Corvo is an island in the Azores. Alongside Flores it is one of the two westernmost islands in the archipelago and both represent the only Portuguese territory geographically located in North America. (Being west of the tectonic plate divide)
Understand
Smallest Island in the Azores, it is surrounded by water and is the most isolated island in the Acores. It has around 1000 inhabitants, 400 of them still depend on cattle raising and winery as a source of income. In 1973 the island received electricity and was given their first telephone. Previous to this date, the islanders used radio signals or smoke signals to get help from their neighboring island Flores.
Get in
By plane
- 1 Corvo Airport (CVU IATA). This a small airfield sees with flights to Flores, Horta and Terceira by SATA Air Azores.
- SATA Air Azores Is both an Airline and a tour operator locally based on the Azores. Connects Corvo with the other islands.
By boat
Coming from Flores, there is a small boat that goes to Flores (2 times a week in the winter and daily in the Summer months). The trip takes about 45 minutes.
Get around
There is a taxi service on the island. The drivers do speak some English, so they will be able to help you find anywhere you need to go and have dealt with tourists so can help you find good restaurants and other attractions.
If you plan on renting your own car be careful, livestock have the right of way so be cautious when driving.
See
- 1 Lago do Caldeirão. A lake in the crater of an extinct volcano the crater of the volcano that gave rise to the island, which has a 3400-m perimeter. The lagoon is 300 m deep. There are several small islands that divide it into smaller lagoons depending on the rainfall.
- 2 Windmills of Corvo. Three windmills constructed during the late 19th or early 20th century at the isolated southern tip of Corvo, opposite the airfield on the small inclined parcel known as Ponta Negra, near the small light of Ponta Negra.
- 3 Lighthouse of Ponta Negra. A The lighthouse built in 1910 along the cliffs of promontory of Ponta Negra.
Do
Visit the vineyards. There are many throughout the small island but each one is slightly different. If it is the right time of the year see if there is a running of the Bulls, a traditional activity done every year in which people line the streets and watch locals who are brave enough take on a bull to see if they can outrun or get close enough to touch its horns. Be Careful though, if you want to watch make sure you are sitting on a high wall or standing behind something the bull will not be able to knock down if they charge at it. People have been known to be severely injured at these events.
Buy
Eat
Due to how small the island is there are not many restaurants, so while here buy from the local market: fish, wine, meat, spices. The food is as fresh as you can get and if you have the ability to make your own meal, try to make a traditional Portuguese dish using the local food. If you plan on eating out, avoid American restaurants and go to a local Portuguese restaurant to experience the traditional food. If you order Portuguese food from a non-Portuguese restaurant, it will not have the same refined taste.
- 1 BBC-Bar, Avenida Nova, ☏ 351292596147.
- 2 O Caldeirão, Caminho dos Moinhos, ☏ 351292596018.
Drink
When in Portugal, try a local wine. Because of how it is made and fermented, the locally made wine has its own texture and smoothness to it that is hard to find in any other wine.
Sleep
- 1 Guest House Comodoro, Caminho do Areeiro, ☏ 351292596128. With A/C, TV and Internet access. Double from €65.
Connect
Go next
The only way out is the same way you got in, by boat from the closest island of Flores or by plane either to Flores or Horta. Make sure you are aware of what times it leaves and arrives to plan your day accordingly since you most likely will be staying at a hotel in Flores rather than on Corvo.