PORTUGAL TRAVEL - ILHA DO PICO

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Islands of Azores - Ilha do Pico
This island is 42 kilometres long and 15 kilometres wide with a population of 15.500, dominated by its mountain Pico that rises majestically to a height of 2.351 meters above sea level. It is the highest point in the whole of Portugal's territory and as such it is best seen from the neighbouring islands to be best appreciated. Many visitors enjoy the very challenge climbing this peak which can be capped in snow in winter and is quite demanding. A guide is always recommended who will arrange permission beforehand for a climb to take place. Once at the peak the view is spectacular. The capital town Madalena lies on the west side and only 7 kilometres across the water from the Ilha do Faial making a days outing worth while.

Two places are devoted to the history of Whale Hunting, the Museu dos Baleeiros at Lajes do Pico where examples of the boats and equipment are well recorded. From this town visitors can enrol in a "whale watching" 3-hour trips where they are taken in groups by boat to view the now free whale life in its natural role. The other place is the extinct whale processing factory Fabrica da Baleia at São Roque do Pico. The very hard and strange life of men working at whale catching has been captured on film with poetic starkness by the Portuguese cinema and its photographers. A trip around the island will expose the visitor to the strange sight of molehills made of lava which local inhabitants have used for construction of homes and walls to protect fields or to shelter vines. The island is taking steps to improve its wine quality and production in order to build up again an international trade. The local wine once reached great fame in the Russian court in the time of the Tsars.

Two of the main attractions for many visitors to the Pico is to observe and swim with dolphins which are common in these waters, or, observing the graceful antics of different types of whales.


There is an airport and access by boat can be made from Ilha de São Jorge, Ilha Terceira and Ilha do Faial.

Island of Pico Photos
Pico Coastline · Pico Coastline · Pico Coastline · Pico Village Houses

Island of Pico Events

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Festas de Santa Madelena 22nd July
Festa do Bom Jesus 6th August
Festa dos Baleeiros Last Sunday in August

Useful Pico Telephone Numbers

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Fire Brigade 292 679 300
Police 292 672 410
Emergency Treatment 292 642 328
Tourist Office 292 642 328
Azores Tourist Help 800 296 296

Azores Islands
Corvo · Faial · Flores · Graciosa · Santa Maria · São Jorge · São Miguel · Terceira





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