sao miguel tourist information

São Miguel Island Azores

A secret European oasis, São Miguel island is a nature lovers dream: from soothing natural thermal pools and scenic hikes, to dramatic coastlines and volcanic landscapes.

Exploring Sao Miguel from Kaneos Media on Vimeo .

Getting to the São Miguel Island

Why you should visit são miguel island.

Sete Cidades Lake

Lagoa do fogo, ponta da madrugada lookout, miradouro de santa iria, ponta do sossego viewpoint, caldeiras das furnas, ponta da ferraria, poça da d. beija thermal spa, caldeira velha natural thermal spring, terra nostra park, ribeira dos caldeirões park, vila franca islet, gorreana tea plantation, windsurfing.

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Swimming with dolphins, whale watching, bird watching, horse riding, exploring the azores capital, são miguel holiday packages and tours.

São Miguel is a truly beautiful island with a outstanding nature. We can help you to plan your holiday with everything from hotel reservations, rentals and excursions.

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18 Amazing Things to Do in São Miguel, The Azores (+Map & Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: June 5, 2024

Tucked in the gorgeous Azores archipelago of Portugal is its biggest island – São Miguel . This stunning island is known for its pristine nature, volcanic scenery, beaches, rich marine life, waterfalls, and beautiful flowers…

São Miguel’s natural beauty is a major attraction that draws tourists from across the world. The verdant terrain earns the island the nickname of Ilha Verde or Green Island. The pictorial scenery here also boasts dramatic Atlantic coastline and quaint towns.

Ponta Delgada , the capital of the island, oozes urban European charm from its balconied mansions and city squares. Apart from its stunning landscape, the island is also famous for its eclectic gastronomy and adrenaline-pumping activities.

If you are wondering what there is to see and do in Sao Miguel , this article will give you a good overview of the very best activities and places to see on the island. From the most spectacular scenery, jaw-dropping viewpoints, to charming little towns, best hikes, hot springs, and more – Sao Miguel has something to offer for every type of traveler.

To put it simply, there are lots of really nice things to do in São Miguel. So whether you are hoping to enjoy a relaxing seaside vacation, go on an adventurous expedition, or both, you’ll find plenty of options. Read on!

TIP: While still relatively small, Sao Miguel is the only Azores Island where it might make sense to stay at two different locations for sightseeing – east and west. But you can also choose one central location and explore the island from there.

Unless you stay in the capital city (Ponta Delgada) and take organized tours everywhere, you’ll also need to rent a car. Here you can find the best deals for car rental . You can find more practical tips at the bottom of this article.

To help you plan your trip and get a better idea of where everything is, we also included a map of the best things to do in Sao Miguel . Find out!

Good to know: Because our first trip to the Azores dates was quite a few years ago, this post was written with the help of my friends Sylvia and Kris from WapitiTravel who recently visited the Azores Islands and agreed to share their best tips with our readers. In the meantime, we have re-visited the Azores, spent several weeks on Sao Miguel Island, and have updated this article with even more up-to-date tips and our personal experiences as well.

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

These are the best things to Do in São Miguel:

1. Sete Cidades Lakes

Lagoa das Sete Cidades in the Western part of the island is one of the must-see places in São Miguel. It is known for the legendary Blue and Green lakes ( Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde ), two of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal.

There are several breathtaking viewpoints on Sete Cidades to enjoy the unforgettable views of the twin lakes. We recommend that you check out at least two of them, Miradouro da Boca do Inferno and Miradouro da Vista Do Rei . More information below.

In addition, there are several really nice hikes in this area, but most of them require about 2-3 hours. If you have the time, we recommend the Sete Cidades Crater hike – one of the best experiences in this area! You can find more information about this hike further down in this article, together with some other nice hikes in Sao Miguel.

Miradouro da Boca do Inferno

Boca do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth) is one of the best viewpoints at Sete Cidades. Perched 1000m above the sea level, it offers a breathtaking view of the two lakes. This is also the only viewpoint that’s not located directly along the road, so you’ll need to make a (small) effort to get there.

The hike to Miradouro Boca do Inferno starts at the small parking area at Miradouro da Lagoa do Canário, about 5-minute drive east from the junction on Route EN9-1A (see map ).

There are signposts for Lagoa do Canario and an iron gate to walk through. Reaching the scenic viewpoint takes only 15 minutes from here. Absolutely worth the short hike.

Miradouro da Vista Do Rei

Another popular viewpoint that tourists root for is Vista Do Rei , aka the Kings’ View. (See the featured image at the top of this article as well).

It is conveniently located just a few steps from an abandoned Monte Palace Hotel. Vista Do Rei is also the easiest São Miguel attraction to reach without having to walk much. You can drive all the way to the top.

Note that on busy days, parking can be hard to find here. In high season, the best way to avoid parking problems is to arrive before 9 AM. But because they now only allow 20-minutes parking at the viewpoint, the wait isn’t that long (if any). For those who want to spend more time in this area, there’s another long-term parking’ a bit further down the road.

Lagoa de Santiago & more

In addition, in the same area, Miradouro do Cerrado das Freiras offers great views of the two lakes.

The nearby Miradouro da Lagoa de Santiago is also not to be missed – see the picture below.

And even though the scenery of the green Santiago Lake is not comparable to the view over the twin lakes, it’s well worth a quick stop.

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Sete Cidades

2. Ponta Delgada

Ponta Delgada is the capital city of the Azores and is not to be missed when visiting São Miguel Island. You don’t need much time for the city and can easily stroll through the center and have dinner in town in the evening after visiting the natural attractions of Sao Miguel during the day. On the other hand, if you want to see most of the sights, count at least half a day.

A former fishing village, Ponta Delgada grew in the 17-18th centuries. That’s also when most of its convents and churches were built. It is now quite a bustling city with a nice atmosphere.

Don’t miss Portas da Cidade (the City Gates) and some of its churches ( Igreja de São Sebastião , the Igreja de São Pedro , Igreja São José , and the Convent and Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Esperança ). A visit to the old fortress Forte de São Brás , now a Military Museum, is also one of the ‘musts’, just as a walk on the waterfront promenade in the city center .

If you want to buy some local fruit or souvenirs, check out Mercado da Graça , a farmers market in the city center, and also the Azorean Pineapple Plantation (a bit outside of the center).

If you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the old town, check out Jose do Canto Garden , a botanical garden with very impressive huge trees. The adjacent Palace of Sant’Ana and its gardens are well worth a quick visit as well. Also an underground cave Gruta do Carvão is well worth a visit (more info about this lava cave further below).

LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Ponta Delgada

Furnas is one of the main towns of Sao Miguel and one of the most popular areas to visit with an organized day tour from Ponta Delgada . It’s just about 45 km/ 40 minutes drive east from the capital city.

This 200-year old tourist destination is home to some of the best places to visit in São Miguel. Here is a link to a complete guide to visiting Furnas and below, you can find a short overview of some of the best things to do in Furnas :

Terra Nostra Garden

Located in Furnas Valley, Parque Terra Nostra is a Romantic-style historic garden dating from 1775. Today, the site is home to the historic Terra Nostra Garden Hotel (built in 1935 and recently renovated), botanical gardens, and an inviting thermal spa. Further below, you can find more information about the Terra Nostra Hot Springs . But first, more information about the park.

The park is set in an incredible location, a dormant volcanic crater. The park also boasts its very own microclimate. The temperature here remains mild the whole year round: 10-16°C in winter and 20-25°C in summer.

There are two zones to saunter across: the upper zone with footpaths through dense woods, and the lower zone wedged between the Amarela stream and the Serpentina Lake. The highlights of this historic European garden are the avenues of palm trees and the many thematic gardens.

For several centuries, exploring the Terra Nostra Gardens and swimming in its hot pools has been considered one of the very best things to do in São Miguel. This place is not to be missed when visiting the Azores!

Lagoa das Furnas

Lagoa das Furnas is one of the three main lakes of São Miguel. It is famous for its hot sand found near the lakeside hot springs and for the Cozido stew. This local dish is slow-cooked in pots in underground ovens.

You may get lucky and see locals cooking Cozido in the geysers next to the lake.

Lake Furnas may lack the dramatic views of the lakes of Sete Cidades, but it oozes tranquility. There are walking paths and you can also hike all around the lake (an easy flat hike of about 2 hours).

If you walk all the way around the lake, you can also visit Capela de Nossa Senhora das Vitórias and its beautiful gardens – more info further below.

Caldeiras das Furnas & Fumaroles

Caldeiras das Furnas , aka Caldeiras Vulcânicas are hot springs and mud springs in the same volcanic complex as Furnas Lake. They are located closer to the town center and are not to be confused with the geothermal area at the lake.

The Fumaroles are the volcanic holes that were created underground to make the traditional Portuguese stew. You can taste it in the restaurants dotting the village.

TIP: You’ll see locals selling steamed corn here. It’s steamed under the ground in this area. Give it a try – it’s absolutely delicious.

Cozido das Furnas

The Cozido das Furnas is a unique local dish in the Furnas area. It’s cooked for about 5 hours on the hot springs or steaming Fumaroles of Furnas village. You really have to try it when visiting Sao Miguel!

Cozido stew is already quite unique because it’s prepared underground, but it also has a very distinctive taste due to the liquid used to cook it (juices from a mix of ingredients like meat, carrots, kale, Chouriço, and pork).

The best restaurant to try Cozido in Furnas is Restaurante Tonys. Be sure to make advance reservations and mention that you will be having the Cozido.

Capela de Nossa Senhora das Vitórias

Situated on Furnas Lake’s south shore, Capela de Nossa Senhora das Vitórias is a 19th-century church. It’s a beautiful example of neo-Gothic architecture.

Inside the fairytale facade, it boasts wooden décor and Fauve stained-glass windows. Built by José do Canto, a botany and literary enthusiast, this little church is all about storybook charm and pictorial setting. There is a garden and you can also walk to a very nice waterfall here as well.

Good to know: You can see the church from the road. It doesn’t require much time to visit it, so make sure to stop when passing by. If you want to take a closer look, there is a small entrance fee of a few euros. It includes a visit to the gardens and you can also walk to the most beautiful waterfall – a true hidden gem of Furnas.

4. Lagoa do Fogo

Located in the heart of the island, Lagoa do Fogo is among the most picturesque lakes in São Miguel. Set within the Água de Pau Massif stratovolcano, it’s a jaw-dropping natural wonder.

This lake is a vivid mixture of bright-green pasture-ringed mountains and sapphire waters set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean in the distance. This nature reserve is also a hub for various endemic plants and a variety of birds. The cliffs are ringed with hiking trails, allowing wayfarers to wander through the area’s dense foliage.

You can enjoy the Atlantic-reaching views from the 700 meters-high viewpoint, Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo . From here you can also descend to the lake; it takes about 15-20 minutes one way. Hikers can also venture down via the Praia – Lagoa do Fogo trail to the southern shore of this crater lake.

5. Hot Springs of São Miguel

In addition to being a paradise of grass-covered cliffs, floral meadows, and coves, São Miguel is also home to many thermal swimming pools . No trip to Sao Miguel would be complete without going for a swim or a relaxing dip in its hot springs!

Below, you can find more information about the 4 most popular hot springs in Sao Miguel . They are located in three different locations around the island, so you can easily visit a couple of them on different days, in combination with sightseeing in the area. Not to be missed!

TIP: Make sure to pack your swimwear and a quick-drying travel towel when driving around Sao Miguel. That way, you can easily visit a few of the hot pools during your trip without having to plan much in advance.

Terra Nostra Hot Springs

Terra Nostra Hot Springs is located in Furnas (see above). This place is a dream of every bon vivant – relaxing thermal waters surrounded by an exotic garden.

As already mentioned above, the site comprises the historic Terra Nostra Garden Hotel , botanical gardens, and several hot pools. You can soak in the main thermal pool or two smaller secondary pools.

The main pool was built in the 1700s and expanded in 1935. It is filled with unclean-looking brownish water. However, this color has nothing to do with its cleanliness; it is just because of large iron and mineral deposits.

Both pools offer tepid water straggling between 35-40°C (95-105°F). Soaking in the warm water in a tropical setting will soothe your muscles and re-energize your body. The pool is so big that it’s easy to swim around and relax without worrying about the crowds.

TIP: The water here will color your skin and swimwear, so be sure to wear the oldest darkest swimsuit you have, and don’t bring light towels with you! Be sure to take a very good shower as soon as you can afterwards!

Good to know: The garden is open daily, but only during the day (+-10 to 6 PM maximum, depending on the season). Facilities like towels and lockers are available for rent at an extra cost.

Poça da Dona Beija

Located a little outside the center of the charming town of Furnas, Poca da Dona Beija is a set of five thermal pools. They all have different water temperatures ranging between 25-39°C (77-102 °F). So no matter your preference, you’ll always find a nice pool perfect for a relaxing soak.

Furthermore, these pools sit in a jungle-like setting. You will completely forget that you’re still within the outskirts of Furnas, making the whole experience even more refreshing.

However, due to its beautiful and quiet location, the pool remains crowded almost all year round. Of all the hot springs of São Miguel, this is among the most popular choices for tourists and locals alike. It’s especially busy during the summer season.

Good to know: Poca da Dona Beija is open daily from 7 AM to 11 PM. Towels and lockers are available at extra cost.

TIP: For the most special experience, come here when it’s colder outside! It’s a great place to visit on a late summer evening (the pools are nicely lit) or in the colder season.

Caldeira Velha

Located in the Fogo Volcanic Complex in the center of the island, Caldeira Velha hot springs boast a picturesque setting with a waterfall in the backdrop.

Entering the Caldeira Velha Park is like entering a wild, Jurassic jungle. Its untamed natural beauty elevates the experience of bathing in a natural hot spring. All the thermal pools in the park are stone-walled with dense foliage.

While there are several smaller pools with water temperatures of 37-39°C (98-102°F), the highlight of the area remains the waterfall pool at the end of the park. This big hot spring stays at a much cooler, but still comfortable temperature of 20-25°C (68-77°F). It is also deeper but less crowded than the hotter and shallower pools.

Good to know: Caldeira Velha is open from around 9-9.30 AM and hours vary depending on the season. Parking here is often congested and they strictly enforce maximum capacity, so you often have to wait a long time to get in.

TIP: If you want to avoid having to wait (1.5-2 hours waiting time is common), you may want to arrive very early in the morning before they even open. Visiting during weekdays is a bit quieter because the place is very popular with locals and even more busy on the weekends.

Ponta da Ferraria

Ponta Da Ferraria natural swimming pool is a small cove tucked on the western tip of the island. Located right at the beach, this is the most natural hot pool experience in Sao Miguel. This is also the only hot spring in the Sete Cidades volcanic complex.

The water in this thermal pool is heated by the surrounding lava rock cliffs and the geothermal natural spring beneath. It is important to be cautious at low tide since certain spots can get super-hot when not mixed with cold water from the sea. The water temperature here typically ranges between a chilly 18°C (64°F) and a more enjoyable 30°C (86°F).

Entry to the ocean is free, making it an excellent option for nature lovers and shoestring travelers. In high season, there’s a lifeguard on duty.

Good to know: Ponta da Ferraria also has a swimming pool with a spa and a restaurant – Termas da Ferraria. However, it looks like the spa and the pool have been abandoned for a while.

6. Whale Watching

The Azores is a great place to see whales! Whale watching is, therefore, a very popular activity in São Miguel. Several tour companies arrange boat tours to the Atlantic Ocean to help you get closer to the wild, marine life.

When you are surrounded by whales, dolphins, and/or turtles all around you, it is easy to understand why whale-watching excursions are among the most popular things to do in São Miguel. On some tours , you can even swim with the dolphins! Whether you are a nature lover or an intrepid adventurer, this Azores attraction will never disappoint.

Good to know: Whale watching tours leave from various locations on the island and typically last about 3 hours. It’s worth remembering that there is no guarantee that you will spot a whale. But don’t let that stop you from hopping on the boat. Often, you’ll see dolphins and other marine animals as well.

TIP: On our most recent trip to Sao Miguel, we took this whale-watching tour by speedboat and it was great. In addition to doing their best to spot whales and dolphins (we saw dozens of them!), this tour also circles around the Princess Ring Islet of Vila Franca do Campo, which is one of the most unique places to see in the Azores! You can find more info about it further below.

7. Farol do Arnel

The oldest lighthouse in São Miguel, Farol Ponta do Arnel , is also the oldest lighthouse in the Azores. Arnel Lighthouse started operating in 1876. Today, it stands erect as a symbol of modernization in the county.

Pegged on the Nordeste coastline on the East coast of Sao Miguel, this cliff-hugging landmark is reachable via a steep road known for its beautiful views. This strategic location makes it a brilliant vantage point to enjoy far-reaching views of the ocean, the sunrise, and the sunset.

TIP: Just below the lighthouse is a small port with a small creek behind it. Follow the stream of the waterfall to reach the shore. Lined with small fish boats, it is a serene place to watch the rough surf crash against the rocky cliff. On the way back to the lighthouse, you will get a glimpse of the east coast and yet another brook that runs directly into the ocean.

Good to know: The road down to the lighthouse is extremely steep and has several very narrow hairpin turns. It’s really not a good idea to drive down this road unless you have a very short and powerful car. Instead, you can leave your car at the designated parking at the top and walk down to the lighthouse.

On the other hand, the walk back up is really tiring (especially when it’s hot), and quite frankly – the best views are from the top and not at the lighthouse itself. So you can just stop to admire the views from one of the two viewpoints on top – Miradouro da Ponta do Arnel and Miradouro da Vista dos Barcos.

TIP: The best view – as in the picture below – can be seen from Miradouro da Vista dos Barcos (Boats Viewpoint).

8. Ponta do Sossego Viewpoint and Gardens

Spanned across 13,000m 2 in a quiet valley of Nordeste, Ponta Do Sossego is a stunning lookout point along the Eastern coast of Sao Miguel. This is a great place to enjoy unhindered views of the ocean. You can admire the scenery from three different viewpoints. But there is more to Ponta do Sossego than just the views; there is also a beautiful garden here.

