Important information:
Am 10. April 2024 wurden das Kundenportal sowie der Web-Zugriff auf das Kartenkonto eingestellt. Bitte laden Sie die Swiss Bankers App herunter, um weiterhin uneingeschränkten Zugriff auf alle Dienste zu haben.
Are you a Swiss Bankers sales partner?
Hier geht es zum Partnerportal.
Portugal isn’t just about the coast – Portugal is also a paradise of islands. In the middle of the Atlantic, two completely different island worlds await: Madeira, with its mild climate, lush greenery and spectacular panoramic trails – and the Azores, a volcanic archipelago that impresses with crater lakes, hot springs and dramatic landscapes. Whether you’re looking for a beach holiday on Porto Santo, hiking adventures on Madeira or natural wonders in the Azores: this Top 10 showcases the most beautiful Portuguese islands.
27.02.2026
Miryana
Contents:
Madeira is the perfect choice if you want to combine an island holiday with nature, indulgence and exercise. The island feels like a vast botanical garden in the Atlantic: lush slopes, dramatic cliffs, viewpoints guaranteed to take your breath away – and a climate that often remains pleasant all year round. At the heart of it all are the famous levada walks: paths along historic water channels that lead you through laurel forests, past waterfalls and to cliff-top viewpoints where you can’t help but stop and take it all in. At the same time, Madeira also offers an urban contrast – Funchal is a wonderful place to stroll, enjoy a meal and round off the day with a sea view.
Tip: Plan your most popular Levadas for early in the morning – this way you’ll make the most of the more stable weather windows, enjoy softer light for photos and have a much more relaxed time out and about. For even more inspiration, check out our blog post ‘Madeira Highlights – the most beautiful places, walks and culinary experiences’, which brings together the island’s best spots in one place – ideal for planning and combining your itinerary.
Porto Santo is Madeira’s laid-back sister island – and the place to choose if, when you think of ‘holidays’, you picture walking barefoot on the sand, long days spent swimming and plenty of space. The highlight is the famous, kilometre-long beach: light in colour, wide, lovely for a stroll and ideal if you’re not looking for the next little cove, but simply want the sea stretching out before you and peace of mind. The pace is noticeably slower than on Madeira – perfect for unwinding, reading, swimming and soaking up the sunsets. And Porto Santo works brilliantly as a contrast to Madeira’s green hiking trails: first some activity, then island tranquillity.
Tip: Stay for at least two nights – that way you’ll get to experience the beach early in the morning and in the evening, when it’s particularly quiet and Porto Santo really comes into its own.
São Miguel is the ideal island if you want to experience maximum variety in a short space of time. Here, emerald-green crater lakes, steaming hot springs and wild coastal roads alternate almost every minute – and everywhere the landscape looks as if it has just been ‘switched on’: lush greenery, volcanic hills, hydrangeas (depending on the season) and viewpoints that automatically make you slow down. Add to that the island’s pleasures: regional produce, warm thermal waters and a relaxed island pace that’s perfect for road trip days. São Miguel feels like the ‘best-of’ essence of the Azores – and is therefore often the best choice if you only want to visit one island.
Tip: Hire a car and make sure to allow plenty of time – the weather plays a big part on São Miguel. If you stay flexible and head for viewpoints on the spur of the moment, you’ll experience the island at its most beautiful.
Pico is the island for anyone who loves mountains and dramatic landscapes. You’ll sense its character the moment you arrive: dark lava rocks, the harsh light of the Atlantic and, on the horizon, the mighty volcano that gives the island its name. Montanha do Pico is not only the symbol of the Azores, but also the highest point in Portugal – a real ‘bucket list’ destination if you fancy reaching new heights. At the same time, Pico never feels overrun: rather than grand island spectacles, it captivates with quiet moments, sweeping views and a sense of landscape that feels almost archaic. It’s also ideal if you’re planning to go island-hopping – Pico combines perfectly with Faial or São Jorge.
Tip: If you’re planning to climb to the summit, choose a day with a stable weather forecast and set off early – it can quickly become much cooler, windier and foggier up there than on the coast.
Terceira is the Azores island that combines nature and culture with particular elegance. On the one hand, you get that typical Azores feel: green hills, coastal views and volcanic landscapes. On the other hand, Terceira is home to Angra do Heroísmo, one of the archipelago’s most beautiful towns – historic, lively and ideal for winding down in the evening. It is precisely this combination that makes Terceira so enjoyable: you don’t have to go all out outdoors every day, but can naturally mix the island’s laid-back pace, walks, viewpoints and good food.
