Flores Island (Azores)

Flores is the westernmost island of the Azores and, together with its small neighbour Corvo, the most remote part of Portugal. The nearby islet of Monchique, just off the west coast, is generally regarded as the westernmost point of Europe. The island is about 17 kilometres long and 12 wide, with roughly 3,400 residents, and its highest point, Morro Alto, rises to around 900 metres. The Gulf Stream keeps the climate mild, and the rainfall that falls on the high ground explains the green landscape, the countless streams, and the waterfalls for which the island is known.

The island was sighted by the Portuguese navigator Diogo de Teive and his son in the middle of the 15th century, and it was settled in the following decades. It is said to have been named Flores for the wild flowers that covered it, and hydrangeas still line the roads in summer, flowering in blue and pink hedges. The island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, in recognition of its natural value and the traditional ways of life on it.

The volcanic origins are visible everywhere. Craters hold lakes such as Funda, Rasa, and Comprida, and cliffs plunge to the sea in tall walls scored by streams that fall in cascades. The best known waterfalls are in the Ribeira Grande area and near Fajã Grande on the west coast, where pools, ferns, and basalt cliffs make a dramatic scene. Natural swimming pools are formed in lava rock at the coast. There are walking trails of different lengths, many of them marked, that cross the island from lake to coast, and the views from the ridges look over the sea in all directions.

Getting there takes some planning. There are regional flights from São Miguel, Terceira, and Faial, as well as occasional boat services, and most visitors rent a car to explore. A stay of three or four days gives time for the main walks and waterfalls. Weather changes quickly, so waterproof clothing is essential, and accommodation is limited, so book ahead in summer.

Flores suits hikers, nature lovers, photographers, and those who enjoy solitude. The villages are small and quiet, the food is simple and local, and the sense of being at the edge of the continent is part of the appeal.