Whale Watching, Geothermal Hikes, and Crater Lakes Spike in Interest
By 2025, Portugal’s Azores archipelago has firmly stepped into the global spotlight as Europe’s rising eco-adventure destination. A place once known primarily to surfers and geologists is now drawing a broader crowd of travelers looking to immerse themselves in raw nature, low-impact activities, and outdoor experiences free from overtourism. Comparisons to Iceland have surged not just in travel media but among seasoned adventurers who now refer to the Azores as Iceland’s more temperate, lush, and affordable cousin. This nine-island volcanic chain located in the mid-Atlantic Ocean has all the makings of a paradise for eco-minded explorers—from geothermal hiking paths and vivid crater lakes to whale-watching safaris and black-sand beaches backed by steep green cliffs.
Interest in the Azores has spiked especially among European travelers seeking alternatives to Iceland’s increasingly over-visited sites. While both regions share dramatic volcanic landscapes and weather-sculpted terrain, the Azores offers something different: year-round greenery, warm Atlantic currents, and fewer crowds. The archipelago also has a cultural rhythm shaped by Portuguese heritage, Azorean fishing traditions, and rural hospitality that gives the islands a unique identity all their own.
Eco-adventure travelers are especially drawn to the archipelago’s emphasis on sustainability. From São Miguel to Pico, conservation is a guiding principle. Whale watching, one of the Azores’ signature attractions, is conducted under some of the strictest environmental standards in the world, ensuring that visitors experience the ocean’s giants without disturbing their natural behavior. With over 20 species of whales and dolphins frequenting Azorean waters throughout the year, the islands offer an unrivaled window into marine life. Many tours are led by marine biologists who double as guides, turning the experience into a floating classroom on ocean ecology.
On land, geothermal hikes—especially in São Miguel’s Furnas Valley—have become a symbol of the region’s volcanic soul. Trails wind past bubbling mud pots, sulfur springs, and thermal caves, culminating in dramatic views over crater lakes such as Lagoa das Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo. These hikes appeal not just to trekkers and photographers but to travelers seeking grounding experiences in primal landscapes. Unlike Iceland, where windswept tundra can feel stark and forbidding, the Azores offers dense greenery, hydrangea-lined trails, and subtropical microclimates that soften the volcanic roughness with vibrant life.
Budget Airlines Expand Routes from Western Europe
A key factor accelerating the Azores’ rise in popularity is the surge of new budget airline routes from Western Europe. Between 2022 and 2025, several low-cost carriers added direct flights to Ponta Delgada and Terceira from major cities including London, Paris, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Frankfurt. This connectivity transformed what was once a remote and expensive destination into an accessible hotspot for weekend escapes and extended nature retreats.
These expanded routes have not only increased visitation numbers but also diversified the traveler profile. What was once the domain of niche eco-tourists and researchers is now accessible to families, backpackers, and digital nomads alike. The Azores’ relatively low cost of living compared to Iceland has made it especially attractive for younger travelers seeking immersive travel without financial strain. Affordable accommodations—from agriturismo-style farm stays to eco-lodges and campervan rentals—are widely available, allowing visitors to explore multiple islands even on a modest budget.
At the same time, local governments and tourism boards have taken proactive steps to ensure that increased access doesn’t come at the cost of sustainability. Visitor caps in sensitive natural areas, guided tour requirements for specific hikes, and robust marine protection regulations are all part of a broader eco-tourism strategy that balances growth with stewardship. This sustainable approach is one of the reasons the Azores continues to attract the kind of traveler who cares deeply about their footprint and seeks destinations that reflect those values.
Readers Drawn to Greener Alternatives with Fewer Crowds
For today’s traveler, avoiding crowds is not just a matter of convenience—it’s often part of a deeper search for meaning and authenticity. In the age of overtourism, digital burnout, and environmental awareness, the Azores offer a refreshing antidote. With a population of just over 240,000 spread across nine islands, and tourism infrastructure intentionally kept low-density, the region delivers a sense of peaceful solitude that’s becoming harder to find in Europe.
Greener alternatives to popular destinations are increasingly appealing to readers and travelers who value immersive experiences over mass-market attractions. The Azores offers just that—a place where hiking a coastal trail doesn’t mean jostling for space, where dining in a local seafood taverna feels more like joining a family gathering than queuing for a reservation. The islands are still under the radar enough that travelers can discover their own secret beaches, hidden waterfalls, or quiet calderas without the intrusion of tour buses or drone-filled viewpoints.
This low-key appeal resonates especially with nature photographers, slow travelers, and those pursuing a reconnection with the rhythms of the earth. Birdwatchers flock to the islands in spring and autumn to witness migrations through one of the North Atlantic’s great avian corridors. Cyclists take to rural roads that wind past volcanic vineyards, cow-filled pastures, and cliff-top chapels. Surfers and freedivers explore marine caves and reef systems barely mapped. All of this activity is shaped by the natural world, not built around taming it.
Wellness travelers, too, are beginning to favor the Azores over more mainstream spa destinations. Geothermal springs, thermal swimming holes, and natural mud baths offer restorative experiences in untamed settings. Forest bathing in the Laurisilva woods, sea kayaking in lava-formed bays, and yoga retreats in old farmhouses have grown in popularity. These are not curated “retreats” in the Instagrammable sense—they’re raw, real, and deeply restorative because of their organic simplicity.
Local Life and Agricultural Experiences Add Authentic Flavor
Beyond its natural beauty, what makes the Azores stand out is the authenticity of its cultural experiences. Unlike many destinations where tourism dominates the local economy, in the Azores, agriculture and fishing remain core to daily life. This creates a symbiotic dynamic where travelers can engage meaningfully with the land and people. Farm stays offer the chance to learn about traditional cheese-making or tea cultivation, two staples of Azorean rural life. Visitors often participate in seasonal harvests, from pineapples and passionfruit to volcanic wines and artisanal honey.
In towns like Ribeira Grande or Angra do Heroísmo, guests can stroll cobblestone streets, browse local markets, and attend community festivals that still prioritize locals over tourists. Music, folklore, and cuisine are deeply rooted in a strong sense of place, and travelers often leave feeling not just entertained but genuinely connected. The islands’ pace of life, shaped by Atlantic winds and volcanic soil, slows the traveler down—not through curated mindfulness programs but through the natural rhythm of an island that has never rushed for anyone.
Restaurants serve fresh catches straight from the docks, and meals often highlight ingredients grown within walking distance. Local chefs are increasingly focused on sustainability, working with small-scale producers and using heirloom varieties. This farm-to-table ethos isn’t a marketing gimmick in the Azores—it’s simply how people have always eaten, and travelers find it refreshing to participate in this grounded food culture.
A Model for Future Adventure Destinations
What makes the Azores particularly exciting in 2025 is how it serves as a model for the future of adventure travel. It proves that a place can welcome more visitors without losing its soul, as long as sustainability is central to growth. Through community-led tourism, environmental protection, and a commitment to authenticity, the Azores shows that wild nature and modern eco-tourism can coexist.
This blueprint is already influencing other island destinations around the world, from the Canary Islands to the Faroe Islands, and even regions in South America and Africa looking to diversify their tourism strategies. As climate-conscious travelers become more selective and values-driven, the Azores offers a glimpse of how a destination can thrive by staying true to its identity while offering a wealth of experiences.
The Azores may never fully replace Iceland in terms of scale or global renown, but it doesn’t need to. Its growing community of return travelers and word-of-mouth advocates suggest that it is building something deeper than a trend. It’s creating a lasting reputation as a place where eco-adventure meets authenticity, where the wild is respected, and where travel feels meaningful again.