The expansive green terrain of this cliff-top garden is distributed in terraces perched at different heights. Carefully manicured gardens, well-trimmed shrubs, and mossy grounds look even more beautiful in combination with unfettered panoramas of the Atlantic.

This paradisiac site includes a variety of beautiful flowers like hydrangeas, adorable cats, pleasant picnic spots, and laybys with views. Come early in the morning to hear the chirping of the birds.

Ponta Do Sossego is a locals’ favorite and a popular BBQ spot. So it can get busy during weekends. However, the parking area is quite large, so there should be no problem securing a place for your car.

9. Ponta da Madrugada Viewpoint

Located just a 5-minute drive from Ponta Do Sossego, on the eastern tip of the island, Ponta da Madrugada is yet another jaw-dropping viewpoint.

While most tourists and locals go to the above-mentioned Ponta do Sossego for better views and more beautiful gardens, the Viewpoint of Ponta da Madrugada offers similar views and fewer crowds. Furthermore, there are bathroom facilities here and also picnic tables made of volcanic rock.

Compared to the well-trimmed grasslands of the Sossego, Madrugada has more forest feeling with wild trees, untrimmed shrubs, and rugged landscape. Both places are home to many laid-back feral cats who may want to share your picnic…

Also known as the Day-Break Side of the island, this is also a great lookout to watch the sunrise in Sao Miguel. Keen photographers would want to come back during dusk to shoot sunset as well.

10. Nossa Senhora da Paz Chapel

Nossa Senhora da Paz (Our Lady of Peace Chapel) is a mix of impressive, glorious architecture and a strategic location offering a great vantage point over Vila Franca do Campo town and the Atlantic Ocean. This legendary landmark of São Miguel is pegged on a steep slope of the southern coast of the island.

According to folklore, the church was built in 1764 when a group of shepherds saw an image of the Virgin Mary in the cave where the edifice is now located.

The unique whitewashed facade sets it apart from all historic European churches on the island. Colorful hydrangeas line this pristine architecture to create an even lovelier picture.

However, there’s more to the church than what’s inside of it. Nestled on a ridge that lords the town and set in a verdant scenery of rolling hills, this São Miguel point of interest also offers dumbfounding views of the countryside.

Good to know: You can drive all the way up here from Vila Franca do Campo, but the road is very ‘local’ and quite narrow. The views from the parking lot at the foot of the chapel are amazing and you can see the Islet of Vila Franca from here as well.

11. Gorreana Tea Plantation

There is no shortage of natural attractions in São Miguel. One such green retreat on the island is the family-run, 19th-century Plantacoes de Cha Gorreana . It’s located about 25 km from Lagoa do Fogo, in the Ribeira Grande municipality. Gorreana Tea Plantation is the oldest and currently one of only a handful of tea plantations remaining in Europe.

Sauntering in the estate is a serene experience and a great thing to do along the north coast of São Miguel. Teetotalers and greenery lovers will love to ramble around in the green tea fields. Self-guided factory tours help visitors learn about the routine of processing the tea. The workers are very friendly and even try to make time to answer questions of curious travelers.

Good to know: There’s a café on-site where you can enjoy freshly brewed tea. There is also a gift shop where you can buy tea and souvenirs. The factory is open daily, from 9 AM to 6 PM. More information on their website .

TIP: For the best experience, visit during weekdays when the factory is operating – that way you get to see how everything works.

12. Pineapple Plantations

Sao Miguel has always been known for its exotic fruit. Nowadays, one of the most popular fruit that grows on the island is pineapple . You’ll be able to taste Azorean pineapple everywhere on the island – from the breakfast buffet at your hotel restaurant to shops and markets, and also as dessert at the local restaurants.

In addition, you can also visit several pineapple plantations in Sao Miguel, where you can see how the fruit is grown and learn more about it.

There are several pineapple plantations that are open to visitors, most in Ponta Delgada. The Azorean Pineapple Plantation (Plantação de Ananás dos Açores) is one of the biggest ones and it’s closest to the city center. Alternatively, check out Plantação Ananases A Arruda , a historic pineapple plantation just at the outskirts of Ponta Delgada. And there are several others…

The entrance to these pineapple plantations is usually free of charge, and you also get to taste some pineapple jam or pineapple liqueur. And, of course, you can buy pineapple and all kinds of souvenirs to take home with you.

13. Gruta do Carvão

Gruta do Carvão or Grotto of Coal is a lava cave complex. This is one of the most unusual sights and a very popular place to visit in Ponta Delgado. Since it’s indoors, it’s also a good choice when looking for things to do in Sao Miguel when it rains.

The Gruta is located on the outskirts of Ponta Delgada. It is the largest lava tube on the lush island that extends for 1,650 meters. Older documents and fieldwork suggest that the tunnel could originally have been as long as 5 km. According to the studies, streams and rivers of lava once flowed through this underground grotto.

This great geographical aspect of São Miguel also boasts unique structures such as the gas bubbles and dramatic stalactites, some with solidified lava drops.

Practical information: Gruta do Carvão lava caves can only be visited with a guide. They run several short tours a day, but it’s best to book in advance. If you have more time and want to explore deeper, there are longer tours available as well (these must be booked upfront). More information on their website .

14. Best Beaches in São Miguel

No list of the best things to do in Sao Miguel would be complete without mentioning its beaches . They typically span along the north and south coasts.

The north coast experiences a powerful swell and is ideal for surfing and bodyboarding. Being milder, the south coast is perfect for gentle swims and is more loved by families.

São Miguel is a cluster of more than 20 volcanic, black sand beaches of different sizes. Of those 20, we selected 4 best beaches in São Miguel that are worth visiting the most. Take a look!

Praia dos Mosteiros

Perhaps, there is no better sunset beach on the island than Mosteiros Beach , located in the small Mosteiros town, about a 45-minute drive northwest of Ponta Delgada.

Praia dos Mosteiros is very picturesque, with dramatic rock formations that emerge from the ocean. Apart from its unhindered views of the sunset and the ocean, the beach is also famous for its super-dark black volcanic sand. The stunning landscape here is a great backdrop for photographs!

Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara

The beaches of Azores differ greatly from being very mild to mighty. Praia de Santa Barbara falls in the latter category. With its enormous surfs, this is a great Sao Miguel beach for surfers and bodyboarders. At the beach, there is a surf school where you can rent equipment or get surfing lessons.

Praia de Santa Barbara is also among the best beaches of São Miguel where you can go for a long walk, enjoy the scenery, or simply grab a bite at its Tuká Tulá café. There’s also a beach bar and an Asian restaurant.

Praia de Água D’Alto

Água D’Alto Beach is also brimming with gastronomical options, including a popular beach café with a surf-n-turf menu. It is also among the best family-friendly beaches in the Azores with facilities like showers, toilets, and a big car parking.

Being a spacious stretch of sand, Praia de Agua D’alto is a great beach for families with young children. Plenty of space to run around and build sandcastles.

Enclosed by high rocky cliffs, the water here stays calm and is perfect for swimming. However, note that the beach tends to get busy during the summer, resulting in limited vacant places in the parking lot.

Praia do Fogo

Fogo Beach is located 7 km south of Furnas village. Wrapped in tree-cloaked mountains, this beautiful beach boasts a serene setting perfect for picnicking or spending a leisurely day. If you are hoping to go on long swims, deep diving, or tanning, then look no further than Praia do Fogo .

Travelers with kids will love this beach too. With calm and shallow waters, this is among the most kid-safe beaches in the Azores. Plus, the water here is lukewarm because of the underground hot springs.

15. Islet of Vila Franca do Campo

If you are looking for a more unique beach experience and want to see some jaw-dropping scenery, you may want to visit the Islet of Vila Franca do Campo . Located just off the south shore of Sao Miguel, it is like no other beach in the Azores! That’s also why we listed it separately – because it’s well worth a visit even if you’re not a beach lover.

Created by a volcanic eruption of an old underwater volcano, the Islet of Vila Franca do Campo is a very unique place, one-of-a-kind landscape. The islet is set in a perfectly circular crater, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and sapphire water of the ocean.

In addition to its unique landscape, Vila Franca Islet is also known for its variety of bird species, rich marine life, and towering cliffs with thick endemic vegetation. Amid these cliffs is calm water perfect for leisurely swimming, cliff diving, and recreational snorkeling.

The islet was made popular when the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Championship was held here. Today, it is a bustling bolthole that is busy all year round, especially popular with locals.

TIP: You can visit this beautiful beach in combination with a whale watching tour from Ponta Delgada. Or you can just take a boat to the islet from Vila Franca do Campo harbor, spend some time on the island, and return when you had enough. Boats run regularly and cost about 10 euros round-trip (kids free of charge).

Good to know: If you are not interested in swimming or snorkeling, there’s actually not that much to do on the islet… There’s a walking path towards the top, but it’s usually closed due to nesting birds, and the amazing aerial view is much more special in all the drone pictures than what you see on the island itself. You can walk around a bit, watch the waves and the birds, and take the next boat back. It’s something nice to do if you have an hour or two to spare, but don’t feel like you absolutely have to go to the island itself.

TIP: The islet is actually nicer when seen from a distance (e.g. from the viewpoint at Nossa Senhora da Paz Chapel) or from the boat. We took this whale watching tour that also circles this islet and it was much more impressive than visiting the islet itself.

16. Hiking in São Miguel

Sao Miguel is called the ‘Green Island’ because of its lush mountainous landscape. Hiking is, therefore, one of the best outdoor activities in São Miguel.

Every trail flaunts patches of trees, patchwork fields, valleys of streams, and/or occasional waterfalls. Make your hiking adventure unforgettable by taking at least one of the hiking trails. Below are just a few of our favorites, but there are so many more amazing hikes in Sao Miguel!

Sete Cidades Caldera Hike

• Difficulty: Medium
• Duration: 3 hours
• Distance: 11.8 km

The Sete Cidades Caldera hike (PRC04 SMI) is one of the most beautiful hikes in Sao Miguel! It takes you along the caldera of the famous Sete Cidades with jaw-dropping views of the lakes and the sea during the entire hike.

Good to know: This hike is a one-way hike that can be done as a loop, but that would make it about twice as long. The best way to do this is by leaving your car at the start of the hike at the parking of Aqueduto Muro das Nove Janeas, and then take a taxi from the Sete Cidades village back.

TIP: If you don’t feel like arranging the transportation by yourself, you can also do this hike with this organized tour from Ponta Delgada. They take care of transportation, lunch, and even provide a hiking pole. The tour also includes a stop at the natural hot pool by the ocean in Ferraria (mentioned higher above), so pack your swimwear and a towel.

Another option is to rent an electric mountain bike and explore this same route by bike. Going by e-bike, you can easily do an entire loop (and see other amazing places in the area) in just a few hours. They also provide a GPS with a recorded audio tour covering all the best sights, so you don’t have to worry about losing your way. We couldn’t do this because our youngest kids were too small for the bikes, but otherwise, it’s one of the best ways to explore the Sete Cidades area.

Praia – Lagoa do Fogo Hike

• Duration: 4 hours
• Distance: 11 km

The Lagoa do Fogo, or Lake of Fire, trail (PRC2SMI) is an 11km linear roundtrip trail that takes you to the shore of the eponymous crater lake.

Good to know: Lagoa do Fogo is located in the center of the island, but the trailhead of this hike can be found along the south coast. We indicated it on our map at the top of the article.

The trail begins on a dirt road. It then winds through farming lands, pastures, ruins of an ancient fiber-producing factory, and traverses a dam to enter the valley of Ribeira da Praia.

TIP: You can also do this hike with this tour . So it’s possible even if you don’t have a car or don’t feel like navigating the map yourself (although all the trails in the Azores are really well indicated). Or – if you just want to see the lake from above – drive to one of the viewpoints on top and potentially hike down to the lake from Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo.

Faial da Terra – Salto do Prego

• Duration: 2 hours
• Distance: 4.5 km

The Salto do Prego (PRC9SMI) is a 4.5km circular hiking trail that starts near the bus stop of Faial da Terra, located on the far southeastern side of the island.

Along the trail, you will come across beautiful orchards, thick rainforest vegetation, small family farms, and a bridge over a stream that takes you to the base of the Salto do Prego waterfall (more info below).

This hike also passes an old village of Sanguinho . Previously abandoned, now under restoration, a visit to this village gives you a unique perspective into what life is like in this remote part of the island.

17. Waterfalls

If you love waterfalls, São Miguel will not disappoint. Here are some of the most beautiful waterfalls to check out on the island:

Salto do Cabrito Waterfall

Streaming in Ribeira Grande, 20km northwest from Ponta Delgada, Salto do Cabrito embellishes the hiking trail PRC29SMI. But also if you are not interested in hiking, you can simply drive down almost all the way to this waterfall. The road is a bit bumpy at first and very steep afterwards, but the steep part is in very good condition, and so easily doable in a regular car.

Next to the waterfall, there are stairs leading to a metal path on a water pipe. This bridge can feel scary for those with a fear of heights but too tempting for thrill-seekers.

TIP: In summer, you can go swimming here. The water isn’t very warm, but also not so cold that you couldn’t enjoy it. It’s a perfect place to cool off after all the exploring and hiking!

Salto do Prego Waterfall

Salto do Prego is found on the Faial da Terra – Salto do Prego hiking trail (mentioned higher above). The trail to the waterfall is steep but not too difficult. It’s a pleasant hike of 45-60 min one way and full of stunning views.

The waterfall itself is one of the most beautiful on the island. It boasts eye-popping hues of turquoise, green, and blue.

You can plunge in its cold water – and yes, it’s very cold here, even in summer. So if you are planning to go swimming here, be sure to wear your swimming clothes as you hike and jump in as soon as you arrive – you’ll be warm after all the uphill hiking when you get here, but you’ll soon cool off in the shadow of the forest at the falls and won’t feel like swimming anymore…

Waterfalls in Parque Natural dos Caldeirões

Located on the north coast, Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões is a small beautifully maintained park that is home to several old water mills and two magnificent waterfalls. The falls are just 600 m apart and easy to reach via well-kept walking paths.

The first waterfall is the main attraction that gushes its way down from a tree-clung cliff. The second one is housed in a meadow-like setting, that is different but equally picturesque.

The park is free to visit. There are a little gift shop, bathroom facilities, and a small café here as well.

18. Adventure Tours & Fun Outdoor Activities

When looking for the best things to do in Sao Miguel, check out the big variety of fun outdoor activities and adventurous tours on the island. From e-biking, kayaking, quad tours, to canyoning and rappelling , you’ll find plenty to do in the Azores!

Most of these activities are quite easy and could be classified as soft-adventure. Most tours are family-friendly and we even saw a group of 75+’s in their canyoning gear. So there truly is something for everyone!

Here are some of the best outdoor experiences in Sao Miguel:

• Caldeirões Canyoning Experience (age 10-99).
• ATV Quad Tour at Sete Cidades (a valid driver’s license obligatory for the person driving the quad).
• Kayak Rental & Tours (all ages).
• Rent an Electric Mountain Bike at Sete Cidades (from 155cm (5ft 1)).

Practical Tips for Visiting São Miguel

How much time do you need.

São Miguel is the biggest island in the Azores with a long list of really nice places to visit. With so many extraordinary things to do in São Miguel, it is best to plan enough time on the island. As a minimum, you need 3-4 days in Sao Miguel . That will give you just enough time to see all the ‘musts’.

However, we suggest staying for at least a week in Sao Miguel to explore both, Eastern as well as Western sides of the island. That way, you will have 3 days to spread equally about both sides of the island and still be left with one day to ensure laid-back arrival and relaxed departure.

Where to stay

Where to stay in São Miguel depends on how much time you have, whether you are planning to rent a car, and if you prefer to stay in one place or choose two different bases for exploring the island.

With great bus facilities, taxis, tours, and rental cars on the island, you can easily stay in one place and make day trips from there. It will result in some extra travel time (getting across the island takes approximately one hour), but it will save you from having to pack and relocate.

Good to know: If you rent a car , you can choose any centrally located accommodation in the middle of the southern or northern coast. Just make sure that your accommodation has easy parking – it’s really a must! If you are not renting a car or want to take many tours, then Ponta Delgada is the best place to be.

If you have about a week and prefer to stay in two different locations , we suggest spending 3-4 days in the east, and 3-4 days in the west. For the eastern side, we recommend Furnas ( Terra Nostra Garden Hotel is a great choice there). Whereas Ponta Delgada town or the Ribeira Grande area is a good base for the western part.

Recommendation based on our personal experience: If you are visiting for at least a few days, we recommend renting a car . For a longer vacation in Sao Miguel stay at one of the beautiful seaside resorts with a good central location. On the northern coast, we once spent more than a week at Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa . On another trip, we stayed for 5 nights in Caloura Hotel Resort on the southern coast.

Both are excellent places to stay, with amazing sea views, easy parking, great facilities, and a very good central location for sightseeing. Another really nice and highly-rated resort on the south coast is Pestana Bahia Praia Nature & Beach Resort .

For more information and hotel suggestions, please check our complete guide to Sao Miguel accommodations via the link below!

LEARN MORE: Where to Stay in Sao Miguel

Is São Miguel worth it?

São Miguel is one of the most beautiful islands to visit in the Azores and yes, it’s absolutely worth a trip! It has a great mix of adventurous activities like hiking and whale watching, relaxing beaches, thermal pools, and stunning pristine nature. Dotted with specialty local eateries, one-of-a-kind European charm, and centuries-old landmarks, this stunning island offers a lot to see and do.

Besides the natural essence, São Miguel also boasts modern facilities like treatment-laden spas, picnic facilities and public bathrooms at viewpoints, housed baths on beaches, and beautiful resorts in romantic-style gardens.

In a nutshell, this Atlantic-locked paradise is a lovely vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Its unique ability to turn from romantic to adventurous and vice versa makes Sao Miguel a perfect vacation spot for honeymooners, thrill-chasers, backpackers, and holidaymakers alike. You’ll find plenty of great things to do in São Miguel and only wish you had stayed longer…

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Sao Miguel and other Azores Islands is in summer, between June and August. These are the driest months of the year. But this is also the most popular time and flights and accommodations are really expensive.

