Welcome to São Jorge Island

São Jorge Description

This thin lined island is probably the most beautiful in the Azores group, it has 56 kilometres in length and only 8 kilometres wide with a population of about 10.000. On its northern coast the land drops away in striking sheer cliffs from a height of 480 meters. It was in this area that in the 15th Century the Flemish colonists chose to make their hamlets. In 1480 William van der Hagen brought to the Azores the first "woad" plants which were to provide a good source of income for the islands for some two hundred years. The main town of Velaslies on its southern coast whilst the only museum can be found at Calheta.

This island is a walkers paradise for its beauty and tranquillity due to the semi-micro climate it enjoys. The soil is very fertile and the local population have cultivated the land extensively except in areas where access is often difficult. The island is well known for a tasty cheese that they produce named "Queijo da Ilha" This island is also has been prone to suffer earthquakes and the last one being in 1980 caused considerable damage and resulted in a decrease of its inhabitants which decided to move off the island. Although many of the islands have "fajãs" (lava formations caused by its the downward flow), this island possibly has the most impressive of them all.

The population is very welcoming and will offer truly warm hospitality to any visitors, and although life is very calm in São Jorge, they organize several local events specially during summer, were you'll find many ways to enjoy their picturesque night life.

Regular flights connect this island with most of the other islands and boats can be taken to Ilha do Pico, Ilha do Faial, Ilha Terceira and Ilha Graciosa.

São Jorge Map
Azores Map - Central Group (Faial, Graciosa, Pico, São Jorge, Terceira)

São Jorge Photo Album
www.portugal-book.com/azores/saojorge/

São Jorge Weather


São Jorge Information
800 296 296 - Support to Tourists
295 416 365 - Police
295 412 807 - Emergency Treatment
295 412 807 - Tourist Office
112 - SOS

São Jorge Events
Romaria N. Senhora do Carmo (Fajã dos Vimes) - 16th July

São Jorge Hot Spots - (Photos)

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