São Jorge 4-Day Itinerary Overview
São Jorge island in the Azores archipelago feels untouched and rugged, and for its natural beauty sees fewer tourists than it should. This Azorean island is diverse and blessed with stunning mountains, typical fajãs, steep cliffside hikes, natural swimming pools, and charming villages.
The island is known as the “Brown Island” for its rugged cliffs of shaded browns. The island is also nicknamed “Dragon Island,” and is actually how the island was named. Legends say that Saint George (São Jorge) was able to slay a fierce dragon who lived on the island. Saint George is tied to many Christian stories as a “dragon slayer.” Today, the island is said to resemble a sleeping dragon.
The volcanic island of São Jorge is also known for the unique landforms of fajãs. Fajãs are a Portuguese word for the area at the foot of volcanic slopes where the land meets the sea. Fajãs are flat plains that are formed with a combination of volcanic activity and coastal erosion. São Jorge is said to be home to over 70 fajãs and the island is constantly changing.
São Jorge is also known for its distinct cheese.
Day 1: Central São Jorge (Miradouro do Canal, Pico da Esperança, Fajã do Ouvidor, Miradouro da Fajã do Ouvidor, Poça Simão Dias, Uniqueijo, Miradouro do Morro Das Velas)
Day 2: Western São Jorge (Velas, Parque Florestal das Sete Fontes, Fajã de João Dias, Ponta dos Rosais)
Day 3: Central – Eastern part (hike: Serra do Topo, Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo, Faja dos Cubres, Miradouro da Fajã dos Cubres)
Day 4: Eastern São Jorge (Farol do Topo, Cascata do Cruzal, Fajã dos Vimes, Fajã dos Bodes, Miradouro da Calheta, Calheta)
How to Get to São Jorge?
There are no direct flights to São Jorge from outside the archipelago so it can only be reached by flying to other islands of the Azores.
The cheapest flights to Azores are usually Ryanair flights from Lisbon/Porto to Ponta Delgada (São Miguel) or Lajes (Terceira) but to get the best price you should be flexible with dates and use price comparators such as Skyscanner and Kiwi.com.
Once in the archipelago, you can reach São Jorge in two ways:
- By plane with Sata. You can check timetables and prices on the official website of Sata, the regional airline of the Azores.
- By ferry from one of the neighboring islands of the central group:
From Pico: every day of the year, 10,50€, 1 hour trip
From Faial: every day of the year, 15,50€, 1,5 hour to 2 hour trip (boat stops in Pico)
From Terceira or Graciosa: only in summer, a couple of days per week. From 32€, 3 hour trip.
You can check ship schedules and purchase tickets in advance at https://www.atlanticoline.pt/ (although schedules and routes are usually much better explained here).
Renting a Car in São Jorge
The best way to get around the Azores is to rent a car. The process is easy – if you have a valid licence you simply walk into one of the stores and rent-a-car for the day (or two or more). Parking all around island is free of charge and parking lots are spacious and well marked. Driving around is very simple as well since the island itself doesn’t have a lot of traffic and the roads are nice.
I can recommend renting from Ilha Verde. They have multiple options and are easy to rent at.
>> Click here for rental car in São Jorge
NOTE! During the summer months (June, July, August) car prices skyrocket with limited availability. There are also scooter rentals, but oftentimes the high mountains of São Jorge are covered in fog and have limited visibility.
There are also numerous verified taxi drivers found throughout the island. Many of the hiking trails of São Jorge are linear (point to point, A –> B), so a taxi driver should be arranged for pick up and drop off. Taxi rentals will cost you anywhere from 80€ to 150€ per day. Note that a taxi can accomodate up to 4 people, so sharing the expense makes it very affordable.
São Jorge Tours for Those Not Renting a Car
There is very limited public transportation on the island of São Jorge. It is nearly impossible to rely on buses that run infrequently and stop at limited locations.
If you’re short on time it’s best to book a full-day tour of São Jorge. Here are three highly recommended tours that will help you see a large amount of the sites I listed in this São Jorge itinerary:
São Jorge Itinerary Day 1 (Central part)
I always suggest to do the hiking or walking parts first thing in the morning. In the afternoon time it might get cloudier, or you’re tired already and not so eager to seize the day.
Miradouro do Canal
A fantastic viewpoint, easily accesible by any vehicle. It offers splendid views on the southern coast of São Jorge and in good weather the neighbouring island Pico as well.
