This All-villa Property in Europe Is So Remote You Have to Hike to It — and It's on a UNESCO-protected Island

Lace up your boots, as this remote property requires a hike in.

Roughly 1,000 miles off the coast of Portugal sprawl the Azores, a remote, nine-island volcanic archipelago that’s a world away from the European mainland. Within the island chain is São Jorge, a UNESCO-protected isle with tall cliffs that drop dramatically to flat extensions of land that stretch from the base of the cliffs to the ocean. These unique oceanside plains, called fajãs, were originally created by lava or landslides and are the setting of São Jorge’s most recent addition: Fajã Do Belo.

Fajã Do Belo is an all-villa property that opened in January 2024 under the Pegasus Lodges brand, a company with a mission to provide guests with the chance to witness untouched beauty and find true adventure.

To that end, Fajã Do Belo relishes its remote locale and untamed setting. For guests to get to the lodge, they must hike in. That, and the fact that it takes several flights to reach São Jorge, sets the tone for guests.

Once on the property, guests are welcomed into one of eight meticulously crafted villas. Each standalone home is made from local volcanic stone and features traditional wooden beams, high ceilings, and bright red doors and windows. The authentic Azorean villas can accommodate between three and five people in one to two bedrooms — all set alongside the sea.

Outside the villa’s bright-red door, Fajã Do Belo guests will find one of the most remote surf spots in the Atlantic — a break with views of the unique fajãs and the rugged cliffs that border them.

Beyond the quiet beach and undiscovered surf, visitors can explore the UNESCO Fajãs de São Jorge Biosphere Reserve, which covers the entire isle and protects the island’s unique landscape of rugged coastal cliffs, flat fajãs, highland meadows, and peat bogs. It’s a wild and untouched paradise with quiet hiking trails leading to hidden lakes and waterfalls, deep canyons that can be explored with the help of a rope, and endless fishing and diving.

With these adventure-focused programs, typically led by knowledgeable guides, “the brand remains dedicated to providing discerning guests with authentic encounters, embracing a boundless passion for adventure that defines every unforgettable stay,” according to a press release shared with Travel + Leisure.

To fuel their adventures, Fajã do Belo guests are treated to a daily continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all of which are prepared and delivered by the resident chef who specializes in traditional Azorean and Portuguese dishes.

To learn more or book your stay, visit pegasuslodges.com.

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