May and September – October are a bit of the shoulder months and can also be really nice, with fewer crowds and better deals. In any case, you should always pack layers and be prepared for changeable weather.

Because of the rather mild weather, the Azores can be visited the whole year round. If you don’t mind somewhat more unpredictable weather and are looking for fewer crowds, you can easily visit the islands in the lower season as well. Even in winter, the temperatures are comfortable, with an average of 12-19°C (54-66°F).

Getting to Sao Miguel

Sao Miguel is the main island of the Azores with direct flights to many international destinations , especially in the high summer season.

You can fly to Sao Miguel directly from many European countries, from Madeira, but also from the USA. There are direct flights from Boston and United just announced a new route from NY Newark Airport as well. And if you don’t find a direct flight, you can always get here via Lisbon as well.

Good to know: By far the best airline for traveling to the Azores is TAP Air Portugal . It has the best connections and the biggest offer of flights in all seasons.

So, this is our guide to the very best things to do in Sao Miguel. Just compiling this article and going through the pictures of our first trip, I felt very tempted to go back and explore deeper, and we actually did. As I’m updating this article, we have just returned from a two-week vacation in Sao Miguel, and it was just as great as the first time.

So I hope that you feel the same way and that we inspired you to visit this gem of the Atlantic! I also hope that our tips will help you to have a truly memorable trip to Sao Miguel in the Azores.

TIP: If you are also planning to visit other places in Portugal during this trip, check out our Portugal travel guide . Alternatively, take a look at the small selection of articles highlighted below.

More tips for your trip to mainland Portugal:

• Best Towns in Portugal
• Portugal Itinerary: Lisbon to Porto
• Best Things to Do in Lisbon
• One Day in Lisbon
• Best Things to Do in Sintra
• Best Day Trips from Lisbon
• What It’s Like to Visit Portugal in April
• Sintra Itinerary & Visit Info
• Nazaré
• Portugal with Kids
• Top Places to Visit in Algarve
• Algarve Itinerary
• Best Beaches in Algarve
• Benagil Cave
• Ponta da Piedade
• Best Towns in Algarve
• Seven Hanging Valleys Hike
• Kayaking in Algarve
• Best Water Parks in Algarve
• Best Things to Do in Lagos
• Best Things to Do in Albufeira

Travel inspiration for Madeira Island, Portugal:

• What to See in Madeira
• Best Things To Do in Funchal, Madeira
• Best Hikes in Madeira
• Hidden Gems of Madeira
• Whale Watching Madeira

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

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Sunday 9th of April 2023

Exceptional good and usefully review. Wish You added coordinates of the points of interest.

Tuesday 11th of April 2023

Hi Frans, you probably missed the map at the top of this post. It has the exact locations of every place mentioned in the article (and you can easily save this map to your Google account and use it on the go). Have a great trip!

Tuesday 9th of August 2022

Thanks Jurga for this informative guide, which I used to plan my Sao Miguel trip and currently spending my last few days out of 2 weeks here. Just want to mention at the Terra Nostra, no locker or shower, but changing rooms and toilet are available. They have paid locker and showers at Dona Beija. The best is Ferraria with the low tides. According to the local guides, they actually asked us NOT to shower right away after visiting the thermal pools to let the minerals sit with the skins. But yes, dark swim wears. He also said not to get the hair wet if dyed with colors. His wife is a hairdresser, so some words of wisdom! In any case, great tips!

Wednesday 10th of August 2022

Thanks for sharing your experience and tips, Amy. Happy travels!

Saturday 16th of July 2022

Hi Jurga, Just wanted to thank you for this fabulous guide! I referenced it everyday and you were spot on with all your descriptions. My family and I are winding up our stay and have hit almost all of the must do’s. S. Miguel is a beautiful island! Thanks for sharing your insight! Christine

Tuesday 19th of July 2022

Thank you for your kind feedback, Christine. Glad to hear you had a great time in the Azores. Happy travels!

Monday 18th of April 2022

Hi Jurga, I am new to your blog and love how comprehensive and beautiful your posts are. I am planning 10 days in the Azores this July and I am planning on spending 5 days in San Miguel and 4 days in Pico. Is it possible to take a car ferry from San Miguel to Pico as opposed to flying? I would prefer to keep one car for the full 10 days than flying. Thank-you!

Wednesday 20th of April 2022

Hi Lesley, while it might be possible in general (but I am not even sure it is - these islands are really far away from each other), I don't think any car rental company will allow you to take a car to another island and return it there. You would have to research this, but it seems like an unnecessary nuisance - it's so much easier, simpler, and likely much cheaper to just fly between these islands. From Pico, you can visit Faial on a day trip by ferry since it's so close. We did this once in the other direction (from Faial to Pico), but even there, we didn't take a car - just booked a guided tour for a day. I would just fly and wouldn't make it more complicated than it has to be. :)

Wednesday 20th of October 2021

Hi Jurga! Just wondering how easy it is to fly into the island? A few years ago we went to Madeira and it was an amazing trip but is a very tricky airport due to only having one runway into the side of the mountain. If there are high winds and the planes can’t make it in from mainland Portugal you could have your flight leaving be cancelled. It was with luck that we were able to reschedule for the next day but we paid a premium to get off the island.

Thursday 21st of October 2021

Hi Lori, I know exactly what you mean about Madeira airport. We once got stranded there as well and ended up spending the whole day at the airport before they let us leave to a hotel for a night. Not fun indeed. Madeira airport is world-known as one of the most tricky airports to land, together with places like Innsbruck in Austria. Luckily, Sao Miguel airport is much easier for pilots. I haven't heard of any common issues there. Unless there would be some serious storm, I don't think it's an issue. We have been to Sao Miguel a few times and never had any problems with flights. Fingers crossed it all goes well for you too!

5 Day Azores Itinerary: 26 Top Things to Do in São Miguel Island [Plus Map]

Floating 1,400 kilometres west of the Iberian Peninsula, São Miguel island is the jewel in the crown of the Azorean archipelago. This comprehensive 5-day guide show you the top things to do in São Miguel island plus where to say, where to eat, and when to go. Plus loads of bonus travel tips.

From thousands of years old bubbling geysers, to flower-lined winding roads, hikes spiraling around dormant volcanoes, and natural thermal pools scattered throughout the island, São Miguel island is a dream. Which is why I’ve prepared a comprehensive Azores travel guide!

If you’re not familiar with the Azores or need more convincing, check out my post on  why the Azores is Europe’s best-kept secret.

São Miguel Island

São Miguel island is the largest island in the Azores, measuring 62.1 km in length and 15.8 km at its maximum width. This means that depending on which roads you take, you can see both the north and south side of the island at the same time!

São Miguel island is also home to the Azores largest city and its capital: Ponta Delgada. The best part? Today, only 5-10% of the island is built-up, leaving the rest to nature. Excited yet?

With such a relatively small area to cover, basing yourself in Ponta Delgada and setting out on day trips around São Miguel is the best way to see everything the island has to offer.

During my five days in São Miguel, I divided the island up into five pockets which I used as my itinerary for each day. This worked so well for me and managing my time during the trip that I wanted to share it with you.

Whilst there is so much that can be done, seen, and explored in São Miguel island, my complete and ultimate itinerary ensures that you will see and experience the best of the island.

I’ve covered everything including accommodation, car rental, where to eat and how to manage your days around the temperamental Azorean weather.

Five Things You Should Know

Before we jump in, here are five important things you should know about this itinerary to São Miguel.

• If you’re visiting São Miguel for the first time, this guide is for you! This guide assumes you have no prior knowledge of the island and its incredible beauty. Boy, are you in for a surprise!
• You’ll need a car to get around. I recommend hiring a car here as there is little to no public transport. Plus, having a car will give you the freedom to start and end your days on your terms.   Compare the best car rental prices here.
• I’ve tried to find a balance between quality and quantity. That being said, how often do you get to go to the Azores? For some, this might be a once-off experience and you want to see as much as possible. The best part of this itinerary is that you can adjust it to suit your needs and personal preferences. For each daily bucket list, each location is no more than 30 minutes from the next, which gives you total flexibility should you prefer to linger a bit longer at any location.
• It allows for last-minute itinerary changes. Something I wasn’t prepared for was how quickly the weather changes in the Azores. When the heavens open up and clouds roll in, some of the best viewpoints are…well, invisible! My advice? Keep track of the weather constantly and check the conditions of the locations before you go. You can either the  SpotAzores website or app. It’s a total game changer! Luckily, the size of the island allows you to zigzag around in case you need to chase good weather. To give you an idea, getting from the east to west coast will take no longer than 90 minutes.
• Keep a towel handy. There are lots of thermal pools and beaches on this itinerary so make sure you come prepared. Bring an old swimsuit, I’ll tell you why later. Just take my word for it.

So, without further ado, here are the top things to do in São Miguel island.

Looking for something in particular? Use these links to jump around.

Included in this guide to São Miguel

• Map of São Miguel Itinerary
• Day 1 itinerary
• Day 2 itinerary
• Day 3 itinerary
• Day 4 itinerary
• Day 5 itinerary

Getting to the Azores

Where to stay in são miguel, são miguel flight and hotels packages, map of são miguel island itinerary.

Want to know where you’ll be going? Take a look at the detailed map below.

Tip: For a larger view of the map, click on the icon in the top right corner.

Click on this interactive map and see where this itinerary will take you. I’ve created this map using Google Maps which you can save and use as you travel around the island.

The coloured pins represent different pockets of the island to explore each day. Click on any pin for more information. Day 1 – Purple pins Day 2 – Green pins Day 3 – Turquoise pins Day 4 – Yellow pins Day 5 – Pink pins

Day 1 Itinerary – Purple pins

Saving the best till last isn’t always the smartest idea, at least not in the Azores.

Visiting Sete Cidades requires good weather otherwise you risk seeing very little. That’s why I recommend that on your first day, you aim to visit the western part of the island. That way, if the weather isn’t in your favour you can easily try again the following day.

Sete Cidades

Chances are that if you Googled the Azores, you most likely saw a picture of the Sete Cidades. It’s the postcard of the island and quite possibly the Azores.

Sete Cidades literally means, ‘seven cities’ and is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal. The views over Sete Cidades and its lakes are nothing short of impressive and awe-inspiring.

Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Lake of the Seven Cities)

At its centre, there are two lakes, one green and the other blue which are separated by a bridge.

According to legend, the lakes were formed from the tears of a shepherd and a princess who shared a forbidden love because of their different social status. They say that the last time they met, their tears formed the lakes. The tears of the blue-eyed shepherd formed the blue lake while the those of green-eyed princess created the green lake.

The less romantic version explains the colour difference is due to the fact that the surrounding vegetation causes the light to reflect differently.

Either way, it’s still an impressive sight!

Lagoa das Sete Cidades can be enjoyed from numerous vantage points, each offering a new and wonderful perspective.

Miradouro da Vista Do Rei (Viewpoint Of The King)

Appropriately translating to, Viewpoint Of The King, this may be the first glimpse you’ll see if Sete Cidades. Not a bad introduction! The best part of the Sete Cidades is that it can be enjoyed in different ways, including taking any one of the hiking trails.

There is also an elevated dirt road, which is quite narrow at some points, which spirals around the lake. You can both walk or drive along this road whilst enjoying the different perspectives over the lakes.

Miradouro da Boca do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth Viewpoint)

Take a moment here and try to comprehend how old this land is. This volcanic crater is 22,000 years old!

Tips on Getting to Boca do Inferno Viewpoint

• Blink and you’ll miss the entrance! Whether you’re coming from Vista do Rei or from Ponta Delgada (South East) the entrance looks like more a concealed driveway. Avoid taking any turnoffs that will take you down to the Sete Cidades village. Look out for a blue sign indicating a stop 100 metres ahead.
• Depending on how early you get there, some cars may already be parked outside making the entrance more obvious. It’s here you’ll see the Lagoa Do Canário sign. Turn down the dirt road and park your car.
• At this point there are a lot of tall trees, continue on foot for less than five minutes until you see the stairs.
• From here, it’s just 5 minutes away from the viewpoint.

Tips on Visiting Boca do Inferno

• Time: Allow 1-2 hours to wander around, get some great photos, and savour the moment.
• Price:  Both entrance and parking are free!
• Pro Tip #1: For awesome moody shots come here just before the sunset. Note that the gates close at 4pm on weekdays and at 7pm on weekends.
• Pro Tip #2: This place gets busy! So, go early. When I went it was at the end of the season and I arrived as soon as the gates opened at 8:30. I literally had 10 minutes alone before other people started arriving. By the time I left at 10am, cars were parked all the way out back onto the main road.
• Pro Tip #3: Remember to check the weather. Suns out, guns out. When the sun shines here, the landscape comes alive with vibrant colours.

After enjoying the views from above, head down towards the lovely quaint village of Sete Cidades. Along the way, you’ll pass over the bridge that separates the blue and green lakes. Stop here and say hi to the birdlife on the banks before continuing into town.

Fancy a bike ride or kayaking in the lake? In town, you’ll find a few hire shops. Not a bad way to pass the afternoon.

Not to be missed in town is the lovely village Church of Saint Nicholas (Igreja de São Nicolau) . The beautiful tree-lined promenade leading to the entrance is worth stopping by for.

Ponta da Ferraria

Put on your swimsuit, it’s time to relax in Ponta da Ferraria geothermal spring.

Not only is the location itself unique, sitting at the base of a giant lava rock cliff, but the spring opens up to the ocean creating a wonderful mix of hot and cold water that dances around your body.

Also located here are housed thermal baths with an outdoor swimming pool and restaurant. Visit Termas da Ferraria for more information.

Tips on Visiting Ponta da Ferraria

• Time: Allow 2 hours to bathe then relax at the kiosk with a beer in hand.
• Price: Entrance and parking are free!
• Pro Tip: Go at low tide to avoid be scalded. Ouch!

The cherry on the sundae is ending your day at Mosteiros.

Mosteiros is a civil parish which saw its first settlers around 1480. The name Mosteiros, means monastery in Portuguese and refers to the nearby islets, the largest of which is shaped like a church.

Come here an hour or so before sunset. Cosy up either on the beach or head around to the rocks on the right and watch the water crash over the boulders. Soon enough the sky will turn electric purple bringing this magical day to an end.

Day 2 Itinerary – Green pins

Today, we’re exploring the east and southeastern parts of the island.

The Nordeste and Pedreira districts are some of the wildest and most remote parts of São Miguel island. The sea cliffs are stand tall and steep, the vegetation is thicker and more vibrant, and the roads are more sinuous. Everything in this area is worth stopping your car for.

Ponta da Madrugada Lookout

Start your day early and head east! Watching the sunrise from the famous Ponta da Madrugada (literally means, Dawn Point) is a must! The drive coastal drive here alone is truly one of the most beautiful roads I’ve ever driven on.

Bring some breakfast, sit at any of the picnic tables and enjoy the sunrise over the vast blue Atlantic ocean.

Arnel Lighthouse

Take a slight detour north and visit the beautiful octagonal cylindrical lighthouse, Faro do Arnel. This was the first lighthouse built in the Azores used by ships arriving from mainland Portugal.

There is a wonderful spiral road leading to the lighthouse, but the best view of both the lighthouse and the road is from Miradouro da Vista dos Barcos (Viewpoint of the boats). Keep an eye out for road signs indicating the lookout on your right-hand side.

Tips on Getting to Arnel Lighthouse

• Pro tip: Once arrived, I strongly recommend parking the car and continuing on foot. The spiral road down is 35º. Don’t risk stranding your rental car on the return trip.

Ponta do Sossego Viewpoint

Lagoa das Furnas

Sitting in Furnas Valley, home to dozens of thermal springs, fumaroles and geysers, is Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas Lagoon). This lagoon is one of the three main lagoons in São Miguel.

The valley is in fact a volcanic crater which has been dormant since 1630, when the last eruption occurred.

Capela de Nossa Senhora das Vitórias

Also worth visiting here is the Capela de Nossa Senhora das Vitórias dedicated to Our Lady of the Victories. This funerary chapel was built by José do Canto, a gentleman-farmer of São Miguel, after his beloved wife passed away from a terminal illness. When José eventually died, he was buried alongside his wife, fullfulling his wishes.

There is a lovely view of the lagoon and the chapel from a jetty as you approach the chapel.

With a complicated 100,000 year history, the central caldera of the Furnas Volcano is a naturally explosive trachyte structure composed of two main calderas, that through formation, collapse and explosion have marked the natural history of the massif.

Caldeiras das Furnas and Fumaroles from Lagoa das Furnas

On the opposite end of the lagoon are the Caldeiras hot springs where the famous local dish Cozido das Furnas (Furnas stew) is prepared and transported to location restaurants.

A path navigates around the holes of boiling water and geysers where the stew is cooked.

While the dish itself might not be your best meal of the trip, it is, nonetheless worth trying. I mean, how often do you eat a meal cooked by Mother Nature herself?

Where to Eat Furnas Stew (Cozido das Furnas)

Each day several restaurants located in Furnas village send their stews to be cooked in the Caldeiras. The two most noteworthy are Tony’s and the restaurant at  Terra Nostra Garden Hotel.  Eating at Terra Nostra Garden Hotel also gets you complimentary access to Terra Nostra park and the thermal pool.

Furnas Village

Head to the main village and see how the locals live alongside thirty springs and geysers each with different temperatures and chemical compositions. These range from warm iron-rich streams to mineral-rich warm and cold water. The air here is literally filled with sulphur.

Owing to a population of several thousand people who live within and around its caldera, Furnas is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the archipelago. The first recorded eruption occurred in 1440, just after early settlers started populating the coasts of São Miguel.

Terra Nostra Park

Covering 12 hectares, Terra Nostra Park is one of the most beautiful gardens in Europe boasting lush vegetation, over 2,000 different trees, peaceful promenades, lilypad-covered ponds, and a huge thermal pool.

