Last updated on June 24th, 2024
Much of my week on the Portuguese island of Terceira was spent wandering in the historic city of Angra do Heroísmo. Although adventurous travelers will find plenty to do throughout this beautiful island in the Azores, every visitor should spend at least a day exploring the the Town of Angra do Heroísmo UNESCO World Heritage Site.
(This post was first published on World Heritage Sites, a website that helps you plan your World Heritage site visits.)
The Cathedral of Angra do Heroísmo is in the heart of the historic city, while the city’s 16th century fortress sits just beyond. Both are part of the Town of Angra do Heroísmo World Heritage Site.
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What is the Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroísmo?
Angra do Heroismo is a historic port city on the Portuguese island of Terceira in the Azores. Its mid-Atlantic location made it a crucial stop-over for merchant ships sailing between the Americas, Europe, and Africa during the 15th to 19th centuries.
The city’s central zone includes two fortresses, harbors, churches and other religious buildings, gardens, and a variety of other public and private buildings. Although severely damaged in a 1980 earthquake, the town center was almost completely rebuilt to replicate its historic form.
The beautiful blue Igreja da Misericórdia (Church of Mercy) stands out from the other historic structures.
Why is Angra do Heroísmo a UNESCO World Heritage site?
Angra do Heroísmo became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983 because of its role in maritime exploration and as an outstanding example of a built environment developed to support that activity.
UNESCO describes the site as “an outstanding example of a creation linked to the maritime world, within the framework of the great explorations.” They add that “Angra do Heroísmo is directly and tangibly associated with an event of a universal historic significance: the maritime exploration which permitted exchanges between the great civilizations of the Earth.”
Statue of Afonso VI, the second King of Portugal, overlooking the city from Monte Brasil.
Unfortunately, the “exchanges between the great civilizations” UNESCO describes were in reality less “exchanges” and more exploitations, with Western nations enslaving people and seizing land and raw materials throughout Americas and Africa. But it did create the city we see today.
What can you expect on a visit to Angra do Heroísmo?
Most of Angra has a consistently historic streetscape, with either original historic buildings or restored ones. It’s a lovely place just to wander past colorful façades and lush gardens.
A small section of Angra do Heroísmo’s Duke of Terciera Garden.
For the best view from above the city, head up to the 19th century Monumento da Memória (the Monument of Remembrance), and then work your way down into the heart of the city through the Jardim Duque da Terceira (the Duke of Terceira Garden). Once there, step into the rebuilt Sé de Angra (the cathedral) or the robin’s-egg blue Igreja da Misericórdia (the Church of Mercy).
For a deeper dive into the history of the Azores in general and Angra in particular, visit the Angra do Heroísmo Museum. There you’ll find a large modern museum housed in the former Convent of São Francisco – complete with the convent’s beautifully preserved Baroque church!
Inside the former convent’s church, now part of the Angra do Heroísmo Museum.
Or just walk along the ramparts of Fore de São Sebastião and enjoy the view across the harbor.
The Angra do Heroísmo UNESCO World Heritage site also includes Mounte Brasil on the peninsula beyond the city itself. All of this area was fortified as part of the Castelo de São João Baptista to protect the city, its riches, and the port’s treasure-laden ships from pirates.
Parts of the old fortress on Monte Brasil are now ruins.
Sections of the historic fort are still used by the military. However, many areas are open to the public and several historic buildings in the military base can be toured. And much of the area on Monte Brasil is now a park with hiking and biking trails that offer great views, lots of nature, military ruins, and a few monuments and historical exhibits.
While you can explore Monte Brasil on your own, both Get Your Guide and Viator offer e-bike tours that look like a lot of fun.
Is Angra do Heroísmo worth visiting?
Yes, Angra do Heroísmo is worth visiting, either as an easy and quick get-away from Europe or North America or as part of a longer vacation.
Anyone who loves historic cities will love Angra. Travelers who aren’t fans of big cities, should be delighted to discover that charming Angra packs a lot of history into a small space. And it’s surrounded by the sea, rugged natural areas, and rural villages, and picturesque farms. Not only that, but many natural sites on Terceira are part of the Açores UNESCO Global Geopark. That makes it easy to explore internationally important historic and natural sites in one visit.
A full day of touring is enough to give you a sense of what’s here, but allow another day or two if you want to do more than run through a couple of historic sites and overlooks. And there’s enough to do on Terceira to keep you busy for at least four or five days.
Tips for visiting Angra do Heroísmo
Angra is built into very steep hills. To save energy for more exploring, take a cab to the monument at the top of the hill above the city for the great views, then walk down through the city to the harbor.
Despite the hills, Angra do Heroísmo is very walkable. You don’t need, or want, a car to tour the city itself. However, a car or bike is very useful when visiting Monte Brasil or other parts of the island.
It’s easy to explore on your own, but both Viator and Get Your Guide offer guided walking tours.
Streets filled with colorful historic buildings are part of the reason Angra do Heroísmo is a World Heritage Site.
The cut-stone sidewalks in town are gorgeous, but they are very slippery when wet.
Angra is filled with gardens and green spaces, so it’s easy to have a picnic right in the city.
If you aren’t up for a long hike uphill, you can rent a bike or drive up Mount Brasil – just note when the military closes the gate across the road in the evening.
Azores Airlines offers fly and stay packages that let you bundle airfare, hotel, tours, and/or a rental car. They also offer flights that allow a stop-over on Terceira for up to 7 days when traveling between Portugal and North America or Europe.
Lodging in Angra do Heroísmo
Angra offers a wide range of lodging options, from hostels and guest houses to luxury boutique hotels. What it doesn’t have is a lot of chain hotels. . . which is a good thing. Instead you’ll find plenty of unique properties.
I stayed at the Terceira Mar Hotel, a beautiful sprawling property along the sea at the edge of the city. (It’s close enough to walk into the historic city center AND it has parking.) When I visited it felt a little worn, but the entire hotel closed shortly after my stay for a complete overhaul. Even without the update, I would recommend the Terceira Mar, but it should be even better now.
Take a look and book the Terceira Mar Hotel on Trip Advisor, Booking.com, or Expedia.
The Terceira Mar Hotel has large rooms (most also have a sea view) and gorgeous grounds.
Not the hotel for you? Check more options and book on Trip Advisor, Booking.com, or Expedia!
Where is Angra do Heroísmo?
Angra do Heroísmo is the main city on the island of Terceira in Portugal’s Azores. The Azores are located in the Atlantic Ocean about 1,660 km (1,030 mi) west of Lisbon or 3,900 km (2,400 mi) from the USA’s East Coast. Flight time from Lisbon is about 2½ hours. Flights from Boston take about 4½ hours.
Terceira’s Lajes International Airport (TER) can be reached via direct flights (some only seasonally) from Boston, New York City, and Oakland in the USA; Toronto and Montreal in Canada; London; the Netherlands; and from a number of airports on the Portuguese mainland and other islands in the Azores. SATA/Azores Airlines operates the most, but not all, flights. SATA also offers service between the islands.
Ferries run between the Azores islands, but not all islands have year-round service and distances between islands can be long.
Once on Terceira, it’s a 15-20-minute taxi ride from the airport to Angra. Bus service is also available, but takes considerably longer.
Angra itself is very walkable and is easy to tour on foot. Taxis and buses are also available and inexpensive. There are a few pay-to-park areas at the edges of the historic area, but it’s fast and easy to take a taxi into the city from almost anywhere in the surrounding area. Driving and parking in the city center is a hassle and best avoided.
For more information about Angra do Heroísmo, its opening hours and admission fees, see its official website.
