São Jorge is a long, thin island with high rocks, shaped like a cigar or ship. The population (about 10,500 inhabitants) is concentrated along the northern and southern coasts (the island is 53 km from east to west and 8 km wide from north to south, its area is 237.59 km²).

San Jorge is an "island towns" in the central part of the Azores archipelago, which is separated from its nearest neighbors, the Pico and Faial islands, by a 15-kilometer-wide strait.

This island is a paradise for pedestrians, the beauty of local magic plants with a wide variety of wild flowers, riot of colors combined with the tranquility of nature and mild climate, will not leave anyone indifferent .The soil of the island is very fertile and locals cultivate it everywhere, except for areas in which it is difficult to get .The inhabitants grow coffee, tropical fruits, sweet potatoes, maize and a variety of vegetables .The island is known for its delicious cheese, which they produce under the name "Queijo da Ilha" .Unfortunately there are occasional earthquakes, the last of which occurred in 1980, significant damage was caused and many locals decided to move from the island, which led to a decrease in the population .

How to get to San Jorge

The island has an airport in the central city of Velas, which accepts local flights. You can get to the island in several ways:

• by plane: planes fly from the nearest airport of Terceira Island (110 EUR, 30 minutes on the way) to Sata, 70 km away, which in turn can be reached by air from Lisbon, Porto and other cities in Portugal.
• on water: regular flights connect this island with most other islands, boats can be reached from the islands of Pico (22 euros), Faial (26 euros), Terceira (64 euros) and Graciosa (64 euros).

Weather in San Jorge

Located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, in the region of high pressures, the climate of the island is affected by the Gulf Stream, which maintains a water temperature of +17 .. + 23 ° C and an air temperature between + 13..24 ° C, humidity around the year around 75%.

Transport

You can drive around the island by bus (which on Wednesdays and Fridays runs along the northern coast from Velas to Calheta), you can rent a motor scooter and a car (the presence of rights is mandatory, in addition the experience - at least 1 year, age over 21 years, green card ").

Cuisine and restaurants of San Jorge

Typical meat and fish dishes of Azores cuisine is also in San Jorge. There is also a wide variety of sweets, for example coscoroes, rosquilhas de Aguardente, especies, suspiros, esquecidos, Bolo de vespera, Cavacas, bolo de coalhada and Doce Branco.

Green grass fields and meadows are transformed into milk with the help of local cows. And from it is made creamy, straw-colored cheese, which has the shape of a wheel and weighs from 14 to 22 pounds. Left for several months in rooms where a certain temperature is constantly maintained, the cheese is covered with honey-colored crust. Subsequently, the cheese is exported to various countries, where it is valued for its piquant taste.

Here are some restaurants with traditional cuisine of San Jorge and all the Azores: Sao Jorge restaurant (address: Avenida Livramento, Velas, tel: 295 412 743); restaurant O Caseiro (address: Rua Joaquim H. Noronha, Topo, tel: 295 415 220); restaurant Cafe Amigos (address: Caminho Novo, Biscoitos, Calheta, tel: 295 416 421).

Entertainment, excursions and attractions of San Jorge

Since the island of San Jorge is an "island of coastal cities", each of them has its own features and attractions.

• Calheta is a city built parallel to the shore, its houses shine against the backdrop of greenery and high black rocks near the sea. Here, old village houses and the ever-working fishing port are remarkable. Place to visit: Santa Catarina Church.
• Velas is the main town of the island, where several noble houses testify to the past prosperity and significance of this place. It has a charming surrounding landscape and picturesque rural chapels. Places to visit: the church of San Jorge, the Church of Nossa Senhora de Conceicao, the Town Hall and the Portao do Mar.

• Manadas is a picturesque village located among arable land, characterized by beautiful manors, rural chapels and a charming fishing port. Place to visit: Santa Barbara Church.
• Ribeira Seca is a town where the houses are scattered on the green hills or the coastal plain. Places to visit: the church of Sao Tiago Maior and the house of Gaspar Sliva.
• Topo - the place where pioneers first landed in 1470. Here is the old town with a picturesque fishing port, Casa DOS Tiagos, a 17th century building. The buildings are an example of the architecture of houses for the wealthy inhabitants of the island. Places to visit: Nossa Senhora do Rosario church and Sao Francisco church.
• Urzelina - a village, restored after the devastating consequences of a volcanic eruption in 1808. It is worth visiting the bell tower, which grows out of lava, where the old church, the new church (19th century) and the chapel of Jesus da Boa Morte are buried.