Bathing in the ferrous orange thermal pool at Terra Nostra Park is one of the island’s postcard experiences. Full of essential minerals, the thermal spring heats the water to 35 – 40 degrees Celsius (95 – 140F).

  A post shared by Michele • The Intrepid Guide✈︎ (@intrepidguide) on Dec 17, 2017 at 7:57am PST

Tips on Visiting Terra Nostra Park

• Duration: Allow at least 1 hour to explore the gardens then half an hour to relax in the thermal pool.
• Price: 8 euros, includes access to the park thermal pool and showers.
• Pro tip #1: Don’t wear your favourite swimsuit though, the minerals will leave your whites looking a little orange. Wear something old and dark.
• Pro tip #2:  Go here on a cloudy or gloomy day. Save that sunshine for visiting places at higher altitude. Plus, having a hot bath feels so much better when it’s cold.

Poça da D. Beija Thermal Spa (Optional)

While the thermal experience is similar at Poça Dona Beija, swimming in those at Parque Terra Nostra is more of a novelty because of the orange water. Unless you really love your thermal experience, there’s no need to do both.

Poça da D. Beija offers a more authentic experience with it’s complex of newly refurbished five outdoor pools at various temperatures. Since they’re open till 11pm daily, why not stay for a romantic evening dip.

Tips on Visiting Poça da D. Beija Thermal Springs

• Duration: Anything from 1 hour
• Price: Entrance fee is 4 euros in Poça Dona Beija

Day 3 Itinerary – Blue pins

Lagoa do fogo.

One of the most beautiful yet difficult to see places on the island is Lagoa do Fogo. Literally translating to ‘Fire lake’, only on my third visit did the clouds part to reveal this impressive lake.

Lagoa do Fogo sits in a crater with a maximum depth of 30 metres. This is the island’s highest lagoon (sitting 575 metres) and the second biggest.

Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo (Lookout)

If you reach the lookout and find the area drowning in cloud or fog, allow 15 minutes or so for it to pass (fingers crossed) it’s amazing how quickly the weather changes up there.

View from Pico da Barrosa

Once you arrive at Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo, take the path down to the beach. After thirty minutes you’ll reach the unspoiled shoreline.

Tips for Visiting Lagoa do Fogo

• Duration: Anything from 1 hour, allow more time if heading down to the beach
• Price: Free 🙂
• Pro tip 1: Check the weather ahead of time. Having said that, even on a sunny day there can still be lots of cloud cover. Be patient and wait a little before leaving. You may need to return another day.
• Pro tip 2:  Since this is a Natural Reserve it’s important to be as respectful as possible. Don’t leave any rubbish/trash behind or go swimming if you’re wearing sunscreen.
• Pro tip 3: Located higher up overlooking Lagoa do Fogo is Pico da Barrosa.  Weather permitting, you’ll be able to see both the north and south coastlines of the island. Pretty cool!

Caldeira Velha

Located a few minutes down the road on the north slope of the Fogo Volcano is Caldeira Velha, a scenic nature preserve featuring lush vegetation, a waterfall, and hot springs. I love this place because it’s not located near a town and the towering trees make you feel like you’re at one with nature.

Located in Caldeira Velha is a park are two stone-walled naturally heated pools. Both surrounded by lush vegetation, the smaller one is 38º while the largest is 21º.

Tips for Visiting Caldeira Velha

• Duration:  You can’t rush relaxing. You’ll need anywhere between 1.5-3 hours to really it enjoy it. Price: The entrance is 2 Euros (as per 2017).
• Pro tip #1: Same rules apply regarding your swimsuit. Wear something old and dark to reduce the signs of orange stains thanks to the mineral-rich water.
• Pro tip #2: There are lockers, changing rooms and showers, but be prepared for the cold water. It’s invigorating to say the least.

Salto do Cabrito

Salto do Cabrito, literally meaning ‘Kid’s Jumping’, has a 40 metre high waterfall. Next to the base of the water is a circular pedestrian route that sits high up amongst the thick foliage.

Miradouro de Santa Iria

Located in a ravine above the sea, the Santa Iria lookout offers a superb view over Santa Iria Bay and the northern coastline of the island.

This viewpoint is very close to the main road and has a small car park both near the main road and down the short road leading to the viewpoint.

Itinerary Day 4 – Yellow pins

Starting in the north-east of São Miguel island, begin your day at Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park before making your way down to the picturesque islet of Vila Franca on the south coast.

Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park

With flowing streams and three large cascading waterfalls, Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park is not to be missed.

It’s an idyllic spot for hikers to walk along rock-cut paths that wind through the mountains. The rainforest trails invite you to explore the lush landscape with endless photo opportunities along the way.

Gorreana Tea Plantation

This family-owned business has been operating since 1883. There is a museum with free tastings, but this place is best experienced outside amongst the plantation itself where there is a magnificent view overlooking the Atlantic ocean.

Tips for Visiting Gorreana Tea

• Duration: 1 hour is enough to go through the premises and sip on a cup of tea.
• Price: Free
• Pro tip: Whether you enjoy tea, the process of making it or not, the views alone are worth the visit. If you do, there are free tea tastings inside.

Vila Franca Islet

Vila Franca do Campo was once the capital of the Azores but lost its status after it had been almost completely destroyed by a massive earthquake in 1522. From then on the capital of São Miguel was transferred to Ponta Delgada.

Sitting opposite the town of Vila Franca do Campo is the beautiful islet formed as a result of a crater of an ancient submerged volcano. At approximately 300 metres in length, this is the smallest islet I’ve ever seen!

It’s enclosed bay makes it the ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling. During the summer months, the islet can be reached by a regular boat connection from the Vila Franca marina. Get your tickets online.

Tips for Visiting Vila Franca Islet

• Duration: Allow yourself at least 3 hours here.
• Price: 5 Euros
• Pro tip #1: During high tide the small beach is complete covered, grab a spot in the concrete area instead to avoid being washed out.
• Pro tip #2: Please be respectful of the island and leave nothing behind but footprints.

Our Lady of Peace Chapel

High up on the hills overlooking Vila Franca and the Atlantic ocean is Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz, a stunning 16th-century chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Peace.  According to the legend, this chapel was built after the apparition of Virgin Mary to a shepherd, in a cave.

Day 5 Itinerary – Pink pins

Swimming with dolphins and whale-watching (from ponta delgada).

What could be better than spending the morning with Atlantic Spotted dolphins and Humpback and Sperm whales?

For two hours I swam with dolphins and observed these playful creatures in their natural environment. There were literally hundreds of them! Jump in and enjoy watching these majestic mammals, play, feed, and poop. (Look out for those white trails. Haha) You’ll definitely want to capture this once in a lifetime experience.

I went out with Picos de Aventura , who were amazing. The customer service was great and the two guides on board were patient, professional, and super passionate about their work and the wellbeing of the marine life.

Picos de Aventura offer diving trips, whale watching, and swimming with dolphins and gear hire. I love my whales but this time I wanted to see the action underwater so opted for the swimming trip. 

The Azores attract many species of cetaceans which makes heading out in the ocean a must-do activity. If you can, plan your trip between April and June for the best whale watching. For dolphins, I saw plenty of them in September. They were also still running whale watching trips.

• Book a whale and dolphins watching expedition in São Miguel here
• Book your swimming with the dolphin’s tour here

Tips for Swimming with Dolphins in São Miguel

• Duration: The trip last 3 hours, this includes the time it takes to reach the dolphins and return to shore on the RIB boat.
• Price: Tours start from 75 Euros for a 3-hour trip.
• Pro tip #1: If you suffer from lower back problems or are pregnant, do not go on this trip. The RIB boat ride is pretty intense.
• Pro tip #2:  Take sea sickness tablets. If you’re not accustomed to swimming in the open ocean, chances are you feel nauseous. At least 3 others on the tour did. Come prepared.
• Pro tip #3:  The water is very choppy. If you’re not a confident swimmer, speak with the guides to advise you if this is right for you. I honestly struggled the first few stops we made, then I learned to relax and avoid wasting my energy on swimming too much.

Tips for Whale-Watching in São Miguel

• Duration: The trip last 3 hours
• Price: Tours start from 55 Euros
• Pro tip #1:  Whale watching is big business and many tour companies break certain laws in order to get their boats as close as possible to the whales and boasts being the best tour. They are actually breaking the law when they do this. Both safety and ethical regulations are in place to protect the well-being on the whales so make sure you go out with a trusted company, such as Picos de Aventura .
• Tours depart morning, early afternoon, and evening from both Ponta Delgada and Vila Franca marinas.
• Tours book out quickly so secure your spot at least a few ahead of the tour.

Ponta Delgada

  A post shared by Michele • The Intrepid Guide✈︎ (@intrepidguide) on Oct 19, 2017 at 10:54am PDT

With all of the island’s treasures now under your belt, it’s time to explore the Azores capital city, Ponta Delgada.

I’ve written a dedicated post to all the sights of Ponta Delgada, but here are a few highlights.

• Portas da Cidade (City Gates)
• Parish Church of São Sebastião
• Campo de São Francisco
• São Bras Forte (Open 10am – 6pm, Closed Saturday & Sunday)
• António Borges Botanical Garden (Open everyday 9am – 8:30pm)
• A. Arruda Pineapple Plantation (Open everyday 9am – 8pm )
• Hermitage of the Mother of God – End your day here at sunset for best view over Ponta Delgada.

António Borges Botanical Garden

Ponta Delgada is a relatively small so you can cover a lot of ground just on foot. Allow 1-2 hours each at the São Bras Forte, António Borges Botanical Garden, and A. Arruda Pineapple Plantation.

For more information about Ponta Delgada, use my complete guide to the city here.

Where to Eat in Ponta Delgada

Bacalhau, Portuguese for cod, is considered to be an iconic dish of Portugal. My Portuguese boyfriend enjoyed this salted cod with vegetable dish at Calçada do Cais in Ponta Delgada.

Running parallel with the seafront Rua dos Mercadores is one of the main thoroughfares. Here you’ll find some of the island’s best restaurants including Calçada do Cais, and further north, A Tasca .

Other highly recommended restaurants include Adega Regional ,  Rotas da Ilha Verde (vegetarian-friendly) ,  Boca de Cena (seafood),  Casa Do Bife O Galego (steakhouse),  Restaurant Sao Pedro (seafood).

Essential Azores Travel Information

Getting to the Azores is easier than you might think. You can hop on a boat or catch a plane.  Direct flights depart from the USA, Canada, UK, Sweden, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Portugal, France, Germany, and Finland.

SATA / Azores Airlines offer the most routes with other operators such as TAP Portugal, Primera, TUI, Germania, Ryanair, and Delta offering regular flights to the Azores. My advice would be to fly from Porto, Lisbon or London where tickets are considerably cheaper. Compare deals and book your flight here.

The gateway to the Azores is located in Ponta Delgada with most flights connecting here.

Pro Tip: In some cases, you may be eligible to get a FREE inter-island connecting flight. Find out more here 

Heading to Portugal? Download my free Portuguese Travel Phrase guide here.

Where to Stay in the Azores

Booking.com offers a lot of accommodation options in the Azores, from charming guesthouses to typical houses surrounded by nature. To make your life easier, I’ve put together a list of the best-reviewed hotels, guesthouses, and villas in the Azores.

If you are coming to the Azores, chances are you’ll most likely be at least spending a few days on the largest island, São Miguel.

VIP Executive Azores Hotel

For the week I was there, I stayed at 4-star VIP Executive Azores Hotel . This is the largest hotel on the island and includes all the comforts of home. There is an excellent gym, an interior swimming pool, squash court, bar, free covered private parking, a beauty salon with hairdresser, and Wireless Internet service. With a great view of the town and ocean and surrounding landscape, VIP Executive Azores is a 10-minute walk into town.

For an alternative accommodation option, I would recommend renting out an apartment or room through Airbnb. Cute Airbnb options are popping up all over the island so you’ll find some really beautiful places at very affordable prices.  Airbnb has numerous options from as low as US$36 per night.

If it’s your first time using Airbnb get US$65 OFF here or get £50 OFF your first stay here , when you sign up using my unique reader referral links.

Otherwise, check out these top-rated hotels!

Need more options? No problem. Here is a list of pre-selected hotels, villas, and guesthouses in São Miguel with excellent ratings . The list only includes rooms with wifi and top reviews, so you can’t go wrong!

Azores Getaways  offer great prices on flight and hotel packages to the Azores. There are packages starting from 320 USD for 7 nights accommodation with return flights to London.

I recommend using Azores Getaways if you:

• Are travelling from Europe or the United States.
• Want to visit the best spots but don’t much to do all the research
• Want someone else to book and organise everything for you

Browse their offers and packages here.

Alternatively, use this itinerary and book it all yourself. I always use  Skyscanner to book flights and Booking.com for finding accommodation .

Visiting Portugal? Brush up on the local language with my free Portuguese travel phrase guide.

Got more time? Take a day trip!

• Ponta Delgada Walking Tour
• Swim with Dolphins in the Azores
• Fogo Lake Quad Bike Full-Day Small-Group Tour with Lunch
• Azores Canyoning and Thermal Baths Tour
• Half-Day Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour
• Whale and dolphins watching expedition in São Miguel
• Furnas Volcano and Lake Full-Day Tour with Lunch
• Pico do Ferro Trail Hike and Light Yoga on São Miguel Island
• Plus loads more here …

Don’t miss these Portugal travel guides

11 reasons why you should visit the azores in portugal, top 10 things to do in ponta delgada (the jewel of the azores).

• 34 Best Things to do in Madeira, Portugal (The Ultimate Guide)
• 12 Awesome Things to do in Funchal, Madeira (Includes Travel Tips & Top-Rated Tours)
• 20 TOP Things to do in Porto Santo Island // A Perfect Day Trip from Madeira

Like it? Pin it for later!

Sources Visit Azores | Wikipedia |  Geeky Explorer

Over to you!

Do you have a question about visiting the Azores or São Miguel island? Ask me below! Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

Like what you see? Subscribe using the form below to have all of my posts delivered directly to your email.

Michele creates language learning guides and courses for travel. What separates her from other instructors is her ability to explain complex grammar in a no-nonsense, straightforward manner using her unique 80/20 method. Get her free guide 9 reasons you’re not fluent…YET & how to fix it! Planning a trip? Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today!

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Top 10 things to do in ponta delgada..., 11 reasons why you should visit the azores..., 27 comments.

Michele, thank you for this detailed guide. I was starting to wonder how I would plan a trip to San Miguel and if I should even try until I found this article. I now feel confident and so excited to go for it. I’m curious about what I should know about money there. What percentage can an American expect to be able to use a credit card there versus needing euros in currency to pay for things in restaurants, gas stations, and entrance fees?

Hi Mary, thank you so much for your lovely feedback 🙂 Most of the time, say 80-90% of the time I used my card. On the odd occasion, I needed cash so it’s definitely a good idea to carry some as a backup. Hope this helps 🙂

Michele, thank you for the amazing guide and tips. Me and my girlfriend spent 4 days on São Miguel and it has been the best trip in our lives. It is the hidden gem of Europe, indeed. All of the things you wrote here came out true, about the weather, getting up earlier to avoid crowds, using old swimming suit at thermal pools, staying a little bit more at Lagoa do Fogo miradouro to catch the glimpse of it, and just driving around and enjoying the very nature… It is truly magical, and I am happy to have experienced it all, thanks to you! It has been two months since our trip, I keep thinking about it every day and want to come back. Do you ever feel the same? Cheers! 🙂

Thank you so much for your feedback, Mirko. I’m so glad to hear my guide helped you and that you had a wonderful time. São Miguel definitely left a lasting impression on me too. So many wonderful memories and experiences to cherish for many years to come 🙂

Very useful and easy to read guide, thanks a lot!

My pleasure. Thank you, Angeles 🙂

Did you visit Ribeira Grande? And can you tell a little about language. I plan on learning some Portuguese but is English widely spoken? Thanks in advance.

Hi Carole, yes I did visit Ribeira Grande and I would definitely recommend you continue to learn Portuguese. It’s invaluable. English is spoken but it’s not something you can always rely on here. Good on you for taking it up though. Here is my Portuguese travel phrase guide which you may find useful 🙂 Have a wonderful trip!

You guide and tips are amazing, I’m happy to have stumbled here! I’m leaving for Azores in 3 weeks and cannot wait to explore and feel the beauty of San Miguel and Terceira!

Do you know what time usually the businesses (like the tea plantation, parks etc) closes in the summer months? I’ll be diving almost everyday until 1:30pm, and would love to still do other activities and checking things out in this guide. Just wonder if I should be aware of the business hours there.

Many thanks again!!

Hi Linh, my pleasure. I’m so happy to hear you find it helpful. You will have plenty of time to see a lot of places as they will close late. The Gorreana plantation closes at 7 pm everyday so you’ll have plenty of time. Miradouro de Santa Iria, Lagoa do Fogo don’t close as they are located next to the road. Caldeira Velha closes just after sunset, around 9 pm. Entry to Boca do inferno closes at 7 pm. Hope this helps 🙂

Hi Michele,

I’ve been here at Ponta Delgada for a while and i just wanna say MASSIVE THANKS for your guide – I’ve used it extensively and the tips are god sent, thank you so much again! The scenic drives have got to be the most beautiful I’ve ever seen in my life. wow!

Hi Linh, oh that’s amazing. I’m so happy my guide has helped you and that you’re having a wonderful time. You’re right, the scenic drives are one of the best things about the island. Enjoy the rest of your trip 🙂 Michele

Great article! I’ve started my research of Sao Miguel and so glad I stumbled upon this article. Is the picture of Franco Islet with a drone or from Our Lady of Peace? I would be going in November so no going to the Islet but would love a neat pic of it! With the weather being spotty I think it only makes sense to use Ponta Delgada as the base in case you need to switch up days due to weather.

Hi Valori, I used a drone to take this shot. You can see the islet from Our Lady of Peace but you will need a super zoom lens for this close up 🙂 Good luck and I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Your photos look gorgeous! Love the depth of your content and how useful your site is and how a good chunk of it is about learning language!

