São Jorge is reserved for lovers of wild, unspoilt nature, for discovery enthusiasts and the adventure-curious. It’s on São Jorge that some of the most beautiful hikes in the Azores take place, and it’s an island you choose if you want to feast your eyes.
With its rich and generous nature, its spectacular views, its variety of colours and its island life, discover what awaits you when you visit São Jorge.
1 – The formation and history of São Jorge
The island of São Jorge formed around 1.32 million years ago, thanks to about ten aligned volcanic eruptions, known as the “volcanic ridge”, giving it its current knife-like shape (54 kilometres long and 6.9 km wide). Some also compare it to a sleeping dragon, or a stranded ship.
São Jorge, the brown island, is one of the triangle islands (within the central group of the Azores). It offers all its visitors a magnificent panorama over its neighbouring islands, Pico and Faial; when the weather is clear, and when walking on the northern part of the island, you can also catch sight of Terceira and Graciosa!
It was discovered in 1439 and settled around 1460, which makes São Jorge the second island of the Azores to be settled. Its history is not particularly notable: invaded in the 16th and 17th centuries by privateers, it was for a time under Flemish, then French rule, before becoming Portuguese again. The island never played a major role in the general history of the Azores, and that’s what makes it so intriguing, because its nature has remained practically intact.
Three historic eruptions are nevertheless worth noting: that of 1580, that of 1808 and that of 1964, which stood out for its underwater location. These eruptions still leave their mark on the inhabitants’ lives, particularly the most isolated (those living on the fajãs inaccessible by car, for example). São Jorge also experienced in 2022 an episode of earthquakes (the majority of which are undetectable to humans), which nevertheless revealed no threatening active volcanic activity.
The island is one of the least populated in the Azores, with its roughly 10,000 inhabitants, but nevertheless offers, during the summer periods, beautiful cultural celebrations, diligently attended and preserved by all. If you’re lucky enough to visit at that time, you’ll be able to enjoy this incredible atmosphere reigning over the island.
2 – The treasures of São Jorge
The most beautiful sunsets? The most beautiful natural pool in the Azores? The wildest island? São Jorge is all of that, but also much more.
With a total area of 244 km², São Jorge is the most impressive island in terms of geological architecture. Indeed, it is made up of a high central plateau occupying two-thirds of its space (composed of around 350 volcanic cones), and of gigantic cliffs (sometimes reaching up to 600 metres high). These either plunge into the sea or overhang “fajãs”.
Fajãs are strips of flat land resulting from lava flows that have hardened (this is the case, for example, of Fajã do Ouvidor) or from rock and earth falls caused by the erosion of the cliffs (this is the case of Fajã dos Vimes). It’s one of the most impressive natural formations that exist in the Azores, and São Jorge is its ambassador: there are 74 of them all around the island.
São Jorge has spectacular nature, thanks to its geological formation, but also thanks to its nature-protection policy. Even though it’s only since 2016 that São Jorge has been part of the UNESCO biosphere reserves, the island didn’t wait for this designation to protect its natural resources and its exceptional natural heritage, notably its fajãs. Some of them are particularly popular with surfers, fond of beautiful linear waves, and with divers, eager for discovery (this is the case of Fajã de Santo Cristo). The island also has two points, East and West, whose ochre colour leaves you speechless.
São Jorge is, moreover, the historic island on which coffee is produced (there are others, but it’s a secret we only share with our travellers!) and the cheese produced on São Jorge is, without question, the best in the archipelago.
Several towns exist on the island, but they remain small in size, which is perfect if you’re looking for an island that makes you feel far from everything, and from everyone.
3 – Visiting São Jorge
The idea behind your visit is to take in as many natural beauties as possible while not losing too much time: São Jorge, although particularly narrow in width, is one of the longest islands in the archipelago, and when you don’t know it, you can quickly rack up the kilometres.
Travel to the Azores offers to create the perfect itinerary for you: we work tailor-made, negotiate and book for you all the important services of your stay (car rental, accommodation, activities, restaurants…) and create a discovery itinerary that lets you make the most of your exploration. Whether you stay on the island 3 days, 5 days or more, discover São Jorge like a local, accompanied by your personalised travel diary and your interactive map. You’ll have nothing to think about, just to enjoy it 🙂
To find out more and receive your free quote, don’t hesitate to contact us at the following email address: contact@voyage-aux-acores.com, or by filling out the contact form.
See you very soon in São Jorge!
