Ultimate Guide for an Azores Elopement
Imagine a place that looks like Scotland meets Iceland meets the California coast. Sounds dreamy right?! That’s exactly what you’ll find in the Azores, an island chain off the coast of Portugal. Dramatic coastlines, geothermal activity, and a laid back island vibe are among the things you’ll find on these islands known as the Hawaii of Europe. I spent my 30th birthday on the main island with my mom and scouted it out for future elopements - and I have to say it would be the PERFECT place to get married! I’ve rounded up a lot of information to get you started in your own research and planning for an ultra-romantic Azores elopement.
About the Azores
The Azores are a collection of 9 Atlantic islands that belong to the country of Portugal. They’re accessible via a 2 hour flight from Lisbon, Portugal, and I can tell you it is 100% worth the travel to get there! Sao Miguel is the largest island and the island we stayed on, but the other 8 (Pico, Sao Jorge, Faial, Flores, Terceira, Graciosa, Corvo and Santa Maria) are worth exploring as well. Much like Hawaii, they are rich with wildlife, geothermal activity and jaw-dropping views. One specific type of flora they’re known for is their hydrangeas! The acidic, volcanic soil that’s high in aluminum makes for vibrantly blue hydrangeas every summer, and they’re truly a sight to see.
If you choose Sao Miguel for your Azores adventures, you’ll likely want to rent a car. It’s super easy to navigate this island, and we booked our rental car through Azores Getaway and had a great experience. When you rent though, you’ll want to keep in mind you have to choose between manual and automatic!
When to plan an Azores elopement
Generally, summer is the most popular time to visit the Azores. From May to September, the iconic hydrangeas on the islands bloom and the islands are vibrantly green. The blooms peak around the end of July, but that’s also when you’ll find the most visitors flocking to the area. As always, I love a good shoulder season to help you encounter less crowds and find more seclusion for your intimate elopement! While these islands are pretty underrated for how incredible they are, they are growing in popularity. I would recommend spring or fall if you want to elope in the Azores.
I traveled there in mid-November, and it didn’t feel touristy during that time of year at all. While the hydrangeas were past peak, unlike most destinations in the fall, it was still alive with green. One important thing to note about the Azores is that the weather can be highly variable, and can change rapidly. However, when it does rain, it’s usually temporary and the rainbows afterwards are incredible!! SO many rainbows!
How to legally elope in the Azores
Usually, in this part of my guides I would outline how to obtain a marriage license in that destination. While there are some international destinations where it is possible to get a foreign marriage license, with this one, I’d recommend completing the legal part of things before you go. The Azores belong to Portugal, but they’re remotely located off the coast and have a very small town feel. Obtaining a marriage license here would be more challenging than in most places, so it’s easiest if you complete the paperwork in your state of residence before you make the trip. If you’re still interested in getting a marriage license in Portugal, you can read more about it here.
Best locations for an Azores elopement
The good news: It isn’t difficult to find a breathtakingly beautiful view for your Azores elopement. Many of the main attractions are super easy to access and don’t require any difficult hiking at all. You can see a lot in a short period of time on Sao Miguel specifically, and we can adventure around to different spots to get a ton of variety in your wedding photos! Here are a few notable spots to start with.
Logoa do Fogo
This is one of the most iconic views in all of the Azores! It’s a volcanic lake near the center of Sao Miguel that’s incredibly photogenic. Its striking blue water surrounded by rich green flora is a must-see in the Azores and would be the perfect backdrop for your elopement.
Sete Cidades
This small parish at the edge of a volcanic crater on Sao Miguel is a slice of paradies. The Blue Lake fills the crater left by the Sete Cidades volcano and provides a picturesque waterfront setting for this settlement. Its vibrant blue water is surrounded by lush green mountains and is one of my favorite spots on Sao Miguel!
The Pink House
This iconic home on Sao Miguel is a great place to stay for an Azores elopement, but it would also make a unique backdrop for your wedding! Not only is the pink exterior unforgettable, but so are the gardens, pond, pool and fire pit on the grounds. It has absolutely everything you could need for an adventurous wedding getaway with your person, and they do host weddings here!
Terra Nostra Gardens
These botanical gardens in Furnas on Sao Miguel are lush with the plant life that makes the Azores so unique. This is also where one of the most popular thermal pools on the island is located! Luckily, there is a hotel on site that hosts events and has several different venue options for intimate ceremonies.
Montanha do Pico
This mountain located on the Azores island of Pico is the tallest point in all the Azores. While hiking its 7700+ feet and rough terrain would be a lot for your wedding day, it would be absolutely epic to have it in the backdrop of your wedding photos. It towers in the skyline of basically any spot on the island of Pico. If you’re itching for a challenge, go with a guide to hike the 3.9 miles round trip and about 3500 feet in elevation gain during your wedding week.
The hydrangea beds on Faial
The island of Faial is known for its iconic, vibrant display of hydrangea flowers every year. It’s called the Blue Island, and once you see the color of the hydrangeas here, you’ll know why. While there isn’t one specific place to see the hydrangeas - they’re literally everywhere on this island from May to September - it won’t be hard to find a spot with these jaw-dropping flowers as your wedding day backdrop.
