Terceira Island in the Azores of Portugal is famous for its Impérios, small churches dedicated to the Holy Spirit. I picked up a coffee table book in Lisbon about Terceira’s Impérios. One of the perks of living in Portugal since 2022 is that the Azores feel accessible rather than impossibly remote, and this book simply captured my imagination.
I’ll admit, the Impérios were a key reason that we chose to add Terceira to our Azores itinerary. I’m not a religious person, but Terceira’s Impérios are worth checking out for their colorful architecture and aesthetic value alone. The Impérios of Terceira are definitely Instagram-worthy!
Come join me on a tour of Terceira’s Impérios and the other places to visit that we saw as a side effect of our “Império hunting” tour of the island by car!
Getting to Terceira
One of the things that makes Terceira a unique destination is its location in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Here are some of the ways to get to Terceira based on your starting point:
from Europe: If you’re traveling from Europe, there are a few options for getting to Terceira. One of the easiest ways is to take a direct flight from Lisbon to Terceira, which takes around two hours.
from the U.S.: If you’re traveling from the United States, you can take a direct flight from Boston to Terceira on Azores Airlines. The flight takes around four hours, and it’s a great option for those who want to experience the Azores without a long layover.
from other Azores islands: If you’re already in the Azores, you can take a direct flight from any of the other islands to Terceira. The flight times are short, ranging from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on which island you’re departing from.
We chose to fly from São Miguel to Terceira and were pleasantly surprised by the quick and convenient flight. The flight was on time, and we arrived in Terceira in just 30 minutes. Thanks to Azores Airlines for a great experience!
What are Impérios?
The tradition of building Impérios on Terceira dates back to the 16th century, when the island was an important stopover for ships traveling between Europe and the Americas.
The Impérios were originally built as a way for sailors to express their gratitude for safe passage and seek protection for future journeys. The Impérios are associated with the Cult of the Holy Spirit, a Catholic sub-culture in the Azores.
Today, the Impérios of Terceira are not only a testament to the island’s history and culture but also an integral part of its modern-day celebrations and festivals.
We saw a video at the Museu de Angra do Heroísmo that showcased some of this rich history. We saw a running of the bulls starting at one of the Impérios with people from the village taunting the animals. I couldn’t believe it when the video showed one of the men being mauled by the bull! Safety first, people!
Setting out to explore Angra do Heroísmo, we were excited to spot two Impérios within walking distance of our hotel. The trip was off to a great start!
How to Find the Impérios of Terceira?
With around 70 Impérios spread across the island, finding them can seem like a daunting task. However, with a quick Google Maps search, you can easily locate the Impérios on Terceira and plan a route to explore them.
I recommend seeking out Ilha Terceira’s Impérios by car. Not only is this a great way to see the smaller, out-of-the-way places on the island, but it also allows you to fully appreciate the natural beauty of Terceira.
During our own Império-hunting adventure, we drove from Angra do Heroísmo to Praia da Vitória and Biscoitos, discovering many Impérios along the way.
There are more Impérios on the south and east of the island than on the north and west. Most of these structures date back to the mid-19th to mid-20th century.
Things to do in Terceira by Car for a Day As You Seek Out Impérios
If you’re exploring Terceira by car, there are plenty of hidden gems to discover as you search for Impérios.
Ribeirinha
We stumbled upon Ribeirinha, a charming village with a yellow church and a view of the sea.
As we wandered around, an older woman struck up a conversation with us outside an impressive peach mansion, sharing juicy gossip about her neighbors that we couldn’t quite grasp. Despite our limited Portuguese, we managed to get our general meaning across.
Port0 Judeu
We also made a stop in Porto Judeu for a coffee and were amazed by the brightly colored gazebo and breathtaking ocean views from the local miradouro. It was a moment of peace and tranquility that we won’t soon forget.
On the Road
Driving around Terceira, we noticed so many things that reminded us of Ireland: the ever-changing weather, green fields separated by rock walls, and cows crossing the road. We even got to witness a group of cows on their way to be milked, their udders full to bursting (reminiscent of what we saw on a trip to West Cork).
