Terceira island culture & heritage – best places to visit

Terceira island volcanic landscapes and natural pools are not its only tourism trump cards. Terceira is one of the Azores islands with more history, culture and heritage, and any visit to the island should explore it. In this post we will talk about Terceira island culture and heritage best spots, not only UNESCO heritage town of Angra do Heroismo, but also a number of religious and historical places on the island. If you want to better understand the soul of the Azores, then you shouldn’t miss these Terceira island culture and heritage spots.

• Check out our post with travel tips to visit Terceira island.

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BEST PLACES FOR TERCEIRA ISLAND CULTURE & HERITAGE

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Here are our suggestions for the best places to visit to get to know Terceira island culture and heritage.

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1. Visit Angra do Heroísmo – top Terceira island culture and heritage site

Visiting Angra do Heroísmo is mandatory to understand Terceira island culture and heritage. Historically, Angra do Heroísmo was the first city on the Atlantic and, after a major earthquake in 1980, its historical and architectural heritage was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to stay in the historic center to easily explore the city’s heritage on foot.

For tips about the places not to be missed when visiting Angra do Heroísmo, check out our Terceira island itinerary.

2. Admire Monte Brasil and the Fortress of São João Baptista on Terceira island

In a dominant position over the isthmus of the Mount Brazil peninsula, on the western side of Angra Bay, the Fortress of São João Baptista (Saint John the Baptist) was built in 1591, when Portugal was under spanish rule, and it constitutes the most important fortification in the Azores. It formed part of of the Spanish strategic defensive triangle (together with Havana, on the island of Cuba, and Cartagena de Indias, in Colombia) protecting the fleets coming from America. A Terceira island culture and heritage spot no to be missed.

3. Learn about Terceira island culture and heritage at Porto de Mós Bay

Porto de Mós Bay, on the island of Terceira, was where, in July 1583, a Castilian force disembarked, which emerged victorious and put an end to Terceira island’s resistance to Castile’s rule over Portugal. In this area of Terceira island there are ruins of several forts built in the context of the succession crisis of 1580. A Terceira island culture and heritage place no to be missed.

4. Take the São Sebastião Forts trail

The south coast of Terceira island had a strong military presence in the 16th and 17th centuries, with forts that protected the precious shipments of gold, silver and spices that arrived there from Africa and Brazil. The southeastern tip of Terceira island was even more important during the succession crisis of 1580, and the ruins of several forts can still be admired today, including the Forts of Greta, Santa Catarina das Mós and Bom Jesus. The PR 05 TER Trail, “Fortes de São Sebastião”, with a length of 5.7 km (2 and a half hours long) and an easy difficulty level, is a great way to explore Terceira Island culture and heritage. You can download the leaflet for this trail here.

5. Explore Terceira island culture and heritage at Praia da Vitória

The center of Praia da Vitória, on the island of Terceira, has several places of interest that are worth seeing, even if just on a walking tour of the historic center. Don’t miss the Igreja Matriz de Santa Cruz (Holy Cross Church) and the Igreja da Misericórdia (Mercy Church).

6. Discover the Empires of Espírito Santo on Terceira Island

The Impérios do Espírito Santo (Holy Spirit Empires) on the island of Terceira are buildings that belong to the associations that celebrate the Holy Spirit Festivities, and it is also there that many of the Terceira island culture events take place. They have a very typical architecture and are part of the historical and religious heritage of the island of Terceira. Good examples are Santa Cruz, at Praia da Vitória, and Quatro Ribeiras.

7. Discover the American neighborhood of Base das Lajes on Terceira island

At the height of the American presence at the Lajes Base, a portion of the island of Terceira was completely dominated by the Americans, and even today, with the foreign presence being much less significant, a different environment is felt, as if we were on a different island (or country?). A strongly influential place in Terceira island culture and history.

8. Discover the WWII trenches on Terceira Island

In the parish of Biscoitos, you will find one of the most curious places on Terceira island, the Caminho do Mar trenches. Recently restored, these were built during the Second World War and were part of the defensive system of Terceira island during that conflict, housing machine guns and mortars. Today, they are a curious place that is worth seeing to get a better picture of Terceira island culture and history.

9. Taste Terceira island culture at the Biscoitos wine region

The parish of Biscoitos is also a region where vineyards are cultivated and where Biscoitos wine is produced, which has a Protected Designation of Origin (DOP). A great way to learn about the history of Biscoitos wine is to visit the Wine Museum and literally taste Terceira island culture.

10. Visit a whale watching tower on Terceira island

The whaling tradition has strong roots on Terceira island culture and heritage, although it did not have the scale of other islands. One of the ways to remember this recent past is to visit a whale watching tower, the places where large cetaceans were seen by attentive lookouts with a trained eye.

11. Watch time pass by at the Old Church of São Mateus

The parish of São Mateus da Calheta is a must when visiting the island of Terceira. One of the attractions is the Old Church of São Mateus da Calheta, right on the seafront, which was almost completely destroyed by a hurricane in 1893 (leading to the village being moved further inland). Be sure to also visit the Forte Grande de São Mateus da Calheta.

12. Visit the Whaling Boat House of São Mateus da Calheta

Until the mid-1970s, São Mateus da Calheta was the whaling center of Terceira Island, with a whaling factory processing products derived from sperm whale fat. The Casa dos Botes Baleeiros (House of the Whaling Boats) is a small museum but displays a wide range of objects and period photographs that portray this activity. A must see Terceira island culture and heritage place.

Book your place on a day tour, with whale watching and a jeep trip through the interior of Terceira island (includes outdoor barbecue lunch)

Buy your travel insurance to explore Terceira island culture and heritage.

If you are going to travel to the Azores, these are our posts that you shouldn’t miss

• AZORES ISLANDS – Travel to Portugal’s best kept secret – Introduction to the nine islands of the Azores and their characteristics; practical tips for visiting Portugal’s best kept secret.

• SÃO MIGUEL ISLAND – What not to miss when visiting the Azores – Tips for visiting São Miguel island, a paradise in the Atlantic; how to get around, where to sleep, what to do and see and places not to miss.

• São Miguel itinerary – Road trip for 5 or 7 days in the Azores island – All the tips for a São Miguel itinerary, bringing together the best of the Azores island, for a 5 or 7 days road trip.

• Visit Terceira island – Territory, history and geography – Guide to visit Terceira island in the Azores; the territory, history and geography of this beautiful and diversified Azores island. Ideal to plan exploring Terceira island culture and heritage.

• Terceira island travel tips – Travel tips to start planning your trip; when to go, how to get there, how to get around, travel insurance and where to stay.

• Terceira island itinerary – 5 days itinerary on this beautiful Azores island, covering the island’s main attractions.

• Where to stay on Terceira island – The best hotels and places to stay on Terceira island while exploring Terceira island beaches and natural pools.

• Terceira island best viewpoints – Best spots to enjoy the spectacular landscapes of this beautiful Azores island. Ideal to combine with Terceira island culture and heritage.

• Terceira island culture & heritage – Best places to learn about Terceira island culture & heritage, UNESCO heritage town of Angra do Heroismo, religious and historical places on the island. Ideal to combine with Terceira island culture and heritage.