Situated north in the Azores Archipelago, the island of Graciosa has approximately 67 km2 on it's surface, it is part of the central island group along with the islands of Terceira, Faial, São Jorge and Pico.

It is unknown the date of it's discovery, even though many historians point to the year 1450. It is thought for the moment, that it's discovery was made by navigators coming from Terceira Island, who enventually inhabited it, mainly because of the charm of the beautiful island.

The taming and cultivation of the lands began later which would give place to the magnificent fields for domestic animals and for the cultivation of corn, wheat, barley, potato, etc...

Meanwhile not only did the work make history, and the similarity with the rest of the islands, it is also here where they commemorate the festivities in honor of the Divine Holy Ghost, with great devotion and euphoria. With it's roots from the Pentecosts, it is commemorated throughout the island until the beginning of summer.

Carnival, happines and plenty of activities between all inhabitants of Graciosa, are what make these festivities a point of reference for those who want to visit the island.

For tjhe appreciators of landscape, the island of Graciosa provides a combination of charactaristics that won't leave you deceived, this is because the relief of the land is not very accentuated making it east to cover the island even by car.

Currently, and aside from it's small size, the island of Graciosa is an important point of visit, with monuments dated back to the XVI Century, which is the case of the Cruz de Barra, Santo Cristo Church or even the Santa Cruz Church(Central Church).

Graciosa, exuberrance, beauty and harmony in a mold made by the foam of the sea.

Cuisine
Graciosa is rich for it's fish plates, of which the dishes of Caldeirada de Peixe and roasted Fish are featured, which is a more common way to taste the marvellous fish caught on this island.

The shellfush is abundant on these coastlines and very easily can be found, a great varitey of crabs, lobsters, even limpets, very appreciated among the locals. The Graciosa cupcakes, which are famous throughout the island, rice pastries, one dish among many, and finally, Encharcados de Ovos and Massa Sovada(a form of sweet bread) are the great specialities of the desserts of Graciosa.

Graciosa also produces very good wines, there are similarities with the wines from the other 8 islands in the Azores. The old Aguardentes(a hard liquor distilled from different types of items), white wines, and aperitifs, produced in this region, satisfy the true afficionados of this art which is wine.

Things to See
Sulfur Pits: Unique in the entire world, it is a very interesting volcanic phenomenon of great scientific value, mainly because these pits are located in a grotto in whcih to get there, it is necessary to go down a circular staircase until you reach a large volcanic floor. It is here that a sulfuric water lagoon with 130 meters in diameter and 100 meters deep can be found.

Carapacho Thermal Fountains: It's waters are miraculous in the treatment of reumatic and skin ailments (thermal season: May 1st to Spetember 30th), situated in the southern area of Graciosa Island with a mezmorizing panoramic view to the beach are and to the islet known by the locals as the Lower Islet (Ilheu do Baixo).

Santa Cruz Church: Built in the XVI Century and rebuilt in the XVII century, it is without a doubt a place to visit and admire, with an altarpiece painted on wood, tile, panels, as well as antique images dating back to the XVI Century.

Carapacho: Swimming zone with the possibility for fishing; like bream, pike, grouper as well as fish of larger dimensions. The coast is easy to access, with clear and limpid waters.

Touristic Guide
Travelling through Graciosa is travelling between the green vines framed by walls of lava, emerging over these mantles we find surrounding hills that are lookout points of the maginificent panorama that the white windmills decorate.

Graciosa lives in a tranquility almost separated from the world, that accompanies the rythym of the seasons where each day of your visit is a revigorating pause, the reunion of serenity.

Admire the green landscape of Caldeira, where the Sulfur Pits penetrates to the interior of an extinct volcano, with a mysterious subterranean lagoon, with a depth of 100 meters.

The roads of Santa Cruz, filled with white houses go back in time. And in it's center Church 500 year old panels are stored, valuable Portuguese artwork.

Where there are vineyards there is wine... and the white and reds of Graciosa accompany quite nicely the dishes of fresh fish and shellfish and of meat in the local cuisine. To complete a mean nothing is better than a regional dessert and a cup of local liquor called Aguardente distilled in old copper distilleries.

A visit to Graciosa is simple, healthy, and tranquil. Upon departure you are left with a sensation of leaving a world where you can forget time.