Capelinhos
Capelinhos
5
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The site of the volcanic eruption of 1957-58 on Faial, an island which is dominated by the volcanic cone of Caldeira.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
397 reviews
Excellent
319
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71
Average
7
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0
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0
Ruben S
Lisboa16 contributions
Aug 2011 • Couples
When in first arrive to Capelinhos site, you are overwhelmed by the abrupt landscape change, coming from Horta and the luscious green fields you are presented by the road passing to a desert like view.
At first sight you can see the remaining part of the volcanic cone and a lighthouse, but is underground where you can enhance your experience by visiting the Interpretation Center.
There you are able to see a 3D movie about the earth formation, several rooms dedicated to the Azores formation, others about volcanism in general.
The Interpretation Center it's a must see by it self. The architecture it's extremely unusual. The best: the profound knowledge of Azores formation and volcanism.
Bring windbreaker, it's very windy, especially at the top of the lighthouse you are able to visit at the end of the tour. From Horta to Capelhinhos and back three hours should be enough to slowly appreciate this attraction. If you want you can walk through the moon like landscape and explore the freshly created land, add two more hours to the trip then.
At first sight you can see the remaining part of the volcanic cone and a lighthouse, but is underground where you can enhance your experience by visiting the Interpretation Center.
There you are able to see a 3D movie about the earth formation, several rooms dedicated to the Azores formation, others about volcanism in general.
The Interpretation Center it's a must see by it self. The architecture it's extremely unusual. The best: the profound knowledge of Azores formation and volcanism.
Bring windbreaker, it's very windy, especially at the top of the lighthouse you are able to visit at the end of the tour. From Horta to Capelhinhos and back three hours should be enough to slowly appreciate this attraction. If you want you can walk through the moon like landscape and explore the freshly created land, add two more hours to the trip then.
Written September 12, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lastword2016
Edinburgh, UK531 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
There’s not much point in going to Faial Island, Azores, and not going to see the site of the 1957 Capelinhos eruption! It’s a fascinating landscape, and you’ll take some great photos of the area. A visit to the interpretation centre will give you all the background you’ll need to appreciate what happened. Fascinating.
Written April 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Antonio M
Lisbon, Portugal37 contributions
Sept 2019
Climb to the top of Capelinhos’ centenary lighthouse, look westwards and you will see a desolate scenario: the dark blue ocean raging furiously against the barren volcanic hill that emerged from the Earth’s depths barely half a century ago in an event so violent that it bent layers of rock like a child bends play-doh.
Now circle the lighthouse’s balcony and look East towards Faial: small white cottages, green hills, blue and pink hydrangeas. Life.
Somewhere in the middle stands the sharp boundary where these two contrasting worlds fight each other, and you know that, slowly but surely, the second will prevail.
Definitely worth a visit!
There is also a visitors’ centre (it is under the lighthouse) where you can learn more about the surrounding area and the volcanic eruption that created it.
Now circle the lighthouse’s balcony and look East towards Faial: small white cottages, green hills, blue and pink hydrangeas. Life.
Somewhere in the middle stands the sharp boundary where these two contrasting worlds fight each other, and you know that, slowly but surely, the second will prevail.
Definitely worth a visit!
There is also a visitors’ centre (it is under the lighthouse) where you can learn more about the surrounding area and the volcanic eruption that created it.
Written September 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
djglobetrotting
New York City, NY79 contributions
Sept 2014 • Couples
This was an amazing place to visit. How Capelinhos came about and what happened to the villagers in the surrounding areas as well as the efforts made to educate on the events were fantastic. A few tips you may find helpful:
-- Remember that attractions like these (museums, etc.) are typically closed on Mondays
-- if the weather is particularly windy that day, be prepared that the museum and lighthouse may be closed to the public. This happened to us this week where there was literally a basalt sandstorm of big, coarse particles hitting us (eyes, legs, face, etc.) at very high speed. Slight ouch. The entrance was sealed off by plastic covering and tape, and when we knocked, a museum worker popped open the door and we saw that all the artifacts inside were individually wrapped and taped up to avoide damage by the wind and basalt sand
-- One thing to do when you get back to the carpark area is to keep going down the road for another 100 meters. On your left you'll see a small sign board attached to the ground that explains what happened to the villagers who lived here in 1957. If you look at the"ridges" in front of the information board, you'll notice orange roof tiles that are the top of the houses which were buried by the volcanic eruption more than 50 years ago
-- Remember that attractions like these (museums, etc.) are typically closed on Mondays
-- if the weather is particularly windy that day, be prepared that the museum and lighthouse may be closed to the public. This happened to us this week where there was literally a basalt sandstorm of big, coarse particles hitting us (eyes, legs, face, etc.) at very high speed. Slight ouch. The entrance was sealed off by plastic covering and tape, and when we knocked, a museum worker popped open the door and we saw that all the artifacts inside were individually wrapped and taped up to avoide damage by the wind and basalt sand
-- One thing to do when you get back to the carpark area is to keep going down the road for another 100 meters. On your left you'll see a small sign board attached to the ground that explains what happened to the villagers who lived here in 1957. If you look at the"ridges" in front of the information board, you'll notice orange roof tiles that are the top of the houses which were buried by the volcanic eruption more than 50 years ago
Written September 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oscar L
Fairfield, CT25 contributions
Sept 2012 • Family
This site was devastated by volcanic explosions in the 1950's. To see how barren the landscape remains ( though beautiful in contrast to the ocean) is fascinating. There is also a good museum inside with samples of the huge boulders that flew through the air, information on the fishing village that existed there, and excellent coffee/espresso too. You can't miss this site while in Faial.
Written August 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cytraveler26
Des Moines, IA334 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
This is not only a museum but a great outdoor learning area. After touring the museum we were asked if we wanted to climb up in the lighthouse. It is a self guided climb of about 140 steps to the top. Fortunately the weather cooperated so we took the hike up along the ridge which contains great views of the black moonlike terrain and the coastline which changes every few meters. Steep climb it worth it. Be sure to wear proper shoes.
Written November 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hifiglenn
Sheffield, UK10 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
The image of the lighthouse, stark against the grey ash and blue sea was worth seeing but that really was all there is to it. Other Volcanic areas, say in the Canary Islands are more interesting but on an island with limited things to see go and see the scene
Written October 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anapl76
Sabadell, Spain6 contributions
Sept 2018 • Solo
I've never seen a place like this. The visit is mandatory if you're in the island. You can see a lot of birds, and how the plants try to grow despite the coinditions.... Beautiful nature
Written September 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Morag V
Ladner, Canada159 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
A trip to see Capelinhos Volcano outside of Horta, is a very worthwhile experience. This area is a result of numerous earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in 1957/58. We rented a scooter, and enjoyed the quiet roads. We checked out the futuristic visitor centre, before heading out on the basalt volcano trail. Since the ground is very lose, proper footwear is required.
Written July 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christy V
Edmonton, Canada11 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
Great views and interesting information. Pay the 1 euro to climb the lighthouse it’s worth it. Don’t need more than a couple of hours to see everything
Written March 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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