Biosphere Reserves
Flores Biosphere Reserve: water and inhabited landscapes
Explore Flores Biosphere Reserve, designated in 2009: peatlands, crater lakes and coastal communities in the Azores, with sources to help plan a visit.
- Location
- Ilha das Flores, Açores
- UNESCO
- Biosphere Reserves · since 2009
Flores Island Biosphere Reserve, designated by UNESCO in 2009, covers the whole island and a surrounding marine area. It belongs to the Western Group of the Azores, alongside Corvo, and includes the municipalities of Santa Cruz das Flores and Lajes das Flores. Water connects its habitats, volcanic landforms and coastal settlement patterns.
A landscape that holds water
Peatlands and wetlands characterise the uplands, while crater lakes, streams and waterfalls provide other ways to read the island. Humidity supports environments different from farmed fields and coastal settlements. Observe those contrasts without reducing the island’s natural heritage to a single viewpoint or waterfall.
Fajã Grande and Fajãzinha offer another perspective on landforms and settlement. Coastal plains associated with slope movements and lava flows contrast with the cliffs. These are inhabited landscapes, with working land and particular access arrangements; a panoramic view alone cannot explain all their uses.
Stone, work and memory
Volcanic-stone houses, agricultural outbuildings and maize-drying structures show how construction responded to local activities. Wickerwork, lace, embroidery and woollen and linen textiles add skills best understood through their makers and family memories.
Holy Spirit festivities and the Festa do Emigrante help explain connections between the community, departures and returns. This cultural heritage belongs to the reserve alongside its habitats: the programme values sustainable relationships between people and territory.
Choosing a visit
Consult the reserve portal and its visitor section to select places and themes. Confirm trail conditions, weather, opening arrangements and transport with the responsible providers. Plan by areas of the island and leave time for settlements as well as panoramic stops.
The Man and the Biosphere designation differs from the Azores Geopark and the World Heritage inscriptions of Angra and Pico’s vineyard landscape. Compare Corvo Biosphere Reserve and consult the index of Portuguese reserves.
Frequently asked questions
- When was it designated and what does it cover?
- UNESCO designated the reserve in 2009. It covers the entire island and a surrounding marine zone, rather than only the feature highlighted in its name.
- Is a biosphere reserve a World Heritage site?
- These are different UNESCO programmes. Man and the Biosphere connects conservation, research and sustainable development; World Heritage has its own inscriptions.