Capelinhos

An interesting point to visit, the volcano, but the view was practically impossible, due to the extremely strong wind that carried volcanic sand with various impurities. At the moments when the wind subsided a bit and the sun appeared, beautiful views opened up. Unfortunately, only until the moment when the rain poured in. At that time, it was time to visit the interpretation center, which is beautifully arranged below the level of the surroundings.

I visited Capelinhos in mid-September, and the experience was simply breathtaking. I cycled from Flamengos, which took about an hour and 15 minutes to cover the roughly 20 kilometers. The journey itself was pleasant, but the real magic began upon arrival. The timing of my visit was perfect as I reached just before sunset. Watching the sun go down over these majestic cliffs made the entire place feel otherworldly, almost like being on Mars. The scenery was incredibly dramatic with the black volcanic sand contrasting sharply with the green vegetation. It was windy, adding to the surreal atmosphere. There were hardly any visitors, making the experience even more special and serene. Unfortunately, the museum was closed when I arrived, so I couldn't go inside. However, the outdoor exploration more than made up for it. I ventured down almost to the water's edge. The sand is very loose, and my feet were covered in it by the end, but it was worth it for the views and the unique experience. For those interested in visiting, the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre has fascinating exhibits about the 1957-58 eruption that created this landscape. The museum is typically open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Tickets cost around 10 euros for adults, and there are discounts for children and seniors. This site is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Faial. The combination of natural beauty, historical significance, and the peaceful environment is unmatched.

Unique island experience! The recent volcano has created an other-worldly landscape, and the interpretive centre gives excellent details and personal testimonies of the event. It’s worth the 10€ to do the tour; unfortunately you can’t climb the lighthouse unless you do the tour. Climbing the lighthouse is a definite MUST when you visit Faial!

What an impressive place to be. One of the best places to see and feel the power of the earth in Açores archipelago!! Love the museum although the entrance price is a bit high!

Wild and gorgeous! It's breathtaking place where you can take pretty cool pictures, of the Vulcan or of the light house. From the top you can admire the power of the ocean, especially if you go on a stormy day. You can also take a walk along the coast or going down to the natural pool

Incredible… ‼️‼️‼️ please, be careful, very strong wind. Cover your hair and eyes! (Lots of black dust in the air)‼️‼️‼️ Don’t use white shoes (if possible ) And enjoooooy 🤩

Closest you’ll get to the Moon or Mars. All of about sixty year old earth which is only just beginning to show signs of basic plant life once more. Older maps don’t show the new land mass. Look out for the various coloured volcanic rocks, the contrast with the greens of the older land, and the blues of the sea and sky, and the colony of gulls perched on one of the steeper cliffs. The sea has succeeded in weathering almost half of the original caldera, look out for the granite lava column still standing in the sea. Be sure to visit before it all disappears back into the sea in the next half century.

A unique lunar landscape that took is current form after the relatively recent eruption of the Capelinhos volcano (1958). Dont miss to visit the interpretation center and climb the old lighthouse. Also look for an view from the air if it happens to fly above.