Прая-ду-Норте: Остров Фаял, Азорские острова.

Praia do Norte is a civil parish of the municipality of Horta, located along the northern coast between Cedros and Capelo, on the Portuguese island of Faial, in the archipelago of the Azores. The population in 2011 was 250, in an area of It is the least populous parish on the island, reached along the Estrada Regional E. R.1 1ª regional roadway from the urban centre of Horta. It contains the localities Cerca, Fajã and Praia do Norte.

This parish, and its church, were first referenced on 30 June 1567, with the first five parishes of the municipality of Horta. Its fertile soils (which produced many of the islands cereals, beans and fruits) were situated in the area known as Nicho, a biforkation between the regional roadway and Norte Pequeno, that stretched to the road at Quinta. the Marine Accident Investigation Branch noted several failures including lack of crew management and procedures on the part of the operator, the inexperience and lack of seamanship of the master, and lack of proper nautical charts and anchoring experience. The accident brought world attention to Fajã da Praia, Faial and the Azores.

The parish is part of the Capelo Volcanic Complex, a geologic area of layered ash and pyroclastic deposits produced less than 10,000 years ago. The rural town occupies the space along the regional roadway, while summer homes and some permanent residents occupy the "fajã" along the coast, known as Fajã da Praia do Norte. A fajã is the term used to define a small extension of land, located along the ocean, formed from rock debris or a volcanic delta from lava meeting the ocean. The bay in Fajã is protected cove, sheltered by steep arriba covered in Laurasilva forest, that developed from the historic eruption of Cabeço do Fogo (1672 1673). The geological formation and the existence of a micro climate allows human habitation, making it an ideal destination for tourists and local summer homes, as well as the adega wine cellars. A small beach, from which the name Praia do Norte originates, provides an area of activities along its several metres of dark sand areal during the summer. But, the beach is primarily popular with surfers, since offshore conditions allow for large waves throughout the year. The eastern portion of the parish is a tall and abrupt cliff that is connected to Cedros plateau. Along the shoreline is also a nascent port, formed by a lava flow resulting in the formation of Xenoliths. With little more than 30 inhabitants, the focus of the small community is the Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França, constructed in 1787.

Following the Cabeço do Fogo eruption, much of the lands in the parish were sterile and uncultivatable due to the ash. Gradually, agriculture returned to the area, although the region has been affected by the collapses in the wine, orange and potato crises during the 19 20th century. Cattle and dairy production are one of the two pillars of the economy today. The residents of the parish also rely on fishing, some boat construction and rock/sand extraction as basic sources of income. Although tourism is not an obvious cash stream, the area has unspoiled coastal areas, panoramic views towards Capelo (visible from Ribeira das Cabres) and high cliffs that attract or stop visitors regularly in the area.

The feast day of its patron saint, dedicated to Nossa Senhora das Dores, is celebrated on the Sunday following September 15. It chapel was constructed twice: in 1797, following its destruction by Cabeço do Fogo in 1672; and in 1961, following its destruction during the Capelinhos eruption. The feast days of St. Peter (29 June) are celebrated in Fajã, and Our Lady of Penafrancia (8 September) at its chapel built in 1787. The area is known for many of the same agricultural dishes emblematic of this region, including a pork stew, its wine (produced from the many rock vineyards of the Fajã) and a traditional corn flat bread.