Beekeeper for a day: honey tour in Pico island

Your experience begins in the centre of Madalena, where we’ll meet and drive to the countryside. We’ll introduce you to Ana, who is a proud Picarota (that is, a local from Pico) and lifelong beekeeper whose hives roam free in the hills near her family’s home. She’ll welcome us into her world, sharing the traditions and sustainable practices passed down through generations.
You’ll visit the hives and learn how honey is produced, how bees communicate, and how the island’s endemic plants shape the taste of this sweet nectar. From heather to wild mint, Pico’s flora makes its honey taste like nowhere else in the world!

Afterward, we’ll slow down for a guided tasting of Ana’s honeys, while we chat more about local food traditions. You’ll get to sample different varieties that encapsulate the aromas of the flowers that the bees have foraged. We’ll look into the flavor profile of each variety, including some floral, some herbal, some slightly mineral… all completely natural!

Weather permitting, we’ll also visit one of our favorite natural swimming pools, a stunning natural spot where the Atlantic meets the lava coast and where we can go for a refreshing swim, should you want to.

Throughout the entire experience, you will be guided by a Portuguese food and culture expert with cross-cultural sensitivity, who will help connect the dots between food, landscape, and Azorean life, offering stories and insights that help you savor more deeply.

If you like farm experiences and visits to producers, this beekeeping experience is a way to gain insight into this Pico way of life, shaped by nature, patience and a deep respect for tradition. You’ll meet real people doing work with care, and leave with a new appreciation for what it means to eat locally in the Azores.

• Introduction to Azorean apiculture
• Insight into sustainable beekeeping practices
• Beehive visit
• Pico honey tastings
• Optional visit at a local natural pool, weather permitting
• Guided by a local food expert with transcultural sensitivity
• Private transportation to and from Madalena ferry terminal