Pico da Esperança
Start your morning with some light exercise on the climb up to Pico da Esperança, the highest peak on the island. Although you can hike up (about 10 kilometres on a gravel road), it is possible to drive near to the crater and walk just the final few metres. From the edge of the crater, you can spot two lagoons and Pico Island in the distance. And if the sky spares you – an entire cordillera of green volcanic craters.
Inspite its “hopeful” name, this mountain was the scene of a tragic accident where a Sata (the Azorean airline) plane went down on December 11, 1999. It was Sata’s only tragic accident, where the plane on a flight from Ponta Delgada (São Miguel) to the island of Flores with a stopover in Faial hit this mountain. All 35 people on board died and here is a Memorial where tribute is paid to the victims. In the Memorial, there is a plaque with the names of all the deceased. A tragedy that we are told was due to weather conditions (a lot of low fog and high wind) associated with a probable overconfidence of the experienced pilot. Talking to local people who remember the day of the accident in the winter of 1999, they told us that the front part of the plane remained embedded in the mountain for a couple of weeks. The fog was so thick that tragic day in December that nobody knew what was happening because nothing could be seen. People who were nearby started to see papers flying (from inside the plane) and said that the sound of the plane seemed deafening, too close, and too low. A story that makes the hairs on the back of our neck stand on end.
Miradouro de Fajã do Ouvidor
Before heading down to the fajã, or on your way back up, look out for the viewpoint by the side of the road. This is a great spot to get a bird’s eye view of some of the island’s spectacularly unique volcanic plains.
If you’re hiking the island, this is also where you’ll start (or end) your hike to Fajã do Ouvidor.
You can also grab a drink at Cafe Esperança in Norte Grande – the cafe itself is a bit shady, but their terrace has an absolute spectacular view.
Fajã do Ouvidor
Each fajã is unique and an important add to the landscape, but one of them is more famous than the rest, and that’s Fajã do Ouvidor. Just up the coast from the little town Norte Grande, this popular village is surrounded by lush greenery and rugged cliffs.
It is the only fajã that has many restaurants to choose from, a cafe, a lighthouse, and even a disco! Apparently, this fajã being so different from the others, it had to do with a municipal approval that gave the green light to new construction in Fajã do Ouvidor and that divides and worries the local population.
I can recommend restaurant O Amilcar for lunch, the food was splendid.
Spend some time exploring the village and sunbathing and swimming in the turquoise waters of the Poça Simão Dias natural pool.
Poça Simão Dias
A true natural paradise of deep waters (and sometimes with strong currents), surrounded by vertical basalt columns resulting from the cooling and solidification of lava.
The immensity of the turquoise blue between the imposing black basaltic columns and the green mountains in the background makes it a true spectacle.
The water is always cool (between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius). The space to lay your towel is limited (on the rocks, where you can). Access to the pools is on foot.
São Jorge Cheese Factory (Uniqueijo)
Close to the capital (5 minutes drive), in the town of Beira, is an União de Cooperativas Agricolas de Lacticínios de São Jorge (Uniqueijo) where you can taste (and buy) the famous ‘queijo da ilha DOP’ (Protected Designation of Origin) of São Jorge, i.e. it can only be produced in São Jorge. The cheeses range from 3 months to 24 months of maturing (the longer the maturing, the stronger and spicier the cheese), and, apart from buying the best souvenir of the island, they do free tastings as well.
There are currently six cooperatives on the island from which 30,000 PDO cheeses are produced annually.
The cheese production process has remained unchanged for 500 years, obtained from raw cow’s milk and classified as hard or semi-hard cured cheese, evolving according to the months of curing. It is sold with a minimum curing period of 3 months because, apparently, before two months it does not get that slightly spicy taste that differentiates it.
You can visit the cheese factory and watch the entire process from the early stages of fitting the cheese in a mold and walking through the storage facilities. Notice the packaging? It’s Saint Jorge riding his horse and slaying a dragon.
Photography isn’t allowed during the tour. You’ll be handed sanitary overalls, hair nets, and shoe covers before entering the processing area. All jewelry must be removed and stowed in lockers. Tours are available in English.
The Cheese Factory Tour on São Jorge is actually really well done and is informative and worth it!
Before or after the tour, stop in the cafe where there are free São Jorge cheese samples. There is also a cafe with limited snacks available.
Uniqueijo Cheese Tours last 45 minutes. Price of the tour is 5€. Visit it from Monday to Friday 9:30 -11:30 & 13:00 – 16:00 (you might have to wait for availability).
