Top 15 Activities to Experience in Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal

A World Heritage town on the Azorean island of Terceira, Angra do Heroísmo has governed the archipelago since the Age of Discovery. Due to its mid-Atlantic location, it possesses a unique character compared to other European towns, and its historic fortifications stand testament to Angra’s significant role in trade and military conquests dating back to the 15th century.

The churches, palaces, forts, and convents of the region will captivate you for days, while the natural scenery enhances the experience with dramatic landscapes. Adjacent to Angra do Heroísmo lies Monte do Brasil, an extinct volcano known for its clear cone shape, which is just one of many volcanic wonders waiting to be explored on Terceira.

Let us examine the top attractions in Angra do Heroísmo:

1. Palácio dos Capitães-Generais

Erected by the Jesuits at the end of the 16th century, this deceptively expansive structure became the headquarters of the archipelago’s inaugural unified government (Capitania Geral) after the expulsion of the Jesuit order in the 1700s.

Subsequently, it served as a royal residence for Peter IV and Carlos I of Portugal, and today, the complex functions as the official residence of the President of the Regional Government.

Visitors can enjoy a personalized guided tour, gaining insight into Terceira and the storied history of the Azores.

You will traverse richly adorned rooms and halls featuring paintings, coffered ceilings, period carpets, and antique furnishings.

2. Museu de Angra do Heroísmo

Since the 1960s, the town’s museum has resided in the Convento de São Francisco, a 17th-century structure featuring an extensive cloister and a sizable church.

The collection is notable for its magnitude and diversity, focusing on Angra do Heroísmo’s early settlement, military history, cultural traditions, religious congregations, and commerce.

Exhibits include weapons, uniforms, horse-drawn carriages, coins, toys, furniture, applied arts, paintings, and sculptures.

With the aid of timelines and an audioguide, you will enrich your knowledge of Azorean and Portuguese colonial history.

3. Monte Brasil

To the south of the city, the remnants of a cone formed by the ancient eruption of the Guilherme Moniz volcano are visible.

This area is located at the end of an isthmus sheltered by the Fort and Church of São João Baptista.

If you possess a vehicle, reaching the summit takes only a few minutes; however, many choose to walk from the town.

Although the ascent can be somewhat demanding, the breathtaking views, numerous fortifications, drystone walls, deer grazing along the path, and the diverse vegetation of laurel, heather, juniper, and boxwood make it worthwhile.

At the highest point, a column bearing a Maltese cross commemorates the Portuguese occupation of the Azores during the Age of Discovery.

4. Cathedral of Angra do Heroísmo

The largest religious structure in the Azores, Angra’s cathedral dates back to the century during which the archipelago was discovered.

This 16th and 17th-century edifice was constructed over an earlier church established by explorer Álvaro Martins in the 1460s.

The facade features a campanile flanked by two bell towers, each topped with pointed roofs adorned with monochrome tiles arranged in diamond patterns.

Within the expansive central nave, attention is drawn to the retable, showcasing a magnificent silver-plated altar.

The sacristy is accessible to visitors, housing brazilwood furnishings, vestments, and liturgical artifacts, such as a Roman Pontifical donated by King John V in the 18th century.

5. Duke of Terceira Garden

This botanical garden is situated adjacent to the Convento de São Francisco and was designed in the 1880s in the Portuguese Romantic style.

It incorporates remnants of the convent’s former grounds, including azulejo panels representing the prodigal son and the Tanque do Preto water tank.

In the garden’s lower section, around the bandstand, traces of the original French-style parterre remain.

The remainder of the garden features a more natural style, celebrated for its astonishing diversity of plants and trees.

Among the vegetation are laurel, eucalyptus, magnolia, camellias, hibiscus, a strawberry tree, various palms, and two massive Norfolk Island pines.

6. Alto da Memória

As you pause on the upper level of the Duke of Terceira, you might notice a stairway leading to an unseen destination.

This section poses quite a steep incline with numerous steps, but the effort is rewarded.

The stairs lead to the Alto da Memória, an obelisk adorned with Masonic symbols established in 1856 at the site of Terceira’s first fortification (constructed in 1474). The monument commemorates the visit of Pedro IV during the Portuguese Civil War.

The panoramic view of Angra and its bay, along with the forts and mountains, will reveal the value of the climb.

7. Praça Velha

The primary and most ancient civic gathering area in Angra, established in the 1500s, is surrounded by elegant historic buildings painted in vibrant colors or whitewashed.

The most prominent structure is the Neoclassical town hall, which also houses the Azorean Supreme Court.

Despite being an active municipal building, visitors typically can enter and conduct a brief self-guided exploration with prior permission from the receptionist.

