Tourism

Museu e Auditório Municipal

The Santa Cruz das Flores Cultural Center - Municipal Auditorium is a cozy venue in Santa Cruz das Flores, Portugal. With modern architecture and an auditorium seating 125, it’s perfect for films, plays, and musical shows. There’s also space for permanent exhibitions, temporary art galleries, and a cool café to relax. Visitors love the atmosphere and the acoustics are perfect for listening to great music. Overall, it’s a great place to enjoy culture in this charming town.

Miradouro Ponta da Caveira

Convento de São Boaventura

The Flores Museum was created in 1977 by Regional Legislative Decree No. 25/77/A, under the name of the Ethnography House of Flores Island. This designation was maintained until 1991, when it was renamed Flores Museum by Regional Legislative Decree No. 4/91/A. Its founder and first director was João António Gomes Vieira, a native of Flores, who was primarily responsible for conceiving the collections the Museum currently holds. These collections cover themes such as weaving, dairy products, agriculture, livestock, fishing, whaling, navigation, and sacred art. In 1986, it incorporated the Casa Pimentel de Mesquita, where an exhibition dedicated to linen and and wool spinning technology was installed, in addition to furniture from the 18th to 20th centuries. This house museum operated until 2008, when it began to house the Municipal Library. From 1993, the Museum’s headquarters became the old Convent of São Boaventura, where it remains to this day. In addition to this, the Flores Museum also has the Boqueirão Whaling Factory as an annex.

Farol da Ponta do Albernaz

The Farol da Ponta do Albernaz was built at the northwestern tip of Flores Island, atop a high cliff and positioned to face the direction from which most maritime traffic in its waters originated. Initially, it was designed as part of the General Lighting and Buoyage Plan for the neighboring Ponta Delgada, but in 1902 this plan was rejected, and the adaptation of the old lighthouse according to new technologies was then proposed. The new lighthouse was then determined to be installed at Ponta do Albarnaz, about 3 kilometers from the village. The position was strategic, on a high cliff on the west coast, thus allowing the signal to be sighted from the coast of Corvo Island and along the entire northwestern coast of Flores Island. The decision to build the lighthouse was not peaceful, and in 1922, an amicable agreement was reached for the lighthouse’s installation at Ponta do Albernaz. Construction of the lighthouse and its access roads then began, as there was no existing access to the parish of Ponta Delgada or to Ponta do Albernaz. The lighthouse began its operations in January 1925. In 2005, it was still the only lighthouse in Portugal not connected to the electricity grid.

Miradouro Arcos Ribeira da Cruz

Come visit the imposing Miradouro Arcos Ribeira da Cruz, located on the beautiful Flores Island, in the municipality of Lajes das Flores, for a moment of contemplation of nature and surprising panoramic views. At its top, the sculpted arches of waters merging into the ocean frame a horizon worth remembering. To your right, the sea unfolds, deepening into infinity, and to your left, a golden sandy beach. The possibility of arriving by car makes your visit easier. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to enjoy one of the most stunning places on the island. This is the perfect experience to invigorate mind and body and green your soul.

Fábrica da Baleia

The Fábrica da Baleia do Boqueirão (Boqueirão Whaling Factory) is located at the northeastern tip of the town of Santa Cruz das Flores. The building’s placement was determined by its purpose, as a sperm whale processing point on the island, situated directly above the port of Boqueirão, at an altitude of about 27 meters. It is a building that stands out in the urban landscape due to its volume and the size of its chimney. It is part of a factory complex that includes the dismantling platform and the slipway, both located on the northern side of the building, consisting of four rectangular bodies, perpendicular to each other, and a cylindrical chimney, totaling an area of about 1850 m2. Built between 1941 and 1944 by the whaling company Reis & Flores, with Francisco Marcelino dos Reis and José Jacinto Mendonça Flores as majority partners, it operated until 1984. Purchased by the Municipal Council of Santa Cruz das Flores shortly after, it served the municipality until 1992 as a material warehouse, locksmith, mechanics, and painting workshop, with the exception of the east wing of the building. This wing, composed of two large rooms and the pump house, contiguous to these, was ceded by the Municipal Council to the Museum of Art and Popular Tradition of the island, for a later installation of the Sea Arts Section. In that year, recovery work on the machinery began, which would last about a year. Despite the first attempt at conservation for museological purposes, the factory remained abandoned for more than 10 years, having received in 1999 the classification of Property of Public Interest (Resolution nº67/99, of April 29). In 2006, a new project for the musealization of the Factory began, which includes the recovery of the machinery and the rehabilitation of the building, with a second floor being added to the west wing and a roof covering an adjacent area, which was originally open-air. The maintenance of the original roof, the masonry walls, and the original concrete structures, as well as the size of the machinery installed here, immediately transport the visitor’s imagination to the days of work in the factory and to the times when whaling was part of the island’s daily life. The inauguration of the museum took place in 2015, under the tutelage of the company Ilhas de Valor S.A, being since 2022 an annex of the Flores Museum. Here the visitor learns about the history of whaling on the island and the entire process of hunting and transforming the sperm whale.

