Faial Island, formerly Fayal Island, Portuguese Ilha do Faial, island forming part of the Azores archipelago of Portugal, in the North Atlantic Ocean. Its area of 67 square miles (173 square km) was increased by 1 square mile (2.5 square km) because of volcanic activity in 1957–58.

How do you get to Faial Island?

The best way to arrive to Faial Island is by plane. Azores Airlines operate daily direct flights (duration around 2h30) between Lisbon and Horta Airport in Faial. You can also arrive to Faial from Lisbon via S.
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For current fares and schedules is best to contact the airlines directly:

1. Azores Airlines.
2. SATA.
3. TAP.
4. Ryanair.

How many people live Faial Azores?

The surface area of Faial Island is approximately 67 square miles (173 km2). The island has about 15,000 inhabitants and its main municipal seat is located in the city of Horta.

What country do the Azores belong to?

Azores, Portuguese in full Arquipélago dos Açores, archipelago and região autónoma (autonomous region) of Portugal. The chain lies in the North Atlantic Ocean roughly 1,000 miles (1,600 km) west of mainland Portugal.

How long does it take to drive around Faial Island?

It only takes 1 hour to circumnavigate the island on the main road meaning you can fit all the main sights in just one day. Due to the unpredictable weather in the middle of the Atlantic, we'd still recommend you to stay at least two days on Faial.

The Azores: Faial Island

Do you need a car in Faial?

The best way to get around any of the islands on the Azores is to rent a car. Public transport is quite limited and often doesn't go to the tourist attractions anyway. There are plenty of car rental options on Faial, both from international companies like Europcar and local Azores companies like Ilha Verde.

Do they speak English in the Azores?

The official language in Azores is Portuguese. ... For those visiting the Azores on holiday, however, the good news is that most of the people involved with tourism speak at least well enough English to be able to communicate with tourists.

Is Azores expensive?

While they are still slightly more expensive than mainland Portugal – insularity comes with a price! – food and accommodation are still cheap compared to Western European standards. It's possible to travel to Azores with a budget of less than $80-90 a day, including accommodation, food, and transportation.

What is Azores famous for?

Home to about 250,000 people, the Azores are known for their vibrantly-colored blue green lakes, fertile prairies, volcanic craters, colorful hydrangeas, 15th century churches, and majestic manor houses.

What does Faial mean in English?

Faial Island, formerly Fayal Island, Portuguese Ilha do Faial, island forming part of the Azores archipelago of Portugal, in the North Atlantic Ocean. ... Faial (meaning “beech wood”) was named for the wax myrtle, once abundant, which its discoverers mistook for beech trees.

Who settled Faial Azores?

The Azores are an archipelago, formed by nine islands, discovered and settled by the Portuguese in the beginning of the 15th century. The official date of the discovery of the Azores is 1427 by the Portuguese explorer, Diogo de Silves, who first saw the islands of Santa Maria and São Miguel.

How old is Faial?

During a period of medieval legends and unsubstantiated stories of mystical lands, the island of Faial first appeared on the 1375 Catalan Atlas, as Ilha da Ventura or Insula de La Ventura (English: Venture Island).

What is the main airport in Azores?

Azores Airport in Ponta Delgada is an international airport located on the island of São Miguel, in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. Located 2 km (1.2 mi) west of the city centre of Ponta Delgada, it is the primary and busiest airport in the Azores.

Can I retire in the Azores?

Is the Azores a good place to retire to? Because of the attraction of the weather, the islands have become something of a hotspot for expat retirees. You will experience few harsh extremes and sufficient rainfall to ensure your garden and the surrounding countryside is always lush, verdant green.

What is the best month to visit the Azores?

The best time to visit the Azores is June through August. During this time, temperatures are at their highest, cloudy days are fewer and farther between and the likelihood of rain is low.

Does it snow in the Azores?

Although infrequent, snowfall is a phenomenon occurring in the Azores. On the mountain of the island of Pico, at 2,351 meters, the highest point of the country, snow is visible every winter.

Do the Azores have beaches?

The archipelago of the Azores Islands is a unique example of the great power of Mother Nature. ... These two islands don't just have beaches and beautiful nature to visit, such as Caldeira das Sete Cidades on São Miguel and the Furnas on Terceira, but also places of great historical and cultural interest.

Can you drink tap water Azores?

Health & safety in The Azores

While mineral water is available in restaurants and shops, it's safe to drink the tap water in hotels and homes in the Azores, so remember to bring refillable water bottles and keep your family hydrated round the clock.

How do you pronounce Faial?

1. Phonetic spelling of faial. fa-ial. fah-yahl.
2. Meanings for faial.
3. Translations of faial. Russian : Фаял Arabic : فايال

Is the Azores poor?

Even so, Azoreans are in a struggle. With a per capita gross national product of $1,286 in 1985, they rank among the poorest people in Europe, trailing Portugal, with $2,160, and Greece, with $3,280. About 28% of islanders work the land.

Can I drive in Azores?

Driving in the Azores is pretty relaxed because there's very little traffic and people generally don't drive like maniacs. ... So if you're not familiar with driving on the right, but you're up to the challenge, the Azores is a pretty friendly place to get used to the switch-up.