Fajãs de São Jorge

The fajãs of São Jorge are the green terraces of the island, flat tongues of land at the foot of the great cliffs, washed by the Atlantic and warmed by the mild island climate. Inhame, vines and maize grow on these platforms of lava beside the sea, and the trails that connect them are among the most beautiful walks of the Azores.

The fajãs

A fajã is a flat shelf of land formed at the base of the volcanic cliffs, by lava flows or by the collapse of the high cliffs. On the south coast of São Jorge, between Velas and Calheta, dozens of them line the shore, each with its own paths, natural pools and small communities — from Fajã do Ouvidor, with its famous swimming spots, to Fajã Grande and Fajã dos Cubres, with their chapel and lagoon.

What to see

• Fajã do Ouvidor, with its natural pools by the sea.
• Fajã Grande and the trail along the coastline of the fajãs.
• Fajã dos Cubres, with its small lagoon and chapel.
• The viewpoints of the south coast, high above the fajãs.

Visiting

São Jorge is reached by plane or ferry, and the fajãs are explored on foot, by the trails that link the villages of the south coast; the paths cross cliffs and rocky shores, so walkers should go prepared and check the conditions and marked routes with the local information. The island’s landscapes and the bathing areas of the fajãs must be treated with care, following the advice of the local authorities.

Nearby

The town of Velas and its Museu Francisco de Lacerda are the natural starting point of a stay on the island.

Information: visitazores.com.

Image credit: Fajã Grande, São Jorge, by Jose Luis Avila Silveira, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.