Tip: Set aside a specific afternoon or evening for Angra do Heroísmo – ideally without a strict itinerary. Terceira makes the biggest impression when you give the island a bit of space to ‘sink in’.
Flores is the island where the Azores are at their most spectacular – in the best possible sense: water cascades everywhere, everything is green, and the landscape is so intense that you almost forget how close you are to the edge of Europe’s Atlantic coast. Steep cliffs, small lakes, lush valleys and countless waterfalls make Flores a dream destination for anyone who wants not just to look at nature, but to truly experience it. At the same time, Flores is pleasantly peaceful: no big-city feel, no packed itinerary – just short drives, stunning viewpoints and that special atmosphere when fog and sunshine alternate within minutes, making the island look different every time.
Tip: Stay flexible and don’t plan too tightly. On Flores, the weather often decides things at short notice – those who react spontaneously to good visibility will experience the island at its most beautiful.
Video: São Jorge: Dramatic cliffs, green hills and that authentic Azores vibe.
São Jorge is the island that instantly helps you slow down. It is long and narrow, with steep coastlines and a landscape characterised by the famous fajãs – flat coastal strips at the foot of the cliffs that lie like small natural stages between the rocks and the sea. It is precisely here that the special São Jorge feeling comes to life: gazing into the distance, walking slowly, taking a deep breath – and simply letting the island work its magic. Added to this are stunning viewpoints along the coastal road, from which the coastline appears almost dramatic, without ever being ‘loud’. São Jorge is perfect if you love nature but don’t need a big adventure every day – here, a few short walks and plenty of stunning views are often enough.
Tip: Pack a good pair of walking shoes and plan at least one fajã hike – the most beautiful spots are often not right by the road, but at the end of a short (sometimes steep) path.
Faial is the Azores island that feels the most ‘seafaring’: Atlantic air, a harbour atmosphere and a relaxed pace that instantly puts you in holiday mode. At the same time, Faial is strategically brilliant – if you want to combine several islands, it often serves as the ideal base, as you can get on with your travels quickly from here (whilst still getting enough of that island feel to avoid just being ‘passing through’). In terms of scenery, Faial offers a lovely mix of coastline, green hills and volcanic features – and it’s precisely this balance that makes it so enjoyable: viewpoints and island tours by day, followed by a laid-back, maritime evening.
Tip: Make a point of using Faial as a stopover island – it pairs particularly well with Pico or São Jorge. That way, you’ll experience the charm of the town and harbour alongside volcanic and cliff-lined landscapes in a short space of time.
Santa Maria often feels a bit ‘lighter’ than the rest of the Azores: more sunshine, gentler contours in the landscape and an overall calm, warm island vibe. That’s exactly why it’s perfect if, after plenty of outdoor activities on other islands, you want to consciously take things down a notch – or if you want to experience the Azores, but with a touch of a ‘beach holiday’ rather than just hiking boots. Santa Maria isn’t an island for to-do lists, but for laid-back days: enjoying the views, lingering in little coves, driving through the island’s interior and consciously taking things at a slower pace.
Tip: Plan to visit Santa Maria as a relaxing finale to your trip to the Azores – this way, the island acts as a natural ‘reset’ before you head back to everyday life.
Video: The smallest of the Azores – yet it offers a great sense of tranquillity and vastness.
Corvo is tiny – and that’s precisely its charm. Here, everything seems stripped back to the essentials: the Atlantic, the wind, the vast open spaces and an island that feels more like a retreat than a destination packed with activities. Those who visit Corvo are rarely looking for “sights every minute”, but rather for that special feeling of standing on the edge of the world and simply taking in the landscape. The island is ideal if you enjoy seclusion, appreciate short walks with stunning views and see holidays as a conscious opportunity to slow down.
Tip: Plan your trip to Corvo with plenty of flexibility – transport links can be weather-dependent. If you allow for some leeway, you’ll be able to experience the island at a relaxed pace rather than feeling rushed.
Portugal’s islands are not merely a ‘small addition’ to the mainland, but dream destinations in their own right: Madeira delights with its mild climate, lush green panoramas and walking trails that feel like natural backdrops – whilst the Azores impress with volcanic landscapes, crater lakes and the untamed wildness of the Atlantic.
Whether you’re soaking up the sun on Porto Santo’s beaches, combining thermal springs and viewpoints on São Miguel, or seeking that great mountain experience on Pico: this top 10 will help you find the island that suits your travel style. And best of all: this is just the start – because Portugal has many more island and coastal gems that can be perfectly combined depending on your time, the weather and your travel plans.
© Swiss Bankers 2026
Compare cards and conditions
