Islands, Portugal
Azores for solo travelers
Is Azores good for solo travel?
Nine volcanic islands for hiking, hot springs, whales and lakes, with quiet remote-working bases in Ponta Delgada. Weather swings fast, flights add up and public transport is thin.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Very friendly |
| English | Widely spoken |
| Safety | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women. Remote trails and lakes are safest with a charged phone and shared plan. |
How to meet people in Azores
Hostel and guesthouse groups on São Miguel, guided hikes and canyoning, whale-watching boats, coworking events in Ponta Delgada and diving trips.
Good things to do alone
- Soak in Terra Nostra Garden's hot spring pool
- Hike around Sete Cidades crater lakes
- Join a whale or dolphin watching boat
- Eat cozido das Furnas cooked underground
- Climb Pico Mountain, the highest in Portugal
Where to stay in Azores
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Ponta Delgada (São Miguel) | Main town: flights, restaurants, coworking and tours |
| Furnas (São Miguel) | Hot springs and cozido cooked in the ground; quiet evenings |
| Angra do Heroísmo (Terceira) | UNESCO old town and lively festivals |
| Horta (Faial) | Sailing harbour, mountain hikes and ferries to Pico |
Solo travel across Portugal
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Porto | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Lagos | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Algarve | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Madeira | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Sintra | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Cascais | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Azores | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Faro | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Ericeira | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Coimbra | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Douro Valley | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Évora | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Braga | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Aveiro | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Silver Coast | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Albufeira | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Nazaré | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Tavira | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
Quick answers
Is Azores good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Nine volcanic islands for hiking, hot springs, whales and lakes, with quiet remote-working bases in Ponta Delgada.
How do you meet people in Azores?
Hostel and guesthouse groups on São Miguel, guided hikes and canyoning, whale-watching boats, coworking events in Ponta Delgada and diving trips. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Azores?
Widely spoken.
Is Azores safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women. Remote trails and lakes are safest with a charged phone and shared plan.
More about Azores
Going to Azores solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Azores meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.