The Lilac Island

The Lilac Island

Terceira Island is the third largest of the nine islands, featuring an incredible contrast between the Atlantic dark blue waters and the Island’s typical green fields, locally known as “cerrados” separated from each other by volcanic stone walls. This scenario is perfectly seen from the viewpoint of Serra do Cume at an altitude of 545 meters. The island is also known as the lilac island, due to its abundance of blue and purple hydrangeas, and its historical center has also distinct colorful buildings where lilac predominates.
 
Historically it was the third island to be discovered by the Portuguese navigators, probably between late 1420s and early 1430s; it was first called the “Island of Jesus Christ”. Proud of their background full of grand achievements, the title of “Very Noble, Loyal and Always present” was assigned to the city of Angra do Heroísmo. Enhancing the importance of this metropolis had throughout the history of Portugal and the Azores Archipelago. Until today, its historical center is breathtaking with picture-perfect streets and alleys, rich monuments including churches, palaces, manors and lush green gardens. UNESCO recognized this by integrating the Historic Center of Angra do Heroísmo as a World Heritage, site in 1983. The best locations to gaze at the beauty of Terceira’s historical center are from Alto da Memoria or Monte Brasil Belvedere, from where it’s possible to add a hike across its recreational forest reserve right next to the viewpoint.

The interior of the island is fulfilled with patchwork fields crisscrossing the landscape, and home to an incredible site, Algar do Carvão, a 90 meter-deep volcanic chimney formed approximately 3.200 years ago that you can walk inside to see the one of the world’s largest stalactites, classified as Regional Natural Monument. Another fascinating underworld site is Gruta do Natal, a cave consisting of a lava tube and its passages are beyond fascinating, with the walls, ground and ceiling having different colors and shapes. But Mother Nature did not stop blessing this Island with natural wonders such as Furnas do Enxofre, a landscape filled with fumaroles, surrounded by a red soil contrasting the green field and the peculiar smell of sulfur. Around this incredible site, are paths that allow you to see the fumaroles from close.  Or the natural pools of Biscoitos, formed by black basalt lava resulted from volcanic eruptions, its dark colors contrasts with the deep blue ocean.

Terceira, also offers incredible boutique hotel such as Angra Marina Hotel, a modern five stars property by the Bay featuring a total of 130 rooms with balcony, boosting sublime bay and ocean views, an indoor pool, a wonderful spa with hydrotherapy treatments and a sophisticated restaurant and a dazzling panorama piano bar. Or the Atlântida Mar Hotel, located by the only sandy beach on the island, Vitoria Bay. This four stars hotel has 28 rooms with ocean or mountain views, outdoor pool, sauna, gym, Jacuzzi and a lovely bar with a terrace to enjoy a cocktail drink at sunset.