Portugal, Europe

Azores in August

The busiest and most expensive month, with Portuguese and diaspora visitors. Book cars and rooms well ahead. Warmest sea for swimming.

GoodWarmest, highs near 78F (26C), humid

The crater lake at Sete Cidades, Sao Miguel, Azores — AzoresPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

August is a good month to visit Azores. The busiest and most expensive month, with Portuguese and diaspora visitors. Book cars and rooms well ahead. Warmest sea for swimming.

Weather: Warmest, highs near 78F (26C), humid
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What August is like in Azores

August is the warmest month, with highs near 78F (26C) and humid air. It is the busiest and most expensive month, with Portuguese and diaspora visitors filling the islands. The sea is at its warmest. Semana do Mar brings regattas and concerts to Horta on Faial in early August. Holy Spirit feasts continue.

This month suits families on school break and swimmers. Book cars and rooms well ahead, and plan hikes for early morning before the humid afternoons. If you want similar weather with fewer people, September is the better choice.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Azores this month.

Semana do Mar

Horta's sea week brings sailing regattas, concerts, and seafood in early August.

Warmest sea

Natural rock pools like those at Mosteiros are great for swimming.

Summer ferries

Island hopping is easy with the full ferry network.

What to pack for August

Swimsuits
Water shoes for rocky pools
Sunscreen
A light rain jacket

Our timing tip

Book cars and rooms months ahead for August, since they sell out.

Book Azores for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Azores
Opens a hotel search for Azores in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Azores
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Azores
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Azores for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in August

Holy Spirit festivals (Festas do Espirito Santo)

From Pentecost through the summer

Community feasts with free soup and bread served from small painted chapels called imperios, especially on Terceira.

Semana do Mar

Early August

Horta's sea week on Faial, with sailing regattas, concerts, and seafood in the marina town famous among transatlantic sailors.

Things to do in Azores

Full guide

Sete Cidades

The twin crater lakes on Sao Miguel. Check live webcams or local weather before driving up; on cloudy days you will see only fog.

Tickets and tours →

Furnas and its cozido

Watch the stew pots pulled from the ground at the Furnas lake fumaroles around midday, then eat it in town and soak in the thermal pools.

Tickets and tours →

Whale watching from Ponta Delgada, Pico, or Faial

Operators use land-based lookouts to find animals. Spring is peak for blue and fin whales; sperm whales are seen year-round, weather permitting.

Tickets and tours →

Climbing Mount Pico

Portugal's highest mountain at about 7,700 feet (2,351 m). Climbers must register at the mountain house; summer is the practical season.

Tickets and tours →

Pico's vineyards

A UNESCO World Heritage landscape of vines grown inside black lava-stone walls.

Tickets and tours →

Angra do Heroismo, Terceira

A UNESCO-listed Renaissance port town with colorful facades and a strong festival culture.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Book rental cars early for June through September. Sao Miguel regularly runs short in summer, and public transport between sights is limited.
Check webcams for Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo each morning and go where the clouds are not. Build flexible days into your plan.
Visit Furnas' thermal pools early or late in the day; midday tour groups crowd the smaller pools.
Add a second or third island. Sao Miguel gets most visitors; Pico, Faial, Sao Jorge, and Flores are far quieter.

Know before you go

The Azores do not shut down, but from about October to May inter-island ferry service is limited or suspended on many routes, so island-hopping means flying.
Boat trips, whale watching, and swimming are weather-dependent in every month and are canceled frequently in winter.
Hiking trails can close after heavy rain or landslides. Check the regional trail network's status before heading out.
Some seasonal restaurants and guesthouses on the smaller islands close in winter.

Azores in August, quick answers

Is August a good time to visit Azores?

August is a good month to visit Azores. The busiest and most expensive month, with Portuguese and diaspora visitors. Book cars and rooms well ahead. Warmest sea for swimming.

What is the weather like in Azores in August?

Warmest, highs near 78F (26C), humid.

Is Azores crowded in August?

August is peak crowd season in Azores; expect lines at the headline sights.

What is happening in Azores in August?

Holy Spirit festivals (Festas do Espirito Santo) (from pentecost through the summer); Semana do Mar (early august).