Graciosa, Azores
Description
Graciosa is one of the smaller islands of the Azores, in the central group. The egg shape island only measures 11 by 7 km. It is a peaceful rural island, with fertile crops including vineyards. The central part hosts forests. In the north, near the village of Santa Cruz, you will find a caldera turned into an amphitheatre.
But the unique selling point of Graciosa is its fine volcano in the south with its densely forested caldera housing a grotto that you can visit, the Furna do Enxofre. Trails and a small road lead to this grotto, and there is an information centre. One can also walk on the edge of the caldera, only some 400 m above its floor. Several interesting walks are set out on this quiet island.
Check the list of all nine Azores islands.