From its green fields and the land’s dark ocher, to the golden beaches and the turquoise waters, Santa Maria is completely different from all the other islands of the archipelago.

From April to September, the Island is always celebrating, starting with the Feast of the Holy Spirit, followed by the Feast of Our Lady of Assumption, the island’s patron saint, culminating with the Harvest Feast in São Lourenço. Oh, and we can’t forget the summer festivals!

Santa Maria is the Azores most southern and eastern island, with a warmer and drier climate, which contributes to a greater aridity of the land and dryness of the vegetation of yellowish hue, and the reason why it’s called Island of the Sun.

The island has two distinct areas, one flat, where the airport is located, and another more rugged one in the nascent half of the island, with lavish vegetation and the highest point of the island, from which a beautiful panoramic view can be enjoyed.