Are the Azores Safe For Travel? Crime & Safety Guide 2025

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Curious if the Azores are safe for travel? Here’s my honest opinion!

I spent a rainy week in the Azores in January of 2024 and absolutely adored my time there. I was traveling from Philadelphia to Paris and SATA Azores Airlines offered not only the cheapest flight, but the option to extend my layover for up to a week. After quickly Googling the islands, I knew I had to go for myself. 

To my mind, there are four main appeals to the Azores over other European destinations: they have hikable mountains and volcanoes, there are hot springs, they’re budget friendly, and they’re very safe. As someone who adores hot springs and hiking, I had a pretty good feeling about the Azores before I went – and they definitely lived up to the hype!

When I visited the Azores, I flew into Ponta Delgada and only had time to see São Miguel island. So, my firsthand experience in the Azores is limited to São Miguel, but I’ve heard and read from others that the whole of the archipelago is safe to visit. With any luck, I’ll be able to return to the Azores soon and see even more of what they have to offer. 

Table of Contents
Are the Azores Safe For Travel? 
Safest Places In the Azores
Avoid These Places in the Azores
Top Safety Tips
FAQs
Conclusion

Are the Azores Safe For Travel? 

Yes, the Azores are safe for travel, including for solo female travelers. The Azores are generally considered to be one of the safest places in Europe to visit, and I felt safe pretty much the entire time I was on the islands. One notable exception was on the hike to the Salto do Prego, when I was chased by a few aggressive roosters on the trail. 

Relative safety of travel destinations can be hard to pin down, because my idea of what is “safe” might be different from yours. For that reason, I’ll compare it to a few other places you might have traveled:

I generally consider Cork, Ireland to be a safe place to live and visit, but the Azores are even safer. Both Cork and the Azores are significantly safer than my hometown of Denver, Colorado. And, using the same logic, I’d consider London to be safer than Denver but less safe overall than Cork. I still visit all of these places, even if I’m traveling alone, but I try to take appropriate precautions. 

The bottom line is that the Azores do not experience much crime or instability. It’s always possible that you’ll run into a bad actor or experience some sort of natural disaster, but most people have completely uneventful trips to the Azores (safety-wise, anyway!). Stay alert and vigilant – while taking reasonable precautions – and you should be just fine in the Azores. 

Safety in the Azores at Night

Nowhere in the world is completely safe at any time, and that’s especially true at night. Take normal precautions in the Azores to stay safe, including traveling in groups, staying aware of your surroundings, and avoiding isolated areas. 

One thing to be aware of in the Azores is the very low levels of light pollution, meaning that the roads are unusually dark at night. Take care when walking on the isolated roads and be sure to walk against the grain of traffic so you can see the cars coming. 

I would be sure to time any hikes or outdoor activities so that you’re back to your car before sunset. 

Are the Azores Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

I want to start by noting that I did not visit the Azores alone – I was with my partner – but I did encounter several solo female travelers while I was there. I chatted with them, hiked with them, and asked a bit about their experiences. My sense is that the Azores are a perfectly safe place for women to visit alone. 

However, the women I met didn’t go hiking alone for the most part (and I probably wouldn’t, either). For that reason, you’ll want to link up with other travelers to explore the outdoors, either by staying somewhere like Dwell Azores, a co-living and co-working space, or by taking a hiking tour. 

Azores Emergency Information

In case of an emergency in the Azores (or anywhere in Portugal), dial 112 from any phone. The line is operated 24 hours per day, every day. 

Safest Places In the Azores: Must Sees

Because the Azores are an archipelago made up of nine islands, there’s enough to see and do that you could spend a few weeks just exploring. With a focus on São Miguel, here are some of the safest and most rewarding places to visit in the Azores. 

📍  Sete Cidades on São Miguel 

Sete Cidades is one of the most recognizable and iconic spots in the Azores. This huge caldera contains two adjoining lakes and is surrounded by greenery. The best place to see Sete Cidades is from above, either by driving to a viewpoint or hiking. I easily did both in an afternoon and it was a great way to start my trip on São Miguel island. 

📍  Azorean Hot Springs

The Azores are a hiking and hot spring destination, so you will definitely want to see some hot springs during your trip. The islands have a mix of wild and developed hot springs, but developed springs are more common. I especially loved Poça da Dona Beija on São Miguel because there were several styles of pools to relax in. 

📍  Take a Hike

Hiking is one of the top things to do in the Azores, so you’ll definitely want to hit the trails when you’re on the islands. The footing was a little muddy, but the scenery was incredible and worth the effort. 

My favorite hike was the trail to the Salto do Prego waterfall, though truthfully I enjoyed all of the hikes I tried on the island. I was comfortable with a day pack, rain gear, sturdy walking shoes, and a light sweater when I visited in January. 

Avoid These Places in the Azores

Despite being a generally safe destination, there are still some places in the Azores that I would recommend avoiding. Dimly lit roads, isolated streets, and hiking trails can all be risky after dark. It’s also worth being cautious when visiting beaches, as the waters are prone to riptides and can sometimes contain Portuguese Man o’ Wars. 

Here are all of the places I recommend that you avoid when visiting the Azores. 

❌  Hiking Trails at Night

For a number of reasons, it’s really not safe to be on a trail in the Azores after dark unless you’re with a guide or really know the area. Be especially careful on any trail with steep cliffs or water crossings, as these can be quite precarious in low lighting. 

As with any hiking destination, it’s best to tell someone where you’re going and when they should expect you back before you leave your hotel. 

