Sintra and the Azores in 10 Days

Fairy-tale palaces above Lisbon, then crater lakes and lantern-lit hot springs in the mid-Atlantic

10 days2 stops

Original illustration

At a glance

Fly into Lisbon and head straight to Sintra for three nights among hilltop palaces, mossy gardens and wild Atlantic capes, then fly two hours to São Miguel in the Azores for six nights of crater lakes, thermal pools and whale watching. It suits nature-loving couples who prefer green landscapes and hot springs to crowded beaches. Go from May to September, when Azores weather is most settled.

By the Honeymoon Huts editors · How we research

This route skips the beach-resort script for two of Portugal's greenest places. Sintra sits on a ridge of granite hills about 40 minutes west of Lisbon, where kings and wealthy eccentrics spent four centuries building summer palaces wrapped in ferns, moss and old trees. Most visitors come on a crowded day trip. Honeymooners who stay overnight get the palaces at opening time and the gardens in the quiet late afternoon.

The Azores, nine volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic, come next. São Miguel, the largest, has blue and emerald lakes in old craters, hydrangea-lined roads, tea plantations and hot springs where you can soak by lantern light after dark. Locals still cook lunch by burying pots in the steaming ground.

The trip has one flight and one hotel change, with a second base on São Miguel if you want it. Better still, the Azores have nonstops to Boston, so the flight home is short and jet lag barely registers.

The route

Best months: May to September
Trip length: 10 days
Budget: About $200–600 a night for two in palace hotels, boutique suites and spa hotels (approximate)

Day by day

Days 1–3: Sintra

Land at Lisbon Airport (LIS) and take a taxi 30 to 40 minutes straight to Sintra. Staying here is the single best decision you can make. The Tivoli Palácio de Seteais, an 18th-century palace with formal gardens and views to the sea, is the classic honeymoon address. Small guesthouses within walking distance of the historic center are the alternative.

On day two, be at Pena Palace for the first timed entry, when the painted terraces and views to the Atlantic are almost yours alone. Walk down the mossy spiral staircase of the Initiation Well at Quinta da Regaleira and out through the grotto tunnels. Spend the late afternoon in the gardens of Monserrate, usually the calmest site in Sintra.

On day three, head for the coast. Eat grilled fish above the ocean pool in Azenhas do Mar, taste rare sand-grown Colares wines and drive 20 minutes to Cabo da Roca, mainland Europe's westernmost point, to watch the sun drop into the Atlantic.

Days 4–6: São Miguel's West and Ponta Delgada

Drive back to Lisbon Airport in about 30 to 40 minutes, then fly roughly two hours to Ponta Delgada (PDL). Rent a car on arrival and book it early in summer, when cars sell out. White Exclusive Suites & Villas in Lagoa, a few minutes away, has nine white suites built into the volcanic shore with an ocean-view pool.

On day five, head out on a small boat from Ponta Delgada to look for sperm whales and dolphins, guided by spotters on the cliffs. In spring, blue whales sometimes pass through.

On day six, drive west to Sete Cidades. Hike part of the crater rim above the blue and green twin lakes, then picnic by the water in the village below. Finish at Ponta da Ferraria, where you climb down to a rocky inlet and float in a hot spring that mixes with the Atlantic. Time it for low tide, when the water is warmest.

Days 7–10: Furnas and Home

Move to Furnas, a volcanic valley on the east side of the island, for the slow stretch of the trip. Furnas Boutique Hotel has its own thermal pools and spa, so you can soak whenever you like. Staying here lets you visit the public hot springs early or late, when the day crowds have gone.

On day seven, watch cooks lift pots of cozido from the steaming ground by Furnas lake, then share the stew at a nearby restaurant. In the evening, move between the five warm pools at Poça da Dona Beija in their lantern-lit glen.

Day eight is for the north coast tea plantations and a walk among the rows, with a stop at the black sand beaches near Ribeira Grande. Keep day nine completely unplanned for spa time, a last swim and a long dinner.

On day 10, drive about an hour back to Ponta Delgada for your flight. Azores Airlines flies nonstop to Boston year round, with additional service to New York JFK.

Getting Between Stops

From Lisbon Airport, Sintra is about 30 to 40 minutes by car or taxi. Within Sintra, private cars are not allowed up to Pena Palace and parking in the historic center is limited, so use local buses, tuk-tuks, taxis or the walking trails between sites. Rent a car only for the coastal day, or book a driver.

Lisbon to Ponta Delgada is about a two-hour flight with several departures a day. On São Miguel, rent a car. Roads are good, distances are short and the drive from Ponta Delgada to Furnas takes about an hour.

For the trip home, Azores Airlines flies nonstop from Ponta Delgada to Boston year round, with service to New York JFK as well. United has offered seasonal Newark flights. If you want to fly home from Lisbon instead, you can connect through the capital on the same day.