Praia da Vitória
When it came time for lunch, we headed to Pizza Place in Praia da Vitória. Their Azorean pizza with local cheese, peppers, and pineapple was a delicious surprise.
And the Portuguese quotes on the wall were a fun touch. I was delighted that I was able to translate them. The quotes read: “Love without kisses is like pizza without cheese” and “Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it buys pizza, which is the same thing.”
We visited Igreja Matriz de Santa Cruz, a church founded in 1456. Igreja Matriz de Santa Cruz didn’t appear to be open, so I stood back to take a picture. A gentleman popped out and invited us in. We learned that the church is usually closed, but was open that day because of a visiting cruise ship.
Though much of the interior was destroyed in an earthquake in 1980, the gilded altar and ornate chandelier remain intact.
São Sebastião
As we continued our search for Impérios, we stumbled upon São Sebastião, another charming village anchored by an old church. We could smell chicken cooking on the grill in the small square, and it seemed like a popular spot with the locals.
Biscoitos
Our last stop of the day was Piscinas Naturais Biscoitos, a stunning collection of natural pools protected from the ocean waves by craggy lava rocks. We even found a colorful snack stall selling glazed donuts, which hit the spot until dinner.
Pictures of Impérios That Will Make You Want to Visit Terceira
Below you’ll find some pictures of the collection of Terceira’s Impérios that we discovered by car and on foot. I hope that these pictures inspire you to take a trip to the Azores and to Ilha Terceira in particular.
1. Império Dos Remédios
2. Império do Divino Espirito Santo da Caridade
3. Império do Divino Espirito Santo de Santo Amaro
4. Império do Divino Espirito Santo da Rua da Igreja
5. Império do Espírito Santo
6. Império do Divino Espírito Santo das Mercês da Feteira
7. Império do Divino Espírito Santo da Ponta Nova
8. Império do Espírito Santo de Porto Judeu de Cima / Império do Caminho da Cidade
9. Império da Ribeira do Testo
10. Império do Divino Espírito Santo do Porto Judeu
11. Império São Sebastião
12. Império do Divino Espírito Santo
13. Império do Espírito Santo de Porto Martins e Despensa
14. Império in Praia da Vitória
15. Império da Casa da Ribeira
16. Império do Espírito Santo de São Brás
17. Império do Divino Espírito Santo Quatro Ribeiras
18. Império do Divino Espírito Santo dos Biscoitos
19. Império do Divino Espirito Santo da Grota do Medo
20. Império Do Divino Espirito Santo da Rua Nova
21. Império do Divino Espirito Santo dos Quatro Cantos
Where to Stay in Terceira
Terceira has fewer hotel options than São Miguel. We stayed at the Shipyard Hotel. The hotel boasts a modern and stylish design, with a location that overlooks the São Sebastiao fort.
We booked in for four nights in a one-bedroom suite. Our hotel rate included a breakfast buffet with hot items made to order. We felt the room was reasonably priced at 432 EUR total for all four nights.
However, we did experience some issues during our stay. Despite the hotel claiming to have air conditioning, it was centrally set to one temperature for the entire hotel (not cool enough for us). Luckily, we were able to get a fan and keep the room at a decent temperature with the help of an open patio door.
Our room on the third floor had a skylight in both the bedroom and bathroom, but unfortunately, when the skylight was open during lunch or dinner hours, the exhaust vent from the kitchen below caused a meat smell to permeate the room.
Despite these hiccups, the staff was friendly and helpful, and the hotel was conveniently located for an easy walk into the center of Angra do Heroísmo.
I think the Shipyard Hotel is a fine place to stay in the cool months, but I would not stay here in the warmer summer months.
Is Terceira Worth Visiting?
Terceira is definitely worth visiting if you’re a fan of history and beautiful landscapes. Angra do Heroísmo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a charming town with lots of historic places to visit.
We enjoyed walking around the town, hiking, and trying some delicious Azorean food. The Impérios scattered around the island were a unique highlight for us, and we loved using the Impérios as an excuse to explore smaller villages and towns by car.
While Terceira may not have as many hotels or tourist infrastructure as other islands like São Miguel, we found it to be a hidden gem that’s definitely worth adding to your Azores itinerary.
