It also boasts two of the six cities in the entire Azorean archipelago (Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória), the largest areas of primitive endemic vegetation of the nine islands (no wonder, then, that even Charles Darwin himself insisted on passing through the island on his return from the Galapagos!), of being the only one of the nine with a 23 km highway that crosses the island with viaducts for cows (the Vacaductos, designated by the local people) and, finally, of having the best (and most) festivites of the 9 islands, with some even calling the island the Azorean “amusement park”. More recently, its media prominence is related to the Military Base of Lajes, an important geopolitical point where the invasion of Iraq by American troops was decided at the 2003 summit. It boasts of being one of the most important islands, first for its relevance in the history of Portugal as it was the political, economic and religious center of the Azores in the sixteenth century and Angra do Heroísmo became the capital of the Kingdom of Portugal in the nineteenth century. According to what we were told, its name comes from the fact that it was the “third” Azorean island to be “discovered” by Portuguese navigators in the 15th century (although recently traces have been found that the island had actually been inhabited before, more information here – in Portuguese). Terceira (meaning “Third” in Portuguese) is the third largest and second most populated island of the Azores archipelago (Portugal). Liked our guide? Save money and support us!.Checklist: what to take in your backpack/suitcase to Terceira.How much does it cost to travel to Terceira?.Things to do in Terceira in one week (7 days).Things to do in Terceira in 2-3 days (a weekend).Where to eat in Terceira: north, east and west of the island beyond Praia da Vitória.Where to Eat in Terceira: Praia da Vitória.Where to eat in Terceira: center and south of the island beyond Angra.Where to eat in Terceira: Angra do Heroísmo.

Where to stay in Terceira: rural tourism and different experiences.Impérios do Espírito Santo: the colorful temples of Terceira.Miradouro de Altares (Matias Simão Peak).Biscoitos: natural lava pool and wine museum.Calheta dos Lagadores and World War II Trenches.Farol das Contendas and Ponta das Contendas.Natural pools of Salga and Forte das Caravelas.Miradouro Cruz do Canario and the IIhéus das Cabras, Feteira.Natural swimming pools: Silveira, Poça dos Frades, Piscina dos Cães.Serra de Santa Bárbara and Miradouro da Serra de Santa Bárbara.Serra do Cume and Miradouro da Serra do Cume.Mount Brazil and São João Baptista Fortress.

Braveland pirate special dish