Pico island
The second largest island of the Azores, dominated by the volcano of Pico Mountain and the highest point of Portugal, is the most southerly island of the Central Group and one of the vertices of the so called “triangle islands”. Imposing, majestic, magnificent, are some of the many nicknames that the Pico Mountain possesses, thanks to its maximum altitude of 2350 meters and 19 km average diameter from sea level. This land is a mixture of nature and ancestral culture, which includes the landscape of Pico island Vineyard, which has been classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2004.
In the eastern half of the island is the Achada Plateau which dominates, with a volcanic ridge approximately 30 km long between the Capitão Lakeand the Ponta da Ilha. It has about 200 volcanic cones and the surrounding areas such as the Grotões, Rosada, Paul, Landoral, Caiado, Peixinho and Negra, which features bogs, ponds and lakes. Ribeiras, Lajes do Pico or in Ponta do Mistério, you can find widespread lava deltas which remain as an eloquent testimony to the constant struggle between the creative power of volcanoes and the destructive actions of the sea. In times gone by, Pico was at the center of the Azorean Whaling era. The local areas of Lajes, São Roque, Calheta de Nesquim or Ribeiras invite you for walks to discover the picturesque ports, old whalers and the small streets and typical Azorean houses. The Whaling Association has various sites, such as the Museu da Indústria Baleeira.
Gastronomy
Pico Island has a rich wine tradition, including white and red wines, which are produced in Pico, and are much appreciated throughout the Archipelago. “Basalto”, “Lajido” and “Lava Land” are types of wines from Pico. The fig and loquat spirits are also popular and old, copper distillers in working conditions can still found. Liqueurs such as Angelica and other fruit liqueurs are on offer for those with a sweet tooth. The island has always been a big producer of fruit. Its figs, bright red on the inside, are famous. The honey that is produced from the flower of the Australian cheese-wood and the São João soft paste cheese complete the island´s list of food delicacies. As for dishes, octopus stewed in cheiro wine, sausage with taro root, boiled beef and fish broth are highlights.
