Best time: July to September

Azores from Birmingham: Your Route to the Islands

Published 4 October 2026 · HolidayWow editors · Written with AI, numbers checked against our data ·

Flights from Birmingham to the Azores open the door to volcanic landscapes, clear coastal walks and island villages.

In the Azores, the best time for a trip is July to September, with daytime highs up to 24 °C and the sea up to 23 °C.

7 days in Azores in August, Beach and hiking, from Birmingham on your own

Plan a trip

Best time to go: July to September
Sea in August: 23 °C
Swim season, sea from 21 °C: July to September
Flight from Bristol: about 3 h 18

Azores at a glance

What’s the vibe?: Sao Miguel is a practical first choice for many travellers because it combines a lively capital area, thermal springs, lakes and easy access to popular viewpoints. Ponta Delgada suits a first stay, with restaurants, harbour walks and nearby nature all within reach.
Best time to go: July and August bring the warmest weather in the supplied climate data, with average daytime temperatures of 23 °C and 24 °C. These months also offer the strongest balance of warmth, sea temperature and sunshine, making them appealing for walks, viewpoints and days outdoors.
How to get there?: From Bristol, you can be in the Azores in about 3 h 18.

Choosing the right Azores route

Sao Miguel is a practical first choice for many travellers because it combines a lively capital area, thermal springs, lakes and easy access to popular viewpoints. Ponta Delgada suits a first stay, with restaurants, harbour walks and nearby nature all within reach. A holiday based here also works well for travellers who want a comfortable base before exploring other islands.

The islands have their own character, so the route matters as much as the flight. Faial is known for its natural landscape and relaxed pace, while Terceira offers historic towns, volcanic scenery and a strong sense of local identity. Pico adds a distinctive mountain backdrop and a memorable island character, although ferry connections and local transport deserve careful thought.

HolidayWow helps you put these choices into a map first plan. Describe the type of island holiday you want, set a relaxed, balanced or packed pace, and place each island or stop on the days that suit your group. You can then adjust the route as your flights, stays and interests become clearer.

When to visit the Azores

July and August bring the warmest weather in the supplied climate data, with average daytime temperatures of 23 °C and 24 °C. These months also offer the strongest balance of warmth, sea temperature and sunshine, making them appealing for walks, viewpoints and days outdoors. The atmosphere is different from a city beach holiday, so your plan should include space to enjoy the landscape.

May and June provide a useful alternative for a slower island break. Daytime temperatures rise to 18 °C and 20 °C, with eight to nine hours of sunshine in the climate record. September can be pleasant for a warm island experience, with an average daytime temperature of 23 °C, while October brings more changeable Atlantic conditions and a stronger chance of rain.

Your choice of month should reflect the pace you want. Summer suits sightseeing and active days, while spring and autumn can work well for walkers who welcome fresh Atlantic air. Add dates in HolidayWow when you are ready, and the planner can place the month, climate information and your day cards together.

A first week on the islands

A 7 day itinerary works well when you want to see more than one landscape without rushing through every day. Begin in Ponta Delgada and use the first day to settle in, explore the waterfront and enjoy a relaxed meal. Keep the initial day light after travelling, especially if your flight arrives later in the day.

Use the middle days for a lake and volcano experience, a coastal viewpoint or a visit to a thermal area. Choose one main focus for each day and add a second stop when the route is straightforward. In Furnas, a slower day can combine gardens, volcanic scenery and time beside the water, while western Sao Miguel offers dramatic coastlines and lake viewpoints.

Save the final day for a favourite town, a market-style meal or a gentle walk near your base. The HolidayWow planner lets you move a stop to another day, swap a location and change the pace. That flexibility makes a 7 day route easier to tailor to the weather, the group and the activities that matter most to you.

From Birmingham to Azores

From Birmingham, Azores is {{dist.home:BHX}} away as the crow flies. From London Heathrow it is {{dist.home:LHR}}. From London Gatwick it is {{dist.home:LGW}}. Birmingham travellers get the best of Azores in June, July, August and September.

