale & dolphin watching tour, go wine tasting, and/or swim in one or more natural pools. Or go for a special experience and stay overnight on Pico! (See my hiking Mount Pico guide.) One that’s on the top of our list for a next visit of Pico Island and the Azores.
Did you visit Pico Island? Share your top 3 with us in the comments!
| Guide | What You'll Find |
|---|---|
| Visiting the Azores: A First Timer's Travel Planning Guide | New to the Azores? This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to plan your first trip to this stunning archipelago. |
| Hiking Mount Pico: Complete Guide | Planning to summit Portugal's highest peak? Get all the details on preparation, what to expect, and tips for a successful climb. |
| 2-Day SĂŁo Miguel Itinerary for Budget Travelers | Short on time or money? This itinerary focuses on free activities and the island's must-see highlights without breaking the bank. |
FAQ about Pico Island, Azores
Absolutely! Pico is one of the most unique islands in the Azores, famous for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, vineyards growing on black lava rock, and of course Mount Pico — Portugal’s highest peak. Whether you’re into hiking, exploring lava caves, or simply enjoying peaceful island life, Pico is well worth a visit.
I recommend spending at least 2 days on Pico. This gives you enough time to climb Mount Pico and explore the lakes and lava tubes. If you have more time, spending 3-4 days gives you enough time to do a whale watching tour, visit a vineyard and swim in a natural pool.
No, unlike São Miguel, Pico doesn’t have hot springs. If you’re looking to relax in thermal waters, you’ll need to plan a visit to São Miguel or Terceira. Pico does have some nice natural pools to swim in, but no hot water unfortunately.
Pico Island’s vineyards are unlike anywhere else in the world. They are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for their unique volcanic stone walls (called currais) that protect the vines from wind and salt spray. The best area to see them is around Madalena, especially in Criação Velha and Santa Luzia, where the landscape of black lava fields and green vines stretches right to the ocean. Even if you don’t join a wine-tasting, you can easily explore these vineyards by car or on foot and appreciate the striking scenery.
Pico Island has a rich whaling heritage, which shaped the island’s culture for centuries. You can learn about it at the Whalers’ Museum (Museu dos Baleeiros) in Lajes do Pico, where exhibits cover the history, tools, and stories of the whalers.
No, you don’t strictly need a guide to climb Mount Pico, but hiring one can make the hike safer and more enjoyable, especially if you’re not a seasoned hiker. The trail can be challenging, weather conditions change quickly, and a guide can help with navigation and give the place more context. For a full breakdown of routes, difficulty, and tips, check out my detailed Hiking Mount Pico article.
Yes, you can! Pico Island offers some of the best diving spots in the Azores, thanks to its clear Atlantic waters, volcanic rock formations, and abundant marine life. Popular sites include the coastline around Lajes do Pico and the natural pools near SĂŁo Roque. Most tours leave from Lajas do Pico.