Ferry from Terceira to Graciosa

About Terceira

Terceira is the easternmost island of the Central Group in the Portuguese Azores. It was the third Azorean island to be discovered, hence its name which means ‘third’ in Portuguese, and is currently home to the second largest population of the archipelago. Also, in 2012, the island received the ‘Quality Coast Gold Award’ for its eco-tourism efforts, thanks to its immaculate beaches and crystal clear waters, ideal for scuba diving. The capital, Angra do Heroismo dates back to the 16th Century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It played an important role in the country’s history thanks to its conveniently located port in the North Atlantic, but, today, it boasts picturesque streets and alleyways alongside impressive palaces and monuments. The island’s main ferry terminal is in the village of Praia de Vitoria on the east coast, which offers a few sailings each week to almost every island in the Azores.

About Graciosa

Graciosa is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve island in the Azores, a Portuguese archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean. Portuguese for ‘graceful’ and nicknamed the ‘white island’, Graciosa is one of the most peaceful and picturesque of the island chain, characterised by rolling hills and whitewashed houses. And with roots in the farming industry, the landscape is primarily wheat fields and vineyards, producing some of the finest wines in the country. Relaxing in natural thermal pools, exploring sulphur caverns and deep sea diving are popular excursions on Graciosa, and the beautiful, main settlement of Santa Cruz has narrow, cobbled streets and a charming central square which are well worth seeing. Graciosa sits in a relatively central position within the Azores, so travelling by ferry is a convenient and popular way to get there. Routes are available from nearly every other island, with ferries docking in Vila da Praia on Graciosa’s east coast.