From Manchester it is {{dist.home:MAN}}. London Stansted lies {{dist.home:STN}} away. Door to door, the plan lines up the ride to the airport, the flight with live fares and the transfer on arrival.

Already started

Your trip in the Azores

24 °C by day in August
Sea 23 °C
from Birmingham about 3 h 26

Day 1
Arrival in São Miguel Island
Flight from Birmingham in 3 h 26. Settle in, first evening by the harbour or in the centre.
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Day 2
Praia das Milícias
Beach day: the sea is around 23 °C in August.
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Day 3
Praia Formosa, Ilha De Santa Maria
Beach day: the sea is around 23 °C in August.
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Day 4
Praia De Santa Bárbara
Beach day: the sea is around 23 °C in August.
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Day 5
On to Ponta Delgada
A new base for the next few days; explore Ponta Delgada on foot.
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Day 6
Praia do Pópulo
Beach day: the sea is around 23 °C in August.
Day 7
Last morning and flight home
One last coffee with a sea view, then back to Birmingham.

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Weather and sea temperature in the Azores

The warmest month is August, with 24 °C by day and 22 °C at night. The sea reaches 23 °C in August. The sunniest month is July, with 10 hours of sun a day.

Climate by month
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
Day °C	16	16	16	16	18	20	23	24	23	21	19	17
Night °C	15	14	14	15	16	18	21	22	21	19	17	15
Sea °C	17	16	16	16	17	19	22	23	23	21	19	18
Sun h/day	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	9	8	6	4	3
Rain days	14	15	13	12	12	8	7	8	13	16	15	17

Climate: NASA POWER 2006 to 2025, sea: NOAA OISST 1991 to 2020. Day and night are average highs and lows, sun in hours per day.

Weather in the Azores month by month

January16 °C17 °C
February16 °C16 °C
March16 °C16 °C
April16 °C16 °C
May18 °C17 °C
June20 °C19 °C
July23 °C22 °C
August24 °C23 °C
September23 °C23 °C
October21 °C21 °C
November19 °C19 °C
December17 °C18 °C

Azores through the year

Daytime highs range from 16 °C in January to 24 °C in August. Rain is rarest in July (7 days) and most frequent in December (17 days). The sunniest month is July with 10 hours a day.

The sea is warm enough for proper swimming in August and September, peaking at 23 °C in August. For walking and sightseeing in pleasant warmth, aim for June, July, August, September and October.

January: 16 °C, sea 17 °C, 14 rain days, 4 h of sun
February: 16 °C, sea 16 °C, 15 rain days, 5 h of sun
March: 16 °C, sea 16 °C, 13 rain days, 6 h of sun
April: 16 °C, sea 16 °C, 12 rain days, 7 h of sun
May: 18 °C, sea 17 °C, 12 rain days, 8 h of sun
June: 20 °C, sea 19 °C, 8 rain days, 9 h of sun
July: 23 °C, sea 22 °C, 7 rain days, 10 h of sun
August: 24 °C, sea 23 °C, 8 rain days, 9 h of sun
September: 23 °C, sea 23 °C, 13 rain days, 8 h of sun
October: 21 °C, sea 21 °C, 16 rain days, 6 h of sun
November: 19 °C, sea 19 °C, 15 rain days, 4 h of sun
December: 17 °C, sea 18 °C, 17 rain days, 3 h of sun

When people plan trips to Azores

Search interest for Azores peaks in February and is lowest in December, based on monthly search volumes.

How to shape a June day in Azores

Mornings suit an unhurried walk through the old streets or along the water. The warmest hours, at 20 °C, are perfect for being outside. Evenings drop to 18 °C, so plan dinner outside and keep a layer handy.

Packing for Azores in August

With 24 °C by day and 22 °C at night and 8 rain days in August, pack for changeable mild weather. Your plan builds this list for you and updates it when you change the dates.

Comfortable walking shoes
A warm layer for the evenings
A packable rain jacket or umbrella
Swimwear and a beach towel
A travel adapter for your chargers

Getting there

The quickest way is from Bristol: you're in the Azores in about 3 h 18. The nearest airport is São Jorge Airport (SJZ), 8 miles away.

