Vila do Porto: the oldest island of the Azores

The São Lourenço Bay, with vineyards terraced precariously on cliffs overlooking the sea, evokes unusual Mediterranean landscapes for the Atlantic climate of the Azores.

Just minutes away, the Praia Formosa beach, with golden sand rare in the predominantly volcanic archipelago, remains the most famous on Santa Maria.

Moving inland, you visit the House of Christopher Columbus, where the explorer is believed to have prayed after his return voyage from the Americas in 1493.

By evening, the port of Vila do Porto comes alive with fresh fish restaurants with views over the Atlantic Ocean.

Santa Maria, formed approximately eight million years ago, remains the geologically oldest island in the entire Azores Archipelago – a factor that explains the presence of golden sand absent elsewhere.

Christopher Columbus made a stop at Santa Maria in 1493 during his return voyage from the historic first voyage to the Americas, stopping to pray in a small local chapel with his exhausted crew after months at sea.