Portugal, Europe
Azores in December
Low season, with a festive feel in Ponta Delgada. Pack for rain and treat clear days as a bonus.
The straight answer
December is a month of real tradeoffs in Azores. Low season, with a festive feel in Ponta Delgada. Pack for rain and treat clear days as a bonus.
- Weather
- Mild and wet, highs near 64F (18C), stormy spells
- Crowds
- 1 of 5
- Prices
- 1 of 5
What December is like in Azores
December is low season, with highs near 64F (18C) and stormy spells. Ponta Delgada has a festive feel, with holiday lights and gatherings. Boat trips are often canceled, inter-island ferries are limited so you will need to fly, and views can be hidden by cloud. Prices are low outside the holidays, and you will share the islands with very few visitors.
This month suits couples and travelers who want a quiet, festive island break. Pack for rain and treat clear days as a bonus. For hiking, swimming, and whales, plan for spring or summer.
Make the most of December
What is especially good about Azores this month.
Festive Ponta Delgada
The town is decorated for the holidays and has a cozy feel.
Furnas hot springs
Warm pools on a cool December day are a treat.
Empty viewpoints
On a clear day, you may have Sete Cidades to yourself.
What to pack for December
- A waterproof jacket
- Warm layers
- Waterproof shoes
- A swimsuit for hot springs
Our timing tip
Keep one day of your trip free, so you can move plans to the clearest day.
Book Azores for December.
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- Hotels for December
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in AzoresOpens a hotel search for Azores in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in AzoresWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in AzoresTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Azores for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Things to do in Azores
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pico's vineyards
A UNESCO World Heritage landscape of vines grown inside black lava-stone walls.
Angra do Heroismo, Terceira
A UNESCO-listed Renaissance port town with colorful facades and a strong festival culture.
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 December, quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Azores?
December is a month of real tradeoffs in Azores. Low season, with a festive feel in Ponta Delgada. Pack for rain and treat clear days as a bonus.
What is the weather like in Azores in December?
Mild and wet, highs near 64F (18C), stormy spells.
Is Azores crowded in December?
December is one of the quieter months in Azores; most sights can be done without long waits.
Keep planning Azores.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
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Before you book.
Sort these two things first.
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