Every year, on the island of Pico in the Azores, a tradition takes place that the whole island eagerly awaits: a Semana dos Baleeiros (Whalers’ Week).
As anyone can imagine, the islands of the Azores share a special bond with the sea that surrounds them. Set right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the archipelago has always needed the sea to survive. So it’s only natural that the sea runs through so many aspects of Azorean culture: the cuisine, the architecture of the houses, the local festivals, the island spirit…
Travel to the Azores has chosen to shine a light on a time of year that perfectly sums up this relationship with the sea: Whalers’ Week. In this article, discover why you’ll have only one wish: to be in Pico during the Semana dos Baleeiros 🙂
1 – The origins of the Semana dos Baleeiros
For decades, one of the major economic pillars of certain islands, and Pico in particular, was tied to whaling (sperm whales especially), which, through the sale of every part of the animal, provided an income for the inhabitants and their families. Beyond the troubling killing of wild animals, this activity was extremely dangerous and many died during these gruelling expeditions. Thankfully, it came to an end in the 1980s (in 1984) at the impetus of the European Union.
It was also in the 1980s (in 1986) that Whalers’ Week was born, in the town of Lajes do Pico.
2 – When does the Semana dos Baleeiros take place and what will you see?
Every year, the festivities take place during the last week of August (in 2023, it ran from 21 to 28 August).
This week is made up of traditional parades, live performances, sporting events on land (football and beach volleyball tournaments…) and at sea (whaleboat regattas), religious commemorations for Nossa Senhora de Lourdes, hikes, music concerts… all the island’s inhabitants, and some from neighbouring islands, gather in Lajes do Pico to pay tribute to this most distinctive and utterly unique culture.
3 – How can you attend the Semana dos Baleeiros?
Travel to the Azores is here to help! If you’d like to discover the Azores and weave the exploration of local traditions into your trip (because in summer many other festivities are held across all the islands of the archipelago), entrust us with the planning of your stay:
- We take care of negotiating and booking all the essential elements of your trip (excluding flights and ferries): rental car, accommodation, activities, dining, all in keeping with your wishes and your budget
- We design a bespoke discovery itinerary, day by day, including must-see and original routes, so you can experience the Azores like a local and in an eco-responsible way
- Based on your traveller profile and the number of days you have for your holiday, we guide you on which islands to include in the itinerary and all the details you need to explore them
In short, a truly turnkey trip 🙂
To receive your free quote, get in touch with us at the following address: contact@voyage-aux-acores.com, or fill in the contact form!
