Destination
TERCEIRA ISLAND
Download a quick travel guide with our tips to explore Terceira Island
Welcome to the old heart of the Azores. The fortified island, first settled in 1450, is an historic landmark for Portugal, where maritime fleets on transatlantic trade routes stopped between the 16th and 18th centuries.
Angra do Heroísmo, GLEX Summit’s host city, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Between the charming sidewalks and the welcoming people, don’t forget to admire the colorful architecture of the ancient city. Beneath your feet, lies an extinct volcano and the memories of the time when the city was the capital of Portugal.
With one of the most biodiverse territories in the Azores, Terceira holds a high number of terrestrial endemic species and subspecies. In places such as Baías da Agualva the waves carve the coast in peculiar columns and the populations of birds make it one of the best locations of the island for birdwatching.
Algar do Carvão, a lava tube with stalactites and stalagmites, is one of the gems you don’t want to miss. For the adventurous, there are plenty of breath-taking trails that circle the natural attractions of the island. But there is so much more to explore. From Verdelho wine to slow-cooked beef, from volcanic pools to astonishing views, you must experience it.
THE AZORES
Lying in the middle of the Atlantic, nine volcanic islands enclose a diverse landscape, where you are likely to encounter the four seasons in one day. The Azores are an autonomous region of Portugal, located about a thousand miles off the coast.
The archipelago was the first in the world to obtain the international certification for sustainable tourist destination. Four of its nine islands are UNESCO biosphere reserves, and the Azorean archipelago was classified by the World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) as one of the geographical areas with the greatest diversity of marine mammals worldwide.
From oneiric lagoons to sublime volcanic wines, the green paradise gathers epic experiences such as trekking in extinct volcanoes, whale watching, natural thermal baths, unforgettable waterfalls and even an overnight stay at a mountain crater. In other words, this is one of Earth’s treasures for nature-lovers.
