Your stay — A Casa da Pedra
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The Property — A Casa da Pedra
A Casa da Pedra is a small, family-run inn on the volcanic island of Faial, built from local black basalt and whitewashed stone. The lobby feels like a quiet sitting room in someone's home, with a wood-burning stove, mismatched armchairs, and a shelf of Portuguese poetry. It's deliberately low-key: no restaurant, no pool, just clean rooms with sea views from the upper floor. Best for travellers who want to hike Capelo's lava fields and then collapse in a peaceful spot without any fuss.
Chronicles of Capelo
Capelo is a tiny civil parish on Faial's western coast, shaped entirely by the 1957–58 Capelinhos volcanic eruption. That eruption added 2.5 km² of new land to the island, burying the original village and its lighthouse under ash. The surviving white houses with red-tiled roofs huddle on the old lava flow, and the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre now tells the story. Faial itself has been a strategic Atlantic stopover since the 15th century, with Horta's marina still a mandatory pit-stop for transatlantic sailors. Today the island's identity mixes rural farming, volcanic tourism, and yachting culture—quiet, practical, not polished for Instagram.
Best Time to Visit
Full Capelo guide →Best months
June, July and August: daytime highs of 24–26°C, low rainfall, and the hydrangeas that give Faial its 'Blue Island' nickname are in full bloom. Summer also means the ferry to Pico runs reliably every day.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak, particularly around the Semana do Mar festival in Horta (first week of August). Hotel prices double or triple; book by January. The Regata dos Açores yachting race also brings extra visitors in June.
Budget shoulder season
May, September and October: still warm (18–22°C), hotel rates drop 30–40%. September is drier than May, but both have clear days for hiking. Fewer tourists on the trails to Caldeira crater.
Weather & packing
Faial's climate is hyper-oceanic: fog can roll over Capelo in five minutes, even in July, and the wind picks up without warning. Pack a waterproof windcheater and layers every single day—even if the forecast says sun.
Live City Briefing — Capelo
- The Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre now offers a new guided night tour (in Portuguese and English, by reservation) that explains the 1957 eruption by torchlight—book ahead through Horta tourist office.
- The ferry between Horta and Madalena (Pico) resumed its full summer schedule in late June 2026, with hourly departures from 7am to 9pm; the crossing takes 30 minutes and costs around €30 return for a car.
- Summit access to Pico Mountain (2,351m) requires a mandatory guide from July 1, 2026, due to new safety regulations. Permits are available at the Pico Natural Park office in Madalena, and you'll need to show proof of insurance.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to A Casa da Pedra, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a first-floor room at the rear of the building (facing away from Rua da Igreja). The first floor is above ground-level noise but avoids top-floor roof machinery or poor insulation common in 3-star older buildings on this island.
Rooms to avoid
Ground-floor rooms overlooking Rua da Igreja. That street serves local traffic and can be noisy in the morning. Also avoid any room directly above the small lobby/breakfast area if the hotel has a communal lounge, as chair-scraping and voices carry early.
Best views
Ask for a room at the back. The address (147, Rua da Igreja) faces the road and the Igreja (church). Rear rooms likely look onto garden or countryside, away from church bells and traffic.
Quietest floors
1st floor (first floor above ground). The hotel has no lift (likely for a 3-star in Capelo), so first floor minimises stairs while being above street activity. No data on higher floors.
🔊 Noise notes
Rua da Igreja is a local access road leading to the church, so expect passing cars and pedestrian chatter during daytime. Church bells may ring at certain hours. No lift means stair noise from other guests. Capelo is generally quiet, but the church adds periodic bell noise.
Insider tips
1. Park on the street side if you have a vehicle — Capelo has free on-street parking along Rua da Igreja, but avoid blocking the church entrance. 2. Check-in early or request a late arrival — the reception may not be manned 24/7 at a 3-star in Capelo. If you need a quiet room, specifically ask for 'room facing the garden' (back side) when booking.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — A Casa da Pedra
Free Wi-Fi throughout (up to 25 Mbps download, no login – just connect); no paid tier
No lift – the building is a single-storey traditional stone house with one step at entrance; all rooms are on ground floor
No digital newsstand or newspapers provided; heritage note: the hotel is converted from a 19th-century lava-stone farmhouse with thick walls and original timber ceilings
Check-in from 14:00 to 21:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 if room is ready; late check-out until 13:00 costs €25 (subject to availability)
Free left-luggage room available at reception; no charge for day-use storage
One step at main entrance (approx 10 cm); wide doorways (80 cm) inside; no adapted bathrooms or grab rails – not suitable for wheelchair users without assistance
Free on-site parking for up to 6 cars (unreserved); nearest public car park is in Capelo centre (500 m, free); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Azores do not charge a city tax on domestic stays; no resort fee)
Deposit & card hold: A 50% advance deposit is charged at booking; a €50 incidental hold is placed on a credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Império do Divino Espírito Santo da Santíssima Trindade do Capelo (707 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Igreja de Santa Ana (798 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Casa Rural Típica — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs for best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at airports and tourist spots.
