Terceira, also known as the Lilac Island due to the great profusion of hydrangeas that border its roads, is located approximately 167 km from São Miguel and 122 km from Faial, with a surface of 382 Km2, which makes it the third largest island of the Azores.

The International Airport, located in Lajes, serves both civil and military purposes and includes the Military Command of the Azores, as well as an important base of the American Air Force located there.

The largest city on Terceira Island is Angra do Heroísmo. The Town Hall of this city is located in a majestic building of the XIX century and represents an important example of the rich architectural heritage of Angra. Other important monuments are the Cathedral of Angra, the Church of Mercy, the Convent of S. Francisco (Museum of Angra), the Palace of the Captains General, and the Fortress of S. João Baptista. In this city there is also the Memory of D. Pedro IV, Alto da Memória, at the top of the municipal garden, Jardim Duque da Terceira.

After a violent earthquake in 1980, which destroyed most of Terceira's dwellings, and the subsequent reconstruction of the city respecting the original layout, a large part of Angra's historic center was classified as a public interest, and is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage since 1983. Angra do Heroísmo also has one of the best Public Libraries and Archives in Portugal, and holds some important private art collections.

The city's street network is itself a monument. The colorful Empires, present in all the parishes of the island, and the countless Chapels testify the popular devotion to the Holy Spirit; the walls of a Castle, which was once a royal prison, illustrate the still significant presence of the historical past on this island.

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Monte Brasil - Classified as Protected National Landscape, offers a leisure area, walking paths, and a fantastic view of the ocean and the city of Angra do Heroísmo;

The Fort of Saint John the Baptist - It is a large fortified wall about 4.5 km long;

The Museum of Angra do Heroísmo - Located in the old Convent of São Francisco is contiguous to the church of Nossa Senhora da Guia;

The Empires - Testimonies of the popular devotion to the Divine Holy Spirit, are by all the parishes of the island and are characterized by a colorful color;

The Algar do Carvão - Famous for the caves that reach a depth of approximately 100 meters. The grandiose scenery of the caves is composed of stalatites, stalagmites and the lagoon in its interior. Near Algar, the caves of Enxofre, Cabrito, Balcões and Natal are of special interest, especially for scientists;

Praia da Vitória - A beautiful young city with the best and most inviting beach on the island of Terceira. The architectural patrimony is concentrated in the Matriz and Santa Casa da Misericórdia churches, in Paços do Concelho, a relatively large building with a large and well-laid external staircase, with a porch and a bell tower, being an architectural example of the 16th century (on the entrance door to the bell tower has engraved the date of 1596, possibly the year of its completion). One can also visit the house where Vitorino Nemésio was born, a central name in 20th century Portuguese literature, native to Praia da Vitória.

Biscoitos - Here you can visit the first wine museum of the archipelago of the Azores (Casa Agrícola Brum Lda. / Wine Museum). Managed by the fifth generation of the Brum family, this company continues to work in the field of winemaking. The wines of this Farm House are elaborated on the basis of the Verdelho variety, like the generous Dry, Mid-Dry and Sweet with the brand "Chico Maria", in honor of its founder.

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Meat specialties such as Alcatra and Espírito Santo Soups, as well as locally sourced wine known as Sour Wine, are related to the celebrations that animate the entire island in the summer, and can not miss the fettling mass, a type of sweet bread and the biscuits. Other delicious dishes are Caldeirada, Sarapatel and Morcela, as well as the various traditional octopus and rabbit recipes. The "Lapas, Cracas and Cavacos", are varieties not to be missed by true seafood lovers.

But Terceirense cuisine reaches perfection in the form of more than two hundred candy recipes. Most of these sweets, such as Donas Amélias and Coscorões, are made in accordance with ancient conventual traditions. Fresh Cheese, made with goat's milk and the Cheese of the Island, produced with cow's milk, are the happy ending for any meal. As for the Wine, Porto Martins and Pesqueiro produce an excellent Verdelho, while the Biscoitos wine enjoys great local fame. Angelica, a liqueur wine, is also original here and very much appreciated locally.

Sugar paste, mixed with water and a drop of vinegar, is transformed by the ladies' skillful hands into works of art in the form of flowers, doves, chickens, swans and rabbits, a fantastic world of sugar and fantasy. These are very associated with the Feasts of the Holy Spirit and patron saints and are often used as a form of thanksgiving for miracles obtained, taking in this case the form of the part of the body that was cured.

The mild climate of the Azores and its position as a port of call during the 15th to 17th centuries, added Sweet Potatoes to the traditional cultures of the Third, variety is brought from other Continents. Maize, yams and potatoes have been part of the Azorean diet since the early days.

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Like most Azorean islands, Terceira is influenced by the Gulf Stream and a center of high pressure. These two elements contribute to a trend towards moderate air temperatures between 14 ° C and 24 ° C, and to the occurrence of Atlantic storms in winter, the height of the year in which there is also a high rate of precipitation.

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