About the Port
Rising from the mid-Atlantic, Pico and Faial form one of the most striking pairings in the Azores. Pico is dominated by Portugal's highest peak, the volcanic cone for which the island is named, and by a UNESCO-listed patchwork of black basalt-walled vineyards that has produced wine for centuries. Across the narrow channel, Faial's harbor town of Horta has long served as a way station for transatlantic sailors, its marina walls painted with generations of ships' murals.
Visitors typically come ashore by tender in Horta, where the waterfront, cafés, and marina sit within easy walking distance of the pier. From there, ferries and short excursions connect to Pico for views of the mountain and vineyard landscapes, or travelers can explore Faial's volcanic Capelinhos coast, shaped by a mid-20th-century eruption. Together the two islands offer a compact but vivid introduction to Azorean geology, maritime history, and rural island life.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Pico / Faial.
Walk Horta's Painted Marina
Stroll the seawall murals left by generations of yachts crossing the Atlantic, a short walk from the tender pier, then raise a glass at Peter Café Sport, the sailors' legendary meeting spot.
Visit the Pico Vineyards
Take the ferry across the channel to walk among UNESCO-listed black basalt wine plots, where vines are grown low against volcanic walls to withstand Atlantic winds; allow a half day for the crossing and tasting.
See Capelinhos Volcano
Head to Faial's western tip to view the stark, ash-buried landscape and lighthouse left by the 1957-58 eruption, with an interpretive center explaining the island's ongoing volcanic story.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Pico / Faial
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 7, 2027 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Orion | 7 | $9,100 | |
| Jul 14, 2027 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Orion | 7 | $9,100 | |
| Jul 21, 2027 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Orion | 7 | $9,100 |