Horta Lajes ferry

Horta Guide

Horta Ferry Port

Far off the coast of Portugal, almost forgotten in a remote stretch of the North Atlantic Ocean, are a smattering of volcanic islands that form a small archipelago known as the Azores. Found at the western edge of this archipelago is the island of Faial; a grassy expanse of rugged hills that plunge into the crater of the region’s stratovolcano heart. The vibrant port city of Horta is found around a small bay on Faial’s eastern coast. This proud coastal city and its sprawling marina are a renowned stop for vessels voyaging across the Atlantic. It’s rich seafaring history is depicted by the series of painted murals daubed onto the walls of the promenade, each a tribute to the ships that have come to harbour at the port. Found beyond the crenelated wall looming over the coast are the whitewashed buildings of the suburbs that rise in tiers upon the foothills. Between them run narrow roads and walkways, some with origins stretching back to the city’s humble 16th Century beginnings as a farming community. One of the most striking remnants from this era is the Church of Santa Bárbara, its black and white façade a neat blend of modern and historic architecture. The ferry terminal in Horta is found on a pier at the northern end of the bay. It is a relatively small building with a limited amount of facilities including an open plan waiting hall, free Wi-Fi and a small car-park for visiting passengers. Although only a few main road routes circle the island, the region is no more than 13-miles tip to tip and it only takes half an hour to drive to the port from the most distant district of Capelo. A bus regularly also whisks passengers across the island from a stop outside the tourist information centre, just a 20-minute walk from the harbour-side. A multitude of ferries currently leave from the port throughout the week. Lines hosted by Atlanticoline hop across the warm, crystalline surface of the ocean to most of the islands in the Azores archipelago. These include short trips to Sao Roque, Praia de Vitoria, Vila de Praia and Velas, as well as longer voyages to the more distant destinations of Lajes, Vila do Porto and Ponta Delgada.

Lajes Guide

Lajes Ferry Port

Lajes Des Flores is a Portuguese municipality in the western part of the Azores, laying on the north east coast of Portugal. It typically provides ferry routes to other coastal towns belonging to Portugal, with the shortest crossing lasting two hours and the longest lasting fifty hours. With a population of just over one thousand people, the island doesn’t lend itself to accommodating mass amounts of tourism. There are a few places to stay for a few nights; many budget hotels offer affordable prices for simplistic rooms, and for those willing to spend a bit more money there are apartments available for rent. Although the accommodation is plentiful, Lajes Des Flores has a lack of many amenities or major sights on offer – the primary form of entertainment is the natural landscapes that provide both stunning views and fulfilling walking trails. The island is so small that the vast majority of the places to stay will be within walking distance of the port. The weather is usually warm and pleasant, so even a stroll in the late evening can be enjoyable, especially in the summer. If walking isn’t a viable option, there are also taxis available to transport passengers to and from the port.