Lava Homes
ILHA DO PICO / HOME / WATCHLIST
Moonlike lava landscapes, verdant rolling hills dotted with hydrangeas & encompassed by the azure waters of the Atlantic, the Azores are a kaleidoscope of colour & the perfect escape to get away from it all. With a unique landscape, surrounded by cultural heritage & ecological beauty, Lava Homes on Ilha do Pico is where ultimate calm & tranquillity predominate.
Revived by Benedita Branco who fell in love with a group of old stone ruins for their natural beauty, luscious flora & picturesque location, Lava Homes today consists of a collection of simple dwellings that focus on the luxury of less on the grounds of two old houses, barns & animal pens. A home away from home, this village-like collection of 14 houses is a lost paradise with views to the West of Santo Amaro, a tiny village with just three hundred inhabitants. Look the other way & guests are graced with visions of Portugal’s highest peak, Pico Volcano, visible on a clear day & which conjures indescribable energy to any stay here.
Room Service
Location: Pico Island, Azores.
Price: Rooms start from around 160€ per night.
Highlights: Thanks to the archipelago’s far-flung spot on an island in the Atlantic Ocean, the surrounding water is brimming with sea life including dolphins, sperm whales & loggerhead turtles. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a migrating blue whale from your stone cottage window.
Designed by owner Benedita Branco.
Photography by Lava Homes.
The Neighbourhood: A hiker’s paradise, there are around 60 trails zigzagging across the islands, offering postcard-worthy views at every turn. There is a real community spirit locally fuelled by the numerous local festivities happening such as parades celebrating saints & christenings so keep an eye out for what’s on.
Things to know: The Azores have a unique microclimate meaning the weather is often, quite frankly, all over the place. As long as you’re prepared it’s not an issue, but try to avoid visiting in December through February. It’s best visited in the Spring, Summer & early Autumn when temperatures are moderate & rainfall isn’t completely torrential…
The Map
Lava Homes are located on Ilha do Pico in the Azores islands of Portugal. Fly to São Miguel & take a small plane, using the ferry system to island-hop while you’re there.
Other Azores Stays…
Azores Wine Company / Hotel / Ilha do Pico
Pink House / Home / Ilha de São Miguel
Adega do Fogo / Home / Ilha do Pico