Terceira Island van tour: Volcanic craters, cheese tasting

Volcanic rock pools and panoramic crater views across Terceira's Atlantic coastline

A full-day van tour of Terceira Island in the Azores with a live guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a cheese tasting at a regional factory. The itinerary covers Monte Brasil volcano, the islets viewpoint, historic East Coast defense sites, Praia Vitória city, Facho viewpoint, Agualva parish, Biscoitos natural pools, and a fishing village. Lunch is your own arrangement. The tour runs seven hours and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour of Terceira Island

• Visit Monte Brasil volcano viewpoint
• See islets of goats viewpoint
• Explore historic East Coast area
• Walk by the sea and enjoy nature
• View the largest boiler of the Azores
• Lunch and free time at Praia Vitória
• Visit Facho viewpoint in Praia Vitória
• Pass through Agualva parish views
• Stop at natural pools of Biscoitos
• Cheese tasting at Terceira cheese factory
• Visit fishing parish of St. Matthew

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel and heads to Monte Brasil, a volcano on Terceira's south side where you stand above the crater and look across to Pico das Cruzinhas for a panoramic view over Angra do Heroísmo. From there the route moves to the islets viewpoint, then to the historic East Coast (the site of Spanish invasion attempts and the island's defense) before reaching a seaside spot where you can walk and take in the blue water. The guide drives you past Agualva parish with its green pastures and northern bays, and stops at Facho viewpoint in Praia Vitória, the island's second-largest city, which has its own panoramic view and history worth the time.

The standout stop is Biscoitos, where natural pools sit in volcanic rock with crystalline water: one of the most striking landscapes on the island. After that comes a visit to Terceira's first cheese factory, where you taste regional cheeses and can buy products to take with you. The route finishes by passing through the fishing parish of St. Matthew to see the working port. You get about an hour free in Praia Vitória for lunch on your own before the return drive.

An air-conditioned van carries the group, and your guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese depending on the departure you book. Personal accident insurance is included, and the pace is steady enough for all fitness levels. The day is built around stops and viewpoints rather than hiking or strenuous activity.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• air-conditioned van.
• live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• cheese tasting at a regional factory.
• personal accident insurance.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 12 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Azores Nature Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you have a full day free. The seven-hour loop covers the island's main landmarks and natural pools in one continuous route, returning by evening. Choose the half-day version if you only have a few hours or need to leave at a different time.

Traveler reviews

4.95★★★★★★★★★★

190 verified traveler reviews

5 ★182

4 ★6

3 ★2

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is Monte Brasil and what will I see there?

Monte Brasil is a volcano on Terceira's south side where the tour stops to view the crater and Pico das Cruzinhas, which offers a panoramic view over the city of Angra do Heroísmo.

Can I swim or get in the water at Biscoitos?

Biscoitos is a natural pool area set in volcanic rock with crystalline water, and you'll have time to walk and enjoy the setting. The itinerary describes it as a stop to experience the landscape rather than a swimming break.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included. You get about one hour free time in Praia Vitória to eat on your own, and the rest of the day moves between stops.

What happens at the cheese factory?

The tour includes a visit to Terceira's first cheese factory, where you taste regional cheeses and have the opportunity to buy products of the highest quality to take home.