Graciosa between Caldeira, Coast and Island Culture

Graciosa is the northernmost of the five islands in the central group of the Azores archipelago. The Caldeira, activities by the sea and collections devoted to the island’s history offer different focuses for a trip. To plan your visit, you can first consider whether you want to focus on the landscape, coastal activities or culture.

Landscape and Trails

The Caldeira da Graciosa has been classified as a natural monument since 2008. It is an elliptical caldera-type collapse depression covering approximately 119.87 hectares and measuring 270 metres deep. The climb to Furna da Maria Encantada also offers a distinctive view of the landscape: from there, you can take in a depression in its entirety.

At Furna do Enxofre, access is via a tower approximately 37 metres high and a spiral staircase with 183 steps. The Furna do Enxofre Visitors Centre serves as the entrance to the Furna. Information panels and monitors explain the volcanic processes that led to the formation of the island, Furna do Enxofre and the Caldeira. Check access conditions before your visit.

If you are planning a longer hike, consider the Grande Rota da Graciosa, an approximately 40-kilometre circular trail. It is divided into two stages of around 20 kilometres each and crosses large parts of the island. The linear PR04 Das Vinhas ao Mar trail follows a different route: it runs through the parish of Santa Cruz da Graciosa and connects the wine-growing landscape of Bom Jesus and Achada with the Barro Vermelho bathing area. The trails therefore differ both in their layout and in the landscapes they pass through.

At Caldeirinha Pêro Botelho, also known as Algar dos Diabretes, you can walk around the crater rim. Climbing equipment and qualified personnel are required to descend into the Algar.

Coast, Swimming Spots and Wildlife

Explore the coast by kayak or boat. The bays of Santa Cruz, Folga and Praia offer suitable conditions for rowing, sailing and windsurfing. The natural swimming pools of Carapacho, also known as Piscinas do Carapacho, have crystal-clear water. Barro Vermelho Beach, formed from lava stones, is one of Graciosa’s most important swimming spots.

The tower of the Ponta da Barca Lighthouse is 23 metres high, and from there you can enjoy a view of Ilhéu da Baleia. Praia Islet is designated as a Special Protection Area and lies along the flight path of Monteiro's Storm Petrel. This seabird, scientifically known as Oceanodroma monteiroi, breeds on small islets off the coast of Graciosa. It is the smallest seabird in the Azores archipelago and the archipelago’s only endemic seabird.

Museums, Buildings and Island History

The Graciosa Museum is housed in a former grain and wine storehouse. Its exhibits include a typical island home, a wine cellar with pressing rooms, agricultural implements, and tools used in traditional barrel-making, furniture-making and pottery. The Barração das Canoas Museum preserves all the machinery used in whaling. The Carnaval Museum aims to promote and develop Graciosa’s carnival traditions.

The island’s waterworks also tell the story of its past: Graciosa’s water reservoir heritage shows how the population managed scarce water resources, and the structures built for this purpose are considered part of the island’s cultural heritage. The PR01 Arquitetura da Água I trail passes examples of water architecture typical of Graciosa, including collection and storage systems such as water tanks, cisterns, washhouses and wells.

The Santa Cruz Church combines Portuguese Manueline and Baroque architectural styles. Monte de Nossa Sr.ª da Ajuda is a viewpoint overlooking Santa Cruz and is home to three chapels. Nossa Sr.ª da Ajuda Chapel is an example of fortified religious architecture and has an attached pilgrims’ hostel. The Guadalupe Church was built to replace a 16th-century chapel. Its construction took around fifty years, a period extended by earthquake damage to the parish.

Flavours and Carapacho

Queijadas da Graciosa are the island’s signature sweet, made from a recipe that is several centuries old. Graciosa also produces white wines, aged grape spirits and aperitif wines. Carapacho is home to a seaside spa complex dating from the 19th century, with warm sulphurous water at temperatures between 36°C and 40°C.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Covas, Faja, Guadalupe, Praia, Feiteira, Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Luz, Terceira.

Go to the main travel overview: Azores.