Fort Santa Cruz

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TL;DR
  • ⚡ Fort Santa Cruz (Forte de Santa Cruz) is a 16th—century fortress built to protect the Azores from pirates who tried to attack ships returning from Africa, India and Brazil.
  • ⚡ It is located in the historical center of the city of Horta on the island of Faial.

Visitor Information for 2026

Phone

+351 920 208 936

How to get there

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Top Spots Nearby

Within 5 km or an hour's walk. An ideal daily route
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A Short Trip Away

Within 5 to 100 km. Accessible by car or public transit
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Nearest cities

Cities within a 300 km radius, excluding roads, natural, or political barriers
São Miguel
Portugal
287 km
Pico
Portugal
24 km
Terceira
Portugal
124 km
123 km
Faial Island
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9 km
Graciosa
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79 km
São Jorge
Portugal
51 km
Flores
Portugal
244 km
Corvo
Portugal
250 km
Ponta Delgada
Portugal
273 km
No-BS Deep Dives

Fort Santa Cruz is a popular spot situated in the very center of Horta. Famed in international travel guides, this spot consistently delivers some of your most unforgettable photos. In the last month, over 10,000 travelers have favorited this spot and mapped out their routes to make new discoveries and experience the authentic charm of Portugal.