A viewpoint overlooking Horta, a black sand beach and historic windmills give Conceicao several distinct sides. This makes it easier to decide early in your trip planning whether you want to focus primarily on the coast and greenery, expansive views or the history of the place. The sights range from the island’s history to the 20th-century submarine cable connection.
Views over Horta and the islands
The Miradouro de Nossa Senhora da Conceição near Espalamaca offers views over Horta and the islands of Pico, São Jorge and Graciosa. Visibility of the more distant islands depends on the weather. The viewpoint also features an approximately three-metre-high marble statue and a 28.65-metre-high cross. The much taller cross adds a striking monument to the view, making this place a combination of landscape and cultural heritage.
Black sand and a wooded park
Praia da Conceição is a black sand beach next to Parque da Alagoa. The expansive recreational park lies on the edge of the city of Horta and includes a wooded natural area. There are places to picnic and opportunities for exercise, and the park also has a car park. The beach and green space offer two different aspects of the same coastal setting. If you plan to visit the park, check the current status of the car park before your visit.
Windmills and historic sites
Three windmills dating from the 19th and 20th centuries stand at Lomba da Espalamaca, with distinct Flemish influences. These influences give the windmills a distinctive architectural character. A windmill in Lomba, Conceicao, is classified as a protected site of municipal importance (IIM). It can be reached by car via a paved road; there is also a stone staircase. Check local conditions before your visit.
The original Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição was built in the first years of the settlement of Faial Island. Praia da Conceição also has a place in technical history: between 1900 and 1928, the beach was one of the northern landing points for submarine cables from Horta. Another historic detail is Travessa do Mirante, an old cobbled path from Jardim Florêncio Terra to Igreja da Conceição. Along the way, it passes a viewpoint above Ribeira da Conceição. Between Faial’s early settlement and the cable landings of 1900 to 1928 lie two distinct periods: the church recalls the beginnings of the island’s history, while the beach points to the later technical connection with Horta.
Discover more destinations: Portela, Granja, Feteira, Praia Do Norte, Faial Da Terra, Pedro Miguel, Castelo Branco, Capelo
For the main travel overview: Faial.
