Europe > Portugal > Corvo Island (CVU)
The Car or no Car advice for Corvo Island can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Corvo Island ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Corvo Island ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Corvo Island?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏝️ What you find when you arrive
Corvo has one village — Vila do Corvo — and a single short runway airport with only a handful of daily flights, mainly from Flores. Everything is extremely compact. Most accommodation sits inside the village, and the island population is under 500. Even walking the full length of the village takes only minutes.
There is one main road that climbs from the village to the crater lake, Caldeirão, which is the island’s star attraction. The landscape is wild and wide open. It is ideal for walkers who enjoy solitude and big views.
🚗 Car rental: available or not?
Corvo has no formal car rental agencies. At most, guesthouses may arrange a lift or a local driver for you. This is normal in the Azores’ smallest communities. Travellers who want full independence usually visit with sturdy walking shoes rather than a steering wheel.
If you genuinely need a vehicle, it is easier to rent a car on Flores. From there, you can explore Flores’ waterfalls and crater lakes, and then take a short ferry or flight to Corvo for a day trip.
🚌 Getting around without driving
Even without a hire car, it is easy to reach the Caldeirão. Options include:
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Local taxi drivers, who offer round-trip rides.
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Small guided trips, sometimes arranged directly through your accommodation.
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Hiking, which is superb but steep in sections and very exposed to weather.
Because the island is so compact, these simple methods cover all practical needs.
🥾 What to do on Corvo
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Caldeirão Crater — an unforgettable volcanic amphitheatre.
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Birdwatching — Corvo is world-famous in autumn for rare North American vagrant birds.
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Cliff walks — dramatic Atlantic views everywhere you turn.
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Island calm — Corvo invites slow travel and long conversations with locals.
Most visitors stay one night or even fly in for the day while based on Flores.
🧭 Conclusion — Should you rent a car on Corvo Island?
Almost never. The island is tiny, there are no true rental agencies, and all sights are reachable by local taxis or on foot. Corvo is best enjoyed without a car, letting you appreciate its quiet beauty and simple rhythm at a slower pace.
