I had already heard a lot about the Azores. A lot of good things, to be precise. But the fact that this island in the Atlantic is so beautiful and has so much to offer us golfers really blew me away. After my test visit, I can only advise anyone and everyone: Go golfing in the Azores!
Arriving in Ponta Delgada in the evening was already promising. It was mid-November and still a pleasant 16 degrees Celsius. It was only a 10-minute drive to the 5-star Hotel Octan Ponta Delgada. The hotel is located directly on Ponta Delgada's harbor. The rooms are modern and stylishly furnished with great attention to detail. They are very spacious and all have a view of the sea or the harbor. That is super nice. The restaurant in the hotel was also great. Also very stylish with an open kitchen. The full-length windows give you a great view of Ponta Delgada harbor while you eat. And the food? Delicious Mediterranean cuisine and typical dishes from the Azores.
When I go out onto the balcony the next morning, I can see a TUI cruise ship docking in the harbor right in front of me. It was a real experience to see how precisely this huge ship maneuvers in such a confined space. After a very hearty breakfast with various breads, super sweet fruit and delicious egg dishes, we headed off for our first round of golf at the Batalah Golf Course, a 15-minute drive away.
During the drive, we saw beautiful hydrangeas everywhere, which grow almost everywhere in the Azores. They are in full color from June to the end of September. The Batalah golf course consists of the A, B and C courses, i.e. 3 x 9 holes. Today we played the A + B combination. The A & B course is rather flat and also fun for sporty golfers. If you are not so good on foot, I recommend a buggy. As soon as you tee off on the 1st hole of the A Course, you have a wonderful view of the sea and can see the variety of fauna. The fairways were lush green and in excellent condition. The greens were fast and well maintained. After the first few holes, I realized that the course was really long and that long drives would definitely be helpful. The par 3 holes were also challenging and long, measuring at least 169 meters for men and 133 meters for women. But at the end of the round, I was really impressed by the variety of the 2 x 9 holes. I'm already looking forward to my next round at Batalah!
After the round of golf and a small snack in the clubhouse, we went on an excursion.
After a 45-minute drive, we reached the Vista do Rei viewpoint, which is 300 meters above sea level. From there, we had a breathtaking view of the two crater lakes Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) and Lagoa Verde (Green Lake). This excursion is a "must". I have rarely seen such a beautiful view. From the viewpoint, you can also take a two-hour hike to the two lakes.
After the excursion, we went back to the hotel. Before dinner, we had a delicious drink at the hotel rooftop bar "Whale Watching". If the weather is nice, you can sit outside and, if you're lucky, even spot whales while having a drink. Afterwards, we went to a typical Azores restaurant in Ponta Delgada. We had delicious mussels from the coast and fish with fresh vegetables and rice.
On the third day of our visit to the Azores, we packed our things for the hotel change and drove straight to Batalha Golf Club, where we played the B + C combination this time. The B course had already won me over. The C course was also very nice, but much hillier than the other two 9-hole courses. Conclusion on the Batalha Golf Club: A wonderful course that you can definitely play several times. The beautiful natural surroundings and the perfect condition of the course are simply great fun. The long holes are challenging but fun for short hitters. My favorite combination is the A + B course.
After the round of golf, we made our way to Furnas, an hour away. We stopped at various viewpoints along the way. One of them was Ribeira Grande, right by the sea. Ribeira Grande is very popular with surfers. The beach was beautiful and the waves really impressive. You could hear the huge waves breaking from afar.
We then continued on to the next viewpoint, Miradouro de Santa Iria. This view was great again. What a view of the rugged Atlantic coast. The combination of the deep blue water and the lush green of the meadows was the perfect photo motif. I would have loved to sit there for hours and enjoy the view, just like the locals do, who like to use the viewpoint as a picnic spot.
After taking several photos, we continued on to the Furnas volcanic valley, where we spent the next two nights at the Octan Furnas. On the drive, we saw again how green this island is and these beautiful hydrangeas, which look incredibly beautiful when in bloom. As we drove down the valley, you could already see several clouds of steam shooting up from the ground. Furnas was the highlight of the whole trip for me. Furnas is a spa town in the Azores because of its various hot springs. There are also various geysers. Due to the high humidity and moderate temperatures, various plant species thrive there that are not usually found in the Azores.
When we arrived at the hotel, it smelled like a spa. We were greeted very nicely by the staff with a welcome drink (pineapple liqueur). This hotel was also very stylish, simple and modern. The rooms are rather small in comparison to the Octan Ponta Delgada, but they are perfectly adequate for our stay. The hotel is the only one in Furnas that has an indoor spa with various thermal baths and an outdoor pool. I tried it out myself and it was a great experience. Especially after a round of golf, it was just the thing. The spa with the baths is open 24 hours a day. Incidentally, you can also have a glass of sparkling wine or something else delicious while you're bathing. Then the relaxation is perfect.
After a ten-minute walk, we reached our external restaurant for the evening. This meal was also excellent. With a full stomach, we took a short detour to the smoking and steaming springs from the Furnas streams. A detour that was really worth it.
After a very tasty and hearty breakfast the next morning, we drove to Furnas Golf Club, about 8 minutes away, for another round of golf. The course is beautifully integrated into the natural surroundings. Here, too, the course is characterized by beautiful old trees and plants. Many fairways are flanked by trees. A straight and precise shot is therefore important, otherwise it will be difficult to find the ball again. This course was also in top condition. The greens were really difficult to read as they were practically always undulating. The course is a little hilly with water hazards. The weather in the Azores and especially in Furnas is unpredictable. Therefore, it can sometimes be trickling or windy.
Conclusion: A really beautiful course, but also not easy to play. You can play the course several times.
After the round of golf, we enjoyed a typical Azorean lunch in the clubhouse. "Cozido" is a stew with various meats and vegetables that is cooked in a pot in the hot earth for several hours. It was super tasty and I would definitely eat it again.
After a great lunch, we went back to our hotel. We could either relax again in the spa after the round of golf, visit the botanical garden or take a dip in a public thermal pool. I can only recommend the botanical garden. An incredible variety of different plants and old trees make the heart of nature lovers beat faster. A quick dip in the public pool was also a highlight. The water was extremely rich in iron, which is very healthy for the body.
Later in the evening, there was one last highlight not to be missed. After about a 5-minute walk, we arrived at a small thermal spring near a road. The water was around 40 degrees. We took off our shoes and put our feet in the hot water. It was really hot and I had to really push myself. As a reward, however, we had a glass of white wine, which made the hot footbath much easier to bear. And right next to the spring was an ice-cold stream where you could cool your hot feet. This was extremely stimulating for the circulation. I've never experienced anything like it, really great!
Then we went back to the hotel, where we enjoyed an exquisite dinner. Super tasty cuisine and the restaurant is super stylish. A perfect end to this great trip. If you've never been to the Azores before, I can only recommend the island. It was a fantastic and unique trip. The main island has so much to offer. If you like to combine golf with other activities, this is the place for you. Those who like photography or hiking will also definitely get their money's worth. For me, the Azores are a real insider tip. They can rightly be called the Hawaii of Europe. I was also completely won over by the golf courses. As soon as I can, I will travel to the Azores again - for golf and much more.
