São Miguel, Azores in Winter: Reasons to visit during the off-season

You finish work for the day, walk outside, and instead of the freezing city air, you’re surrounded by green hills and the smell of rain drifting in from the distance.

This is São Miguel in winter. It’s calm, lush, and full of quiet life.

Most people imagine the Azores in winter as weeks of endless rain. Sure, showers are pretty common, but they rarely stay for long. If you stay for a few weeks, you’ll see how quickly the weather shifts. Mist in the morning, sunshine by noon, sometimes even warm enough for a swim. Locals love to say we get all four seasons in one day, and honestly, it’s true.

That unpredictability is part of the charm. And when the clouds clear, you’ll have some of the island’s most beautiful spots almost to yourself. So if you’re coming over, make sure to pack a rain jacket… but don’t forget your summer clothes too ;)

If you’ve ever wanted to experience the Azores beyond the summer crowds, winter might be your best discovery yet. It’s a season made for slow travel, a time to work, wander, and breathe a little deeper.

Let’s have a look at why visiting the Azores during the off-season might just be the smartest move for you this year.

The benefits of visiting the Azores in Winter

Winter may be a quieter season, but that’s exactly when life here becomes more authentic.

Locals reclaim their rhythm, cafés open late, and the pace of each day feels unhurried. You can grab your morning coffee without a queue, chat with the people who live here year-round, and enjoy viewpoints with no one else around.

It’s the version of the Azores most travellers never see. The one where you feel part of local life instead of just passing through.

Fewer tourists, more connection

Winter in São Miguel is when the island takes a deep breath. 

Popular spots like Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo, and Furnas are calm, green, and easy to enjoy at your own pace.

Café owners remember your order, hikes feel peaceful, and even a quick walk through town can turn into a friendly chat. It’s a season made for travellers who value connection and calm over crowds and schedules.

Lower prices and better value

Winter also brings better value across the board. 

Flights drop, long-term rentals become easier to find, and car hire can fall from around €70 a day in summer to as little as €5.

For anyone planning a longer stay, it’s the perfect setup. You can settle in comfortably for a month or more, keep costs low, and still live well. Shared spaces like colivings make life simple, with everything sorted for you and a built-in community from day one.

What the weather is really like in the Azores during Winter

Forget harsh winters. In the Azores, the cooler months feel soft, green, and full of life.

Temperatures usually sit between 14 and 18°C, even in January, which means you can still spend plenty of time outdoors. Rain comes and goes quickly, often just a light shower before the clouds drift away again.

That combination of sunshine, fog, and rain gives the island its beauty. The landscapes feel alive, shifting through moods every few hours. Waterfalls are at their strongest, lakes shimmer in mist, and hills glow bright green after each rainfall. 

Every walk, drive, or hike feels different depending on the light and weather that day.

Snow rarely reaches São Miguel, appearing only occasionally on Pico Mountain, the highest point in the islands. For most of winter, the air stays mild, fresh, and full of that clean Atlantic scent that keeps you wanting to step outside.

Rainy days made for focus

Rainy days are part of life here, but they bring their own pace. 

Cooler mornings and grey skies make it easy to focus, while sunny breaks invite you to head out for a walk or a short trip to the coast. It’s a balance that remote workers love: productive hours indoors followed by time in nature.

Spaces like Lava Coliving are designed for this lifestyle, with fast Wi-Fi, quiet communal areas, and plenty of room to work or unwind when the weather turns. Remote work in the Azores isn’t about laptops on beaches. It’s about peace, focus, and community surrounded by green hills and ocean air.

If you’re curious about what makes Portugal such a favourite for remote workers, take a look at ‘Living the Dream: Portugal for Digital Nomads’ blog.

Best things to do in the Azores in Winter

Ideal way to start the day? 

By going to the warm hot springs, walking peaceful trails through mountains, and finishing with local food that tastes even better on a cool evening. It’s a season that invites you to slow down and enjoy the moment.

There are plenty of things to do in the Azores in winter, and São Miguel offers a balance of adventure and rest that suits travellers who like nature, calm, and good company.

Next, let’s dig into one of the best parts of winter on the island: the hot springs.

1. Soak in the hot springs

The hot springs in São Miguel are pure magic during the cooler months. Caldeira Velha, Terra Nostra Park, and Poça da Dona Beija are the favourites, quieter, calmer, and easy to enjoy without the summer rush.

These thermal baths in the Azores fit perfectly with the pace of winter. The mineral-rich water is known to be great for your skin, leaving it soft and refreshed (and also known for relaxing ofcourse!)

After a few hours of remote work or exploring, a long soak feels like the reward the island saves for those who stay longer. It’s one of the simplest pleasures of Azores winter travel, and one that always leaves you smiling on the way home.

For a full list of places to visit, check out ‘Discover the Hot Springs in São Miguel: Your Ultimate Guide’.

2. Explore trails without crowds

Hiking in São Miguel feels better in winter. 

Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo are stunning crater lake walks. Salto do Cabrito, Salto do Cagarrao, Trilho do Sanguinho and many more are waterfall hikes

There’s a special kind of silence on these walks, the sound of wind, birds, and your own footsteps. It’s an easy way to feel part of the landscape.

Most trails in winter stay safe and accessible with good shoes. The weather makes long walks easier and more enjoyable, turning São Miguel into a paradise for slow, steady exploration.

For more ways to stay active on this volcanic island, check out ‘Azores: Where Surfing Meets Coworking’.

3. Experience local food and culture

There’s something about food in the Azores that just hits differently. 

Locals gather over Cozido das Furnas, the volcanic stew that bubbles away underground before making its way to the table. Tea from Gorreana warms your hands, island cheese fills the gap between conversations, and time seems to stretch in the best way. For more on local dishes and traditions, check out the local gastronomy here.

With fewer visitors around, meals turn into moments of connection. You start chatting with café owners, and perhaps meet neighbours at markets (we also have a farmer’s market close to the house!).

This is the heart of Azores: nature, food, community, and a genuine sense of belonging that defines the full Azores experience.

Why Winter is the ideal time for a coliving experience

The winter season is exactly what makes it perfect for staying longer.

For digital nomads and remote workers, it is a chance to settle into a place that’s hard to find elsewhere. Life here is calm, the views are endless, and distractions fade into the background. You can focus on work, explore when the weather turns bright, and still feel part of something real.

A long stay in the Azores fits naturally into this season. There’s space to breathe, connect, and build a steady routine that blends productivity with nature. Coliving in the azores takes it one step further, shared meals, good Wi-Fi, and people who get what remote work life is about.

Why coliving works great in winter

Coliving turns winter in the Azores into something special. 

It’s the simplest way to live and work comfortably without the hassle of short-term rentals or isolation.

The shared spaces bring people together, remote workers, and travellers who want the same balance of focus and community. Fast Wi-Fi, cosy lounges, and home-cooked dinners. 

In a coliving, everything’s set up for longer stays. Affordable off-season prices make it easy to stay for a month or more, and there’s always someone up for a hike or a coffee after work. It’s the kind of living that makes the Azores long stay lifestyle feel effortless.

For more on how this setup works, check out our blog on ‘What Is Coliving?’.

Lava Coliving: Your Winter home base

Life on São Miguel feels different when you have a place that already feels like home. 

That’s what Lava Coliving offers during the cooler months: a space built for balance, connection, and comfort.

There’s a steady rhythm to days here. Mornings start with the sound of rain outside and coffee brewing in the kitchen. Some head to the coworking space, others to the surf or a nearby trail. Evenings bring everyone back together, dinners shared, ideas swapped, and stories told by people from all over the world.

For digital nomads in the Azores, Lava Coliving makes the coliving experience something special, calm, creative, and social in all the right ways. Here's why:

You can curl up for a movie in our home cinema, squeeze in a quick workout at the gym, or get creative with the painting supplies. Some book an in-house acupuncture or massage session, others just hang out with Fin, our cute little cat, who’s always up for a cuddle <3

So if you’re ready to swap crowds for calm mornings and connect with a like-minded community, book your stay at Lava Coliving and experience winter in the Azores like a local during the off-season. Hope to see you soon < 3

Still wondering what to expect from winter in the Azores? 

FAQs about visiting the Azores in Winter

These answers cover the most common questions about weather, costs, and when to visit.

‍

Q: Is it worth visiting the Azores in winter?

Yes, it’s absolutely worth it for travellers who enjoy calm, authentic experiences. The Azores in winter offer mild weather, quiet roads, and lower prices. It’s the best season for Azores off-season travel, long stays, and anyone who wants to slow down and experience local life.

Q: What month is best to visit the Azores?

While summer (June to September) brings warm weather and festivals, October to March is perfect for slow travellers and digital nomads. São Miguel in winter stays mild, around 14–18°C, with plenty of bright days for exploring.

Q: What is the coldest month in the Azores?

February is usually the coldest month, with average temperatures around 14°C. The Azores winter weather stays mild and comfortable, and short rain showers often make the landscapes even greener. It’s a good time for hiking, coworking, and recharging indoors when the rain rolls through.

Q: What is the cheapest month to go to the Azores?

The cheapest months to go to the Azores are November through February. Flights can drop by up to 40%, and car rentals are often much cheaper too. It’s a great window for an Azores long stay, especially for travellers who prefer the Azores low season pace.

Q: Does it rain a lot in the Azores in winter?

Rain is common, but it rarely lasts all day. Showers are short and usually followed by sunshine, perfect for mixing work sessions with quick adventures outdoors.

Q: Can you swim or surf in the Azores in winter?

Yes, especially for surfers. The season brings some of the best waves, and the water stays around 17–19°C year-round. For more on the active side of island life, see ‘Azores: Where Surfing Meets Coworking’.

- - -

Thanks for reading! Follow us on instagram for daily updates :)