Capelinhos
If you’re looking for a minimalistic, otherworldly vibe for your wedding photos, Capelinhos is the spot. On the opposite side of the island of Faial from the famous port of Horta stands this unique geological formation that was born out of an underwater volcano spitting slag and ash in the late 1950s. The wavy sand and rock formations left behind almost feel like walking on the moon.
Ponta da Ribeirinha Lighthouse Ruins
For the stark contrast between industrial vibes and lush nature, head to the ruins of the Ponta da Riberinha Lighthouse on Faial. It was built in 1915 and sustained earthquake damage over the years, finally retiring in the 1990s. On a clear day, this lookout point provides stunning views of the hills on the island of Sao Jorge.
An Airbnb
The Azores are filled with magical Airbnbs that would make fantastic ceremony spots! I’ve written before about why planning an Airbnb elopement is a great idea, but I especially love the idea in the Azores because they’re surprisingly affordable there and can be a one-stop shop for all your wedding week needs, and then we can go out and explore for portraits! Bonus: I’ve listed some of my fave Airbnb options below.
Where to stay for an Azores elopement
These islands may be small but there are an abundance of affordable, beautiful places to stay. You’ll have to decide which island you’ll want to call your home base for your trip, but you can’t go wrong. Sao Miguel is the biggest and has the most lodging options, while Pico has the highest mountain, and Faial and Flores are known for their hydrangeas.
Santa Barbara Eco Resort - gorgeous, modern Sao Miguel property on the water where we stayed, complete with a hot tub and private beach access! Would be perfect to do a buyout here with all your guests for the week.
The Pink House - iconic pink and stone home on Sao Miguel with a trendy interior
White Sao Miguel - ultra chic hotel with ocean view, villa and full house rental options
Sensi Azores - a spa retreat designed to feed the senses
Terra Nostra Gardens Hotel - charming, historic Sao Miguel hotel on botanical garden property
Lava Homes Pico - mini village of modern vacation homes with stone exteriors and stunning views
Caldeira Guesthouse and Surf Camp Sao Jorge - perfect buyout for a small, adventurous wedding group who wants dedicated guides to organize the wedding week
Azores Country & Nature Cottage - stone cottage with a modern feel inside
Casa de Somho em Santo Amaro - natural but modern vibes with great views
Sete Cidades Lake Cabin - Scandinavian design with a full window wall to the lakefront views
Book an island hopping trip through Azores Getaways - while this isn’t a hotel, this travel agency will arrange your lodging in multiple stops. We used them for our car rental and I would highly recommend it!
Things to do when you elope in the Azores
This section of my guide to eloping in the Azores could be ENDLESS because there are so many unique things to do on these beautiful islands! Obviously island-hopping is a popular activity, but even if you stay in one place, there’s plenty to discover. And when it comes to food, you MUST try the seafood! Ponta Delgado on Sao Miguel has the most dining options, but you can find cute local spots around the various islands.
Food
Quinta Dos Sabores - restaurant on a local farm with a seasonal, changing menu. The best and most authentic meal we had in the Azores!
A Tasca on Sao Miguel - Ponta Delgado’s most popular restaurant
Bar Caloura on Sao Miguel - seafood by the sea
Casa da Rosa on Sao Miguel - funky atmosphere with bites and drinks
Cella Bar on Pico - some have called it the most beautiful bar in the world
Pôr-do-Sol on Flores - traditional stone house restaurant with great views
Peter Cafe Sport on Faial - legendary watering hole for sailing enthusiasts crossing the AtlanticActivities
Activities
Soak in the hot springs or thermal baths - these islands are known for geothermal activity, so a warm soak is a must here. It was my favorite thing we did! Terra Nostra Gardens has the most popular thermal baths, while Ponta da Ferraria is a hot spring that’s literally in the ocean! We visited Poca da Beija and Caldeira Velha and enjoyed both for a minimal entrance fee. You can’t go wrong with the hot spring you choose - this would be such a fun wedding day activity to share together. Pro tip: all the locals suggest going at night.
Hike with a guide to the top of Montanha do Pico - the best way to summit the highest point in the Azores is to hire a guide like Atipico for the hike
Go whale watching - the Azores are one of the BEST places in the world to go whale watching! Futurismo Azores Adventures and Terra Azul are two popular tour companies
Swim with dolphins - many of the same companies who offer whale watching will also take you to swim with dolphins in the wild!
Snorkel Princess Alice Bank - the aforementioned famous sports bar on Faial, Peter Cafe Sport, also serves as a guide company for local excursions. One such offering is a snorkeling trip to nearby Princess Alice Bank, an underwater seamount that draws all kinds of sea life.
Rent a catamaran - sailing is what the Azores are known for, considering it’s the perfect stopover spot for transatlantic trips - so why not get a taste of the local culture? Peter Cafe Sport provides catamaran rentals that allow you to travel between the islands with ease.
Boat to Vila Franca Islet Reserve - you can take a boat tour to this nature reserve on an island formed by a volcanic crater.
Surf the iconic waves - the Azores reputation as the Hawaii of Europe applies to the surf scene as well. It’s location lends itself to some incredible Atlantic swells, so if you can surf, you definitely want to go here!
Let me help you elope in the Azores
If you aren’t convinced eloping in the Hawaii of Europe would be epically beautiful by now, I don’t know how else to convince you. It’s truly a paradise and one of the most romantic places you could possibly get married. If you’re looking for adventure and natural beauty, an Azores elopement is for you!