Corvo is the smallest and northernmost of the Azores islands, in the western group, about 18 kilometres from Flores. With about 17 square kilometres and fewer than 400 inhabitants, it is Portugal's least populated municipality. The island is the remnant of a single volcano, whose crater occupies the northern part, and has been a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 2007.
Vila do Corvo
All the inhabitants live in Vila do Corvo, the only village, on the small coastal plain in the south of the island next to the airport. It is a village of dark stone houses and narrow winding lanes, called canadas, built for shelter from the wind. For centuries the island lived almost in isolation, with a communal economy based on livestock and fishing and strong solidarity among its people. Houses had curious hand-made wooden locks, because there was no theft on Corvo: some can still be seen, and a small interpretation centre tells their story along with the island's traditional life.
The Caldeirão
A road climbs from the village to the rim of the Caldeirão, the great crater about two kilometres wide and some 300 metres deep. At the bottom, among bright green pastures, are two small lakes with islets that, according to local tradition, resemble the shapes of the Azores islands. You can walk down to the crater floor. The view from the rim, when the clouds allow, is unforgettable.
Birdwatching
Corvo is one of Europe's most famous birdwatching spots: in autumn, Atlantic winds bring off-course American migrant birds to the island, very rare in Europe, drawing enthusiasts from all over the continent. The island also has colonies of seabirds such as shearwaters.
Getting there
Corvo has a small airport with flights from Flores and other islands, and in summer boats and ferries link it to Flores (about 40 minutes to an hour), often subject to sea conditions. Accommodation is limited: book ahead. Many visit the island as a day trip from Flores, on boat excursions that also circle the cliffs.