With its semi-tropical landscape, Flores is the most beautiful and romantic island in the Azores archipelago. Flores is synonymous with unspoiled nature, from its peaks and sheer cliffs plunging towards the sea and its seven lakes in the green of the countryside, to the many waterfalls and flowers that fill the island with color. With a steep, rugged coastline reaching heights of 600 meters at the extreme northwest of the island, Flores, in a single island, offers all the natural beauty found throughout the Azores.
The western-most village in Europe, Fajã Grande, is set in a natural bowl with a myriad of cascading waterfalls, tropical foliage and romantic pools. The little capital of Santa Cruz, on the east coast, is home to fishermen and boat builders and is a haven for native birds. The typography of the island is extremely rugged, marked by high elevations with cliffs descending gently at some points and sharply at others. There are valleys and gracious lakes amidst extensive areas of natural vegetation.
One of the main tourist attractions in Flores are the seven extinct volcanic craters that are now filled with seven beautiful lakes.
Getting To and Around Flores
The best way to get to Flores is by plane. SATA, the regional airline, offers daily service to the island. A ferry also links the islands between June and September. Modes of transport on Flores island include car rentals and taxis. View a Map of Flores…
Places to Stay
Hotel Ocidental – Hotel Ocidental is located on the oceanfront about 1 km from Santa Cruz Village and close to a natural lava swimming pool. The Hotel Ocidental, the only hotel in Flores, offers a restaurant (open during the high season), a bar and lounge, a saltwater swimming pool, two tennis courts, and an annexed building with a game room and a bowling alley. All 36 of the rooms at the Hotel Ocidental have bathrooms, telephone and satellite TV.
Highlights
Rocha dos Bordoes – Rocha dos Bordoes is a significantly high lava formation of impressive cliff walls with deep vertical grooves. It is a magnificent geological monument.
Morro Alto – Morro Alto is the highest point of the island at 914 meters. It offers a panoramic view of lagoons, green valleys where small streams run, and many of the villages that are worth a visit.
Gruta de Galo (Cock’s Cave) – Grut de Galo is a rocky formation with a shape resembling a rooster or “cock”. The cave boasts interesting geological formations such as the entrance that looks like a cathedral.
Food & Drink
In addition to the traditional meat and fish dishes that are popular throughout the Azores, Flores is traditionally known for a variation of meals that include: Papa Grossa, Sopa de Agrião, Cozido de Porco, Molhos de Dobrada, Inhames com Linguiça and Feijões com Cabeça de Porco, as well as producing a local cheese and creamy butter. Fish is also the base of many interesting meals: Caldeirada de Congro, Bonito Assado no Forno, and Pasteis de Ervas Marinhas, in addition to Atlantic lobster, Cavacos, Crab, Limpet and Barnacles.
Culture & Festivities
The festivals in honor of Santo Espirito take place after the Penticost and have a strong meaning to the island inhabitants. The festivities of Santa Cruz take place on the first Sunday in August. In Lajes, the Emigrant Festival is celebrated on the third weekend of July. The lacework and embroidery, blankets weaved in ancient looms and hydrangea pith flowers are unique pieces of art representative of the local handicraft.
