Places to visit: Pico Mountain Climbing - with 2351 metres of altitude, Pico is the highest elevation of the Portuguese territory. It is a challenge for those who have a good physical condition and spirit of adventure. The peak offers a spectacular view over the other islands of the central group of the Archipelago. To climb the mountain, you should be accompanied by a qualified guide; otherwise you’ll be in serious danger. Information is available in specialised companies, at the fire brigade headquarters and at your lodging.
Museu do Vinho - it’s a wine museum that tells the story of the wine production in this island.
Adega Cooperativa is the place where “verdelho” is produced, the wine that was so appreciated by czars. It welcome its visitors with a wine tasting of “Lajido”, a quality certified wine, the ex-libris of the municipality.
Arcos do Cachorro is a rocky formation resembling the face of a dog (cachorro in Portuguese). The sea enters in the several tunnels made by erosion, provoking interesting effects. Also in the area, an electrical centre was built, which produces energy with the power of the waves.
Quinta das Rosas is a forest park with several exotic plants.
Museu Industrial, a museum located in S. Roque do Pico, is settled in a former factory, exhibiting instruments used in the transformation of whales into flour and oil.
Capităo, Caiado and Paul lagoons are zones of beautiful sceneries.
Mistérios de Santa Luzia, Praínha and S. Joăo, resulting from volcanic eruptions that occurred in the sea, are lava formations that moved and attached to the island.
Furna de Frei Matias is an interesting place nearby Madalena Village.
Santo Amaro is a place that had a great importance in naval construction; even in the present time, some small industries of naval repairs still remain. You must also pay a visit to the Handicraft School.
Piedade - visit the park Matos Souto, where rare plant species grow.
Miradouro da Terra Alta is a belvedere located in the road that goes round the island by the north side. From there, one can admire S. Jorge Island and the Pico’s countryside in its forestry richness.
Calheta do Nesquim is a small fishing village with a great whaler tradition. It was here that the first whaler's factory was built. Ribeiras is a parish with a fishing port, and great tradition in fishery, land of good sailors.
Sperm Whale and Squids, if you intend to go whale watching, swimming with dolphins, or are just interested in whales and deep sea life, be sure to visit the small village of São João to the West of Lajes do Pico. There you will find a remarkable museum describing everything about the sperm whale and its squidy food ("Cachalotes e Lulas"). How big are they? How long do they live? How do they talk and how deep do they dive? What are the secrets of their lives and their power? See into their architecture and walk through a life sized model of the largest. Compare them with a human and see how scientists find out all about them. The sperm whale is the largest toothed whale, it dives deeper, holds its breath longer, has the largest brain and largest nose and makes the loudest noise of any animal that ever lived. See a life-sized model of the giant squid, the largest animal with no backbone, with the largest eyes of any animal, even the whale. Texts are in English and Portuguese with summary texts in french and german. Constructed by Malcolm and Dorothy Clarke in 2004, the museum celebrates their lives in research and teaching. It is open 10:00 to 17.30 Monday to Friday (closed all day on Saturday and on Sunday mornings) from 1st May to 15th October.
Museu dos Baleeiros, situated in Lajes do Pico, keeps pieces of bone and whale tooth, as well as the whaling instruments. A wonderful whaler’s canoe, and the first boat with an engine used in this activity are part of the museum collection.