João Costa
"João was very knowledgeable and passionate about the Azores and its history. He was always willing to get photos for us at every stop."
— Marisol · United States
Local by nature
About Us
A small local team sharing São Miguel with care, curiosity and time.
Pure Azores offers small-group and private tours led by local guides who know São Miguel beyond its famous viewpoints — its hidden corners, traditions and everyday life.
Our Story
Born from knowing this island by heart.
Pure Azores grew from years spent sharing São Miguel with visiting friends — from quiet roads and hidden viewpoints to local traditions and places we knew by heart.
What started informally became a way to share the island with more people. Today, we keep our groups small and our experiences personal, giving our guests time to explore, ask questions and enjoy the places we visit.
Our philosophy is simple: share what we love about São Miguel, explore it responsibly and make every guest feel welcome.
Founder
Miguel Soares
Founder & MANAGING DIRECTOR
Pure Azores began with a simple idea: to share São Miguel the way a local would, with time to appreciate its landscapes, traditions and hidden corners. Miguel built the company around small groups, knowledgeable local guides and a relaxed pace, creating experiences that feel personal rather than rushed.
“My greatest achievement isn’t just creating Pure Azores — it’s building a team that shares my values and cares as much as I do about our guests.”
Our Tour Guides
The people who bring the island to life.
Different personalities, interests and stories — united by local knowledge and a thoughtful way of sharing São Miguel.
Manuel Moniz
"Our guide Manuel was amazing, so patient, knowledgeable, helpful and pleasant to spend the day with. He took us to so many beautiful spots."
— Natalia · Canada
Cátia Branquinho
"Catia - our guide - was amazing. she is such a warm person and made everyone feel welcome." — GetYourGuide traveler · Poland
Márcio Amaral
"Our day with Marcio was wonderful! He was incredibly knowledgeable and made each stop fun, interesting, and memorable."
— Donna · Canada
Andreia Silva
"Our guide Andreia was excellent!!! Every part of the tour was amazing! She was very knowledgeable and gave us ample time at each site."
— GetYourGuide traveler · Canada
Bruno Dutra
"Great excursion with Bruno, a very friendly, knowledgeable, and very entertaining guide. A fantastic experience!"
— Marco · Germany
Customer Service
A personal touch, from the first hello.
Júlia Alves
Guest Experience & Customer Service
From helping guests choose the right tour to answering questions and arranging pick-up details, Júlia helps make every step before the experience feel simple, clear and personal.
What Makes Us Different
A more personal way to explore.
Small by design
With a maximum of eight guests per van on our small-group tours, there's more room for conversation, personal attention and enjoying the journey.
Guided by locals
Our guides share places they know personally, along with the stories, traditions and everyday details that give them meaning.
Relaxed and flexible
We plan each day carefully while allowing time for questions, photos and unhurried stops, adapting to the weather and pace of the group.
Responsible by nature
We explore São Miguel in electric vans, work to minimise our impact and treat the island's landscapes and local communities with care.
Discover São Miguel with us