Considered the westernmost point of Europe, an island located in the Azores archipelago is home to several volcanoes located on this small island. The tiny island covers an area of about 66 square miles, and is only 13 miles long – but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in beauty. No other island is said to boast of such stunning and natural beauty which is largely due to the vast array of hydrangea flowers found here.
These flowers bloom in the summer months, creating awesome shades of blue, all perfectly framing the houses, separating the fields and bordering the roads found here. So mesmerising in fact, the island has even been nicknamed ‘blue island’ and is said to be a true haven for nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts with black sandy beaches and welcoming locals.
Faial, in Portugal, interestingly experienced a thirteen-month volcanic eruption back in 1957, thus creating an extra 1.2 square miles of new land here.
The population sits at roughly 15,000 residents, with most of the island’s population staying in its capital city known as Horta, the capital city.
A visit here and you’ll be met with a spectacle of natural beauty including a black sand beach called Almoxarife beach, lush vegetation such as cedars, beeches, junipers, ferns and mosses with the Faial Natural Park being the first Portuguese tourist destination awarded the EDEN prize (European Destination of Excellence).
Despite its unassuming location and size, Faial was a significant spot in the Atlantic’s history, including being the spot where Portuguese ships would resupply while trading in Brazilian gold and spices from the Far East.
And in the 19th Century, the island’s main port and marina, Horta, was once the headquarters for telegraph companies connecting Europe and USA.
This later evolved into a 20th Century communications hub which even assisted in the battle of Normandy during the D-Day beach landings in 1944.
Horta is often the scene of many major ships seen crossing the Atlantic Ocean with tradition depicting that each crew onboard these ships leaves a painting on the concrete walls of the pier.
This tradition depicted that each sailor who would leave these small paintings would “ensure” a safe arrival with the superstition even continues to this day.
Rumours state that a number of ships who failed to leave behind a painting were said to have suffered a number of nautical disasters.
The island has become popular among intrepid hikers thanks to its volcanic landscapes which are surprisingly easy to explore.
The island’s boasts of an impressive walking trail network including the grand Cabeco Gordo taking hikers to the extinct Monte da Guia volcano.
This trail takes hikers via the stunning vineyards of Faja do Norte and has been described as the ultimate way of exploring Faial than on foot.
One review on TripAdvisor wrote: “We’ve hiked many places but Caldeira is absolutely amazing. The views are incredible and we had an unforgettable picnic lunch half way around.
“This is one hike we will cherish for a long time.”
Other notable trails includes the Rumo ao Morro de Castelo Branco trail which traverses sea cliffs around the Castelo Branco, a coastal volcanic cone around 300,000 years old, described as being easy and a perfect way to soak up the beauty of Faial.