Location
The Azores Islands are a Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean, located about 1,500 km (930 mi) from Lisbon and about 3,900 km (2,400 mi) from the east coast of North America.
These unique volcanic islands feature a world-acclaimed nature in its purest form, recognized as a world top destination by Quality Coast, National Geographic Traveller, and European Best Destination.
São Miguel, also called Green Island, is the most populated and best-developed island but also the fairest and most diverse: warm dark black sandy beaches, natural hot springs, breathtaking volcanic crater lakes.
The climate is subtropical with mild annual temperatures averaging 18°C (64°F). The warmest and busiest season goes from July to September. The ocean water temperature range from 17°C (63°F) in the winter to 25°C (77° F) in the summer. This is why you can enjoy exciting outdoor activities all year round:
- Whale and dolphin watching; the archipelago is a pit stop or home for about a third of the world’s species of cetacean
- Sea diving
- Popular watersports like surf, windsurfing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding
- Hiking (all levels)
- Biking (all levels)
- Horseback rides, paragliding
Ponta Delgada is the biggest city in the Azores. Its history goes back to the 15th century. It was one of Portugal’s leading cities in the 19th century during the orange culture-based economy. Richness led to urban and intellectual flourishing. Once private, extraordinary botanical gardens are now open to the public.
After the orange trading demise in the early 20th century other less successful agricultural activities and dairy industries emerged. Tourism is becoming a welcome promise.
Consul’s Residence is conveniently located in Ponta Delgada, just a 5-10 minutes walk away from downtown, main supermarkets, shops, restaurants, and botanical gardens.
Consul’s Ocean View are oceanfront flats located in São Roque. You can get to Ponta Delgada downtown by car in 6 minutes or you can take an easy 30 minutes walk alongside the ocean jogging/biking trail. It’s an 8-minute walk to Zona balnear Forno da Cal – a popular natural ocean water swimming pool and a 3 to 5 minutes drive to the closest beaches, São Roque and Pópulo.