Miradouro do Morro Das Velas – optional
Depending on how tired you are there’s also a magnificent short-hiking spot very close to town Velas.
The Miradouro do Morro Das Velas is not an officially registered trail on the island, but is more of a local hiking trail. The trail is not well marked, but easy to follow. An offline map will definitely come in handy – I recommend maps.me app.
The trail begins behind the Ermida Nossa Senhora do Livramento and climbs up the hillside. Appreciate the views of the unique rock formations and the goats that now graze on the green pastures of the crater rim. There are also lovely views of Velas town.
The ruins that remain are of an old whaling lookout. To visit this beautiful place safely, stay on the trail and avoid stepping too close to the steep drop-off edges of the cliff.
Even without hiking to the viewpoint, there are nice views of the rock formation from Miradouro Entre Morros.
São Jorge Itinerary Day 2 (Western part)
Western part of the island is much less visited than the rest.
Velas
The capital (and the largest town) of the island São Jorge is Velas. Wander down to the port, where you can take your pick of various water activities and boat tours. A boat tour will give you a new perspective on the island, and you’ll get a good look at the village’s famed volcanic arch.
Meander through the streets and take a look at some of the regional products sold at the municipal market. Don’t forget to take a quick dip in the nearby natural pools before setting off for the rest of the day. The refreshing blue water pools between jutting basalt rocks contrast stunningly with the ocean background.
Make sure you grab something to eat before heading off to the next points, there aren’t many restaurants around the Western part of the island.
Fajã de João Dias
While driving up towards the tip of the island, take some time to pass by the Fajã de João Dias. This colourful fajã is one of the most isolated places in São Jorge, and you can only access it via a steep winding trail. Once at the bottom, you will witness breathtakingly dramatic landscapes framing this small seaside village.
Parque Florestal das Sete Fontes
Continue following the road to the northwest, where you’ll stumble upon the Sete Fontes Forest Park. This nature reserve is home to many plant species, such as ferns, azaleas, and fuchsias. You can walk one of the many trails through the thick woods to find a picnic area and children’s playground or enjoy one of several viewpoints looking out onto neighbouring islands. For some history, visit the small chapel of São João Baptista, a monument built in commemoration of the many Azorean emigrants worldwide.
Entry is free of charge, parking lot just next to the entrance.
Ponta dos Rosais
We end our day at the westernmost tip of the island, at the ruins of Ponta dos Rosais. Walk around this lighthouse complex to learn where lighthouse keepers used to live and what was needed to support the facilities. Watch the sunset across the horizon and cast its shadows onto the neighbouring islands of Pico and Faial.
For a different vantage point, climb up the hill to the Miradouro da Vigia. Here you can discover the history of whale-hunting on the island and see the lighthouse complex from above.
São Jorge Itinerary Day 3 (Central – Eastern part) – long linear hike
It is very popular (and rare too, you will not meet many people here) to do the Serra do Topo hike down to Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo and then to Faja dos Cubres (PR1SJO). This long linear hike should take you about 6 hours if you stop for lunch and swim in caldeira as well. I would recommend to hire a taxi for this day, since Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo is one of the most inaccessible places on the island, but well worth the visit.
Serra do Topo
On a nice sunny day you’ll get unbeliavable views from Serra do Topo. Some visitors use it as a photo-stop only, others use it as a starting point for the hike down to Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo. With just a few minutes walking each way you can see on both sides of the island (South and North).
There’s a small parking lot available for cars, free of charge.
Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo
One of the most inaccessible places on the island is Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo. To reach this village, you must hike either from Serra do Topo or from Fajã dos Cubres (this is where we will end our hike if you follow this itinerary), enjoying stunning ocean vistas and remarkable waterfalls enroute.
Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo was created only in 1757 after a tremor hit the island. With time, the seawater erosion created a central lagoon that locals now use for swimming. There is also a vibrant surfing community forming here. Each September, you can experience the local procession that ends at the Ermida de Santo Cristo, the village chapel.
What’s unique about the lake of Caldeira da Fajã do Santo Cristo is that it is the only place on the island where clams are harvested.
Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo has only one restaurant, O’Borges, and I recommend booking it in advance to make sure they have a spot for you. Food is beyond delicious!
You can absolutely swim in the caldeira (lake), just be mindful about possible jellyfish – ask about it in the village (more about the jellyfish below the picture). During nice weather people surf and kayak around caldeira and surrounding ocean, rent of the equipment is possible just at the shore.
