Best time to go to the Azores for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 16/04/2024When is the best time to go to the Azores?
The best time to visit the Azores is undoubtedly during the summer period, between the months of June and October. Even though this coincides with the high tourist season and accordingly higher prices, it is the only time when you should generally have good weather.
Spring and autumn have more changeable weather. The temperatures are pleasant, but showers are quite common. Therefore, it is entirely possible to consider a trip to the Azores during these periods.
Thus, the only season to absolutely avoid is winter: even though temperatures remain mild, rain is on the agenda and can confine you to your hotel room for several days.
When to go to the Azores based on your interests?
- For hiking on the trails, especially in the mountains of Pico Island, prefer the months from June to September. However, if you want to feel like you have the place to yourself and benefit from affordable rates with pleasant weather conditions, it's better to avoid July and August.
- For enjoying the beach, the ideal period extends from June to October. However, with an oceanic climate, the rise in water temperature in the Azores is slightly delayed compared to the rest of Europe. The ocean will therefore be warmer in September than in June.
- For relaxing and enjoying the beach, prefer the period between June and October, when the temperatures are high and the sky is blue.
- For diving, the best time to go to the Azores is between July and October. It is during these summer months that visibility is the best.
Before you leave, remember to pack your suitcase well. Whatever the period of your trip, the weather can be unpredictable in the Azores and it is common to experience several weather conditions in the same day: rain, fog, clear blue sky... anything is possible!
Here are the essentials to pack to be prepared for all situations:
- In summer: a swimsuit, light clothing, as well as a sweatshirt and long pants for the evening. It is also wise to bring a light waterproof jacket.
- In winter and during the shoulder seasons: think about the layering technique, with several layers of clothing to adjust according to the day's weather. Bring light and warm clothes for the day, as well as a fleece or sweater for cool evenings. Also, take a warm waterproof jacket that will protect you from rain and wind.
- All year round: good hiking shoes, an umbrella, sunglasses, and sunscreen!
Annual weather in the Azores
For information about the climate and the weather city by city in the Azores for a specific month, click on the corresponding line below:
| Month | Our opinion | View Details | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 59°F to 65°F | good weather* | |||
| February | 58°F to 63°F | good weather | |||
| March | 58°F to 63°F | good weather* | |||
| April | 59°F to 65°F | good weather | |||
| May | 61°F to 67°F | good weather | |||
| June | 65°F to 70°F | good weather | |||
| July | 70°F to 74°F | good weather | |||
| August | 72°F to 77°F | good weather | |||
| September | 70°F to 76°F | good weather | |||
| October | 67°F to 72°F | good weather | |||
| November | 63°F to 68°F | good weather* | |||
| December | 61°F to 67°F | good weather* |
Best time to travel to Azores by cities
Climate and Weather in the Azores
Located in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores are situated off the coast of Portugal, to which they are administratively attached. Despite sharing a similar latitude with Southern European countries, the weather is milder and more humid there thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream, a marine current originating from the Caribbean.
The climate of the Azores is temperate and mild oceanic, but if you are looking for tropical paradise islands and weather, forget about this archipelago right away! Rain is very common there, and temperatures are not very high. Thanks to this relatively stable climate throughout the year, the flora of the Azores is abundant and diverse: camellias, hydrangeas, azaleas, and other colorful flowers will delight enthusiasts!
Another particularity of the archipelago is that it experiences numerous microclimates. Thus, temperatures and precipitation can vary greatly between the coasts and the mountains.
In terms of seasons, spring and autumn are not very distinct. There is a cooler season between late October and late June, and a sunny summer from early July to late September.
Temperatures in the Azores
As mentioned earlier, temperatures vary little throughout the months, without sudden changes:
- In winter, the thermometer rarely drops below 8°C (47°F) at night, peaking around 17°C (63°F) during the day. Good news: there is never a cold spell!
- In summer, temperatures hover around 25°C (77°F) at midday, dropping to 17/18°C at night. It is therefore extremely rare for the thermometer to reach 30°C (86°F) .
As for the ocean, it offers pleasant temperatures: around 23°C (74°F) in August and September, and can even reach 25°C (77°F) in coves protected from the wind.
Rainfall in the Azores
The weather in the Azores is heavily influenced by rain. Showers are very frequent in autumn and winter. In summer, they are less frequent and less abundant, although there are often between 5 and 7 days of rain in July and August.
In addition to the seasons, rainfall will also depend on the island you are on. Thus, the southeast islands, such as São Miguel and Santa Maria, are significantly less rainy than those in the northwest, notably Flores, Terceira, and Corvo, where annual precipitation exceeds 1,000 mm.
Lastly, even if it doesn't rain, the climate can be very humid, especially in coastal areas.
Also, beware of hurricanes: coming from the Caribbean region, they can hit the Azores at the end of their course, especially during the months of September and October.
Sunshine in the Azores
Sunshine hours in the archipelago are quite low, especially between October and April when the sun rarely shines for more than 4 hours a day on average. During this period, the sky is often overcast, and this phenomenon is accentuated by the presence of relief, which blocks the clouds above the islands.
Unsurprisingly, it is in July and August that the sun shines the most with an average of 7 hours of sunshine per day.
Temperatures and rainfall in the Azores
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Azores and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Angra do Heroismo (Terceira), Flores Island, Ponta Delgada, Santa Maria (Azores) and Furnas, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in the Azores
Find out when Azores has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in the Azores
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, May, June, October, November and December. The number of visitors to Azores is high in: July, August and September.
- Very low season in the Azores: January, February, March, November and December.
- Low season in the Azores: April, May, June and October.
- High season in the Azores: July and September.
- Peak season in the Azores: August.
Figure: Visitor index for Azores month by month
Average price for flights to the Azores
A return flight between London and Ponta Delgada is generally cheaper if you go in january ($ 156 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 210 more for your airline ticket to Ponta Delgada if you go in august.
Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to the Azores
Where to go in the Azores?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Angra do Heroismo (Terceira) | 63°F | 61°F | 61°F | 63°F | 65°F | 68°F | 74°F | 76°F | 74°F | 70°F | 67°F | 65°F |
| Flores Island | 63°F | 61°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 68°F | 72°F | 76°F | 74°F | 70°F | 67°F | 65°F |
| Ponta Delgada | 63°F | 63°F | 63°F | 63°F | 65°F | 68°F | 72°F | 76°F | 74°F | 72°F | 67°F | 65°F |
| Santa Maria (Azores) | 65°F | 63°F | 63°F | 65°F | 67°F | 70°F | 74°F | 77°F | 76°F | 72°F | 68°F | 67°F |
| Furnas | 63°F | 63°F | 63°F | 63°F | 65°F | 68°F | 72°F | 76°F | 74°F | 72°F | 67°F | 65°F |
| São Jorge | 63°F | 61°F | 61°F | 63°F | 65°F | 68°F | 72°F | 76°F | 74°F | 70°F | 67°F | 63°F |
| São Miguel | 63°F | 63°F | 63°F | 63°F | 65°F | 68°F | 72°F | 76°F | 74°F | 72°F | 67°F | 65°F |
Legend:
good weather
tolerable weather
About Azores
What can I do in the Azores?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Azores reliable?
Climate data for Azores has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Azores allows us to determine the average for each month in Angra do Heroismo (Terceira), Flores Island, Ponta Delgada, Santa Maria (Azores), Furnas, São Jorge and São Miguel.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.