On the island of Terceira, the town of Angra do Heroísmo has been awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO thanks to its Renaissant town centre. Don’t miss the lovely traditionally-designed houses, the Sé (Cathedral), the mannerist Nossa Senhora da Guia Church and the Museu de Angra next to it, as well as the Capitães Generais Palace. There is also a wine museum in Biscoitos.
In Ponta Delgada, the famous baroque gates stand among the churches, the Carlos Machado Museum, beautiful palaces and the Esperança Convent and Chapel, with the treasure of Christ. There are also museums in Ribeira Grande and Vila Franca do Campo.
On Faial, there are two Horta Museums. The church at São Francisco Convent has beautiful tiles and gilded woodcarvings, like those of the churches of S.
Salvador and Nossa Senhora do Carmo.
Not to be missed are the Igreja Matriz (parish church) in Graciosa, the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda and the museum displaying whaling vessels and a traditional mill.
On Pico, visit the two whaling museums, the churches of S. Roque and of S. Pedro de Alcântara in São Roque, and the S. Sebastião Church in Calheta de Nesquim.
And in addition to the churches, such as that of Nossa Senhora dos Milagres in Vila Nova do Corvo, the two museums in Santa Cruz das Flores and the museum in Calheta de São Jorge are well worth a visit.