Hey Trang, thank you so much 🙂 I put a lot of work into my posts. So glad you’re enjoying it 🙂

Aww thank you so much Trang. I love learning and teaching which is what The Intrepid Guide is all about 🙂

love this blog! So i’m planning a trip also to azores islands, want to squeeze in also flores island. My question for Sao Miguel, did you stay in one hotel and everyday drive from the hotel to the pin points? Or did you drive to one area stay in a hotel there and then next pin points and stay in that area in a hotel?

Hi Sarit, I’m happy to hear this post has helped you 🙂 Yes, the best part of the Azores (and Sao Miguel) is that you can stay anywhere on the island and travel around. I stayed in Ponta Delgada for its centrality and convenience. Hope this helps 🙂

Some pics were loading slow but most of the ones I saw are spectacular! I’d love to make it here someday, thanks for the info!

This is so helpful! We are planning to be in Sao Miguel for 3 – 3.5 days. I am wondering if any if you think any of these day itineraries could be done in a half day?

Day 1 & 2 seem to be full days on their own. I am wondering if your Day 3 & 4 could be combined in some way as they are close together on the map. And with that, what would you recommend eliminating from those two days in order to do it all in one day? We will skip the whale watching and plan to stay in Ponta Delgada so can fit in some of those sites as well.

Thank you!!

Thanks Blair, I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed this guide. Day 3 and 4 could potentially be combined if you start your day early and be on the road by 8:30-9am. For it to work you would need to skip something Gorreana Tea Plantation (if you’re not a big tea fan) and going out to Vila Franca Islet. You can still see it from the shoreline from the Our Lady of Peace Chapel. I hope this helps 🙂

Hi Michelle, a great blog and an inspiring post. I’ve just added Sao Miguel to my to do list! Brava e complimenti!

Ciao Ciara! Grazie mille 🙂 Oh, I’m thrilled you’ve added Sao Miguel to your list. Please let me know if you have any questions when you start planning. 🙂

Thanks Michele. This is an amazing guide. I’ll be sure to use it when going to Sao Miguel.

My pleasure! thanks so much, Basil. I know you’ll have a great time! Any questions, let me know 🙂

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The 12 Best Things to Do on Sao Miguel Island, the Azores

Sao Miguel is the largest island in the Azores , and for most visitors, their first introduction to this archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic ocean.

It’s a nature-lovers paradise, full of great trails, pounding waves, and exceptional views. Its volcanic past is visible in the numerous hot springs (and unusual cooking techniques of some locals!)

There’s more to see there than you might expect, but Sao Miguel’s well-paved roads and relatively few visitors make it an easy place to explore. We’ve tracked down 12 of the best things to do on the island, from hiking to soaking in thermal pools, relaxing in beautiful gardens, cooling off under waterfalls, and much more.

Enjoy Stunning Views Over a Multi-Colored Lake

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

The views over the Sete Cidades lake are some of the most famous in the Azores, and Vista do Rei (the King’s View) viewpoint is the most popular place to do it.

Sitting inside the crater of an extinct volcano, a bridge divides the lake into two sections. They each have distinct colors (especially when the sun is out) due to the different vegetation surrounding each part.

Be sure to visit on a clear day if possible, as that’s when you’ll get those perfect postcard views. A dirt road runs along the top of the caldera, which you can walk or drive along to get a different perspective.

The abandoned Monte Palace hotel sits just beside the Vista do Rei viewpoint. It was possible to carefully explore the ruins for many years, but the site has now been purchased and boarded up in preparation for redevelopment.

Eat Lunch Cooked by a Volcano

Basing yourself in the pretty town of Furnas is a great alternative to staying in the capital of Ponta Delgada. Still, even day trippers can enjoy the biggest highlight of the area: eating a meal cooked, quite literally, by a volcano.

Nowhere else on the island is Sao Miguel’s volcanic nature quite so evident, with steam rising from several vents and mud pools around town. Locals take full advantage, burying food in the hot ground in the morning and retrieving it fully cooked a few hours later.

Tony’s Restaurant is one of the most well-known places to try the resulting cozido das Furnas, and it’s worth booking a table in advance. Be warned: the plates of steaming meat and vegetables are enormous!

Be Amazed by the Beauty at Boca do Inferno

Boca ​do Inferno translates as the Mouth of Hell, but on a sunny day, this viewpoint is likely to be one of the most beautiful places you’ve ever visited. With just an easy five-minute walk along a ridgeline, you’ll be presented with a panorama to which even the best photos can’t do justice.

Rugged craters, serene lakes, and vibrant green countryside all vie for attention, with the small town of Sete Cidades visible in the distance, and it’s one of the best places on Sao Miguel to see how volcanic activity has shaped the island.

When driving, follow the signs for Lagoa do Canário. Don’t park in the car park off the main road; instead, take the dirt road opposite for a few minutes until you reach the end. The boardwalk starts directly alongside where you park the car.

Bask in Hot Ocean Water

Looking for an unusual experience? Take a trip out to Ferraria on the island’s west coast, and you can swim in ocean water heated by hot springs.

There’s a spa and outdoor swimming pool beside the carpark with a 15 euro entry fee (5 euros to access the pool), but swimming in the natural cove nearby is free.

You’ll need to be careful if you opt for the latter, though—the water can get rough and is often uncomfortably hot at low tide. On the flip side, the temperature is barely affected by the hot springs at high tide, so check the tide times or ask locals if you’re unsure.

Be prepared for a steep, zig-zagging drive down the cliffs to the rocky shore. The spa/pool building has a restaurant available if you get hungry, and there are also changing rooms and toilets on site.

Visit a Lake Inside a Volcano

High up in the mountains, inside the crater of an extinct volcano, lies the gorgeous Lagoa do Fogo (Fogo Lake). On a clear day, you’ll get spectacular photos from the roadside viewpoint, but if you’ve got the time and mobility, it’s worth the steep half-hour descent to visit the lake.

Part of a nature reserve, the area is protected from development and feels unspoiled. Few other people try to hike down there, so you’ll likely have the sandy shoreline to yourself. Protected from the buffeting winds found at the viewpoint, it’s the perfect place to relax for a while amid the quiet, beautiful surroundings.

As you’d expect from such an isolated spot, there are no facilities at Lagoa do Fogo. Take your own food and drink down there, and bring everything back with you.

Bathe in Forested Hot Springs

Halfway down the winding road from Lagoa do Fogo en route to Ribeira Grande lies one of the island’s biggest attractions. Caldeira Velha is a group of natural hot springs in the middle of the lush rainforest, complete with its own waterfall.

The smaller pools are noticeably hotter, usually around 100 degrees F, and are perfect for when the temperature drops outside. The larger pool with the waterfall is much cooler, more like a warm bath.

Popular with tour groups and independent travelers alike, don’t expect to have the place to yourself in high season! Parking is on the road outside the entrance, which can get hectic sometimes. You’ll have a bit more space if you visit at the start or end of the day.

The hot spring has lockers, changing rooms, and cold showers available.

Visit the Oldest Lighthouse in the Azores

On the remote east coast of Sao Miguel lies Farol do Arnel, the oldest lighthouse in the Azores. It’s only open on Wednesdays, but worth visiting on other days of the week because of its stunning location.

If you want to visit it and the small, attractive fishing community nearby, be aware of the extremely steep, winding road that leads there. Small cars have been known to get stuck at the bottom, without enough power to get back up again!

Most visitors are better off parking up top and working up a sweat by visiting on foot instead.

Cool off Under a Waterfall

While the Azores doesn’t suffer from the extreme hot weather of mainland Portugal, it can still get pretty warm at times—which gives the perfect excuse for cooling off under a waterfall. You’re spoiled for choice throughout the island, but two of the more popular waterfalls to visit are Salto do Cabrito and Salto Do Prego.

You can access the former by taking a marked two-hour hiking trail or driving to the carpark for the hydroelectric power plant and walking five minutes along a flat riverside path.

Salto do Prego lies at the end of a roughly 40-minute uphill hike, which makes the cold blast of falling water even more appreciated.

Even if you don’t want to get soaked, both waterfalls are picturesque, with plenty of great photo opportunities available from dry land.

Road Trip Along the Coast

One of the most enjoyable parts of any trip to Sao Miguel is simply driving the island’s roads.

Most winding, well-paved routes see little traffic and have attractive beaches and stunning viewpoints around nearly every corner. While all the coastlines have spectacular parts, the northeastern section makes for a pleasant drive. 

Stay off the highway as much as possible. Instead, take the back roads through pretty towns and villages like Lomba da Maia, Salga, and Achada to get a slice of local life against a backdrop of white walls, red roofs, distinctive churches, and an endless blue ocean.

Relax in Terra Nostra Park

Dating back to 1775, the picturesque surroundings of Terra Nostra park in Furnas is the perfect place to relax on a sunny day. Full of tropical and subtropical plants from the Azores and around the world, it’s easy to spend an hour or more exploring these extensive, impressive gardens.

Entry includes a visit to the thermal pools onsite. As with most other hot springs in Sao Miguel, it’s worth wearing an old bathing costume, as the iron deposits in the water can stain your clothes.

There’s a high-end hotel alongside, but you don’t need to be staying there to visit the restaurant and bar if you need refreshments. Meals are expensive, but if you dine before visiting the park and keep the receipt, they’ll waive the park entry fee.

Hike the Trails

If you enjoy hiking, you’re in for a treat in Sao Miguel. The island is crisscrossed by several trails, ranging from short strolls to a viewpoint to multi-hour hikes through the mountains. The official Azores tourism website lists over two dozen of the best walks, which you can sort by length and difficulty to find the best option.

Popular options include a 6-mile walk around Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas Lake), starting and ending in the township, and the shorter, steeper hike to Salto do Prego waterfall mentioned above.

The weather changes quickly in the Azores, so check the forecast before you set out and be prepared to change your plans if conditions suddenly deteriorate. Take waterproof clothing and plenty of water, and wear appropriate shoes.

Go Whale Watching

There’s no need to restrict yourself to land-based activities on Sao Miguel—some of the biggest highlights lie in the vast ocean surrounding it. Many whale and dolphin species pass by the Azores on their annual migrations or live permanently in the area.

Boats leave from Ponta Delgada and Vila Franca, with trips typically varying in cost depending on how long you’re out and where you go. 

April through June is the best time to see blue whales, but the chance of seeing other kinds of whales and dolphins is very high year-round, and you’ll usually get a refund in the rare case you don’t spot any.

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30 Places To Visit in São Miguel Island, Azores

Top 30 must-see destinations in são miguel island, azores.

São Miguel Island is the largest island in the Azores and the most populated, with almost 137,000 inhabitants. As soon as you finally escape for your Azores getaway and visit São Miguel, you’ll immediately discover why this Azores island is nicknamed ‘’ The Green Island of the Azores’ ’. São Miguel’s lush landscapes and rolling, verdant hillsides inspire and awe everyone who experiences them, which makes it comes as no surprise that São Miguel is the most visited of the Azores islands, soon followed in popularity by lovely Terceira Island. Also among the exciting things you can expect to find on this idyllic island? Warm water to swim year-round, particularly in one of the natural spas and hot springs found inland, or tucked along the island’s stunning, volcanic rocky coast.

Embark on an unforgettable journey to magnificent São Miguel with our travel guide – created by local experts! Experience the breathtaking landmarks, exciting attractions, and hidden gems that make this Island so special.

1. Sete Cidades Lake 

One of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal, this show-stopping crater full of lakes has become one of the most emblematic images of the Azores. To fully appreciate the breathtaking panoramic views over the mystical blue and green lakes, head to the Vista do Rei viewpoint.

2. Boca do Inferno Viewpoint 

 Make your way over to the Boca do Inferno for some jaw-dropping 360 views overlooking the Lagoa do Canario and the other lagoons below, Sete Cidades village, and an expansive view of the Atlantic beyond the ridge of the crater.

3. Lagoa do Canário 

This Snapchat logo-shaped lake is located in the same park as the Boca do Inferno viewpoint, so make sure you don't miss it. 

4. Road of Hydrangeas 

While descending from the above viewpoints into the village of Sete Cidades you’ll come across the Azores' most famous hydrangea-covered road - a mandatory stopping point (with safety) for a quick Instagram photoshoot!

5. Sete Cidades Village 

The lake views and the peace that you feel in the air are not the only beautiful things about this quaint little village of São Miguel, Azores. Sete Cidades church of São Nicolau is the cutest chapel in town! Don't you agree?

6. Mosteiros Beach 

This little fishing village on the island of São Miguel is the place to head to for the best sunset on the whole island! The sun gently setting in between its islets it’s one of the most magical sights you’ll see in the Azores Islands. This black sand beach it’s truly heavenly.

7. Ponta da Ferraria 

Ponta da Ferraria is a spa bathing site with therapeutic hot water springs that have been popular among the locals since the 15th century, but the natural pool of Ferraria is different from all the other hot springs on São Miguel Island - it's located in the ocean! Located on the southwest point of the island, just a short drive from Sete Cidades, Ponta da Ferraria is a unique bathing experience. Heated by an underwater current of volcanic vents, this hot spring is heated underwater and cooled by the ebbing tides of the Atlantic. And, the pool is set on the edge of the coastline, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and black volcanic rock formations that will make you feel more like you're on Mars than in the Azores.

8. Lagoa do Fogo 

Lagoa do Fogo, which translates roughly into "Lagoon of Fire", is a crater lake at the center of São Miguel Island. This Protected Natural Reserve sits tucked away atop the impressive Pico da Barrosa, far from the civilization and noise below. Lagoa do Fogo's crystal-clear turquoise waters are surrounded by tall mountain peaks, lush vegetation, and white sand on all sides. Take in the magnificent views at any of the viewpoints around the mountaintop, or if you're feeling adventurous, venture out on one of the many hiking trails that take you down to the lake's edge. 

9. Caldeira Velha

Located halfway between the summit of Pico da Barrosa and the city of Ribeira Grande, these hot springs are set under a rainforest-like ravine with towering ferns, making for a very pre-historic feel. Take a dip in the Caldeira Velha hot spring (around 21ºC/68ºF) where you'll be surrounded by lush vegetation and a mystical waterfall before making your way over to the smaller and hotter pools below (around 35ºC/95ºF) for a truly unique, other-worldly bathing experience.

10. Salto do Cabrito 

This beautiful and inviting waterfall is located on the hill down from the Lagoa do Figo viewpoint. Don’t let its angelic appearance fool you because it is also the epic stage of multiple canyoning adventures! 

11. Santa Barbara Beach 

The Azores' most famous beach for surfing is one located on the north shore of São Miguel Island, the Azores. This long sandy beach is known for its perfect surfing waves, but mainly for the Santa Barbara Eco Beach Resort located at the more distant tip of the beach - meaning guests will have that feeling of almost having a private beach for themselves.

12. Gorreana Tea Plantations

Born in 1883, Gorreana Tea Factory is one of the oldest factories of tea in the whole world. A legacy of great gourmet teas handpicked and produced pesticide-free for 130 years, Gorreana's teas have remained a staple in European pantries for over a century. Still to this day, this factory produces a variety of 100% organic black and green teas and tea infusions. Stroll around these beautiful and iconic tea plantations for an experience you won’t forget. 

13. Porto Formoso Tea Plantations 

Just down the road from Gorreana, you'll find the Porto Formoso Tea Factory. This charming property is still a private home, with beautiful grounds that are open to the public during factory hours, where you can also stroll the tea fields, visit the factory and museum, and enjoy a cup of complimentary tea in the on-site tea room or covered varanda with panoramic views of the property and coast.

14. Santa Iria Viewpoint 

You’ll be gifted with the most amazing coastline views and glittering ocean as far as the eye can see. This is one of the most iconic viewpoints in São Miguel Island and a mandatory stop for visitors. 

15. Ponta do Sossego Viewpoint 

This viewpoint is located in the most remote city of São Miguel Island, the gorgeous and relaxing Nordeste. This viewpoint's literal translation means ‘’peaceful’’ and we think this says enough about it. 

16. Arnel Lighthouse

Azores travel tip for your visit to São Miguel Island: stop the car at the available parking on the site and descend the road that leads to this lighthouse by foot. Located in the extreme northeast of Nordeste village - Nordeste means ‘’northeast’’ in Portuguese, by the way - it was the first lighthouse to ever work in the Azores Islands! 

17. Poço Azul 

The Nordeste of São Miguel Island, Azores is full of secret gems and Poço Azul is one of them. Hit the Poço Azul hiking trail and discover this little blue lake. It is amazingly blue and its color reason it’s a mystery to everyone. 

18. Ribeira dos Caldeirões

This natural park of Nordeste includes this gorgeous waterfall - and there’s a walkway in front of it meaning you can get yourself in front of the waterfall without getting soaked (time for that photo-bomb session)! It is also one of the best places on São Miguel Island for a canyoning adventure.

19. Vila Franca do Campo Islet

A picturesque nature reserve located approximately 1km off the coast, the Ilhéu de Vila Franca features a saltwater inlet created by a volcanic crater (perfect for snorkeling!) This little islet is rich in marine biodiversity and home to many unique species. To protect them all, the islet is only open to visitors during the summer months and is limited to 400 visitors per day.

20. Nossa Senhora da Paz Viewpoint

Head to Nossa Senhora da Paz viewpoint on the top of Vila Franca do Campo for the best panoramic view over this part of the island and the islet. 

21. Furnas Lake 

Furnas Valley is famous worldwide for its bubbling caldeiras and hot springs where visitors can relax with a thermal bath at any time of the year, but this mystical volcanic valley is full of interesting surprises. Visitors can take in impressive panoramic views of the lake and village from the Pico do Ferro viewpoint. Head to the lake for a walk around its perimeter and surrounding parks and gardens, and then watch as restaurant workers pull steaming hot pots of Cozido (a traditional Portuguese stew) out of the fumaroles for lunch.