Jellyfish: sometimes you may encounter a jellyfish (aguaviva) or a Portuguese caravel whose sting is painful and dangerous. The good thing is that these last ones float and are easily detectable, but in case you see one, get out of the water immediately and warn other people of their presence. In case you have been stung by either of them, it is very important that you follow these official recommendations: do not scratch the area of the sting (to prevent the venom from spreading); do not clean with fresh water or alcohol, clean only with sea water and very carefully; and in case the sting is a Portuguese dogfish sting, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Faja dos Cubres
It is one of the most well-preserved fajãs of the island and owes its name to the cubres, yellow flowers that abounded here. Unique to this fajã are the four small islets surrounded by reed swamps in a central lagoon. As soon as you arrive at Fajã dos Cubres, you will notice the Nossa Senhora de Lourdes Chapel, built in 1908, next to a spring of water considered miraculous by the local population, and the curious constructions in volcanic basalt are striking.
Here you will find a lagoon that precedes the sea and which is the habitat of different species of birds. For this reason, this lagoon system was distinguished as a Site of International Importance. On the margins of the lagoon, there are pastures where cows roam freely.
Fajã dos Cubres is also the end (or the beginning) of the most beautiful trail on the island, which connects Serra do Topo with this fajã, passing through the Caldera de Santo Cristo.
Miradouro da Fajã dos Cubres
As you leave the fajã don’t miss the Miradouro da Fajã dos Cubres, a viewpoint over the blue and green landscapes of the fajãs below.
São Jorge Itinerary Day 4 (Eastern part)
Farol do Topo
Experience São Jorge the way its first settlers did by heading to the village of Topo. It was on this eastern tip where São Jorge’s first settlers disembarked onto the craggy cliffside centuries ago.
In Topo there is a lighthouse overlooking a very biodiverse islet – Ilhéu do Topo. A curiosity related to this islet is that in summer you can see cows swimming around here. Apparently, given the proximity of the islet (100 meters from the coast), the cows swim until they reach the islet to graze there. It is for this reason that the town of Topo is also known for the quality of its cheese (Queijo do Topo).
For a refreshing start to the day, jump into the crystal clear waters of the natural pools here. Popular among residents, these pools offer a relaxing swim and a closer look at the volcanic rocks.
Both the viewpoint and the scenic road on the way to Topo have incredible views, so go slowly and enjoy the ride.
Cascata do Cruzal
Soon when you leave Topo, take the opportunity to visit the Cascata do Cruzal. A short trail leads to this waterfall hidden in the lush forest and flora of the region.
Just down the road from this waterfall is the Finisterra Cheese Factory of Topo.
Fajã dos Vimes
The villages of São Jorge have seen many effects of volcanic and seismic activity, and the Fajã dos Vimes is no different. This area was entirely destroyed in 1757 when a tremor hit the island, but today it is famous for its coffee plantations.
Don’t miss a cup of local brew from Café Nunes, a family-run coffee plantation and artisan space. Cafe Nunes also sells pastries and cheesecakes.
Fajã dos Bodes
You can walk to Fajã dos Bodes from neighbouring Fajã dos Vimes. This is where cattle are often sheltered in the winter months, and is a great place to witness the island’s traditional lifestyle.
Calheta
Finish your day just a stone-throw away from Velas, in one of the main villages of São Jorge, Calheta.
For a sense of perspective and the challenges of building in such hilly landscape, make sure to stop by the Miradouro da Calheta. From here, you can gaze out at the Atlantic, framed by Calheta in the foreground and the beautiful Pico Island in the background.
Walk through this charming village, one of the oldest on the island, and eventually, you will reach the village port. It’s an ideal spot for diving and swimming and is very popular with locals.
You can observe the most beautiful sunsets here, viewing Mount Pico in the distance.
The island’s only ethnographic museum where visitors can learn about the local history, culture and traditions can also be found in Calheta.
To summarize everything…
You could definitely see the main attractions in Sao Jorge in fewer days, but even stopping for a swim in one of the gorgeous natural lava pools has its charm.
With all of that said we think you’re ready to visit Azores now 🙂 if you need further assistance with planning your trip don’t hesitate to contact us and get yourself personalised travel advice.
If you had a look at our itinerary plans for other Azorean islands you can see that you need quite some time to enjoy Azores fully. To save the time you can respond when wander calls and join us in one of our group adventures!
