I visited the 'Hawaii of the Atlantic,' an island chain only 5 hours from Boston. It felt like an unspoiled paradise.

The Azores are nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic, about 370 miles across, and they function as an autonomous region of a European country. The islands are known for beaches, lush landscapes, and distinctive flora and fauna, earning the nickname “Hawaii of the Atlantic.” Travel from the US can be straightforward, with direct flights from Boston and New York City to Sao Miguel, and direct flights from Lisbon to the islands. A March trip across Sao Miguel and Flores involved minimal crowds and short waits. The most popular visiting period is summer from June to September, when accommodations often sell out. Shoulder seasons from March to May or September to December can provide lower rates and less congestion.

"The Azores are an archipelago of nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic. Leonsbox/Getty Images 2026-05-25T16:20:01.319Z Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. The trip I took to the Azores an archipelago in the North Atlantic Ocean, less than 1,000 miles from mainland Portugal had been a long time coming. The nine islands span approximately 370 miles and operate as an autonomous region of the European country."

"Reaching the Azores is surprisingly easy from the US. There's a five-hour flight from Boston and a six-hour flight from New York City direct to Sao Miguel. I was arriving from Lisbon, so I took a two-and-a-half-hour direct flight to the island. We spent six days on Sao Miguel before flying to the more remote, westernmost island of Flores, where we stayed for four days. I didn't have to deal with any crowds or long waits during my March trip."

"Even as the Azores have experienced an uptick in visitors since the pandemic, the two islands we visited, Sao Miguel and Flores, felt unspoiled. At multiple moments of our 10-day trip in March, my boyfriend and I felt like the only people for miles. The Caloura Resort is one of the accommodations on Sao Miguel. Lily Voss"

"The most popular time to visit the Azores is the summer, specifically between June and September. Accommodations and rentals regularly sell out during this period, so it's best to book in advance. I recommend planning a trip during the shoulder seasons, either between March and May or September and December, for lower accommodation rates and less tourist congestion two things I prioritize when I travel."

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