Graciosa Island

Graciosa ferry

In Santa Cruz do Graciosa, you can enjoy the elegance of its ancient streets and manorial houses, the glazed tiles and gilded wood carvings of the 16th/18th- century Mother-Church, the 1 Sth-century Santo Cristo Church, and the Manueline Cruz da Barra. The Furna do Enxofre, with its interior lake and giant dome beneath a crater, offers interesting panoramic views.
You will find the most important collection of typical Azorian windmills here.

Santa Cruz

Graciosa is perhabs the most beautiful of all the islands. But every  island has its very own " personality ". Graciosa has a very gentle nature with smooth hills, which can be seen from a long distance. Graciosa is about 8 x 12 km. Here lives about 5.200 people. 

The most important town on the island is Santa Cruz. The airport is about 3 km away.. If you come to Graciosa by ferry from Angra do Heroismo at Terceira, you will arrive in Praia. A town was in the past was the most important town on the island, but has now fallen asleep. Here is not much to see, in fact the town is pretty boring. Take a taxi to Santa Cruz.

The most interesting attraction on the island is absolutely Furna do Enxofre. An extinct volcano with a crater, which is possible to enter all the way to the very bottom. Many years ago, a tower with internal steps was placed inside the volcano, that leads you rather comfortable to the very bottom. At the bottom there is a beautiful large deep sea. The opening at the top of the crater is fairly small, which make the visit even more exiting. This attraction is in my opinion a must. You can go by car all the way to the crater entrance.

It can be difficult to rent a car on Graciosa, specially in the summertime. There are busses, but they are only operating in daytime. So 'rent a taxi'. The best place to pick up a taxi is from the main square in Santa Cruz. 

The taxi driver will be very helpful to you, taking you to the very best restaurant on Graciosa, with the most spectacular view. It's a small family managed restaurant, which primarily caters to local fishermen and bachelors. It's a must to call in advance to make reservation. Ask the driver to call for you. The family will decide today's menu, which always include soup and a main course. Everybody eats the same as the local fishermen. The food here is excellent, simple, cheap and there is a lot of it in a very special relaxed atmosphere.

You can ask to be seated outdoors, with a wonderful view towards the sea and a natural small harbour. You will usually be the only tourists, ant the family only speak Portuguese, but it's no problem. They are very sweet and nice people. Arrange with the driver to pick you up at a later time, or you can invite him to join your meal.
He will be glad to pick you up later, but he will probably in a polite way refuse your invitation to stay. The restaurant is very close to the ocean, high over a natural harbour close to the village of Baia da Folga.

Visit the small village of Guadalupe. Go to the highest point, and enjoy the magnificent view. The local tourist office is place on the main square in the small pavilion.

There are only 3 residencias in Santa Cruz. We have stayed several times on " Residencial Santa Cruz ", and we can indeed recommend it. It is in the center of Santa Cruz, and is run by very friendly people, and they speak fluent English. Here you can get your laundry done. There are nice rooms all with private bath and shower. The prices are conservative and include breakfast.          

In Santa Cruz there are a beautiful bullfigh arena. On occasions there are bullfights in the arena, and also 'bullfights by the road'  in some of the small villages around the island. When you are on Graciosa, don't miss this opportunity to see what this is all about. It's very exiting and gather many people from all over the island.

Lodging
Santa Cruz da Graciosa
PENSÃO ILHA GRACIOSA (1 st. categ.)		Av. Mouzinho de Albuquerque, 49 9880 Santa Cruz da Graciosa	Boarding house