You may tour the courtroom when it is not in session, as well as the ceremonial halls adorned with chandeliers, paintings, and beautiful stained glass windows.

8. Igreja da Misericórdia

This stately church, painted in a sky blue hue, is located by the waterfront and has been welcoming newly arrived sailors since the 1700s.

Originally the site of Terceira’s first hospital, the church served this institution until the hospital relocated to the outskirts of the town in the 19th century.

The highlight of this locale is its picturesque setting by the water, fronting a square paved with traditional calçada portuguesa and bordered by two arches leading to the harbor.

Inside, you will find a spacious nave with chapels embellished with gilded woodwork and statues, along with tile panels that illustrate scenes from the island’s history.

9. Fortaleza de São João Baptista

Between 1581 and 1650, Portugal was under Spanish rule, and it was during this Philippine era that this fort was constructed.

Its primary purpose was to safeguard the increasing maritime traffic between Iberia and the Americas, and it is a vast structure, larger than any other fort from this era.

With five kilometers of walls, the fort will intrigue visitors interested in the intricate artillery defenses of the time.

The entrance to the fort is impressive, featuring an ornately carved portal at the end of a bridge traversing a moat filled with stone pits.

This leads onto the Praça de Armas, which includes the Governor’s Palace, a church, and a chapel, all originating from the same historical period.

10. Rua da Sé

This charming street encapsulates the essence of Angra, leading you from the town’s elevated western district to the cathedral.

Rua da Sé exudes allure, with nearly every residence showcasing whitewashed walls and wrought-iron balconies, complemented by vibrant borders and window frames.

The cobblestone road, while a busy thoroughfare, features pavement adorned with calçada portuguesa mosaics, showcasing filigrees and Greek-style designs.

This is a thoroughfare best enjoyed at a leisurely pace, particularly when ascending, with numerous bakeries, restaurants, boutiques, and tasteful artisan shops lining the route.

11. Convento e Igreja de São Gonçalo

Experts and locals alike regard this convent as the pinnacle of Baroque architecture in the Azores. Founded in 1542, it reached its zenith in the 17th and 18th centuries with hundreds of nuns and was notable as a hub for cultural education, encompassing painting, textile design, and music.

Consequently, the church is adorned with elaborate decorations typical of the period: exquisitely carved, gilded woodwork framing 18th-century paintings, and superb blue-and-white tiles depicting biblical narratives, such as the life of Joseph.

12. Whale Watching

Situated at the marina, numerous enterprises offer remarkable nature cruises throughout the year.

The waters surrounding the Azores are home to various cetaceans year-round.

Bottlenose, common, and Risso’s dolphins are always present, alongside sperm whales that frequent the area.

Many other whale species tend to pass through during their migratory patterns, so to increase your chances of spotting blue whales, fin whales, sei whales, or pilot whales, plan to go between March and June.

The experienced skippers are knowledgeable about the ocean, often providing a money-back guarantee for dolphin or whale sightings during your excursion.

13. Algar do Carvão

Few individuals can say they have journeyed into the center of a volcano.

However, this experience awaits you at Terceira’s premier natural attraction, located approximately 15 minutes from Angra.

You will descend into the cone, which was fully explored only in the 1930s, providing extraordinary photographic opportunities at every turn.

This is due to the natural light that filters through the Boca do Alcar (Mouth of the Cavern), surrounded by lush ferns and moss.

As you venture deeper, the unique environment supports various cave-dwelling creatures, including strange cavern spiders, springtails, and centipedes, along with unusual stalactites found further within the cavern.

14. Outdoor Pursuits

Reaching the north coast of Terceira from Angra only takes about 20 minutes, allowing for a comprehensive exploration of the island.

Experiencing the volcanic peaks, rugged coastline, rocky rivers, natural rock pools, and lush forests and meadows necessitates an active approach.

You can engage in a variety of activities, including hiking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, horseback riding, and much more.

Additionally, canyoning is available, offering adrenaline-pumping experiences such as jumping into ravines and rock pools or sliding down waterfalls while wearing a neoprene suit and helmet.

15. Food and Drink

To experience an authentic taste of Angra, one must try Alcatra.

This dish consists of a slow-cooked pot roast, typically made with beef, but it can also feature fish, chicken, octopus, or rabbit.

The meat is prepared in a specialized clay pot, simmered for several hours with a thick, flavorful sauce incorporating bacon, bay leaves, and garlic.

Wherever Portuguese convents are found, delightful pastries follow: Bolos Dona Amélia are traditional cakes flavored with nutmeg and cinnamon, created to honor Amélie of Orléans’ visit to the Azores in the 19th century.

Finally, Chico Maria is a sweet fortified wine produced in Biscoitos on Terceira’s north coast, typically enjoyed as an aperitif.