Portugal, Europe

Azores in May

Whale watching peaks, hiking trails dry out, and prices stay low. The Santo Cristo festival in Ponta Delgada often falls in May.

GoodPleasant, highs near 67F (19C), drier

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

The straight answer

May is a good month to visit Azores. Whale watching peaks, hiking trails dry out, and prices stay low. The Santo Cristo festival in Ponta Delgada often falls in May.

Weather: Pleasant, highs near 67F (19C), drier
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What May is like in Azores

May is a strong month in the Azores. Highs near 67F (19C), drier days, and whale watching at its peak make it a great time to go. Hiking trails dry out, and prices stay low. The Santo Cristo festival often falls in May, filling Ponta Delgada with flower-carpeted streets and a huge procession. Holy Spirit festivals begin around Pentecost.

This month suits hikers, whale watchers, and families who want nature trips before summer prices. Ferries between islands may still be limited, so fly if you want to see Pico or Faial. For swimming weather, wait until July or September.

Make the most of May

What is especially good about Azores this month.

Santo Cristo festival

The Azores' biggest religious festival brings a huge procession through Ponta Delgada's flower-carpeted streets.

Peak whale season

Blue and fin whales are still passing, and weather is calmer.

Holy Spirit feasts

From Pentecost, community feasts serve soup and bread from small painted chapels, especially on Terceira.

What to pack for May

Hiking shoes
A light rain jacket
Layers
Binoculars

Our timing tip

Book Ponta Delgada hotels early if your dates overlap the Santo Cristo festival.

Book Azores for May.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Azores
Opens a hotel search for Azores in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for May
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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.
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Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Azores
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Azores for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in May

Festas do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres

The fifth Sunday after Easter and the days around it, usually May

The Azores' biggest religious festival, with a huge procession through flower-carpeted streets in Ponta Delgada.

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.

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 May, quick answers

Is May a good time to visit Azores?

May is a good month to visit Azores. Whale watching peaks, hiking trails dry out, and prices stay low. The Santo Cristo festival in Ponta Delgada often falls in May.

What is the weather like in Azores in May?

Pleasant, highs near 67F (19C), drier.

Is Azores crowded in May?

May is one of the quieter months in Azores; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Azores in May?

Festas do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres (the fifth sunday after easter and the days around it, usually may); Holy Spirit festivals (Festas do Espirito Santo) (from pentecost through the summer).