Real estate agent on Pico Island.
The second-largest island in the Azores, dominated by Mount Pico, at 2,351 meters (7,713 feet) the highest point in Portugal. It is an island of black stone, and its vineyard landscape has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004.
- 2,351 m Mount Pico, the highest peak in Portugal
- ~172 sq mi the second-largest island in the Azores
- 987 ha of vineyard landscape listed by UNESCO in 2004
- 3 municipalities: Madalena, São Roque do Pico, Lajes do Pico
Three municipalities, three settings
Madalena, in the west, has the airport and the ferry to Faial. São Roque do Pico sits at the foot of the mountain, and Lajes do Pico is the town with the whaling tradition.
Vineyards and the listed landscape
Land, cellars and houses inside or next to the listed area are generally subject to heritage rules. What you can do depends on the municipal plan, and you confirm it with the town hall before you go ahead.
Reading a stone house
Basalt walls are thick, but with the rain and damp the roof is the usual weak point. Magda assesses the structure, the roof, the damp and the licensing before the offer, not after the deed.
Good to know
Walls against the wind
Thousands of basalt enclosures shelter the vines from wind and salt spray. It is this network of walls that UNESCO listed.
A wine with imperial fame
In the 19th century, Pico Verdelho was shipped across Europe and is said to have reached the Russian imperial table.
An island of caves
Pico has 86 of the 225 volcanic cavities recorded in the Azores, more than any other island.
A sleeping mountain
The last eruptions on land were in 1718 and 1720. The island is still volcanic, hence the black stone.
From the hunt to the museums
Whaling ended in the 1980s. In São Roque, the former whaling factory, which operated until 1984, is now a museum.
- Traditional Azorean House with Tafona – Ribeiras, Lajes do Pico — Ribeiras, Lajes do Pico — €82,000
- Developable land with 4708.05 m2 in the center of Madalena do Pico — Madalena — €390,000
- Commercial Building with Atlantic Views and Expansion Potential - Prainha, Pico Island — PRAINHA, São Roque do Pico — €450,000
- Moradia T3 para Reabilitar na Madalena do Pico — MADALENA (PICO), Madalena — €145,000
- Historic Ruin with Sea View and Approved Project – Prainha, Pico — PRAINHA, São Roque do Pico — €220,000
- Adega do Fogo, Pico — Santa Luzia, Pico — €2,700,000
- Moradia de Luxo, Madalena — Madalena, Pico — €1,150,000
Frequently asked questions
Can foreigners buy a house on Pico?
Yes. Portugal generally does not restrict foreign buyers. You need a Portuguese tax number (NIF), and you should confirm the tax and legal details with a lawyer before signing. Magda Leal guides the process through to the deed.
What kinds of property are for sale on Pico?
Stone houses, ruins to restore, building plots, wine cellars and more recent homes. The offer changes, so look at the listings on this page and ask Magda Leal about what is not yet advertised.
How do I get to Pico?
Pico has its own airport, with flights within the Azores and to Lisbon, and a ferry of about half an hour between Madalena and Horta. From the US, most people fly to Ponta Delgada or Lisbon and connect.
Can I buy a wine cellar or a vineyard plot on Pico?
It is possible, but vineyards and cellars, especially near the UNESCO-listed area, are generally subject to their own rules. What you can do depends on the municipal plan and the licensing, which you should confirm before making an offer.
magda@magdaleal.pt · Keller Williams Portugal, AMI 7183