Flores is the westernmost of the Azores islands, together with tiny Corvo, and already sits on the North American plate. It is a wild and spectacular island, covered in lush vegetation and cut by countless streams, with about 3,400 inhabitants split between the municipalities of Santa Cruz das Flores and Lajes das Flores. The name comes from the yellow flowers the first navigators saw on its shores; today it is dotted with hydrangeas in summer. Since 2009 it has been a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Waterfalls and lakes
Flores is the island of waterfalls: dozens of streams plunge from the cliffs straight into the sea or into natural pools. The most famous spot is Poço da Ribeira do Ferreiro, also called Lagoa das Patas, an amphitheatre of moss-covered vertical walls from which dozens of waterfalls drop into a pool, reached by a short walk. Near Fajã Grande, Poço do Bacalhau is a waterfall about 90 metres high with a pool for swimming. In the centre of the island are seven volcanic lakes, including Lagoa Funda and Lagoa Comprida, separated by a narrow ridge, and Lagoa Negra.
Rocha dos Bordões and the coast
Rocha dos Bordões is a spectacular wall of vertical basalt columns formed as lava cooled. On the west coast, the village of Fajã Grande is one of the westernmost inhabited places in Europe, with a natural pool and unforgettable sunsets. Offshore is Monchique islet, a rock considered the westernmost point of Europe, once used by navigators as a landmark.
Santa Cruz and Lajes
Santa Cruz das Flores, the main town, has the airport, the harbour and the Flores Museum, as well as the old Boqueirão whaling factory, now an interpretation centre. Lajes das Flores, on the south coast, has the ferry port. One of the finest trails links Lajedo with Fajã Grande along the west coast.
Getting there
Flores has flights from Ponta Delgada, Terceira and Horta; in summer ferries link it with the central islands and Corvo. The weather is often rainy and flights can be delayed by bad weather: allow spare days.