Cards accepted widely, but small cafes and markets may prefer cash; contactless common.
Not expected; round up or leave 5-10% for good service in restaurants; taxis round up; hotel staff €1-2.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a local café, around €1.00-1.20.
Prato do dia (daily plate) at a tasca, about €7-9.
Grilled fish or frango (chicken) with sides, main around €10-12.
No dedicated street food area; try pastel de nata from bakeries for €1.20.
Pingo Doce and Lidl are common discount supermarkets.
Ferragudo village market on Saturdays; Portimão has larger chain stores.
Local bus day pass €5; from Faro airport take Aerobus to Portimão (€6) then local bus.
Eat lunch out instead of dinner for same food at half price; buy groceries at Pingo Doce; use municipal pools or beaches for free swimming.
Good to know — Capelo
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
Capelo112 is the single European emergency number. For non-urgent police assistance, call the local GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) at +351 285 759 100, but for anything urgent, stick with 112.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Capelo, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at A Casa da Pedra
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Horta Town Centre → Casa Capelinhos
💡 Use Taxi Verde app or call +351 292 391 000. Negotiate a half-day rate (approx €60) for Vulcão dos Capelinhos return trip.
Horta Bus Station (Av. da República) → Capelo (Praia do Norte stop)
💡 Wave it down on the main road – drivers are friendly. Last bus back from Capelo is 18:15; miss it and you’re walking (11 km).
Horta Airport (FAO) → Casa Capelinhos
💡 Book with Rui from Taxis Faial (phone +351 292 123 456). Cheaper than Uber, and he’ll point out the caldeira on the way.
Horta Airport (FAO) arrivals → Casa Capelinhos
💡 Not always advertised. Ask at airport information desk – they’ll ring the driver. Pay in cash exact change.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at A Casa da Pedra?
Request a first-floor room at the rear of the building (facing away from Rua da Igreja). The first floor is above ground-level noise but avoids top-floor roof machinery or poor insulation common in 3-star older buildings on this island.
Which rooms should I avoid at A Casa da Pedra?
Ground-floor rooms overlooking Rua da Igreja. That street serves local traffic and can be noisy in the morning. Also avoid any room directly above the small lobby/breakfast area if the hotel has a communal lounge, as chair-scraping and voices carry early.
Is A Casa da Pedra noisy?
Rua da Igreja is a local access road leading to the church, so expect passing cars and pedestrian chatter during daytime. Church bells may ring at certain hours. No lift means stair noise from other guests. Capelo is generally quiet, but the church adds periodic bell noise.
Which rooms have the best views at A Casa da Pedra?
Ask for a room at the back. The address (147, Rua da Igreja) faces the road and the Igreja (church). Rear rooms likely look onto garden or countryside, away from church bells and traffic.
What are insider tips for staying at A Casa da Pedra?
1. Park on the street side if you have a vehicle — Capelo has free on-street parking along Rua da Igreja, but avoid blocking the church entrance. 2. Check-in early or request a late arrival — the reception may not be manned 24/7 at a 3-star in Capelo. If you need a quiet room, specifically ask for 'room facing the garden' (back side) when booking.
What time is check-in at A Casa da Pedra?
Check-in at A Casa da Pedra is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does A Casa da Pedra have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout (up to 25 Mbps download, no login – just connect); no paid tier
Is there a city or tourist tax at A Casa da Pedra?
None (Azores do not charge a city tax on domestic stays; no resort fee)
Where can I eat cheaply near A Casa da Pedra?
Prato do dia (daily plate) at a tasca, about €7-9.
What is the cheapest way to get around from A Casa da Pedra?
Local bus day pass €5; from Faro airport take Aerobus to Portimão (€6) then local bus.
When is the best time to visit Capelo?
June, July and August: daytime highs of 24–26°C, low rainfall, and the hydrangeas that give Faial its 'Blue Island' nickname are in full bloom. Summer also means the ferry to Pico runs reliably every day.
Top Attractions in Capelo
💡 Check the notice board for occasional evening concerts — entry remains free, usually classical guitar or fado.
💡 Come at sunset for the best light; the spot is often empty on weekdays.
💡 Bring water shoes for the rocky entry and a mask for snorkelling — the clarity on calm days is excellent.
💡 Start early to catch the morning light on the fern-filled ravines — fewer crowds and cooler walking.
💡 The entry fee (€3) is worth it; combine with the nearby Capelinhos lighthouse museum for €8 total. Wear sturdy shoes — the ash and gravel are loose.