Miradouro da Pedrinha

An elevated area with a view over the valley of Lajes das Flores. You can observe the village of Lajes, the surrounding green mountains, pasture lands, and in the background, you can see the dike known as Rocha dos Frades. This type of structure forms when magma fills a fault and solidifies deep underground. In the case of the Frades dike, the surrounding material has been eroded, leaving it exposed amidst green pastures.

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição

The Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição is the parish church of the town of Santa Cruz das Flores. Its construction began in 1859, making it one of the most imposing churches in the archipelago. With two bell towers, the facade is adorned with profuse stonework and large windows. Inside, note the valuable decoration of the chancel.

Miradouro do Ilhéu Furado

The Miradouro do Ilhéu Furado is located on the northern tip of Flores Island, in the Ponta Ruiva region (Santa Cruz das Flores, Azores). It’s a place of great natural beauty, with direct views of the Atlantic Ocean and the emblematic Ilhéu Furado — a rock formation perforated by the sea, which gives the viewpoint its name. Accessible by car to a small parking area, the viewpoint requires a brief walk along an easy trail to the top, from where you get a panoramic view of stunning landscapes: high cliffs, Ilhéu de Álvaro Rodrigues, other neighboring islets, and on clear days, even Corvo Island in the distance. This place is ideal for moments of contemplation and relaxation: the calm environment, the sound of the waves, and the sea breeze create a peaceful atmosphere — perfect for a break during your visit to the island. The experience typically lasts about 20 minutes, depending on the visitor’s pace.

Igreja de São Pedro

Parque de campismo e lazer de Ponta Delgada

The Ponta Delgada Campsite and Leisure Park, located in the town of Ponta Delgada, in the municipality of Santa Cruz das Flores, is a charming place for those looking to camp comfortably and in contact with nature.

Miradouro da Baía de Além

The Miradouro da Baía de Além offers visitors one of the most stunning panoramic views of Flores Island, stretching out to meet the Atlantic Ocean. This attraction, located in the town of Santa Cruz das Flores, provides a shimmering scene in daylight, where the diversity of colors forms a unique spectacle. The viewpoint is an ideal place to relax and contemplate the sea view, while enjoying the ocean breeze and a variety of traditional dishes typical of this region. Additionally, it also has access to nearby parking and is just a few minutes’ walk from the seafront. This tourist attraction is the right choice for those who want to admire one of Portugal’s most beautiful beaches, with ocean views and clear skies. Are you ready for an unforgettable visit? Come to Miradouro da Baía de Além and discover the beauty of this paradisiacal island.

Miradouro Pico da Casinha

Visit the Miradouro Pico da Casinha on Flores Island! Enjoy the panoramic view it offers, taking in the serene sea and the green mountains. This beautiful viewpoint is easily accessible by car and is located in Santa Cruz das Flores, on the ER2-2. You’ll enjoy a unique spot to admire the ocean, revel in the tranquility and fresh air, far from the chaos of cities. You won’t want to miss this magnificent experience! Your trip will be more complete by visiting Flores Island and admiring the Miradouro Pico da Casinha. Give yourself this opportunity and come visit!

Miradouro dos cedros

The Miradouro dos Cedros, located in the city of Santa Cruz das Flores, on Flores Island, is one of the best tourist attractions in this area. It is characterized by offering panoramic sea views in Cedros. Next to the viewpoint is the famous church, one of the main attractions of this part of the island. The place provides unique moments, where the sea and sky unite in beauty and tranquility, creating an incredible scene. This spot is perfect for moments of rest and for taking photos that can immortalize unique moments of calm and beauty. Come see the gentle, misty blue of the sea, sit by the church, and enjoy the salty breeze of the Atlantic Ocean. Come and discover this beautiful place, which will never go unnoticed. The Miradouro dos Cedros is an experience of tranquility and beauty that must be lived.