Now, with Azores Routes – Cultural and Scenic Itineraries, you can finally discover and experience the uniquely rich culture of this Atlantic archipelago, always from the perspective of its inhabitants and their forced adaptation to such a distinctive geographical setting. After all, the true nature of the Azores is, above all, its people.
WHALING
ROUTE
Necessity and opportunity pushed the Azorean man to chase sperm whales from the second half of the 19th century to the 80s of the 20th century.
In a Route present in all the islands of the Archipelago, we unveil the work tools, the whaling boats, the factories, the workshops, the ramps, the try-works and the lookouts that continue, to this day, to mark the Azorean landscape.
But, above all, we get to know the testimonies of this maritime adventure, the fears, thoughts, disasters and adrenaline of this inevitable relationship “man – ocean – animal”.
VOLCANOS
ROUTE
Without them, there would be no Azores. Without them, there would be no Azorean Culture. In addition to understanding these geological phenomena, The Volcanoes Route, present in all the islands, aims to contextualize the umbilical relationship between the Azorean Man and Nature over centuries, as well as to illustrate all the constraints from this cohabitation to the present day.
WINE
ROUTE
Rooted in the unique characteristics of the Azores’ volcanic soils, viticulture has flourished in the archipelago since the islands were first settled. The need for subsistence, the ingenuity, and the ability of the Azorean people to integrate into the inherited landscape and derive sustenance from it gave rise to a cultural practice that is now experiencing rapid growth and was recognized in 2004 by UNESCO as a Cultural Landscape of Humanity, in the vast lava fields of the island of Pico.
The Wine Route offers the chance to experience the history of this tradition, spanning nearly five centuries, through manor houses and farmhouses, wineries, cooperatives, small ports, windmills, corrals, drying racks, wells, festivals, and family traditions, as well as to savor its sophisticated modernity with wine producers from the three islands bearing the Denomination of Origin seal (Pico, Graciosa, and Biscoitos, on Terceira) and from the newest production regions (São Miguel, Faial, and Santa Maria).
MARITIME EXPLORATION
ROUTE
On the Maritime Exploration Route, the sea is the central element that shapes the landscape, culture, and way of life of the Azores. Visitors to all the islands will discover fortresses and stories of privateers, pirates, and shipwrecks, learning about the sea as a means of communication and transportation.
Esta Rota oferece uma experiência imersiva que une natureza, história e tradições, convidando à descoberta do legado marítimo dos Açores.
INDUSTRIAL TOURISM
ROUTE
The Industrial Tourism Route offers unique experiences on all the islands, providing direct access to active industrial sites and industrial heritage sites.
Visitors discover the products, processes, and impact of these stories on local communities by exploring the origins of various everyday objects and participating in the production process, learning from the masters who preserve Azorean traditions and craftsmanship
