Terceira
Terceira is the third largest island after São Miguel and Pico. There is a large American air base situated in
Lajes, which also is the main airport close to Praia da Vitoria. From here you can fly direct to all of the islands.
Terceira is about 29 x 17 km. Here you have a population of about 58,000 people.
The largest town is Angra do Heroismo. The town is nominated by UNESCO as a " world-town " worth to be
preserved. The town was on New Years day 1980 struck by a huge earthquake. Many of the beautiful
buildings
in the center of the town were destroyed. But many many beautiful buildings
are still preserved. You can still see
some remaining ruins from the earthquake. There are a very large cathedral,
a historic museum, and a bullfighter
arena. Angra do Heroismo is absolutely worth a visit with many hotels, residencias and restaurants for any
wallet to choose from.
I can recommend "Restaurant Elios" at Rua de Sao Pedra 47, Angra do
Heroismo. A small family place with
very nice tasty and affordable food in a relaxed atmosphere. The staff is
English speaking.
If you are renting a car, be aware that there are major parking problems in the
center of Angra do Heroismo.
The price for parking is 0,50 € per hour. (If even possible to find a place to
park). So it's important that the hotel
you stay in, can provide free private parking for the guests.
The second most important town on Terceira is Praia da Vitoria. It is located close to the American airbase
in
Lajes, which is also the civil
airport of Terceira. There
is a nice sandy beach in Praia da Vitoria.
The natural landscape is beautiful and has great varieties. There is a cavern, Algar
do Carvão, which absolutely
is to be seen. Opening hours: 23.
April-31. May 15.00-1730, 1. Juni-30. September
14.45-17.45.,
1. October-16.
October 15.00-17.30. Closed for the rest of the
year.
Not far from Algar
do Carvão is Serra
da Santa Barbara, which is the highest point on Terceira, (1021
m.), and
absolutely worth a visit. Go there in the morning if the sky is clear. The view
is breathtaking. Usually it's very windy
and chilly, so bring some worm to wear while you are on the very top. You can
drive your car to the very top.
After Serra
da Santa Barbara and Algar
do Carvão, you could chose eating your lunch at the charming lake
Lagoa da Falca near by. There are no restaurants, so bring your own lunch. It's
placed in a small forest, and have
very good picnic/ barbeque facilities. (And a lot of ducks).
In the area of "Serra da Ribeirinha" you will find a excellent
viewpoint over the "green patterned landscape". Just
outside Angra do Heroismo on the road to Praia da Vitoria, there is a sign on
the right side showing you the road
to "Serra da Ribeirinha".
Around the islands you will find several small and very cozy villages. Just let me mention Porto
Judeu, Biscoitos,
Ribeirinha, São Mateus and Terra Cha. In Biscoitos you can visit the local
wine museum, which shows you how
wine was produced in earlier days. Free entree, guided tour and a taste of the
wine. You can also buy white wine
produced on Terceira. Nowadays there is not produced enough red wine on Terceira
for commercial purposes.
There is an excellent 18 hole golf course close to the Angra-Praia road.
See also General information about the Azores. ( F. A. Q. )
Angra do Heroismo
The square in Angra1989
The square in Angra 2004
Praia da Vitoria
Sao Mateus
Lagoa da Falca
Diverse
. Tyreløb er altid en folkefest.
Det kræver mod at deltage.
Kapel i Porto Judeu
Porto Judeu havn