SJZSão Jorge Airport8 miles to the destination
TERLajes Airport52 miles to the destination
PIXPico Airport23 miles to the destination

Flight times from UK airports
From	Flight time	To
Bristol BRS	about 3 h 18	TER
Birmingham BHX	about 3 h 26	TER
Manchester MAN	about 3 h 27	TER
London Gatwick LGW	about 3 h 28	TER
London Heathrow LHR	about 3 h 28	TER
Glasgow GLA	about 3 h 30	TER
London Luton LTN	about 3 h 30	TER
London Stansted STN	about 3 h 32	TER
Edinburgh EDI	about 3 h 34	TER

Flight times estimated from the distance, direct routes from OpenTravelData.

Travel advice for Portugal

The current advice on safety, health and entry is published in full by GOV.UK Foreign travel advice. Check it before you book and again shortly before you leave.

Travel advice

Prices for Azores

The cards below pull today's partner prices for Azores in your currency, so the number you see is the one you pay.

Getting from Birmingham to the Azores

You can use the route as the beginning of a door to door plan, including your journey to the airport, the flight connection and the transfer to your first stay. Dates are optional when you begin, so you can shape the destination first and add exact travel days later.

A good plan considers the connection between the airport, mainland hub and island accommodation. If your Birmingham flight takes you to a Portuguese airport before the onward journey, the route can be placed on the map with the transfer and first stay connected. This makes it easier to see the full shape of the journey before making decisions.

HolidayWow displays live partner prices for flights, stays, tours and transport, so you can check the current options from one plan. Booking links appear in the same place as the itinerary. You can compare your budget, share the route with fellow travellers and keep tickets, confirmations and passport details together in the document vault.

Walking, scenery and island days

The Azores reward travellers who leave room for scenery. Volcanic ridges, crater lakes, waterfalls, black stone coastlines and green hills give each day a strong sense of place. Walking is often the best way to experience these places, so choose routes that match your group and keep the busiest day from becoming a series of rushed stops.

A relaxed pace with one or two stops a day is useful for a first visit. It allows time to stop at a viewpoint, find a café and follow a change in the weather without losing the shape of the day. A balanced pace works for couples or friends who want a mixture of walks, towns and scenic stops, while a packed pace suits a group with a broad sightseeing list.

Your plan can also respond to the month and destination climate. HolidayWow draws each day as a route, marks every stop with a pin and shows the travel time between places. You can use the side-panel assistant to change a stop, lighten an afternoon or add a place that has caught your attention during the trip.

Azores: frequently asked questions

How far is the Azores from Birmingham Airport?

You can begin with this route in HolidayWow and connect it to a flight, an onward transfer and your first stay. Adding dates later gives each day card a weekday, live weather and live prices while keeping the island plan in view.

Which Azores island is best for a first visit?

Sao Miguel is a strong choice for a first visit because Ponta Delgada provides a practical base, with restaurants, harbour walks, thermal springs, lakes and volcanic scenery close by. HolidayWow can place the key places on a map, while an editable itinerary lets you choose a slower route or add another island when your holiday allows.

Can I change an Azores itinerary after planning it?

Yes. HolidayWow lets you drag a stop to another day, swap a place and make a day lighter or fuller. The planner offers relaxed, balanced and packed paces, and the day order is checked after each change. You can also use the side-panel assistant to request changes while reviewing a day or stop.

What is the best month for an Azores holiday?

July and August are the warmest months in the climate data, with average daytime temperatures of 23 °C and 24 °C. June offers 20 °C with nine hours of sunshine, while May gives a softer 18 °C. Pick the month that matches your preferred pace, and use the planner to shape the daily route around it.

Can I see live flight and accommodation prices in HolidayWow?

HolidayWow shows live partner prices for flights, stays, tours and transport, together with booking links in your plan. You can add dates later, use the budget in your home currency and share the route with your group. The plan also supports price watch and cost splitting for group bookings.

Your next trip

Plan your holiday in the Azores

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