Hello, Sasha here. When plotting my next trip, I sought advice from our expert in Portugal, who convinced me that the Azores is where I (we all) need to go.

"I'll never forget my first night in the Azores. When the sun started to burn into the Atlantic, I settled on Pico Island's wave-splashed lava rocks, popped a bottle of volcanic wine cultivated meters away and contemplated the stillness while feeling like a castaway. Was that a whale breaching in the distance? How is this place real? I instantly knew the Azores were going to be addictive. 

Over the following weeks, I island-hopped by ferry, explored underground lava tubes with a hard hat, bathed in Atlantic-carved natural pools, crept across otherworldly ridges to hike hydrangea-flanked trails, witnessed whales and gawped at gurgling hot springs as they cooked my lunch underground. 

There are a lot of extraordinary things to experience in the Azores but also plenty of subdued, please-never-end moments, too - an unrivaled equilibrium that keeps luring me back to this scattered Atlantic Eden, that's unbelievably just four hours from Lisbon."

Portugal local, Daniel is a travel writer, photographer, and blogger, who has contributed to various Lonely Planet books. He's equally happy on footprint-free beaches as in megacities or getting lost amongst wild peaks, favoring slow, sustainable and cultural travel above fast-paced adventures.

Portugal's Atlantic islands combine Iceland's volcanic drama with Hawaii's green landscapes. Here, thermal pools, black-sand beaches and crater lakes exist alongside dolphin-friendly waters, ancient vineyards and wellness-focused villages.

The Azores offer such a whirlwind of experiences, from outdoor adventures to utter relaxation, that it can be hard to know where to start...without an inside guide.

Tip: Buy ferry tickets, book whale-watching tours and schedule a guided tour or register to climb Mt Pico at least one month before your trip.

There are nine islands, and they're all quite distinct. Which one suits your style the best?

Tip: São Miguel is the largest of all nine islands in the Azores, with the most flights from Europe and North America, which run practically all year long.

Check out our suggested one-week itinerary, crafted by our Azores born-and-raised writer, Sandra Henriques, for a variety of excellent experiences.

Tip: If you only have one day, head to Miradouro da Serra do Cume to see one of Terceira Island's trademark landscapes, and then on to Praia da Vitória for dinner at O Pescador by the beach.

Beaches here are defined by black sand (and bubbling, natural pools) but we know exactly where to find those rare golden sands too.

Tip: Swim with a view of the country's highest mountain, or stroll by the sea, at Praia do Almoxarife on Faial, one of the Azores' most beautiful beaches.

Photography by: iStock, Ana del Castillo/Shutterstock, photoschmidt/Shutterstock, Benjamin van der Spek/Shutterstock, Liliana Marmelo/Shutterstock, Athikhom Saengchai/Shutterstock

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