Angra do Heroísmo (Terceira) : UNESCO-listed jewel

Colorful alleys and Baroque heritage

Historic capital of the Azores, Angra unfolds an old town with pastel façades, Baroque churches and fortresses that guard the bay. Listed by the UNESCO, the city is an open book on the Age of Discovery. 🏛️

Restoration is regulated there: an asset for preserving the spirit of the place, to be anticipated for any renovation project. The old town receives particular attention regarding heritage and urban planning procedures.

A lively port at the heart of the Atlantic

Between the marina, markets and small sheltered beaches, maritime life sets the rhythm of daily life. Island connections make getaways to the other islands easy.

Cultural and festive atmosphere

Museums, cafés, events and local traditions — such as the touradas à corda — make up a lively cultural scene that is not overwhelming. 🎭

• Strengths : heritage, full services, good connectivity.
• Typical properties : townhouses with azulejos, manor houses, renovated apartments.
• To know : protected heritage zone, urban planning procedures to anticipate, parking sometimes limited in the hyper-centre.

Furnas (São Miguel) : between hot springs and volcanoes

Fumaroles and thermal baths

In Furnas, the earth steams, the water sings and tropical gardens flourish year-round. The pools of Terra Nostra or Poça da Dona Beija offer open-air baths. ♨️

The volcanic setting creates a humid microclimate: a point of attention for materials and the ventilation of houses.

Gastronomy: the cozido cooked in the ground

The famous cozido simmers for hours in geothermal heat. A culinary as well as a landscape experience.

A village unique in Europe

Between Lagoa das Furnas, groves of cryptomerias and soothing walks, the village charms nature and wellness lovers. 🌋

• Strengths : thermal setting, slow pace, beautiful green plots.
• Typical properties : detached houses with gardens, renovated cottages, small quintas.
• To know : manage humidity (insulation, mechanical ventilation), check the condition of roofs, seasonal tourist flows around the thermal baths.

Madalena (Pico) : the island wine capital

Vineyards in lava stone listed by UNESCO

The “currais” – basalt walls that protect the vines – draw a viticultural landscape inscribed on the UNESCO list. The winemaking tradition shapes the local identity. 🍷

The classified zones imply specific rules: check buildable limits and agricultural uses.

Stunning view of Mount Pico

From the seafront to the lava paths, Pico’s silhouette accompanies daily life. Hiking, sea trips, wineries: an island for contemplative active people. 🗻

An authentic village oriented towards wine

Madalena blends cooperatives, small bars and a lively port. The entrepreneurial spirit around wine encourages small-scale hospitality projects.

• Strengths : unique landscapes, tight-knit community, exceptional products.
• Typical properties : lava stone houses, plots with vines, small fishermen’s houses.
• To know : check access to networks (water/electricity) for rural plots, strong constraints in protected wine-growing areas.

Horta (Faial) : the sailors’ port

Cosmopolitan marina painted by sailors from around the world

Horta is a legendary Atlantic stopover. The marine murals color the quays and tell the stories of crossings. ⚓🎨

A lively centre with cafés and bars

Friendly local life, services, schools, and even coworking spaces: Horta attracts families, remote workers and lovers of the open sea.

According to Green Acres data, foreign demand remains significant in Horta: German buyers represent the largest share (≈ 32 %), with a median price close to €390,000 and a high median price per m² (≈ €4,239/m²) — other markets such as Switzerland, the United States or the United Kingdom also appear among buyers, which can influence price levels and the profile of sought properties.

Starting point for the other islands

Ferries connect Pico and São Jorge quickly, opening up attractive multi-island living prospects.

• Strengths : inter-island mobility, year-round activity, varied shops.
• Typical properties : apartments with bay views, houses in the centre, villas on the outskirts.
• To know : occasional noise near the marina in high season, watch for salt corrosion by the sea.

Hidden villages of the more remote islands

Santa Cruz das Flores and its waterfalls

Green cliffs, lagoons and spectacular waterfalls: Flores is a garden set on the ocean. Ideal for those seeking poetic isolation. 🌿

• Typical properties : stone houses, panoramic plots, small farms.
• To know : limited supply, higher logistical costs for materials, changeable weather.

Vila do Corvo, Portugal’s most isolated village

A single settlement, a runway, a tiny and welcoming community. Here, time flows to the rhythm of the wind and seabirds. 🐦 Local listings for Vila do Corvo highlight the very low market turnover and the scarcity of properties.

• Typical properties : extreme scarcity, modest stone houses.
• To know : very few listings, travel subject to weather conditions, projects to build require patience and local networks.

Lajes das Flores, facing the wild Atlantic

Open to the swell and passing cetaceans, Lajes cultivates a direct relationship with the ocean. An address for sea-minded spirits. 🐋 Find a local selection on Lajes das Flores to assess the available offer.

• Typical properties : fishermen’s houses, plots with views.
• To know : exposure to winds, importance of structural diagnostics and anti-humidity maintenance.

On Green Acres, local activity shows few foreign buyers for the very remote islands (Pico, Corvo, Lajes), a parameter to consider if you are aiming for a heritage project or an isolated second home.