❌  Isolated Areas in Ponta Delgada or Other Urban Area at Night

The streets of Ponta Delgada are perfectly safe during the day, but like any city in Europe it’s best to avoid isolated areas at night. Although attacks on tourists aren’t common, you’ll be at a bigger risk if you’re alone walking on a quiet street than in, say, a crowded public square. 

If you need to travel through isolated areas at night, try to do so in a group. Otherwise, it’s best to drive or take a taxi. 

❌  Abandoned Buildings (Any Time of Day)

Ok this one might be obvious, but there are a number of derelict buildings in the Azores and they can sometimes be tempting places to hang out. Not only is there a chance that the structure could collapse, you could get cut by debris inside the building or attacked by a feral or wild animal. It’s really not worth the risk – just admire them from the outside if you’re curious. 

❌   Be Very Cautious When Entering the Water (Any Time of Day)

Unlike the Caribbean, I wouldn’t consider the Azores to be a swimming destination. The water is very cold, much of the coastline is filled with cliffs or rocks, and it’s possible that you’ll encounter Portuguese Man o’ Wars in the water (especially in the springtime). These little creatures can deliver a severely painful sting, even when dead and washed up on the beach. 

I recommend that you don’t enter the water without a lifeguard present because of the risk of riptides. São Miguel has a few beaches with seasonal lifeguards, including Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara and Praia dos Moinhos. 

Top Safety Tips

I’ll admit that I sometimes get frustrated when people tell me to take “normal precautions” because I don’t always know their backgrounds or the types of measures they have in mind. 

That said, here are my safety tips for visiting the Azores. Some of them might seem like common sense, and that’s OK! With these precautions, you should be able to avoid most of the dangers on the islands. 

Drive or Use Taxis at Night

Unless you’re only traveling a short distance, you’re better off driving or taking a taxi after dark in the Azores. Although crime rates are low, you’re still at risk of getting hit by a car when out on the roads in the Azores, especially because the islands have so little light pollution that they’re meccas for stargazers. 

Avoid Isolated Areas After Dark 

Like anywhere else in the world, isolated areas after dark can spell trouble and are best avoided. Stick to busy streets if you’re out after the sun sets, even in the Azores. This is especially important if you’re alone. 

I’d also avoid empty sidewalks after dark – not only might you be a target for mugging or other crimes, it could be hard for drivers to see you on a dark sidewalk. If you can, it’s best to drive or take a taxi. 

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

When traveling, you’re always safer when you are alert and aware of your surroundings. Keep your head up, notice other people walking and driving by, and generally stay vigilant when out in public. 

It’s also a good idea to use an app like All Trails when hiking so that you can follow the route using GPS. I recommend that you also pack a portable charging block so that your phone battery doesn’t die during the navigation. I’ve been obsessed with these charging blocks lately, so much so that I’ve been giving them as gifts. 

Hide Valuables When Parked

Theft isn’t a huge problem in the Azores, but it’s better to be safe than to be sorry. When you park your rental car in the Azores, take a few moments to gather up any valuables and tuck them into the trunk or out of sight. This will help to prevent opportunists from targeting your car. 

Be especially careful to hide valuables when parked for long stretches at a trailhead or isolated parking lot. I did see broken glass at one remote parking area at the very beginning of my trip, so I was extra cautious while I was in the Azores. 

Take Cover During Extreme Weather

Like many islands, the Azores experience extreme weather and natural disasters from time to time. Events like flooding, heavy winds, rainstorms, landslides, and even the occasional tsunami do happen, and they can pose risks to your health and safety. 

Always be responsive to guidance from local officials, heed warnings from locals, and keep an eye on developments in the news if the weather starts to look rough. 

FAQs: Are the Azores Safe?

Considering a visit to the Azores and still have questions about safety on the islands? Here are the answers to some common queries from other travelers. 

Are the Azores safe for travel?

Generally speaking, yes, the Azores are safe to travel. The islands have low crime rates, decent infrastructure, and fairly friendly locals. Still, the Azores are islands in the Atlantic Ocean and can be subjected to extreme weather events, including flooding, heavy rainstorms, and road blockages from debris. Be sure to stay alert and promptly heed any public safety guidance from local officials. 

Are people in the Azores friendly?

Yes, people in the Azores are very friendly if you encounter someone who speaks English. I had a 30 minute conversation with an Azorean man who had lived in Canada, and he was very welcoming and kind. It’s worth noting that I also encountered many people who were probably very friendly but didn’t speak English, so it wasn’t possible to really connect with them. 

How common is English in the Azores?

English is decently common in the Azores, but definitely not universal. Workers in popular tourist areas spoke English, but in more rural areas I encountered many locals who didn’t seem to speak any English at all. It’s always a good idea to learn a few key words and phrases in the local language when traveling anywhere that’s not English-speaking. 

Is Azores tap water drinkable?

Yes, the tap water in the Azores is drinkable. I like to travel with a reusable water bottle – it’s one of the most useful travel accessories, in my opinion. Reusable bottles are convenient and encourage me to drink tap water instead of bottled. Still, if you’re unsure about the tap water, bottled water is available to buy throughout the islands. 

Conclusion: Are the Azores Safe?

The Azores are one of the safest places to visit in Europe, thanks in large part to its great infrastructure, distance from the mainland, and laid back culture. Most people who visit the Azores don’t experience any issues during their trip, but it’s always good to be prepared and vigilant. 

While in the Azores, be especially careful during periods of heavy rain and wind, which can knock down trees and block trails and roadways. Take extra care when traveling at night, when the roads can be especially dark. 

Overall, those who take normal precautions during their visits to the Azores are unlikely to run into any major safety issues.