The other night I watched an episode of House Hunters International (one of my favorite TV shows) which showcased a young couple searching for a new home in Angra do Heroísmo. Located on the island of Terceira, Angra, as it’s known by locals, is the oldest city in the Azores archipelago, dating back to 1450. Watching the show, I was reminded how much I enjoyed visiting this UNESCO World Heritage-recognized city a couple of years ago. Purely by coincidence, my visit coincided with the 475th anniversary of the city’s founding. Angra is one of the three regional capitals of the Azores, with each capital responsible for one of the three branches of government; Angra is the location of the judicial branch.
This charming city features traditional whitewashed buildings—many with intricate Baroque façades—set against a backdrop of rolling green pastures and the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. What struck me most was that nearly all of the buildings were in pristine condition, painted in the most vibrant of colors.
Below are a few of my favorite shots, illustrating the beauty of Angra do Heroísmo.
I was excited to see a street with my last name!
This has been part of Travel Photo Thursday. Be sure to check out Budget Travelers Sandbox for more interesting photos from around the world!
Michael Figueiredo is a freelance travel writer based in Los Angeles, California. When he’s not gallivanting around the world, he’s enjoying the laid-back lifestyle and perfect weather of Southern California. So far he’s visited thirty-six countries and territories on five continents. His goal is to see at least one new country every year! . Read more from this author
Twitter: @talestold
Nifty shots. I’ll have to put this place on my “bucket list.”
Dick Jordan recently posted..Love Found on the Road: Dante, Mayo and the Libidinous Finns
Twitter: @countryskipper
Love all of these pictures because the color makes them pop so well. The second one is my favorite. The blue is so similar to that of the sky
Sabrina recently posted..What Do People Eat in China? Dragon Fruit
Twitter: @TravelingWithS
Beautiful place and photos, Michael. I love those buildings and their vibrant colors. Everything looks so neat and clean, too. Almost doesn’t seem real.
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Twitter: @travelnwrite
I am like Dick Jordan and will have to add this to my bucket list. A beautiful series of photos you gave us. Isn’t it amazing the personality a building has with just a good coat of paint, well, maybe age and architecture as well?
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I love the architecture here – especially the shot of the white and blue building against such a pretty blue sky.
What a lot of attention to detail – and such a refreshing change from bland houses we see in suburbia.
Leigh recently posted..A Room With a View at Tonto National Monument
Twitter: @HauntJaunts
WOW! I’ll say it’s colorful. STUNNING photos, Michael! (And House Hunters Intl is one of my fave shows too.)
Courtney Mroch recently posted..One Researcher’s Haunted Top Ten
beautiiful
Twitter: @InsideJourneys
I love Angra. What an absolutely beautiful place. I’d live there in a heartbeat.
House Hunters Int’l is also one of my favorite shows, not sure how I missed this episode. Thanks for sharing, Michael.
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I love House Hunters International! And you know how I feel about Portugal – I would love to live there one day. The country gets overshadowed my its neighbor (Spain) but this is a beautiful country!
Jeremy Branham recently posted..A Valentine’s Day travel love story – The Crush Part I
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One of my close friends is from the Azores. I have heard it’s beautiful, but these photos really shine. Beautiful buildings and colors and hills!
Jenna recently posted..The Carmel Mission in Photos
Twitter: @worldbooktravel
Gorgeous photos! I love all the colors on all these buildings. Thanks to your posts I’m learning quite a lot about the Azores and adding it to my list too =)
Mary @ The World Is A Book recently posted..A Stop in El Morro, Puerto Rico
hi Mary! let us know if you would like to come here!
Best
Twitter: @RyukyuMike
Love the colors and Thumbed+Diggs/Tweets/FB. Never knew you were a Digger, til now. See ya there sometime, maybe ?
Twitter: @SophieR
Excellent photos, Michael. What gorgeous architecture. No wonder it’s a world heritage site.
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Twitter: @rwethereyetmom
The colors are magnificent – I love all the photos!
~Becca
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Twitter: @andrewgphotos
What a beautiful series! This place is now on my future travel list. Thanks so much!
Andrew Graeme Gould recently posted..Santiago, Chile: Valentine’s Day / Día del Amor
Hi! We’re so glad you enjoyed Angra do Heroísmo! Please let us know if you want to know more about Terceira Island or the Azores
Best
Twitter: @Laurel_Robbins
Beautiful, I love the clean lines and bright colors. House Hunters is one of my favorite shows as well, but I can’t get it in Germany.
Laurel recently posted..Masks of Carnival: A Photojourney
I love the colorful architecture… some of these shots really (surprisingly) remind me of the Canary Islands!
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Twitter: @AnwarYafai
Wow it is absolutely gorgeous! I really have want to go to Portugal, i’m hoping sometime this year i end up there..
Twitter: @vagabond3live
Gorgeous photos- love all the bright colors. Portugal is one of those places that I really want to get to, I just haven’t made it yet. Seems silly since I’ve been to Spain numerous times and it’s right next door!
jade recently posted..Animal Obsession inside Dali’s House in Cadaques, Spain
What a gorgeous looking place to visit. I think I could walk around for hours.
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Twitter: @tanamatales
Wow, I have heard about this city before but didn’t realized it was so beautiful. It is exactly what I like: a small city full of character and color.
Ruth recently posted..Grand Canyon West: Guano Point
This is really beautiful places, I love the structure of every house and churches…
Dean.C recently posted..How To Clean Grout Around Toilet
Portugal is one of the beautiful place I went through last year, there’s a lot of beautiful things you can encountered in that place… This vacation day, my husband agree to spent out vacation day in this place for the second time around…
Vivian73 recently posted..Oven repairs Melbourne
this so great place, thanks that you sheared this.
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All shots are great as well as the place. I never thought Portugal is that beautiful. I can’t wait to visit there too! I look forward to your next destination.
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