Terceira’s port once welcomed galleons laden with spices from the Orient and gold and silver from the Americas. Even today, its historic city streets transport you back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Out in the country, flat green fields in a chessboard pattern are dotted with dairy cows while white houses nestle against the blue sky. Terceira’s locals have 
been welcoming people to the island for centuries Enjoy traditional pastimes like street bullfighting, tourada à corda, and modern sports such as golf. With its seamless blend of past and present, Terceira provides the backdrop for an exciting and complete holiday.
The ‘Lilac Isle’, so called because of its captivating pastel sunsets, is a vibrant place of people, culture and color. Also known as the ‘Island of Never-Ending Festivals’, the summer months on Terceira bring a continuous festival of color. The Festas do Espirito Santo (Holy Spirit Celebrations) bring the ceremony of the Crowning of the Emperor to every village on the island, followed by a united celebration where food and locally produced wine are enjoyed in abundance. Walking in the rugged interior and exploring the magnificent cavern of Algar do Carvao are experiences not to be missed.
The largest town, Angra do Heroísmo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a testimony to the royalty and noblemen who, at one time or another, contributed to the landscape of the town resulting in its wonderful examples of 17th and 18th century architecture. Wander through the cobbled streets of Angra do Heroísmo and soak up the quiet Azores charm of this UNESCO World Heritage town.
On Terceira, traditional coastal villages and wild interior moorland are ready to welcome you.
Getting To and Around Terceira
The best way to get to Terceira is by plane. There are daily flights to Lisbon, a two and a half hour flight, and links to the United States and Canada. SATA, the regional airline, flies daily from the other islands of the Azores, taking about 40 minutes from the Islands of S. Miguel or Faial. When visiting Terceira, you can choose to explore by rental car, taxis or the local bus line which connects all the villages of the island.
Places to Stay
Terceira Mar Hotel – With a breathtaking ocean view, Terceira Mar Hotel is a few steps from the historic city center of Angra do Heroísmo, classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. The resort-style Terceira Mar Hotel is a unique paradise situated right on Fanal Bay. It overlooks a 16th century fortress and is surrounded by a garden with a beautiful salt water infinity pool. All rooms face the water and Mount Brazil and offer an exceptionally warm atmosphere.
Angra Garden Hotel – The Angra Garden Hotel is located in Angra Do Heroismo making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. Aside from the Angra Garden Hotel’s convenient location it boasts modern guestroom amenities and superb service. For guests to unwind, the hotel offers a variety of facilities and services including an indoor pool , jacuzzi, and sauna. This hotel creates a balance of rich culture and modern convenience to ensure you have a memorable stay.
Hotel Varandas Do Atlantico – Renovated in 2010, the Hotel Varandas Do Atlantico is one of the newest properties on the island and has a fantastic beachfront location in Praia da Vitoria. It offers 30 spacious, modern and comfortable hypo-allergenic rooms. Other facilities include a meeting room, a terrace with panoramic views and an esplanade on the bay. Food and drinks are offered in the café and bar, and the morning meal is served in the breakfast room.
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Highlights
Mount Cume – Mount Cume has a peak 545 meters high which offers a panoramic view over Praia da Vitoria village, the plateau of Lajes, and the interior of the island with its fields bordered by stone walls and hydrangeas.
Praia da Vitoria -”Ramo Grande” architecture can be found throughout the municipality of Praia da Vitoria.
Angra Museum – The Angra Museum, located in the former S. Francisco convent, displays a permanent exhibition based on the themes: understanding the islands of the Azores, Angra and the Azores and the world.
Culture & Festivities
The Portuguese bullfight is popular on the island, coming in two variations: the traditional arena bullfight and the popular “touradas à corda” that occur in the streets.
Bulls on a Rope
Popular since the 16th century, the “touradas à corda” (literally “bullfights by rope”) are held by local Terceiran villagers from April/May to late September. In these events, similar to the Running of the Bulls in Spain, a bull is let loose from the town square (or another open space) with a very long rope around its neck. Courageous people then attempt to provoke the animal and get as close to it as possible without being gored (resulting in many examples of humorous provocations, fearless attempts and the occasional injury or mayhem). Some “touradas à corda” also do away with the rope entirely or become semi-aquatic (when the bulls chase the participants off a dock). Following these “games,” the animal is eventually retrieved and a festival begins.
In some towns, a Portuguese arena bullfight will take place with a grand procession and of men dressed in 16th-Century costume. Participants include the pantalones (the horsemen), the bandarilheiros (the horsemen’s assistants), the matadores and the widely popular forcados (eight men who challenge the bull). A horseman will ride a Lusitanian breed of horse and will wear out the bull (while lancing a dart on the bull’s back). Then the forcados will challenge the bull to charge then they will subdue the animal en masse.
