The Azores (Açores) are a chain of nine volcanic islands scattered across the mid-Atlantic, roughly 1,400 km west of mainland Portugal. Known for crater lakes, dramatic sea cliffs, thermal springs, and green pastureland, the archipelago offers whale watching, hiking, and diving in a landscape often compared to Ireland and Hawaii combined. Ponta Delgada, on São Miguel, is the archipelago's largest city and main gateway.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Queijo de São Jorge / Queijo da Ilha
Firm, tangy, aged cow's-milk cheese from volcanic-pasture dairy herds, one of Portugal's most celebrated cheeses and an Azorean signature
Price: EUR 8-18 per kg (approx USD 9-19)
Where: Mercado da Graça (Ponta Delgada), queijarias on São Jorge, specialty food shops islandwide
Gorreana or Porto Formoso Tea
Black and green tea grown at Europe's only surviving tea plantations, on São Miguel; sold loose or bagged in the plantations' own gift shops
Price: EUR 3-10 per box (approx USD 3-11)
Where: Gorreana Tea Factory shop (Maia, São Miguel), Chá Porto Formoso, Ponta Delgada gourmet shops
Azorean Pineapple Liqueur
Sweet liqueur made from São Miguel's greenhouse-grown pineapples, a distinctive local product tied to the island's unique pineapple-farming tradition
Price: EUR 8-20 per bottle (approx USD 9-22)
Where: Arruda Pineapple Plantation shop, Mercado da Graça, Ponta Delgada liquor shops
Pico Island Volcanic Wines
Distinctive wines grown in stone-walled currais (lava-rock enclosures) on Pico's UNESCO-listed vineyard landscape, along with Biscoitos wines from Terceira
Price: EUR 10-35 per bottle (approx USD 11-38)
Where: Pico wine cooperatives, Ponta Delgada and Angra do Heroismo enotecas
Scrimshaw (Whalebone-Style Engraved Art)
Historic sailor's craft of engraved whale-tooth and bone artwork tied to the islands' whaling past, now made under strict regulation with legacy or synthetic materials
Price: EUR 20-300+ depending on piece and provenance
Where: Scrimshaw Museum shop at Peter Cafe Sport (Horta, Faial), Faial and Pico craft shops
Azorean Wool and Linen Handicrafts
Hand-knitted wool goods and embroidered linens from the islands' pastoral tradition, including bordado (embroidery) and woven items
Price: EUR 15-90
Where: Casa do Artesanato (regional craft cooperatives), village artisan shops on São Miguel and Terceira
Azulejo Tiles and Local Ceramics
Hand-painted decorative tiles and ceramics reflecting Portuguese azulejo tradition adapted with volcanic and maritime Azorean motifs
Price: EUR 10-80
Where: Ponta Delgada gift shops, Angra do Heroismo artisan stores
Azorean Honey and Jams
Local honey, passion-fruit and banana jams, and preserves made from the archipelago's subtropical produce
Price: EUR 4-12
Where: Mercado da Graça, farm shops, roadside producer stalls
Massa Sovada and Queijadas
Sweet Azorean bread (massa sovada) and small custard-like pastries (queijadas da Vila), everyday treats that travel reasonably well
Price: EUR 3-10
Where: Ponta Delgada bakeries, Vila Franca do Campo pastelarias
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Mercado da Graça
Ponta Delgada's historic 19th-century covered market, now operating from a rebuilt underground hall, selling fresh produce, cheese, fish, and Azorean specialties
Where: Rua do Mercado, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel
Hours: Mon-Sat mornings; busiest Fri-Sat when fresh produce arrives
Rua do Aljube and Rua do Mar
Ponta Delgada's main pedestrian shopping streets, lined with boutiques, jewellers, gourmet food shops, and artisan galleries in the historic centre near the Portas da Cidade
Where: Historic centre, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel
Hours: Shops generally Mon-Sat 9:30AM-7PM; some Sun in peak season