10 Stunning Portuguese Islands That Will Leave You Breathless

Portugal is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe. While the mainland gets plenty of attention, its islands offer stunning vistas, rich biodiversity, and incredible photo opportunities. Whether you’re capturing volcanic landscapes, lush greenery, or quaint coastal towns, these islands are a photographer’s dream.

This guide explores the 10 most beautiful Portuguese islands that deserve a spot on your travel photography bucket list.

The Most Beautiful Portuguese Islands

1. Madeira

Known as the “Pearl of the Atlantic,” Madeira is arguably Portugal’s most famous island for good reason. This lush, mountainous paradise, located about 600 miles southwest of mainland Portugal, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers. Its rugged coastline dotted with waterfalls, forests, and stunning floral displays provides endless subjects to capture.

The capital, Funchal, offers a mix of urban charm and natural beauty with vibrant markets, historical landmarks, and stunning views from the Monte Palace Gardens.

🌟 Photography Highlights:

• Laurisilva Forests – Capture the mist-covered ancient forests.
• Monte Palace Tropical Garden – Photograph exotic plants and serene water features.
• Cabo Girão – One of Europe’s highest sea cliffs with a spectacular glass viewpoint.
• Pico do Arieiro – Shoot the dramatic sunrise or clouds rolling over rocky peaks.
• Madeira’s Flower Festival – A riot of colors perfect for vibrant compositions.

2. Flores

Flores, part of the Azores archipelago, lives up to its name as “The Island of Flowers.” This lush island is full of incredible beauty. Think endless waterfalls cascading down emerald-green cliffs, crater lakes nestled in volcanic calderas, and surreal landscapes draped in hydrangeas.

Flores is a paradise for nature photographers, particularly in spring and summer when the flora is at its peak. Hiking trails lead you to remote waterfalls like Poço da Alagoinha and scenic spots overlooking pristine blue lakes.

🌟 Photography Highlights:

• Poço da Alagoinha (Lagoa dos Patos) – A fairy-tale valley with multiple waterfalls.
• Miradouro Craveiro Lopes – Panoramic views of the island’s volcanic craters.
• Rocha Dos Bordões – Stunning basalt columns that stand tall against the skyline.
• Hydrangea-lined roads – Perfect for colorful, dreamy compositions.
• Sunset at Fajã Grande – Europe’s westernmost settlement with stunning coastal views.

3. São Miguel

The largest of the Azores, São Miguel is known as the “Green Island” for its rolling hills and lush greenery. A must-visit for any travel photographer, São Miguel’s landscapes include volcanic calderas, hot springs, black-sand beaches, and vibrant agricultural fields.

Places like Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo offer postcard-perfect scenes, with deep blue lakes surrounded by picturesque mountains. Meanwhile, the Furnas Valley is famous for its steaming geothermal activity, which provides surreal landscapes ideal for dynamic shots.

🌟 Photography Highlights:

• Sete Cidades – Twin volcanic lakes with contrasting hues of green and blue.
• Lagoa do Fogo – A serene crater lake perfect for wide-angle landscapes.
• Furnas Valley – Steaming geysers and ethereal thermal pools.
• Terra Nostra Garden – Beautifully manicured botanical gardens.
• Coastal cliffs and black-sand beaches – Ideal for contrasting tones.

4. Pico

Home to Portugal’s highest peak, Mount Pico, this island is a playground for adventure and landscape photography. The volcanic terrain and vineyards (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) create incredibly striking scenery. Mount Pico dominates the island’s landscape and offers a jaw-dropping backdrop no matter where you are on the island.

🌟 Photography Highlights:

• Mount Pico – Sunrise shots or dramatic silhouettes of the towering volcano.
• Pico’s Vineyards – Unique volcanic rock walls that frame the vineyards.
• Whale Watching – Capture sperm whales and dolphins in their natural habitat.
• Cachorro Village – Charming coastal village with dramatic rock formations.

5. Faial Island

Nicknamed the “Blue Island” for its abundant hydrangeas, Faial is another gem in the Azores. The island’s Capelinhos Volcano, one of the Azores’ most famous geological phenomena, resembles a lunar landscape and is fascinating to photograph for its contrasting earthy colors and textures.