2. Furnas Caldeiras and Fumaroles

Make your way to the charming village of Furnas to enjoy some cozido, and then take a walk around the center of town to see the bubbling sulfur pits and try the mineral spring water spouting around every corner.  Nature here is constantly shifting and changing before your eyes as you watch this dormant volcano breathe with activity all around you. 

23. Terra Nostra Park

The pièce de résistance of Terra Nostra is of course its large thermal pool. This murky, golden-brown is Furnas' crown jewel and no trip to São Miguel Island is complete without a soak here. The iron-rich mineral waters gushing from the park's natural hot spring source are what lend this pool its yellowish color, but don't let its appearance put you off! The steamy temperatures hover between 35ºC to 40ºC (95ºF to 104ºF) making it the perfect place for a relaxing soak after a vigorous hike or day of sightseeing.

24. Poça da Dona Beija in Furnas

The natural iron-infused hot springs of Poça da Dona Beija can also be located in Furnas Valley. The hot mineral waters are known for their therapeutic benefits, offering a place for tourists and locals to relax and rejuvenate in a beautiful natural setting. The water temperatures vary from 25ºC to 39ºC (77ºF to 102ºF), and the facilities are open from 8h30 am to 11 pm for maximum soaking time!

25. Salto do Prego Waterfall 

This gorgeous waterfall along the Salto do Prego hiking trail on São Miguel Island always gives us serious jungle vibes. Hit this trail in Faial da Terra, an ancient typical Azorean village, and discover this and other hidden gems of the Azores' nature!

26. Portas da Cidade 

The city’s welcoming gates! They used to be located on the seafront and were the gates of entrance for people from the ships back in the days. The capital city of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, is a charming little metropolis surrounded in stark contrast by the lush green nature and deep turquoise seas surrounding it. Explore the postcard-perfect Portas da Cidade (City Gates), the Igreja da Matriz just across the street, or take a stroll through the cobblestoned center if you’re in the mood to shop, eat and explore.

27. Louvre Michaelense

This quaint café is popular amongst tourists and locals. Pop in for a cup of coffee, tea and delicious home-made pastries, or head there for dinner when the space transforms into a restaurant complete with a fabulous cocktail menu. The Louvre Michaelense is unique by design, as it used to be an old-fashioned store and they’ve left the décor and space exactly as it used to look, making it the perfect backdrop for a photo-op. If you have a sweet tooth like us, let’s confess that Louvre Michaelense has the best chocolate cake in town! 

28. Farmers Market - Mercado da Graça

Visit the local farmer market of Ponta Delgada in São Miguel Island for a true sense of the island's crops and exotic fruits! Let the colors, smells, and aromas of the Azores products entice you. Azores travel tip: the best place to visit this market is on Saturday mornings! 

29. Pineapple Plantations

Did you know São Miguel is the only place in the world where pineapples are grown in greenhouses? The unique fertility of the island’s soil, coupled with the very precise maturation methods inside the greenhouses, produce small but mighty fruits packed with more sweetness and less acidity than their counterparts around the world. It takes an average of 2 years for each one of these pineapples to fully mature, but in our opinion, it’s well worth the wait.

30. Cerâmica Vieira (Pottery)

This traditional pottery factory and shop has been in the hands of the same family for 155 years! Head to the Cerâmica Vieira, in Lagoa, the neighboring city of Ponta Delgada (10 minutes by car), and tour the factory while learning how these beautiful artisanal pieces are made.

Are you already in love with the Azores? Please take a look at our stress-free packages that allow you to book your ultimate island adventure. All our packages are carefully curated by our team of local Azorean Experts so that you don’t need to worry about any details – just enjoy your trip!

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Lisbon & São Miguel

São Miguel is the biggest island of the archipelago.

São Miguel is the biggest island of the archipelago, with 62.1 km in length and 15.8 km at its maximum width. More than half of the Azorean population (137.856 inhabitants in 2011) occupies an area of 744.7 sq. km. Together with Santa Maria, located 81 km away, São Miguel is part of the Eastern Group of the Azores Archipelago. With an altitude of 1,105 m, Pico da Vara is the island’s highest point located at 37°48’34’’ latitude north and 25°12’40’’ longitude west.

Sometime between 1427 and 1431, the Portuguese navigators discovered the island of São Miguel, right after the island of Santa Maria. The initial settlement, dating from 1440 with the arrival of Gonçalo Velho Cabral, was carried out by people who came from the Portuguese regions of Estremadura, Algarve and Alentejo. Later, other communities made up of Moors, Jews and foreigners, namely French, also settled on the island. The fertile soils and the existence of some safe bays quickly transformed the island into a trading post. The economic growth was sustained mainly by the production and export of wheat and woad which boosted the island’s settlement.

Until the devastation left by the earthquake of 1522, the capital of the island was the town of Vila Franca do Campo. Then, Ponta Delgada started to play the most important role and became the capital in 1546. The end of the 16th century was marked by the attacks of privateers, and São Miguel was occupied by the Spanish army in 1582 during the Azorean resistance to the military forces of the new King of Portugal, Filipe II of Spain. After the Restoration of the Portuguese throne in 1640, the commercial development was given a new life by its connection with Brazil.

Throughout the 18th century and mid 19th century, the export of oranges, mainly to Great Britain, became the main source of wealth. Most churches, decorated with rich woodcarvings, and manor houses, built with refined stoneworks that are the delight of visitors, date from this period. From 1870 onwards, the orange groves were attacked by infectious diseases, and given the drastic reduction in production, many locals emigrated to Brazil and to the United States.

The introduction of new cultures – pineapple, tea, tobacco, hemp– contributed to the economic development of the 19th century following the turbulent Liberal Wars. The economy of the island kept growing during the 20th century given the expansion of agriculture and cattle breeding, which supplied part of the dairy industry. However, since the 1980s, the progress of the services sector has been increasingly noticeable, and it now employs most of the local population. Part of this sector, tourism is the latest investment of São Miguel, the island where the seat of the Regional Government of the Azores is located.

The landscape of São Miguel is marked by two mountain areas separated by a low altitude platform. Nicknamed the Green Island, its landscape is made up of extensive fields and patches of tress that were forced into the valleys of streams and into difficult to reach areas. Cryptomeria stands out on the island’s productive forest land and reaches large dimensions in dense woods that are one of the most iconic images of São Miguel. The original flora still survives in small areas, with native and endemic species such as the Azores heather, faya, laurel and holly serving as a shelter for a very special bird, the Azores Bullfinch, and making up a palette of different shades of green spread out along the horizon.

São Miguel is a land of lakes nested in volcanic craters that are many kilometres wide. The most iconic one lies in Sete Cidades. This is a place filled with legends and myths, and it deserves to be seen from the Vista do Rei Lookout; from there, in noble contemplation, one can see two twin lakes, the Green and the Blue, paired together by a bridge. The ecstasy moves on to Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake), which has a wilder nature. A large lake surrounded by extravagant, lush vegetation stands out in the Furnas Valley , which lives up to its nickname of Vale Formoso (Beautiful Valley). But the number of lakes does not stop here, since others can be found both in the Serra Devassa and in the central part of the island, including the Canário, Santiago, Éguas and Congro Lakes... There will always certainly be another lake waiting to be discovered.

Rows of small volcanic cones and stretches of undulating green land abruptly come to an end in the blue of the sea. The lookouts of São Miguel are mostly filled with this type of view. Sometimes, one can see islets along the coast. Such is the case of the magnificent Vila Islet in front of Vila Franca do Campo or of the Mosteiros Islet, glorious at sunset even when it is seen from the distant Ponta do Escalvado. In Nordeste, with its exuberant vegetation, the lookouts are surrounded by gardens and equipped for barbeques whilst one enjoys the exceptional views. This is also the case of the Lomba do Cavaleiro Lookout, overlooking the whole caldera of Povoação and its seven slopes.

The natural hot water pools are one of the most attractive features that São Miguel has to offer. They have different formats. They are spectacular at Caldeira Velha, a fine stream of crystal clear water running thorough bright ochre trenches excavated in dark rock. They are majestic in the pool of the Terra Nostra Park, a lake of ferrous, brown water located in a luxuriant botanic garden. They are hidden at the Poça da Beija, a pool of crystal clear water and ferrous mud. They are quiet at the Caldeiras of Ribeira Grande, where the thermal building dating back to 1811 is surrounded by trees and fumaroles. They are effusive in the Furnas Valley , home of dozens of thermal springs, fumaroles and carbonated water which transform the valley into a Mecca in terms of spas and into a virtual bottling shop.

High cliffs covered with green forests, black basalt headlands that penetrate the sea, promontories and sweet inlets, challenging fajãs [flat, low-lying strips of land on the coast], and numerous beaches with grey volcanic sand are some of the features of São Miguel’s coastline that deserve to be seen and visited with tranquillity.

On the southern coast, beaches such as Pópulo, Vinha da Areia and Ribeira Quente invite you for a swim and are sought after by many people. But if you prefer a more intimate contact with nature, the beaches of Amora, Viola, Lombo Gordo and Mosteiros among many others await you. Amid tips of black rock, sunbathing areas and crystal clear sea, one finds natural swimming pools and ponds in various places on the island; Capelas, Calhetas and Lagoa are just some of these sites. And at the Ponta da Ferraria, what icing on top of the cake, Mother Nature takes care of heating the seawater with volcanic hot springs, offering an Atlantic Thalassotherapy in a unique natural setting.

Between Povoação and Furnas, Nordeste and Água Retorta, and wherever the rugged terrain ends in towering coastal cliffs, there is an invitation to explore the trails that since times immemorial have connected the villages and houses located along the coastline.

Given its dimension and the diversity of facilities and services it offers, São Miguel is the island for experiencing, a true gateway to the active discovery of the Azores Archipelago, with many things to do.

Other things to do on the Green Island, are canoeing and other sports activities, that can be practiced on lakes located in the craters of extinguished volcanoes. Another way to enjoy the beauty of the island is by horse riding or by cycling. The two golf courses on the island of São Miguel, besides offering the practice of this sport, also provide a direct contact with unspoiled Nature. Those who prefer more action may hire a 4x4 SUV, a quad-bike or a mountain bike. Paragliding also offers the view of the beautiful lakes from a totally different perspective and the ability to take unique pictures. One can go down to the subterranean world in the Gruta do Carvão (Carvão Cave), and there are various cliffs equipped for the practice of climbing.

On the Green Island, canoeing and other sports can be practiced on lakes located in the craters of extinguished volcanoes. In some lakes and streams, carrying the proper license, one can equally fish, an activity for which the extensive rocky shore is a paradise. Diving, whale watching or big game fishing are other activities with a great development. On the north coast of the island, there are many spots available for the practice of surf and body board. The beaches of Pópulo, Água d’Alto and Ribeira Quente featuring volcanic sand, the tidal pools spread along the island, and the spas at Ferraria and Furnas are ideal locations to relax from the strong emotions and to recharge your batteries before experiencing another adventure on São Miguel Island.

Ponta Delgada, lying around a natural bay and identified by its three arches known as the Portas da Cidade, stands out for the large number of churches and other buildings. Among them, the baroque São Sebastião Church and the Todos os Santos Church stand out along this architectural tour.

In Ribeira Grande, the chromatic game thickens between white masonry and basalt and ignimbrite stonework. This contrast is visible in churches, such as the Nossa Senhora da Estrela Church, with a monumental staircase and a singular black bell tower. There are also the Oito Arcos Bridge and the iron balconies of manor houses.

The water mills remain as witnesses of the past and can be found in several places on the island. On the Ribeira dos Caldeirões, in the municipality of Nordeste, there is one that has been recovered and is surrounded by the natural beauty of the waterfall along the same stream.

Prominent national individuals were born on São Miguel, like the poet Antero de Quental (1842-1891) and the politician and essayist Teófilo Braga, who was elected President of Portugal in 1915. The poet Natália Correia (1923-1993), who stood out for her cultural, civic and political intervention, wrote the lyrics of the Official Anthem of the Azores, singing “From a destiny attained by glory / we will pick more fruits and flowers /as such is the sacred aim /of the stars that crown the Azores.” As for paintings, the highlight goes to those of Domingos Rebelo (1891-1975), the painter of the famous painting called “The Emigrants.” Regarding sculptures, the works of Canto da Maya (1890-1981) are outstanding. The Carlos Machado Museum, located in the Convent of Santo André in Ponta Delgada, stores the best pieces related to the Azorean culture, and it has important collections related to art, regional ethnography, toys, sacred art and natural history. Definitely one of the things to see in Ponta Delgada.

The industries of ceramics and clay works have an ancestral tradition. In Vila Franca do Campo, clay is used in rustic pieces adapted to daily use. In Lagoa, ceramics are decorated with drawings mainly painted in blue. In Ribeira Grande, the tile panels are still painted by hand.

The dolls made with corn leaves, recreating the regional costumes, came from the agricultural tradition. The delicate flowers made from fish scales, used in miniature floral arrangements, came from the fishing industry.

São Miguel Island has many interesting cultural activities that you can enjoy during your holidays. the Holy Ghost Festivals represent an Azorean religious tradition, which is celebrated on all the islands. They take place around chapels called Impérios (Empires) from May to September. Intrinsically linked to São Miguel, the age-old Festa do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres (Lord Holy Christ of Miracles Festival) venerates the statue of Christ kept at the Esperança Chapel in Ponta Delgada. The festivities last for three days and take place around the fifth Sunday after Easter Sunday. The Romeiros (Pilgrims) of São Miguel are groups of men who walk the island on foot during Lent, praying and visiting churches and chapels dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Starting in the parish of Ribeira Seca, municipality of Ribeira Grande, the Cavalhadas de São Pedro (Saint Peter’s Horse Riders) take place on 29 June and are a parade of horse riders dressed in colourful outfits – symbolising a king, knights, lancers, stewards and horn players or trumpeters, riding equally adorned horses. Carnival is lively enjoyed in Ponta Delgada. The Batalha das Limas (Water Battle) is a tradition that persists, with groups confronting each other on the streets of the city throwing at each other various types of “weapons” filled with water. The festive season also includes various gala balls with merry-makers dressed in evening suits. There are various carnival parades in different localities which attract many participants and enthusiasts.

Dancing and brass band concerts are frequent throughout the various parishes of the island, especially during the festivities in honour of each locality’s patron saint. New Year’s Eve attains a new dimension at the Portas do Mar in Ponta Delgada, with its marina and cruise-ship terminal providing a new stage for music shows and exhibitions, with restaurants and bars animating the evening in the city.

From the various cultures introduced in the Azores the highlight goes to tea. The plantations of Gorreana and Porto Formoso, appearing in the horizon as a sea of green leaves, are unique in the Europe. During visits to the museum-factories, one learns the history and evolution of the machinery, before a well deserved cup of Azorean tea.

In Furnas, the pots containing meat and vegetables for a typical boiled/steamed dish are put into a sac and buried in the geothermal soil. The food cooks for approximately five hours. Before tasting the singular taste of a dish made in the natural heat of the earth, it will be worth waiting to see the lifting of the pot, with strong arms pulling the ropes that had been attached to the heavy pots.

On São Miguel Island there is a tradition for cultivating exotic fruits such as pineapple, annona, guavas and passion fruit, which are eaten raw or used to make liqueurs. The pineapple green houses, spread throughout Fajã de Baixo, Lagoa and Vila Franca do Campo, preserve age-old practices which can be discovered in a guided visit.

The cuisine of São Miguel is filled with fish dishes, always with a common factor: freshness. There are also various types of sea food, and delicacies like the barnacle, a crustacean boiled in sea water. The meat comes from the cattle bred in pastures, and it is soft and tasty. As for appetizers, there are the famous local red, mashed peppers served with fresh cheese. But these local red peppers are also used in various recipes. The bolo lêvedo from Furnas is a cake that is well known and may be served during any meal. As for sweets, the most famous are the Queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo (Vila Franca do Campo Custards). And to top another day in the vacation, smokers may even finish their meal with a locally manufactured cigar or cigarillo.

Veja Também

The Perfect São Miguel, Azores Itinerary – 31 Amazing Things to Do

05/17/2023 by Kristin Addis 1 Comment

São Miguel is the island that most people who visit the Azores end up exploring first. It’s a great choice, as the big island of the archipelago, it’s not only varied in what you can see and do, but in of cuisine, places to stay, and sheer volume of possibilities on both land and sea.

There’s a reason why this was the rumored lost island of Atlantis, or sometimes called the Hawaii of Europe. It feels like a dreamy, well-kept secret full of waterfalls, hot springs, and incredible viewpoints. Broken up into a weeklong road trip that you can easily shorten or lengthen, these are 31 amazing things to do on the island of São Miguel.

Table of Contents

Days One – Two/Three: Sete Cidades

On our first day we landed in Ponta Delgada and immediately made our way to Sete Cidades, the jumping off point for some of the best lake hikes and views on the entire island of São Miguel. Since fog and clouds can make the weather variable here, I recommend heading here as soon as you get to the island and basing yourself here for at least a couple of days. Here’s what to do and see:

1. Vista do Rei Overlook

On your way in, you’ll see several possible overlooks and it’s worth stopping at all of them. The Vista do Rei is one of the more famous ones, with a view that, on a clear day, gives an incredible view of the lakes and the town of Sete Cidades below.

And yes, that’s my son and I rocking our matching adidas tracksuits — or in my case cropped hoodie and sweat pants (gifted). It was the perfect Azores outfit!

2. Boca do Inferno Viewpoint

If you spend more than five seconds researching the Azores, you’re likely to see a photo of the breathtaking Boca do Inferno viewpoint with its walkway leading to a view of two of the major lakes in Sete Cidades. It’s easily THE most famous photo and view in the whole of the Azores.

The hike to the viewpoint is about half a mile from the parking lot, which can fill up quickly especially during the summer. You may have to attempt this one multiple times in order to see it without the fog. It took us three tries just to get a short window of visibility, but it was worth it! You can also check the Spot Azores webcam for current conditions all around the island before you head up.

Be sure to pit stop at the Lagoa do Canário on the way up or down. It’s a quick detour on the trail.

