Built in the 17th century, it is part of the fortification complex in Porto Pim Bay. It played a major role in controlling the entrance to the Bay and the traffic to the south of the island. It was rehabilitated in 1817 and served as a prison until the end of World War II. It is currently under restoration after the damages caused by Hurricane Lourenzo.

Also known as the Sea-Gate of Porto Pim, it was built in the 17th century to protect the access to Porto Pim, Horta’s former harbor. It was part of the group of fortifications that protected the ancient harbor.

This beautiful beach, located in one of the city’s bays, is one of the most tranquil and inviting places for a morning or afternoon of rest and sea-bathing. The stunning landscape and the tepid and calm waters of the bay make it ideal for a spontaneous swim or for activities such as snorkeling, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding.

Monte Queimado (burnt mountain), is so named for the black color of its rocks, looms imposingly behind Porto Pim beach. It is part of the special protected area of Monte da Guia and its highest point may be accessed through the “Entre Montes” trail. At the top you will find the ruins of an old farm and can enjoy beautiful panoramic views over the city of Horta and the bay of Porto Pim.

The gray dunes with shingle vegetation which can only be found here and in Praia da Vitoria on the island of Terceira are sensitive habitats that support several endemics species has been classified by the Natura 2000 Network.

Monte da Guia is a classified protected area and has some of the most spectacular lookouts on the island. In addition to its geological formation it also has an abundant presence of endemic fauna and flora. You can reach the top of Monte da Guia by car, scooter or bicycle, or you can hike along the beautiful Entre Montes trail. On the top you have an excellent panoramic perspective of Porto Pim bay, the city of Horta and Caldeirinhas.

This museum tells the story of whaling on Faial and is one of the best examples of the extinct Azorean whaling industry, essential for the historical, economic and social understanding of this activity.

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The museum chronicles the history and the life of the Dabneys, an influential American family living in Faial during the 19th century, a period of great economic prosperity connected with wine, orange, and whale oil trade. The Dabneys left a cultural, historical and scientific heritage that is still visible and recognized on the island today.

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This aquarium displays some of the most common coastal species in the archipelago and offers information about the deep sea of the contiguous continental platform of the archipelago. The aquarium is deeply committed to promoting awareness about the biodiversity of the Azorean sea.
The aquarium is temporarily closed.

This chapel is located on top of Monte da Guia and has a magnificent view over the bay. Every August a nautical procession is held in honor of Nossa Senhora da Guia, patron saint of fishermen. A mass is celebrated at the chapel and the image of Our Lady is transported by boat followed by many other boats, on a route around the Mount. The procession ends at the church of Angústias.

Built on the cliff of Monte da Guia, it stands triumphantly over Horta’s bay. The fort was part of the defensive system of the island against the attacks of pirates and buccaneers, once frequent in this region of the Atlantic Ocean.

In the 1950’s two elevated platforms were erected on this same place for maritime surveillance radars, which have since been deactivated.

This church was built on the site of the Santa Cruz chapel founded by the first settlor of the island, Joss van Hurtere and his wife Beatriz de Macedo, under the invocation of the Holy Cross.

After that original chapel, a new temple was built and inaugurated in 1675. The construction of the current version began in 1800 and has the coat of arms of the first noble families settled in Faial on the ceiling above the main altar.

The library is located in the city center, has an adult and children sections, regional archive, exhibition gallery, auditorium and cultural gift shop.
The regional archive comprises a collection of old records and documents which may be useful to those wishing to learn more about their Azorean ancestors.

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Part of the old Jesuit College, the Santíssimo Salvador is one of the largest churches in the Azores. This baroque style church is a good example of Portuguese religious art of the 18th century. The Horta Museum is housed in the same structure next to the Church.

The Horta Museum is made up of a heterogeneous group of collections, which cover a chronological period from the 16th century to the present day: ethnography; technological objects related to the history of the Horta’s harbor and the submarine cable stations which operated in this North Atlantic communications center between the 19th and 20th centuries; sacred art; visual arts; photographic documents; printed and manuscript documents; natural history specimens.

