TERCEIRA · MADEIRA & THE AZORES
The tours and day trips worth booking.
The 15 top-rated things to do in Terceira — the boat trips, beach days, volcano hikes and old-town wanders worth building a day around, with real prices and who to book each one with.
Terceira lava caves inside a volcano. See smoke, strange formations, and birds in the dark, with hotel pickup and a 3.5-hour plan.
Most Popular“Great guide small group. Responded to our needs with itinerary. Knowledgeable and friendly.”
Afternoon geology on Terceira: crater views, Gruta do Natal lava tube, fumaroles at Furnas do Enxofre, and more, with hotel pickup.
“although we could not do the one cave it was an amazing experience”
Off-road buggy tour across Terceira’s west and center, with Angra do Heroísmo pickup. Small group, easy driving.
“Fun tour of Azorean countryside and seaside. UTVs all over the place! Drove through tunnels of red wood trees, rows of hydrangeas, some rugged terrain up hills, around pastures and got the best views of the Atlantic Ocean.”
Full-day van tour around Terceira’s volcanic sights: viewpoints, forts, Biscoitos pools, and cheese tasting, with pickup and a small group.
“Island Van Tour (Full Day) - Terceira Island (Azores) I took this tour in April 2025 in Terceira Island and I had a very nice time. Our local guide and driver from Azores Nature Tours was amazing and very knowledgeable about his island! The views (Monte Brasil, all viewpoints, Praia Vitória, Biscoitos) were so beautiful!…”
Terceira whale and dolphin watching on a small speedboat with land watchman spotting, life jacket included, and a cetacean guarantee.
“Got to see a whale and many, many dolphins! The whale (Cachalote) was amazing! So worth it! Great tour guides and amazing job spotting these wild creatures.”
Half-day Underground Van Tour on Terceira strings together lagoons, lava tunnels, sulfur vents, and natural pools with pickup and a guide.
“We had a great day with our tour guide!! He was very excited and kept our energy up the entire afternoon! Very knowledgeable”
Drive an automatic 4x4 UTV across Terceira’s west side with real off-road trails, scenic views, and a small-group guide for $200.
“It was a lot of fun getting to know the island in a 4x4 buggy!”
Azores family dinner in Terceira with a wood-fired lava-stone oven, hands-on bread, and wine talk with Rosa and Hugo. Private, 4 hours.
“Rosa and Hugo were lovely - so warm, welcoming and willing to share their way of life. The traditional Portuguese food (including alcatra), which had been prepared over the previous two days, was so delicious, as was the sangria and wine. We shared dinner with two other families as well - great company and an…”
A 2-hour e-bike ride on Terceira’s Monte Brasil peninsula for big Angra views, guided stops at volcanic peaks, and an easy climb.
“Extremely worthwhile experience in Terceira, Andrea was great guide and very pleasant . Andrew also gave good historical background. E-bike was first class equipment.”
A full-day 4x4 safari on Terceira’s back roads with hotel pickup, off-beat viewpoints, and a barbecue lunch with unlimited drinks.
“Highly recommend this tour. We had so much fun discovering all the beauty Terceira has to offer. Antonio is a great guide - knowledgeable and put together a fantastic island tour. Lunch was wonderful too. Don’t hesitate to book this full day, 4x4 jeep tour. It was the highlight of our Terceira visit!”
E-bike with a guide through Monte Brasil on Terceira: fortress views, summit panoramas, Santa Bárbara volcano, and secret stops.
“Our party of 6 had a great time on this bike tour of Monte Brasil. Andre was an excellent guide who was very fun and informative. Super fun experience .Awesome bikes too!”
Terceira whale and dolphin watching in the Azores. Spot from lookouts, hear calls with a hydrophone, and get at least one sighting.
“Bien. Es difícil ver ballenas pero al menos delfines sí suelen verse. Me parece un poco cara la excursión para lo que por allí cuestan los servicios y actividades.”
Swim with wild dolphins in Terceira, Azores with OceanEmotion. 2.5-hour small-group tour includes gear, briefing, and a sighting guarantee.
“Das Schwimmen mit den Delfinen war wirklich eine tolle Erfahrung - ich wollte dies schon lange einmal erleben 🤩”
A 3-hour West Coast van tour of Terceira with Monte Brasil views, Biscoitos pools, and a visit to the island’s first cheese factory.
“We loved touring around the island with Amelia. She was charming, funny, and knowledgeable. Not to mention, she is fluent in at least three languages and drives a stick shift like a boss. Our group had six and then we picked up one Spanish-speaking couple for a total of eight. We were blown away by…”
A private, geologist-led Terceira cave tour with real explanations, volcanic tunnels, and optional ocean pools, cheese, and ocean breezes.
“AMAZING! This tour is one of a kind led by a geologist who has the passion & excitement to teach about Terceira’s natural wonders. Unfortunately, Algar do Carvao is closed until possibly April 2026. However, Ricardo provided alternative options for us to still enjoy our tour. Our first stop was at Furnas do Enxofre, an…”
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