3. Wall of Nine Windows Hike

If you’ve got a semi clear day and you’re up for a challenge, tackle the 14 mile pico da Cruz, wall of nine windows hike. My partner did it on his first visit to the Azores and it was an incredible way to see multiple lakes and the entire view around the caldera that surrounds Sete Cidades.

4. Mosteiros Beach 

From your base in Sete Cidades, drive West to Mosteiros Beach, a rare sandy beach, as the Azores doesn’t have a ton of them, made of black volcanic sand with split rocks in the distance. It’s the perfect window for sunset, which is great to watch either from the sand or Sunset Steve’s Bar.

5. Piscinas Naturais

Speaking of Sunset Steve’s bar, there’s a natural swimming pool just in front of it that would be incredibly inviting during the summer months when the weather is fine and the ocean is warmer.

– Read More –

When to Visit the Azores and Weather

6. Ponta da Ferraria Thermal Baths

Imagine a naturally occurring thermal bath that you can only access at low tide, with waves rolling in from the ocean, and the warmth from the thermal waters. If you can hit it at the right time, it looks like an incredible experience. Though there’s a spa onsite, this natural pool is free to access and enjoy.

Although we went at low tide ( check times here as they change daily), the swell was just too big that day and it wasn’t safe to get in, but it’s definitely on my list for the future. Plus it is in beautiful surroundings with a gorgeous rocky coastline to walk before or after your dip.

7. Miradouro da Ponta do Escalvado

After the tide pools, enjoy a few minutes or a few hours at this beautiful viewpoint, which would offer a perfect sunset view.

Stay – Lagoon’s House

This was my partner’s second time staying at this home with a main bedroom, two beds in the upstairs loft, a full kitchen, living room, and sitting area. It’s located in Sete Cidades and the perfect spot for your local adventures. Book it here.

Day Three – Northern Coastline

From here we headed to the northeastern coast, stopping at several overlooks and waterfalls along the way. So you could easily drive the inland route and be in Nordeste in less than two hours, but the northern coast is wild, quaint, and not to be missed!

8. Miradouro da Fonte Grande

Upon leaving Sete Cidades you’ll be meandering through lovely villages with rolling hills of dairy farms and seaside views. There will be several viewpoints to stop at, and there’s no harm in doing so every time one piques your interest. For us, that was Miradouro da fonte grande, with this lovely view of the towns in the distance.

9. Miradouro do Cintrao

The perfect lunch spot, Miradouro do Cintrao offers a nice contrast to the previous overlooks and beaches with more of a rugged coastline in several layers, with views all the way down the coast. This was one of our favorite overlooks of the whole trip, which also had a gazebo that was perfect for a picnic.

10. Cascata do Salto do Cabrito

Heading inland a bit, this is one of three stops worth making a brief detour from the coastal route for. The waterfall itself is a short hike from the lower parking lot, or a slightly longer walk down a steeper hill from the upper one. We chose to take the longer walk since the drive was so steep, but our rental probably could have handled it judging from the smaller cars that made it down.

Although not warm, the water isn’t too cold to swim in, and I certainly would have if I’d had a towel along!

The Azores have many, MANY waterfalls, but this was one of the more unique ones I found during my research with the way it falls through the rocks in two veils.

11. Centro de Interpretação Ambiental da Caldeira Velha

If you’re looking for thermal baths, this is one of the loveliest and most popular spots to experience them. They’re set in a lush natural area and have showers onsite. If visiting during the busy months, it’s a good idea to book a ticket ahead of time. Entry costs €10.

12. Lagoa do Fogo Overlook

This is another one of the more popular and iconic lake views on São Miguel and the Azores in general. You have several options to experience it, including a couple of different overlooks and the hike mentioned below. Keep in mind that this is one of the areas that can often be foggy, so check the web cams before you go.

13. Trilho Lagoa do Fogo

São Miguel is all about hiking, and if you happen to get a nice day, Lagoa do Fogo is lovely to hike to. During late spring, the seagulls nest in this area and can be aggressive, so keep that in mind if visiting during that time of year.

14. Gorreana Tea Factory

Did you know that tea grows on São Miguel? It’s not all about dairy farms (though that’s most of what you’ll see). For a different perspective and view, enjoy the panoramas walking through this organic tea plantation that dates back to the late 1800s. It seems to be an unwritten rule that tea can only grow in beautiful places, am I right?

Entrance to visit is free, with a free tea tasting and gift shop in case you want to buy!

14. Miradouro da Fonte do Buraco

You’ll see more (and more, and more) overlooks on your drive up the coast, and each one is stunning. Some have bathrooms and gardens, especially the further east you go. This was one of our favorites along the way.

How I rented my vacation clothes for this trip

16. Miradouro do Salto da Farinha

This area starts to be full of waterfalls and small hiking trails. We happened to pull off here and I mostly saw the area from my drone (as an excuse for the laziness, our baby was napping in the car seat), but I recommend taking a quick look at Google maps and looking at all of the different waterfalls in the area to pick the one that appeals most to you. Stop at several if you have the time!

17. Nordeste

I just loved the design and vibe of this town. There was so much symmetry everywhere, and everything was in black-and-white including the church, the buildings, the lamp posts, and even the cobblestone. Many towns in São Miguel have this color profile, but Nordeste was the most charming, IMHO.

It can be a quick stop, but it’s worth spending some time walking around and taking pictures.

Stay – Casas da Chamine Eco Country Lodge

We adored this stay on the coast with its own pool, vegetable and herb garden, wood-fired oven, outdoor chill space, two bedrooms, full kitchen, and living room. It was such a charming home that had clearly recently been renovated, and made for a gorgeous coastal stay I could have spent more time at! If you have extra days, give this part of the coast more of your time. Book it here.

Days Four and Five – Hikes and Furnas

Furnas is one of the more famous areas to visit in São Miguel thanks to the bubbling landscape, thermal pools, lush surroundings, and lovely hikes nearby. We gave it two nights, but could have spent longer!

18. Miradouro do Pelado + Arnell Lighthouse

Leaving Nordeste, make your way down the coastal route to Furnas, stopping at some of the overlooks on the way. The Arnell Lighthouse is visible from the nearby Miradouro do Pelado, or consider walking down to it.

19. Porto do Nordeste

Stopping at the Porto do Nordeste, the Arnell Lighthouse is a lovely stop with a thin waterfall and a hike down to the water if you fancy it, or you can just gaze at it from the nearby Miradouro do Pelado mentioned above.

20. Cacata do Salto do Prego

This was my favorite hike while on the island of São Miguel. First you’ll pass through a quaint town before hiking along the river with several brooks and small waterfalls on the way. It’s a lush trail with some brief but challenging uphills before arriving at the waterfall. I recommend heading downwards (right rather than left) rather than up to the viewpoint to see the full waterfall when you get to the end – or you could always do both.

You can also go canyoning here! Check out this tour for more adrenaline.

21. Furnas town Walk

Imagine a town built around bubbling fumaroles, with plumes of sulfuric gas heading upwards within city limits, surrounded by homes and gardens. It seems strange, but that’s what you’ll find in Furnas!

22. Try Cozido

Cozido is a boiled stew that, while popular on mainland Portugal, is only cooked in the ground in Furnas. It started as a Christmas dish around 80 or so years ago, and has now become a widespread meal, with the stews being cooked daily in the ground in Furnas. You’ll have the opportunity to try Cozido at restaurants around the area. We chose A Quinta Bar, which put carrot, potato, sweet potato, beef, chicken, pork, cabbage, chorizo, black sausage, and taro in theirs.

It has a bit of a sulfuric taste, but honestly I liked it more that I ate it. The meat was so tender, and the vegetables were so tender as well that my baby ended up eating a good amount of it!

There’s also a tea house called Azores Essentials that cooks their tea in the ground and serves local delicacies. I hadn’t realized before we arrived that the only way to go is to book a private reservation ahead of time, as they only serve one group per day. Message them here to reserve a spot!

23. Octant Furnas Spa and Thermal Baths

This stay was absolutely an experience for us. Not only is it beautifully designed, but it’s a spa hotel with two heated thermal pools that are open 24 hours per day. The rooms were spacious and our double room was actually a suite with two bathrooms and enough room to sleep four! The spa and restaurant are both excellent, and they even had a mini bathrobe for Felix! Book it here.

25. Terra Nostra Park

One of few activities on the island with an entrance fee, this immaculate garden is worth the stop. The grounds are pristine and they also offer a hot spring pool. Entrance is €10.

24. Furnas overlook

This overlook was the perfect stop on our way out of furnace as we headed west on the coast back towards Ponta Delgada. The milky green lake stands out compared to the other lakes around the island and there are several hikes you can do in the area as well as some small waterfalls.

Day Six – The Southern Coast

As we left Furnas and made our way back to Ponta Delgada, one of our last days was spent exploring the southern coast and the views along the way.

26. Vila Franca do Campo Islet

This islet is another famous view on São Miguel that’s so close to the coast, it almost looks like one could swim to it. That would probably be a poor choice since it’s 1km off-shore, but you can take a boat ride over . This area is famous for its biodiversity and a cap of 400 visitors may go per day. This is also a famous spot for a cliff diving.

27. Miradouro da Nossa Senhora da Paz

This view of town also has a delightfully symmetrical staircase leading up to a chapel. Though it was a foggy day for us, I could see how the view would be amazing on a sunny day clear to the Vila Franca do Campo Islet.

28. Praia da Pedreira

If you missed the sandy beach earlier in the week, there’s a nice one in this area with a long stretch of grey sand framed by lovely seaside cliffs.

Stay – Pestana Bahia Praia Nature & Beach Resort

We spent our final day at this beach resort and though the weather wasn’t in our favor for a beach day, it was still a great location and would be perfect for the summer. Book it here.

Day Seven – Whales and Dolphins from Ponta Delgada

Did you know that the Azores have resident sperm whales in addition to many migratory species, as well as dolphins that only live there? We are sea creature lovers, having swam with dolphins in Hawaii and whales in French Polynesia , and if the water had been warmer and our child a bit older, I would have LOVED to swim with them in the Azores, too.

29. Go Whale Watching

Though you can’t get in the water with whales in the Azores as they’re protected, you can watch them from a boat departing from Ponta Delgada. Depending on time of year, there are many different species you could see! Book it here.

30. Swim with Wild Dolphins

Swimming with wild dolphins is still one of my favorite memories, and the Azores has species that you can only find there. Tours are kept small on zodiac boats and snorkel gear is provided. Book it here.

31. Portas da Cidade

As a final goodbye to Ponta Delgada and São Miguel, I recommend walking through the town center, marveling at the church, and walking through the Portas da Cidade – three archways that serve as the gateway to the city.

Here’s a map with all of the stops + accommodations mentioned above:

São Miguel is one of my favorite places I’ve been. I constantly felt like I was in a mix of Ireland, Iceland, Hawaii, and Portugal. The people were lovely, the scenery was even more lovely, and I already can’t wait to go back!

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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Kate Smith says

05/17/2023 at 9:37 am

Such a great article, thank you for sharing this blog.

Book activities, tours and amazing experiences in São Miguel, Azores Portugal

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30 Travel Tips for Visiting São Miguel Island

São Miguel provides the perfect introduction to the Azores because it’s the largest island in the archipelago and arguably the most beautiful. Known for its volcanic craters, azure lakes and bubbling hot springs – the nature on offer here is simply astonishing. First time visitors to “Ilha Verde” should read these 30 important São Miguel travel tips so they can explore the island in the best way possible and not miss out on any of the incredible experiences on offer.

Due to its location in the mid-Atlantic, getting here requires quite a bit of forethought and planning. You will need to organize visas, flights, transport, accommodation and tours (among other things). Once all the paperwork has been filled out and bookings made, your only task will be figuring out which parts of the island you want to see. While it’s nice to have a rough idea of where you would like to go, sometimes traveling spontaneously is better.

Islands like São Miguel are big enough to stumble upon hidden gems that not many tourists know about and small enough to not get overwhelmed by the sheer number of possible activities. Regardless of the time of year you visit and the duration of your trip, browsing through these 30 São Miguel travel tips will help you sort everything out before you go. Not all of these tips will apply to your situation but the vast majority will. So let’s get started.

30 São Miguel Travel Tips

1. pick your travel dates wisely.

The summer months of July to September bring about the best weather in the Azores. During this period you can expect higher temperatures, longer amounts of sunshine per day and warmer sea waters. However, the shoulder season months of June and October are also desirable because of the smaller crowds and more moderate temperatures for hiking. If it’s your first trip to the Azores, we recommend going in summer to make the most of the weather.

2. Visit São Miguel for at least 5 Days

Some travelers will be visiting São Miguel as part of a bigger journey across all nine of the Azores islands, while others might just choose to visit São Miguel. Either way, you will need at least five days here. Anything less and you risk a rushed trip or skipping some of the best attractions that the island offers. In all honesty though, even five days isn’t enough. To fully immerse yourself in the nature and culture of “Ilha Verde” plan for seven days as the minimum.

3. Add Another Azores Island to your Itinerary

It would be a shame to come all the way to the mid-Atlantic and miss out on seeing some of the other beautiful islands in the Azores. Visiting all nine might be a stretch but consider adding Terceira or São Jorge to your itinerary to get a broader perspective of the Azores archipelago. Terceira is home to a UNESCO listed city called Angra do Heroísmo and São Jorge is famous for its jaw-dropping “fajãs” – steep island cliffs that lead down onto flat terrain.

4. Sort your Visa Before your Trip

Many passport holders can travel visa-free to the Azores for up to 90 days within an 180 day period. The Azores are a territory of Portugal and so they fall under the Schengen Area. Visa-free nationalities include Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK and the US. Having said that, some other nationalities will need to obtain a Schengen visa before they go. This includes countries like Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam and a handful of others.

5. Bring your Euro Currency along with you

The official currency of Portugal and the Azores islands is the Euro. If you are traveling from a European country you can bring your Euros along with you to spend in São Miguel. Keep in mind that most of the major towns on the island have ATMs where you can withdraw cash. The Ponta Delgada Airport in São Miguel also has ATMs and cash exchange tills. Otherwise all major credit cards are widely accepted at the island’s main shops, restaurants and businesses.

6. Know that English is Spoken by Tourism Operators

Portuguese is the official language of the Azores and in São Miguel the locals have a distinct accent that is quite different to other Portuguese territories. If you can speak a touch of Portuguese then you might find it fun practicing your language skills on the island. But for those travelers who can’t speak a word of Portuguese, don’t worry too much. English is still widely spoken by the younger generations and those who work in the tourism industry.

7. Consider your Flying Route to São Miguel

Flying is the only way to reach the Azores and São Miguel specifically. When planning your holiday, consider the route you will take because there aren’t too many direct flights into the Ponta Delgada Airport. You might want to fly direct from Lisbon or Barcelona – or perhaps you could look into flying direct from London or New York. Booking flights all depends on your travel plans and whether or not you wish to explore other parts of Europe on your trip.

8. Prepare and Pack for all Weather Conditions

São Miguel has a moderate climate that is consistent throughout the year. Summers can reach into the high 20s while the winters can drop down to 10 degrees celsius with considerably more rain. It’s not uncommon for the day to start out sunny and then turn sour if a front rolls in across the Atlantic. With that in mind, it’s best to pack for all weather conditions. Bring warm clothes as well as hiking boots for the long walks that you will inevitably take on.

9. Think about your Accommodation in Advance

You might want to book some of your preferred accommodation in São Miguel well in advance just because some of the popular hotels get reserved quickly in summer. Places like Terra Nostra Garden Hotel in Furnas will get snapped up if you don’t get yourself organized. If you are not too fussed about where you stay on the island, perhaps just consider booking a few nights in Ponta Delgada when you land and then the rest can be booked as you travel.

10. Book your Tours with Azores Dream Tours

The small team here at Azores Dream Tours is passionate about sharing the beauty of the “Green Island” with people from around the world. We would love to honor you as part of our family, even just for a day. You can browse through our range of full day tours or half day tours and select an option just right for you. From the spectacular Sete Cidades to the phenomenal Furnas, let our team of friendly local guides lead you on an extraordinary adventure.

11. Rent a Car to Get Around the Island Easily

Renting a car for your vacation in São Miguel is a no-brainer. Public transport is an option but it doesn’t compete with the freedom and flexibility of having your own car. You will be able to discover secret beaches, go on epic road trips with your friends or family, and enjoy a sense of independence. The roads on the island are in fairly good condition. Just make sure you book your car in advance during summer as sometimes there are car shortages on the island.

12. Sample the Traditional Cuisine of São Miguel

The food of São Miguel is amazing. From tender Bife à Regional (beef steak), to fresh fish and tuna, to sweet pineapple and finger-licking Queijadas (milk tarts) – there is no shortage of delicious cuisine to sample on this spectacular Azores island. One unique activity that every traveler should consider is visiting a pineapple plantation to sample this popular fruit. Or just order some fresh slices of pineapple at a local restaurant nearby – it’s an island favorite.

13. Tour one of the Unique Pineapple Plantations

Did you know that São Miguel is the only place in the world where pineapples can grow in greenhouses? There are many pineapple plantations scattered across the island but only a select few are open for public viewing. Plantação Ananases A Arruda has over 100 years of history growing this colorful, juicy fruit and it’s a great place to check out when visiting the Azores. Visits are free and you can learn all about pineapple growth in their innovative greenhouses.

14. Try the Local Hearty Stew – Cozido das Furnas

Cozido das Furnas is another unique dish that you have to try when visiting the Azores. This hearty stew consists of different meats such as chicken, ham, pork belly, beef, chorizo and blood sausage, and it’s usually accompanied by potatoes and other vegetables. These ingredients are all placed into a pot and then cooked underground by volcanic heat. The geothermal energy slowly cooks the meat and vegetables with a waiting time of around two hours.

15. Pay a Visit to the Gorreana Tea Factory

The incredible Gorreana Tea Factory and Plantation has been operating since 1883 and so they know a thing or two about what makes for a good cuppa. You can visit this family-run tea producer, look inside their factory, explore the fields where they grow the tea leaves and try the various types of tea on offer. Even if you don’t consider yourself a tea-lover, this place still makes for a nice morning or afternoon trip to learn about some of the industries of São Miguel.

