In the wider area around Covas is the Grande Rota da Graciosa, a circular route that connects coastal landscapes with volcanic landscapes in the island’s interior.
Grande Rota: Stages and Landscape
The route is about 40 km long and divided into two stages, each approximately 20 km long. Each stage therefore covers roughly half of the entire circular route. For planning purposes, the figures describe different things: the total length and the division into sections. This lets you consider the overall route and the lengths of individual stages separately. These measurements are approximate; check current route conditions and access before setting out. While the distances describe the scope of the route, the coastal landscapes and volcanic island interior shape its character.
Crater and Water Heritage
A second route in the wider area around Covas offers a different focus. Arquitetura da Água I begins at Pico da Caldeirinha de Pêro Botelho and circles the crater of a volcanic cone classified as a geosite of the UNESCO Global Geopark of the Azores. Its starting point and crater shape give the route a specific geological connection.
The route includes historic facilities for collecting and distributing water, including tanks, cisterns, washing places and wells. These facilities form part of Graciosa’s cultural heritage. Their varied structures make water collection and distribution tangible as part of the island’s cultural heritage.
The two routes differ in their focus: the Grande Rota brings together route structure and landscapes, while Arquitetura da Água I focuses on the crater and water infrastructure. When choosing between the routes, you can consider whether you are mainly looking for a scenic connection or a geological and cultural-historical focus.
Museum and Historical Periods
Casa Museu João Tomaz Bettencourt is housed in a 19th-century building and operates as a shop museum. The building’s age and the museum’s function offer two points of interest: the history of the building itself and the combination of shop and museum. Check current opening hours and visitor arrangements before your visit, as these may change.
Ermida do Bom Jesus, in the immediate area around Covas, was founded in the early 17th century. Compared with the building that houses Casa Museu, its foundation dates to a considerably earlier period. The two dates span the period from the early 17th century to the 19th century and offer a specific comparison for anyone interested in the history of these buildings.
Getting Around Covas
Two connections are identified to help with orientation. The regional road ER 3-2A runs through Covas between Guadalupe and Santa Cruz; check current road conditions before travelling. Canada do Pavão connects Covas with Relheiras. These provide two specific local references for orientation: the road between Guadalupe and Santa Cruz, and the connection to Relheiras.
Discover more destinations: Guadalupe, Luz, Faja, Feiteira, Santa Cruz da Graciosa, Praia
Go to the main travel overview: Graciosa.
