City break in Graciosa. Active leisure ideas for Graciosa - attractions, recreation and nightlife

Despite the fact that Graciosa Island is not the most popular destination among European fans of active holidays, still, there are diverse activities besides just local attractions. For instance, there is of the most peculiar elevations of Portugal – Caldeira volcano (402m above sea level). Basically, it’s a side of a giant extent volcano’s crater. It’s not Mount Elbrus, of course, but, on the other hand, anybody can climb it if they want to, even untrained ones. One has to go all the path on foot, so you can just enjoy a magnificent view of Graciosa and neighbouring islands.

One more unique place here is a sulphuric cave. It’s located in the extent volcano’s Furna Do Enxofre crater. There is an extremely beautiful lake there and about 80-meters-high vault of volcanic origin. The entrance is free, however, if you’d like to get the maximum information about the grotto and its origin, it would be better to pay a guide. For those who love making photos, the best time for visiting the cave is from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sunlight reaches Furna Do Enxofre just right about this time. Furna da Maria Encantada is highly fascinating as well.

Almost the whole territory of the island belongs to the national nature reserve. Pure forests, lack of manufacture after the prohibition of whaling here and on the adjacent islands allowed the Portugal government to give the major territory of the island to ecologists. Various experiments concerning the preservation of biodiversity and increase of the island’s plants and animals population take place here for already several decades. Wherein, there are almost no such zones here that are forbidden for tourists. Moreover, there is a great number of diverse tracks across forests of any length and complexity. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Those who are keen on riding bicycles will find what to do here too. So, you can rent one in any settlement. Roads here are with a relatively low volume of traffic, views are good and perfect for long rides to the distant and most scenic areas of the island. Moreover, you can also rent a car. All you need for it is an international driver’s license, age starting from 21 and at least a year driving experience.

If you’re not fond of all those cars and other kinds of transport but wouldn’t mind trying horse riding, then you have a wonderful opportunity here on the island to do it. It would take about 1-2 hours and before starting you’ll be instructed and explained how to behave with the animals. You’d hardly fall down from a horse, so just enjoy the view and new feelings.

The island would be a perfect location for people you want to improve their health. You can have procedures of thermal pools, improve metabolism and musculoskeletal system in Termas do Carapacho sanatorium.

In addition, you can hunt rabbit or partridges here. However, you’re obliged to get permission from the local government. But you don’t need one if you decide to go fishing. You can also pay one of the local fishermen for instructing you and find out more about fishing craft in the local water area. There is lots of fish, so you’ll definitely catch some.

Another nice activity is scuba diving. If you don’t have a diver’s license, you can take courses in the capital in any English-speaking scuba diving club.

In addition, the islands provide great facilities for learning windsurfing or boat sailing.

If the beach holiday is your choice, you have to go to wide, clean and uncrowded Paraya beach. Swimming in Carapacho natural basin would be a great experience. What is more, there are several dozens of small solitary bays where you can snorkel or have a magnificent romantic evening. If a night-clubs-type, go to Santa Cruz – the majority of local clubs are there.