Graciosa

This page describes an island in the Azores. For Graciosa in the Canary Islands see Graciosa (Canary Islands)

Graciosa is the second smallest island in Portugal's Azores (Açores) archipelago. Because of the concentration of agriculture, animal husbandry and dairy industries, the island has maintained a relatively rural and tranquil character.

Understand

The roughly oval island is 10 km long and 7 km wide. The island has been a biosphere reserve since 2007.

Cliffs on Graciosa.

Graciosa (gruh-see-OH-zuh, /gɾɐ.si.ˈo.zɐ/) island has a single municipality, named Santa Cruz da Graciosa (SUHN-tuh KROOZH duh gruh-see-OH-zuh,/ˈsɐ̃.tɐ ˈkɾuʒ dɐ gɾɐ.si.ˈo.zɐ/). The population is 4,391 (2011).

The coast is rough and rocky but generally low, except in the northwest along the Serra Branca (where the cliffs are 200 m high). There are two shallow bays, situated in the southeast and southwest corresponding to fishing ports in Vila da Praia and Folga, respectively. Along the northeast coast there are several smaller coves near Santa Cruz da Graciosa that were used as ports but are now abandoned, and the older whale and commercial port in Barra, now used as a recreational zone. The interior of the island is generally flat and dotted by numerous volcanic cones, with a southern portion of the island higher in altitude.

Get in

The distance to Terceira is 72 km, and to the island of São Jorge it is 56 km.

By plane

• 1 Aeródromo da Graciosa (Graciosa Airport, GRW  ^IATA). SATA Air Açores flies from Ponta Delgada (PDL ^IATA) and Terceira (TER ^IATA). (updated Mar 2021)

By boat

• Atlânticoline. Weekday ferries from Faial, Pico, São Jorge, and Terceira (3 hr). (updated Jun 2021)

Get around

The EN1-2 runs as a coastal road around the entire island.

See

• 1 Museu da Graciosa, Largo Conde de Simas 17, ☏ +351 295 712 429, emailto:museu.graciosa.info@azores.gov.pt. Apr–Sep: Tu–Su 10:00–17:30, closed M; Oct–Mar Tu–Su 09:30–17:00, closed M. Museum of the island's history, ethnography, and culture. €1. (updated Jun 2021)
• 2 Forte da Barra fortress (in S. Cruz by the sea). 
• 3 Ponta da Barca lighthouse (Farol da Ponta da Barca) (on a headland that forms the extreme north of the island).  
• Casa dos Capitães-mores. The Captains General's House. .
• Church of Our Lady of Our Lady of Luz. 
• Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Ajuda. A hermitage on a volcanic cone near Santa Cruz, there are also two other chapels. (updated Nov 2023)
• 4 Farol do Carapacho. At the lighthouse is a signposted viewing point. The tower is a concrete structure in the late 1950s style. Tours take place on Wednesdays. (updated Nov 2023)
• 5 Parish church of Igreja de Nossa Senora de Guadalupe, Caminho da Igreja, Guadeloupe (Guadeloupe is on the EN3 road, which turns south at a right angle across the interior of the island to Pedras Brancas; buses Z2A and Z2B go here). Construction began in 1713. Due to a series of tremors in 1717 that lasted a week, construction stalled and was then resumed and interrupted several times. The church was only consecrated in 1756, 43 years after construction began, and renovated at the beginning of the 20th century. The three-aisled church with its two side chapels and two sacristies, which is also known for its ceiling paintings from 1940/41, contains the largest altar on the entire island, measuring 9.69 m high and 5.52 m wide.  

Do

Graciosa is considered an attractive destination for hiking.

• 1 Caldeira hiking trail. The highest elevation on the island, at 402 m. It occupies the south of the island. A hiking trail with several viewpoints runs along the edge. In their midst is a Visitor Centre above the Furna do Enxofre sulfur cave, which can be hiked by stairs. Open 09:00-17:00, closed in winter on Mondays. (updated Nov 2023)
• From Serra Branca to Praia do São Mateus (2 hr 30 min)
• From Praia do São Mateus to Carapacho (3 hr 15 min)
• Volta à Caldeira (2 hr 45 min)
• Baia de Folga (55 min)
• From Beira Mar up to Serra Branca (2 hr 30 min)

Eat

• 1 Restaurante Costa do Sol, Largo da Calheta 2, ☏ +351 295 712 694. M–Sa 12:00–14:30 & 19:00–22:30, closed Su. Mid-range. (updated Jun 2021)
• 2 Dolphin Snack-Bar, Caminho do Carapacho, Luz, ☏ +351 295 712 014. Daily 12:00–15:00 & 18:30–22:00. Mid-range. (updated Jun 2021)
• 3 Restaurante Estrela do Mar, Porta da Folga 12. Daily 12:00–15:00 & 19:00–21:30. Mid-range. (updated Jun 2021)

Sleep

• 1 Casa Das Faias, Rua Infante D. Henrique 10, ☏ +351 295 732 766. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Eight room country guest house with free Wi-Fi and free parking. €58-73. (updated Jun 2021)
• 2 Graciosa Resort - Biosphere Island Hotel, Caminho da Pesqueira, Porto da Barra, ☏ +351 295 730 500. Four-star, 52-room hotel with sauna, hot tub, swimming pool, restaurant, and bar. €62-92. (updated Jun 2021)
• 3 Hotel Ilha Graciosa, Avenida Mouzinho de Albuquerque 49, ☏ +351 295 730 220. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Three-star, 15-room inn at a restored manor house. Free Wi-Fi and free parking. €44-53. (updated Jun 2021)