THE Canary Islands have long been a go-to destination for winter sun.
But you can see similar beaches, luscious landscapes and year-round sunshine further into the Atlantic Ocean, with a Portuguese twist.
The Azores are an archipelago of nine islands, between 870 to 1,000 miles west of Portugal.
They have even been nicknamed the “Hawaii of Europe” due to their vibrant greenery and dramatic scenery.
They also share a similar volcanic landscape, with 26 active volcanoes spread across the islands.
However, the lesser-trodden Azores do not see as many visitors as winter sun competitors Lanzarote and Tenerife.
Read more on tropical islands
They’re easy to get to from the UK, with airlines British Airways operating direct flights from London to São Miguel.
Once you’ve landed in São Miguel, you can hop from island to island by ferry or inter-island flight.
The best time to visit them is in spring or summer, when temperatures peak to a sunny 25 °C.
Plus, these islands make for a rather inexpensive holiday.
Most read in Beach holidays
Most attractions are outdoor spectacles, meaning that they are free to admire.
Food and drink is affordable across the islands, too, with lunch and a drink averaging around just €10.
São Miguel – best for water sports and volcanic baths
São Miguel is the largest and most popular of the islands, and is home to some mind-blowing nature and wildlife.
It is nicknamed “The Green Island” for its signature rolling green hills backed by thick forests.
There is plenty of beautiful flora which makes the island burst with colour in springtime – from bright blue hydrangeas to pink rhododendron.
The volcanic island is also home to over 30 geysers, waterfalls, geothermal pools, as well as two crater lakes: one green and one blue.
There is also plenty of wildlife to spot, including whales, dolphins, turtles lizards and exotic birds.
The best time of year to visit for bird, whale and dolphin watching is from April to October.
Apart from admiring the nature, there are plenty of unique places to visit in São Miguel like the island’s pineapple plantation and tea factory.
Santa Maria – best for cheap food and sunbathing
Santa Maria is the southernmost island in the Azores, meaning it is the hottest and sunniest option.
It’s also a super cheap destination, with a meal and a pint costing an average of £8.91 per person.
It’s also home to the largest waterfall in the Azores, Aveiro Waterfall.
It’s great for sporty travellers, with plenty of walking trails, snorkelling and diving.
There’s 55 locations to go scuba diving, including caves and wrecks where you can come face to face with manta rays and whale sharks.
Hike to the island’s highest point, Pico Alto, for views over the rugged coastline.
For a unique experience, head to Barreiro de Faneca – the island’s vast “Red Desert” with a Martian-like landscape.
Or for something more chilled, you can spend your days sunbathing on its golden sand beaches to unwind.
Central Group – best for outdoor adventurers
The Central Group is a cluster of five small Azores islands – Pico, Faial, Graciosa, São Jorge, and Terceira.
The latter three islands are sometimes referred to as “The Triangle” due to their formation in the water.
Pico is famously home to Mount Pico, the highest mountain in Portugal that towers over the islands.
Faial, on the other hand, is a tiny island more suited to day trip visits.
It’s often considered the best spot among the islands for whale and dolphin watching.
Graciosa, or the “White Island”, is a peaceful UNESCO biosphere reserve.
With its unique features like craters and lava caves, this island is more for adventure and exploring than sunbathing.
Similarly, São Jorge is known for its rare landscape features.
Most notably it is known for its fajãs, which are flat coastal plains formed by lava flows.
Terceira is one of the larger islands in the Azores, and is home to their oldest city – Angra de Heroísmo.
Here, cobbled streets and historic buildings give this island a more bustling and lived-in feel than the others in the Central Group.
Flores and Corvo – best for remote island feel
Flores and Corvo are known as the Western islands of the Azores.
These islands are not as frequently visited as others, and make for a real remote island experience.
Flores is bursting with wild greenery and unspoilt landscapes, and is often called the most beautiful island in the Azores.
“Flores” is the Portuguese word for “flowers” – and this island really lives up to its name, blooming with colour in springtime.
And if you’re looking to feel like you’ve really gotten far away from the real world, Corvo is the smallest and most remote island of the archipelago.
The island is home to just 430 people, who all live in one village called Vila do Corvo.
The island itself is tiny, covering just over 17 square kilometres.
Corvo only received electricity in 1963, and is most popular with birdwatchers and hikers.
These westernmost islands feel truly isolated – the perfect spot if you’re after that castaway, edge-of-the-world experience.