Ilha do Pico Travel Guide

 
by JessieLang
 
  •   Ilha do Pico
    by JessieLang
  • Stone house, Sao Roque
      Stone house, Sao Roque
    by JessieLang
  • Whaleboat
      Whaleboat
    by JessieLang
  • Vineyard walls
      Vineyard walls
    by JessieLang
  •   Things to Do
    by JessieLang
 

Explore Ilha do Pico

Things to Do  

Go for a drive

Go for a drive, Ilha do Pico

 JessieLang Says:  Drive along the coast looking at rocks and blowholes. There are two offshore rocks named “Standing up” and “Laying down,” which is exactly how they look. Another looks like a dog's head. The “Small Port” is a gap in the rocks with a ramp that slopes down to the water. The... 

Tide well

Tide well, Ilha do Pico

 JessieLang Says:  Old tide well in the small village of Cachorro. The people had cisterns for their water supply, but there wasn’t enough rain in the summer. Tide wells gets water from the high tides (they aren’t deep enough to draw from low tides) and the water gets filtered as it comes... 

Winery, Sao Roque

Winery, Sao Roque, Ilha do Pico

 JessieLang Says:  Adega “A Buraca,” at São Roque has a tasting room for wine and liqueurs. They also had a nice historic display. 

Dragon tree

Dragon tree, Ilha do Pico

 JessieLang Says:  The grove of dragon trees (Dragoeiros) on the grounds of the Wine Museum near Madalena was as interesting as the museum. The name comes from the scaly bark and red sap. The sap used to be used a red dye. 

Wine Museum, Madalena

Wine Museum, Madalena, Ilha do Pico

 JessieLang Says:  Pico was settled by farmers, not fishermen, and it was the first of the islands to have vineyards. The wine region near Madelena is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Basalt walls running throughout the vineyard act like a greenhouse and also protect the plants from salt spray. 

Whaling Museum, Lajes

Whaling Museum, Lajes, Ilha do Pico

 JessieLang Says:  One of the island’s two whale factories was located here. Whaling lasted longer in Pico than anywhere else, and they didn’t completely stop until 1984. This excellent Whaling Museum, includes a whaleboat and all the equipment as well as films and photos. 

Misterios

Misterios, Ilha do Pico

 tolovajka Says:  Places of particular interest, formed by volcanic eruptions, such as Misterio da Prainha (between S. Roque and Prainha), Misterio de Sta. Luzia (between S.Luzia and Bandeiras) and Misterio de São João. 

Lajes do Pico - Museu dos Baleeiros

Lajes do Pico - Museu dos Baleeiros, Ilha do Pico

 tolovajka Says:  Museu dos Baleeiros (Whalers Museum) - housed in the original boat houses, it shows instruments and boats used for whale hunting. There is also has a collection of scrimshaw with hundreds of exemplars in whale tooth and bone. 

Madalena: Igreja Matriz

Madalena: Igreja Matriz, Ilha do Pico

 tolovajka Says:  Situated at the port entrance to the town, right by the sea. Founded in the 17th century, it is the biggest church of the island. 

Arcos do Cachorro

Arcos do Cachorro, Ilha do Pico

 tolovajka Says:  Impressive lava arches along the north coast: One of them resembles the face of a dog ("cachorro" means "puppy") 

Lagoa do Capitão

Lagoa do Capitão, Ilha do Pico

 tolovajka Says:  Volcanic lake on the eastern side of the island. 

Ilheus Deitado e Em Pé

Ilheus Deitado e Em Pé, Ilha do Pico

 tolovajka Says:  Two small islands, remains of a volcanic eruption, just off Madalena. "Deitado" means "lying down", "Em Pé" (standing up). 

Museu dos Baleeiros

Museu dos Baleeiros, Ilha do Pico

 Avieira67 Says:  This museum, which was set up recently in a former boat-house, is the only one of its kind in Portugal. It contains a collection of over a hundred scrimshaw pieces, carved in the tooth or bone of the whale. 

Pico Mountain

Pico Mountain, Ilha do Pico

 Avieira67 Says:  This is the tallest mountain of Portugal, whith 2351m high. Climbing Pico mountain may be a reward for the magnificent views, that the altitude provides, of both Pico island and the other islands of the central group, although it is always advisable to be accompanied by a... 

Restaurants  

O Lavrador: Try "Carne Assada"

O Lavrador: Try "Carne Assada", Ilha do Pico

 Avieira67 Says:  This restaurant is divided in two parts, an old and a new one. They insit do not serve the dish of the day in the new part, but just ask him if you wish this dish.This restaurante offers a good ambience, service and has a great view over the village of Lajes. My favourite... 

Transportation  

Rent a car

Rent a car, Ilha do Pico

 Avieira67 Says:  Oásis allows you to rent a car from 35 EUR / day with no miles restrictions.São RoqueTel. 292642372MadalenaTel. 292623770 

Bus

Bus, Ilha do Pico

 Avieira67 Says:  Cristiano, Lda. is the bus company which operates in the island.Fax. 00.351.292622606Lines1. Piedade [06:00, 13:00] (13:00) - Madalena [08:45, 17:45] (09:15)2. Ribeirinha [05:20, 12:15] (12:30*) - Madalena [08:45, 17:45] (09:15)Departing times[] - Working days.() - Sundays... 

Shopping  

Sailing: Mountain Equipment and Information.

Sailing: Mountain Equipment and Information., Ilha do Pico

 Miguel_M Says:  If you are in Pico island, in Madalena village and you need to buy some mountain equipment to climb the mountain, you can find in this store and other stuff. Also they have some adventure treks. 

Local Customs  

A festa das vindimas

A festa das vindimas, Ilha do Pico

 Avieira67 Says:  The Wine Harvest Festival takes place during the first week of September and is a century old custom practised by the people of Pico. The culture of grape vines and the production of famous wines that reached the tables of the Czars of Russia is the reason behind the... 

As festas dos baleeiros

As festas dos baleeiros, Ilha do Pico

 Avieira67 Says:  These festivities take place in Lajes, and begin on the last Sunday of August. They are a devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes, elected patron saint to the Whalers.During a whole week, whalers week, many social cultural events connected to the ancient art of whale hunting take... 

The Place

Plan a Ilha do Pico vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Ilha do Pico locals

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 If you are in Pico island, in Madalena village and you need to buy some mountain equipment to climb the mountain, you can find in this store and other stuff.... 

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Top Ilha do Pico Writers

1

Ilha do Pico

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 Pico Lajes means ‘Flat Rock,’ and it is the oldest village on Pico. One of the island’s two whale factories was located here. Whaling lasted longer in Pico than anywhere else, and they didn’t... 

2

A ILHA MONTANHA

Avieira67 profile photo

 UNDER CONSTRUCTION EM CONSTRUÇÃO 

3

Pico

tolovajka profile photo

 Pico belongs to the central group of islands and is named after its imposing mountain, Pico (2351 m high), which is the highest mountain in Portugal. 

4

Pico Mountain (2351 m) - Winter Ascent

Miguel_M profile photo

 Azores are a group of 9 islands formed by volcanos a thousands years ago, located in the middle of Atlantic Ocean. Pico island is in the central group and the peak is at 2351 meters high with 1100... 

5

PICO island

PORTUGAL... profile photo

 I've got some interesting experiences in Ilha do Pico. I'd love to share with you the 0 tips I've written, the 3 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created. 

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