Where to Stay

In Sintra, the Tivoli Palácio de Seteais sits on the road toward Monserrate, with formal gardens and views across the plains to the sea. Penha Longa Resort, set in a former monastery estate south of the hills, suits couples who want a spa, golf and more modern rooms. Small guesthouses in old townhouses and quintas let you walk to the palaces and to dinner.

On São Miguel, split your nights between two areas. Near Ponta Delgada, White Exclusive Suites & Villas in Lagoa is a minimalist hotel on the shoreline, close to the whale-watching boats and the city's restaurants.

In Furnas, Furnas Boutique Hotel has thermal pools and a spa. On the north coast, Santa Bárbara Eco-Beach Resort sits above a black sand surf beach near Ribeira Grande, with villa-style rooms and a more outdoorsy feel.

When to Go

May to September is the best window for the Azores. Days are longer, the sea is warmer for whale watching and the hydrangeas bloom along the roads from around June to August. Even in summer, plan for changeable weather, because sun, mist and showers can all appear in a single afternoon.

Sintra is at its best in spring and early fall, when the gardens are lush and the crowds are more manageable. The hills catch Atlantic moisture, so mornings can be misty even when Lisbon is sunny.

Winter is quiet, green and cheaper on both stops, but the Azores can be windy and wet, with more flight disruptions between islands. Hot springs are lovely in cool weather, so a shoulder-season trip in May or late September can be a smart compromise between weather and price.

What It Costs

This route offers good value. As an approximate guide, boutique guesthouses in Sintra cost about $150 to $300 a night for two, with the Tivoli Palácio de Seteais higher. On São Miguel, White Exclusive Suites & Villas starts around $300 a night. Most other hotels cost less, though summer prices rise.

The Lisbon to Ponta Delgada flight is usually reasonably priced. Add a rental car on São Miguel and taxis or a driver in Sintra.

Spend on the timed palace entries in Sintra, a whale-watching trip and spa time in Furnas. Meals are inexpensive on both stops, from grilled fish in Azenhas do Mar to volcanic stew in Furnas, which leaves room for a splurge dinner on your last night.

Tips for the Two of You

Pack layers and light rain jackets for both of you, along with shoes that can handle wet trails. Azores weather changes fast, so keep a flexible plan and move hikes to the clearest day. In Sintra, comfortable shoes matter more than anything, since the palaces are spread across steep hills.

Bring dark swimsuits for the thermal pools in Furnas. The iron-rich water can stain light fabrics.

At Ponta da Ferraria and on the north coast beaches, ocean swimming can be rough. Check conditions and swim only where locals do.

The Azores give each of you options. One partner might go canyoning or surfing while the other takes a spa treatment or a slow walk through the botanical gardens in Furnas. Whale-watching boats can be bumpy, so take seasickness tablets if either of you is prone to it.

Make It Shorter or Longer

With a week, spend two nights in Sintra and four on São Miguel, choosing one base near Ponta Delgada or in Furnas.

With two weeks, add a second island. Pico with its vineyards and volcano and Faial with its sailing harbor are a short SATA flight from São Miguel and only a 30-minute ferry apart, which makes them an easy pair. Allow buffer days, since wind and fog sometimes delay inter-island flights.

Couples who want more city time can add two nights in Lisbon between Sintra and the Azores for fado in Alfama and a golden-hour sail on the Tagus. Those who prefer beaches could add three nights on the Algarve before flying to the Azores.

FAQ

Planning this trip

Should we stay in Sintra or visit as a day trip from Lisbon?

Stay. Most visitors come on day trips and crowd the palaces between 11 and 4. Sleeping in Sintra lets you see Pena Palace at opening time and the gardens in the quiet late afternoon. Sintra is also close to the wild Atlantic coast for sunset at Cabo da Roca.

How do we get from Lisbon to the Azores?

Fly from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada on São Miguel, about a two-hour flight with several departures a day. Rent a car at Ponta Delgada Airport, which is about 10 to 15 minutes from town. Book the car early in summer, when rentals can sell out.

Can we fly home directly from the Azores to the US?

Yes. Azores Airlines flies nonstop from Ponta Delgada to Boston year round, with additional service to New York JFK. United has also offered seasonal flights from Newark. That makes the Azores an easy final stop, with a much shorter flight home than from mainland Europe.

How many nights do we need on São Miguel?

Five or six nights is ideal for a honeymoon. That allows time for whale watching, the Sete Cidades crater lakes, Furnas hot springs and the north coast, with a spare day for bad weather. Splitting the stay between Ponta Delgada and Furnas reduces driving.

Is the weather in the Azores good enough for a honeymoon?

It is mild but changeable. Summer brings warm days and hydrangeas, though showers and mist can roll in quickly. Couples who enjoy hot springs, hikes and green landscapes rarely mind. If you need reliable sun and beach time, the Algarve or Madeira is a better choice.

Stops on this route

Portugal

Sintra

Portugal

Azores

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