The vibrant marina at Horta features walls painted with murals by sea travelers over decades. Faial’s blend of natural beauty and cultural history makes it a must-visit.

🌟 Photography Highlights:

• Capelinhos Volcano – Otherworldly volcanic fields and rugged beauty.
• Hydrangeas in bloom – Endless fields of blues and purples.
• Horta Marina – Capture the colorful sailor murals.
• Porto Pim Beach – Crystal-clear water surrounded by rolling green hills.
• Ribeirinha Lighthouse – Iconic ruins surrounded by dramatic landscapes.

6. Berlenga Grande

Berlenga Grande might be small in size, but this island off the coast of Peniche packs immense charm and character. Its crystal-clear waters, dramatic cliffs, and vibrant marine life make it one of the most beautiful Portuguese islands.

The island is home to colorful seabirds like puffins, and its main highlight is the 17th-century São João Baptista Fort. Perched on the rocks, the fortress looks like something out of a fantasy novel.

🌟 Photography Highlights:

• São João Baptista Fort – A unique fortress perched over turquoise waters.
• Seabirds in action – Capture puffins and other marine birds in flight.
• Sea caves – Beautiful light and shadow contrast along the coast.
• Sunset cliffs – Stunning golden light reflections on the ocean.

7. Corvo

Corvo, the smallest of the Azores islands, is a haven for peace and untouched wilderness. Its centerpiece is the Caldeirão, an ancient volcanic crater now turned into a vivid green haven with twin lakes and rolling hills.

With only a few hundred residents, Corvo offers a sense of seclusion. It’s an excellent destination for photographers seeking raw beauty and rare perspectives untouched by modern development.

🌟 Photography Highlights:

• Caldeirão Crater – Perfect for aerial landscape shots.
• Serene coastline – Rugged cliffs against turquoise waters.
• Hiking trails – Capture the island’s untouched wilderness.
• Birdwatching – Rare species of migratory birds.

8. São Jorge

Known for its unique “fajãs” (coastal plateaus created by lava flows), São Jorge is a paradise for hikers and photographers. The island’s combination of jagged cliffs, fertile pastures, and aquamarine coastline makes it an ideal spot for photography.

🌟 Photography Highlights:

• Fajã da Caldeira de Santo Cristo – Stunning natural pools and waterfalls.
• Hiking trails – Capture epic ocean vistas along zigzagging trails.
• Topo Island Viewpoint – Panoramic views and enchanting sunsets.
• Pastures and cliffs – Perfect for moody shots or vibrant greens.

9. Terceira Island

Terceira mixes natural beauty with a rich cultural history, particularly in its UNESCO-listed Angra do Heroísmo. Photographers are drawn to Terceira for its stunning cliffs, basalt formations, and unique events such as traditional bullfighting festivals.

The Algar do Carvão, a volcanic vent turned into a natural lush cave system, is a must-visit for those seeking something off the beaten path.

🌟 Photography Highlights:

• Angra do Heroísmo – Capture colonial streets and cultural festivities.
• Algar do Carvão – Ethereal cave with jaw-dropping formations.
• Miradouro da Serra do Cume – Rolling patchwork fields viewed from high above.
• Local festivals – Perfect for documenting Portuguese culture in action.

10. Graciosa

Graciosa, or Portugal’s “White Island,” is the second smallest in the Azores yet it brims with charm and character. Graciosa features whitewashed windmills, underground caves like the Furna do Enxofre, and rolling vineyards surrounded by stone walls.

🌟 Photography Highlights:

• Windmills of Graciosa – Iconic postcards with red-roofed accents.
• Furna do Enxofre – Fantastic for atmospheric cave photography.
• Vineyards – Capture muted but elegant textures of stone walls and grapevines.
• Towns like Santa Cruz – Perfect for shooting authentic Portuguese architecture.

Shoot the Extraordinary

Portugal’s islands offer stunning scenery and endless possibilities for photographers. Whether you’re drawn to volcanic textures, bold colors, or peaceful coastal scenes, each island features something unique.