Horta

Horta is a single municipality and city in the western part of the archipelago of the Azores, encompassing the island of Faial.

The city contains the Horta Regional Museum which has a permanent exhibit 'Exhibition of Capelinhos Volcano', which details in photographs the recent (1957) volcanic eruption in the Azores. The museum also contains a large collection of scale models of buildings, ships, and people carved from fig kernels.

Peter's Cafe Sport, located across from the marina also houses the island's scrimshaw (scrollwork, engravings and carvings done in bone or ivory) museum.

Boat trips to see dolphins, whales and seabirds can be taken from here.

The marina is a pretty place to stroll and relax over a drink.

Caldeira is a designated nature reserve. From the top of the cone, you can look down into the vast crater, 2000m in diameter and 400 metres deep, with a small lake at the bottom. Spectacular views over the city of Horta and the islands of Pico and São Jorge can be seen from the top.

Porto Paim is a beach surrounded by calm blue waters.

Ceramics, vases, embroidery, lace and wickerwork are popular souvenirs.

'Torresmos de porco' (pork), 'linguiça com inhames' (sausages with yam), 'molho de carne' (meat in sauce) and 'caldo de peixe' (fish) are all local dishes.

Cruise ships anchor and tender passengers ashore. The harbour area is in the centre of town, the walls and walkways of the marina area are covered with paintings of visitors, vessels and dates they visited.