Calheta with its little harbor is a gate to diverse outdoor adventures. It is one of the oldest settlement of São Jorge and once, this same harbor was a very important place for trades in the archipelago. Discover this quiet town with so much natural beauty.
Founded in the year 1483, Calheta is a nice quiet town on the south coast of São Jorge island. It was officially declared a village in 1534. Calheta has now about 4,000 inhabitants.
The iconic church inside the village was built in the 16th century, but a fire destroyed it in 1639. It was then rebuilt but a strong earthquake destroyed it, once again, in 1757. It took about 30 years to rebuild a third time this beautiful monument.
The principal source of wealth in Calheta is fishing and agriculture. The main one is cheese production, a delicacy well known on the island thanks to happy cows grazing in green fields all year long. Cheese is the local specialty that you need to taste, especially if you like strong ones.
In fact, São Jorge’s cheese is cured from 3 months to 3 years! They have a very unique taste and there are so many of them that you will certainly find your favorite one.
In addition to those important economic assets, traditional handicrafts and sweets are selling well. Locals and travelers love a good cinnamon Espécie for dessert or for a snack between two outdoor adventures.
Tourism is growing on this green island with a rich natural heritage. From the little harbor of Calheta, you can go for a Coasteering tour on the cliffs around the village. It is quite an adventurous adventure rich in adrenaline. If you want a more relaxing experience, sea kayaking is a great option when the ocean is calm and the sun is shining.
It is a magical place! This nature reserve is considered a sanctuary for surf and bodyboard lovers. In this fajã, you can also go hiking or kayaking in the lagoon. In addition to the pure nature experience, the Fajã offers excellent cuisine.
This is the biggest Fajã on the south coast of the island. Despite many attacks by privateers and a big earthquake, the village survived and is nowadays a popular summer getaway destination for locals.
This place presents a variety of landscapes with a vibrant green where we find endemic flora, such as Heather, Azores juniper and Holly, This is an iconic place in the north of the island of São Jorge.
It is there that you can taste the coffee produced on the island. Don’t leave São Jorge without a sip of this unique beverage. Take also some time to wander in the village and learn more about the tranquil way of life of its residents.
This is “the end of São Jorge”. From the viewpoint, you can see the Islet of Topo. It is believed that cows swim until there in the summer for greener pastures. Down the hill, there is a natural pool by the ocean, perfect to relax in a beautiful place.
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