Also noteworthy is the permanent collection of ethnographical works of Euclides Rosa in fig tree kernel, a unique collection which has been part of the museum since 1980.

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Nossa Senhora do Carmo Church is another of Horta’s great temples. It opened to the public in the late 18th century and embodies the strong connection of the Azores with Brazil.

The gilded carving, tiles and sculptures are of special interest in this church, however, its claim to fame is the largest non-supported stone arch in the country, a fascinating work of architecture and the skill of the builders of the time. It currently houses the Horta’s Museum of Sacred Art.

Housed in the Nossa Senhora do Carmo church, this exhibition space displays sacred art pieces from the Azores Islands, more specifically the religious heritage of the island of Faial. The museum’s permanent collection includes pieces of Angra’s Diocese, the Third Order of Carmo, the Third Order of St. Francis and also the Church of Santíssimo Salvador, many of them coming from the extinct Museum of Sacred Art and Religious Ethnography of Horta.

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This unique building in Art Deco style was designed by Joaquim Norte Júnior, a prominent Portuguese architect and built in 1934 by the masonic society Amor da Pátria associated to the Grande Oriente Lusitano. Amor da Pátria was, for decades, one of the main venues of the city of Horta for hosting exhibitions, theater plays, concerts, balls, congresses, dinners and many other artistic, cultural and social activities.

A temple built in the eighteenth century, in memory of a time of distress for the people of the island during the 1672 volcanic eruption in the parishes of Praia do Norte and Capelo. This worship temple to the Holy Spirit is one of the oldest empires built in stone and lime of the Azores, with baroque style elements.

Praça da República is a pleasant romantic garden cherished by the people of Faial. Its central location in close proximity to the Municipal Market, the Faialense Theatre, Amor da Pátria building and the various shops make Praça da Républica a thoroughfare for conviviality, harmony and contemplation. The pond with swans, the red and white wood and cast iron gazebo, the classic garden benches and the large araucarias give it character and create a welcoming atmosphere.

This is a friendly market where you can find crafts, local and regional agricultural products, as well as cafes and restaurants ready to share the Azorean flavors. It is an important meeting point for the whole community, especially on Saturday mornings, when more producers set up to sell their products.

Teatro Faialense (theatre) is the main performance venue on the island and has a regular program of cinema, theater, dance and music. Although it is not strictly art deco, it displays the eclectic architectural trends of the early twentieth century. Its elegant facade, covered with ochre-yellow tiles, leads to a hall of classic beauty, harmonious, with several levels of boxes and a beautiful contemporary ceiling, painted by the Santa Maria artist José Nuno da Câmara Pereira.

The Clock Tower is one of the most emblematic architectural landmarks of the city. It was built between 1700 and 1720 next to the southern facade of the old main church which was later destroyed by lightning. The clock mechanism of this unique public clock dates back to 1747.

This pleasant public garden is located in the higher part of the city in front of the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries of the University of the Azores. The garden is marked by its traditional red wood gazebo and the centennial dragon trees that ornament the space.

Upon leaving the Florêncio Terra Garden, take Travessa do Mirante and head towards the church of Conceição. This old cobblestone road, typical of the original streets of Horta, passes by a belvedere over Ribeira da Conceição and is a curious trip back in time!

The original temple was built in the early years of the island’s settlement and dedicated to Our Lady of Conception. Over the centuries, it was destroyed several times, either by pirate attacks or by earthquakes. The dates inscribed on the current facade testify to an actual chronicle of successive destructions and reconstructions. The current art deco style construction resulted from the destruction of the 1926 earthquake.

This extensive leisure park, located at the edge of the city of Horta, near Conceição beach is a pleasant and interesting place for many activities. From those looking for a quiet place to have a picnic in the city to those who want to exercise in a natural and wooded area, everyone will find reasons to visit the Alagoa park. If you are traveling with family, know that children love the playground area and its giant ship.

Located next to the Alagoa park, it has stationary sun umbrellas and free sun loungers during the bathing season. With the channel and the island of Pico as a backdrop, it is a sought after beach for surfing and bodyboarding when the swell is stronger.