16. Head to Ponta Delgada for a Touch of Nightlife

São Miguel is in no way, shape or form a party destination – so don’t expect extravagant nightclubs and parties that rage until the wee hours. However, you can still find some decent pubs and bars to enjoy a couple of drinks in Ponta Delgada. The other option is to visit the vineyards dotted around the island. These establishments offer wine tastings paired with great Azorean cuisine. Remember that nature is the attraction here, not boozy nights out.

17. See the Geothermal Wonders of Furnas

Furnas is the premier tourist destination in all of the Azores and so visiting on your trip to São Miguel is an absolute must-do. There are so many cool places to see and things to do in the Furnas area that it can make your head spin. But here are some of the best: Caldeiras das Furnas, Terra Nostra Garden & Pool, Furnas Lake, Miradouro do Pico do Ferro, Miradouro do Salto do Cavalo, Poça da Dona Beija, Cascata e Aquário das Furnas and many more places.

18. Soak in the Hot Springs and Natural Pools

No matter the time of year you go, the various hot springs and natural pools of São Miguel make for a relaxing visit to soothe all of your body’s aches and pains. Set in lush, tropical environments – these springs and pools are just a delight to soak in. Furnas is the best region of the island to find these places but there are some other fantastic options on other parts of São Miguel too. These include Caldeira Velha, Termas das Caldeira and Termas da Ferraria.

19. Stand in Awe of Sete Cidades (“Seven Cities”)

If there is one image that sums up everything glorious about São Miguel it would have to be the lookout at Sete Cidades. Photos of this viewpoint have been shared widely across social media and blogs, but visiting in person is the only way to appreciate its beauty. No matter how you choose to experience Sete Cidades – be it from stunning viewpoints or picturesque hikes – you will leave with a sense of wonder at the magnificence of São Miguel’s nature.

20. Hike a Trail or Two in São Miguel

The lush, volcanic landscapes of São Miguel make it a walking and hiking paradise. Trails abound across the island – from east to west – however there are a couple of special ones that you should definitely do. For starters, Lagoa do Congro is an awesome hike that only takes an hour or two to complete. It gives you plenty of peaceful moments to walk in total solitude. Another great hiking trail is the Cascata do Salto do Prego with its majestic waterfall finish.

21. Take in the Views at the Various Miradouros

Hiking long distances might not be everyone’s cup of tea but luckily São Miguel is home to some amazing miradouros (lookout points) which don’t require too much physical effort to reach. Miradouro da Vista do Rei is one of the most famous spots you will have to check out when visiting the island. It looks out over the stunning Sete Cidades. Another awesome viewpoint is Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego with its ocean and mountainside vistas.

22. Chase Waterfalls all throughout the Island

There are some awesome waterfalls located throughout the island of São Miguel. Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões is a great place to admire these splendid flows of water. Cascata do Salto do Prego is another one (as already mentioned above). These two waterfalls are situated in the eastern regions of São Miguel. This side of the island has many secret falls that you can discover as well as hidden gems that only a few tourists ever get to see.

23. Go Whale Watching out on the Ocean

Whale watching is a thrilling experience, especially when you see the marine mammals jump out of the water in a spectacular fashion. The Azores is renowned for its whale sanctuaries – home to a range of resident and migrant species. Sperm whales are the most common but others can also be seen throughout the year. Humpbacks, blue fins and sei whales are all visible. It’s not uncommon to see dolphins when whale watching as well – a nice bonus.

24. Relax at the Black Sand Beaches of São Miguel

São Miguel boasts a number of black sand beaches where you can relax under the sun and take a refreshing dip. While the island isn’t primarily known for its beaches, the rugged coastline still has a few stretches of sand worthy of attention. For example, Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara is a long beach which has big waves crashing onto the shore. Praia do Fogo is a smaller bay with green landscapes in the background creating an inviting setting.

25. Snorkel to See a Magical Underwater World

Snorkeling is a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy in summer. São Miguel has numerous options for this activity depending on your preferences. Praia da Pedreira is a safe beach where you can find an array of fish lurking behind rocky seascapes. Piscinas Naturais (natural pools) will be a hit with the kids as they can play around in shallow pools with their snorkeling gear on. Ilhéu de Vila Franca is another option for those looking for a unique day trip.

26. Watch the Sunrise or Sunset at Farol Ponta do Arnel

Farol Ponta do Arnel is a cool lighthouse worth checking out on the island’s northeast coast. Come here for sunrise to photograph an enchanting scene or visit at sunset for vibrant colors and to hear the seabirds sing. This lighthouse makes for a wonderful road trip no matter where you are driving from. The eastern side of São Miguel is largely unexplored by tourists and so you could come out here for a few days to explore hidden gems well off the beaten path.

27. Spend a Few Days Exploring the East of São Miguel

Both the southeastern and northeastern tips of São Miguel have plenty of amazing things to do for travelers with an intrepid spirit. The villages located in the southeast are very charming such as Ribeira Quente and Faial Da Terra. Once you travel up the east coast you will be afforded remarkable views of the ocean and shoreline. Make sure you stop at Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego and Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões – two highlights of the east.

28. Admire Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz

Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz translates to “Chapel of Our Lady of Peace” and it’s a captivating place to visit in Vila Franca do Campo. The chapel was built in 1764 and there are many fascinating stories about the founding of the building. The tiled and decorated stairway leads up to the main chapel where you can take in marvelous views of the ocean and Ilhéu de Vila Franca in the distance. Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz is a profoundly spiritual place.

29. Mix and Mingle with the Friendly Locals

One of the best aspects about traveling to a new country or remote island paradise like São Miguel is that you get the chance to meet new people and learn about new ways of life. Don’t let your lack of Portuguese hold you back from conversing with locals and striking up a conversation whenever you can. You will make friends for life. Booking a tour with us here at Azores Dream Tours is a nice way to spend time with locals who will make you feel part of their family.

30. Have Fun and Savor Every Moment of your Trip

A trip to the Azores is a once in a lifetime journey that you might not ever get to repeat. Make sure you cherish every moment and immerse yourself in the island’s culture. Be open minded to new experiences and try to put aside any preconceived notions you may have. Don’t spend too much time on your phone or on social media because the best way to capture the nature of the Azores is with your own two eyes. São Miguel will be your favorite trip to date.

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A vibrant garden in the middle of the Atlantic. It is no coincidence that the island of São Miguel in the Azores archipelago is also known by the nickname “ Green Island “.

The island is the largest and most populated of the entire archipelago, and here also resides the Presidency of the Autonomous Region of the Azores . Sao Miguel has about 150 thousand inhabitants, of which 50,000 reside in Ponta Delgada , the largest city of the Azores.

The scenery that São Miguel offers, so diverse, is a pleasant awakening for visitors, thanks to the beautiful lakes, sandy beaches, hills, high mountains, green plains and blue ocean.

São Miguel still retains that unique charm of yesteryear, when life passed serenely and unhurriedly. The island is easily accessible thanks to good air connections, and there are many things to do and see, starting with some truly breathtaking volcanic landscapes.

Things to do in São Miguel

The island of Sao Miguel is full of places to visit. Each town or village has its own characteristics that make it unique, both culturally and naturally.

Ponta Delgada

Quite simply, the capital. With the right mixture of ancient and modern, Ponta Delgada throbs with life thanks to the streets full of stores and markets. A mandatory visit to the Church of St. Joseph and the Church of St. Sebastian.

Lagoa das Sete Cidades

It is located within the municipality of Ponta Delgada, although outside the town. Inside a large crater, the nature of this fantastic place offers two beautiful lakes, the Green Lake and the Blue Lake , connected by a bridge.

Ribeira Grande

It is located in the northern part of the island of Sao Miguel. In addition to an architecture worthy of great attention, this place is also appreciated for the natural landscapes that leave you speechless. Essential point of your tour must be the Church of the Holy Spirit , but do not miss to go to the Municipal Garden and the Sierra de Agua de Pau.

Nordeste is the most fascinating municipality of the island of Sao Miguel, and at the same time its wildest place: here you will find a succession of mountains, deep gorges and rivers. One of the most beautiful places of this area is the Salto do Farinha , but here there is also the most important lighthouse of the island, called Faro Ponta do Arnel, and the Pico da Vara , the highest volcano of the island.

Beaches not to be missed

Unlike Sao Jorge and Flores , characterized by a very jagged coastline and not very rich in beaches, Sao Miguel has beaches of surprising beauty, offering some of the best conditions in the world for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. The water temperature is mild throughout the year thanks to the action of the Gulf Stream.

Sao Miguel’s beaches, like pretty much all of the Azores’ beaches, are mostly dark sand, due to their volcanic origin, and rocky. The black sand beach of Praia do Populo is located near the town of Sao Roque, about a 15-minute drive from Ponta Delgada. Near the beautiful fishing village of Calorua is the beach of Ribeira Quente .

Praia do Lombo Gordo , located in the municipality of Nordeste, is reached through a steep and winding road. Finally, the Praia de Santa Barbara , in Ribeira Grande, is the largest of the whole island, and is characterized by black beach and crystal clear sea.

Activities in São Miguel

There are several activities that you can do on the island of São Miguel. Let’s see some of them.

Sao Miguel is full of volcanic craters, lagoons, small rivers and waterfalls that are only accessible on foot. There are at least 20 official trails on the island that cover all types of landscapes. All of them are worth walking.

Whale Watching

The Azores are considered the Mecca of those who love to admire cetaceans in their natural habitat. Sao Miguel is probably the best place in the entire archipelago to do this activity. Not surprisingly, the chance of seeing both dolphins and whales here is estimated to be around 98%. Not bad at all!

Canoeing and paragliding

Canoeing will be one of the activities you’ll love to do on the island: the best places are undoubtedly the lagoons of Sete Cidades and Furnas. Paragliding is becoming more and more popular in Sao Miguel. After all, the island is ideal for both take-off and landing.

Festivals and celebrations

The most important religious feast in the Azores is the Festa do senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres , that is the Feast of Christ of the Miracles, which has been held since 1700 and is celebrated in Ponta Delgada on the fifth Sunday after Easter. During this festival pilgrims follow the ancient statue of Christ, coming from Rome, and the streets of the city are beautifully decorated with flowers.

The statue was given to the nuns of the Caloura Convent, the oldest in Sao Miguel, when they went to Rome to collect the Papal bull recognizing the newly founded convent.

Where to stay in São Miguel

Of all the islands in the archipelago, São Miguel is undoubtedly the one that offers the widest range of accommodations, some of which are top-notch. From romantic boutique-style hotels to modern Scandinavian-style chalets to traditional country houses, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.

Most travelers coming to Sao Miguel choose to sleep in its main town, Ponta Delgada , the only town on the island that also has an evening life and a good choice of restaurants to relax in the evening. It is definitely the recommended area for most tourists.

For those who do not want to sleep in Ponta Delgada, Vila Franca do Campo is a good alternative to enjoy the maximum tranquility: in front there is a small island reachable by boat, to spend pleasant days on the beach. Caloura , which is often denoted as the most beautiful village on the south coast, can also be a good option: it is located along a bay near a small beach, with direct access to beautiful natural pools.

Recommended accommodations

It is also located in Ponta Delgada, and was originally a music school; the building that houses it, dating from the 19th century, has incorporated much of the original architecture and basalt. The decor is minimalist, and in the new parts of the building, the clever use of glass stands out. In the Hotel do Colegio there are 53 rooms with bathroom and 2 suites each with minibar, telephone, TV, hairdryer and air conditioning.

This property offers its guests apartments consisting of one or two rooms. It is located near the port of Ponta Delgada and is an aparthotel, where guests can enjoy a spa with lots of sauna, turkish bath and massages. The location is also great for reaching restaurants and clubs in the surrounding area.

A small hotel located in the beautiful town of Furnas, in the central plateau of the island. Located within the volcanic basin, the hotel features ‘boiling’ pools and famous botanical gardens. Opened in March 2015, it has an excellent restaurant and bar, and is one of the few places on the Island that offers spa treatments. You can relax in both the outdoor and indoor thermal pools. Alternatively, you can make use of the sauna, Turkish bath and gym.

It is a modern hotel located near the village of Caloura . It is located on a small promontory, near a sandy beach, with direct access to natural pools. The hotel also has suites and is a great base for those who want to explore the island, staying halfway between Ponta Delgada and Furnas.

How to get to São Miguel

The island of Sao Miguel, unlike many of the Azores, can be reached by plane without great difficulty. The airport , dedicated to Pope John Paul II , is by far the busiest of the archipelago and is located about 3 kilometers from the capital Ponta Delgada.

The island is connected by regular flights from Lisbon , Porto, all the other islands and Madeira , as well as from other airports in Germany, Spain and the UK.

There are also air routes connecting the island with some cities in the United States and Canada. The scheduled airlines that fly to Sao Miguel are Tap Portugal , Sata Air Açores and Azores Airlines , but there are also some charter flights that arrive there mainly from Northern European countries. Since 2015 in the airport of Ponta Delgada has also ‘landed’ the Irish company Ryanair , with connections to and from Lisbon, Porto, and other European destinations.

How to move around the island

It is possible to move around Sao Miguel using public transport such as buses or cabs, or rent a car or scooter. The latter option will allow you to move without problems and in complete autonomy, without the need to keep up with the schedules of the means, often approximate.

The best choice is undoubtedly to pick up the car directly at the airport, so you can start exploring Sao Miguel in total freedom right away and save money for the airport-hotel transfer. To take advantage of the most convenient offers, it is a good idea to book online before departure .

For those who for some reason do not want to follow this route, there are many private companies that organize trips to the most popular tourist attractions of the island: in local tourist offices you can get information on schedules and stops. Do not exclude cabs, as they cost a few euros.

Where is located São Miguel

Insights on são miguel, ponta delgada airport, islands around.

World Wanderista

Magic happens when the adventure begins

Azores , Nature , Portugal , Sao Miguel , Travel Guide · October 10, 2015

The ultimate quick guide to Sao Miguel

Sao Miguel, also named Ilha Verde (Green Island), is the biggest and most sophisticated island of the Azores, an archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s the only place in Europe where you can find tea plantations. Not only can you swim in hot springs or at waterfalls, Sao Miguel is also the ultimate spot to go hiking. The most popular attractions are the Caldeira das Sete Cidades and the valley of Furnas. The capital Ponta Delgada is a fun town to wander around and discover some nice restaurants.

Planning your trip

You can find a lot of useful information on these websites:

Azores Visit Azores Azores Trails Azores Geopark

Getting to Sao Miguel

Depending where you’re from the following airlines offer direct flights to Ponta Delgada: Air Canada, Air Transat, airberlin/NIKI, Alitalia, ArkeFly (charter), British Airways, easyJet, Jetairfly, KLM, Lufthansa, Ryanair, SATA International and TAP Portugal. It takes around three-and-a-half hours from London Gatwick/Heathrow and around four hours from Boston.

Getting around

I advise you to rent a car because this way you can drive around the complete island at your own pace. You can choose where to go and how to plan your day. There is public transport at Sao Miguel, but they don’t stop at the highlights. You could get a taxi to drive around, but this is more expensive than renting a car and the driver will only give you a limited time to explore each place.

What to see and do

Sao Miguel is the island with the most diverse landscape of the Azores, so there are a lot of different things to see and do! First of all there are a lot of craters ( caldeiras ) with lakes such as Sete Cidades , Furnas and Lagoa do Fogo . All the lakes are surrounded by miradouros so you get many wonderful views.

Eat & drink

Where to stay

I strongly recommend Hotel Talisman in the centre of Ponta Delgada where they had small but practical rooms and the best breakfast (waffles, eggs, fresh fruit,…)! The rooftop pool is a nice extra.

Getting off the island

If you have the time and money I advise you to visit other islands as well such as Flores . SATA offers flights to all the Azorean islands. Between May and September you can also take the ferry.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the YouTube channel and the Facebook page to stay up to date!

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October 10, 2015 at 5:35 PM

I’m sorry but not aware of European airlines flying to Azores other than Ryan air which only recently as last year started flying to Azores…

October 10, 2015 at 5:47 PM

Then now you knowbecause they’re all in the guide!! 🙂 I flew with Jetairfly!

January 25, 2017 at 4:07 AM

Thank you for sharing such helpful information on Sao Miguel! My family and I will be headed there in March (middle to the end). We will have an 8 month old and 3 year old with us. Do you think we would be able to hike with a heavy duty stroller (City Elite)? I’m concerned that the trails may be too narrow or steep. I’m hoping to explore some gentle trails with the kids vs. just stopping at look out points.

January 25, 2017 at 7:33 PM

Hi Winnie, Thanks for your comment, unfortunately I have absolutely no experience with traveling with kids or strollers. The hikes I did didn’t seem to be made for strollers though. Steep, rocky paths… Maybe you can find stroller friendly hikes here: http://trails.visitazores.com/ Good luck and enjoy your vacation! You’ll love it!

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Visit São Miguel in the Azores: Here’s Everything You Need

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Do you love sightseeing? Are you searching for thrilling and breathtaking landscapes? Do you like the idea of having so many choices you, it would be difficult to make a decision? If all the answers are yes, I have good news for you. São Miguel is the right place for you.

Where is São Miguel?

São Miguel is the biggest island of the Azores, the archipelago of Portugal. It is known also as “Ilha Verde”, for its super rich natural life (there is an incredible variety of flora and fauna) for it’s volcanic origin and also for being recognised as one of the few places where tourism and human life is fully sustainable (no doubt this is the ideal place for people who love to discover amazing landscapes and to protect the environment). These are among the reason for which São Miguel has been included in the Unesco world heritage sites. After this brief overview I bet you want to know more, so let’s explore a possible holiday on this beautiful island.

How to get to in São Miguel?

To arrive in the Azores, this volcanic archipelago located in the Atlantic ocean, west from Portugal, there is essentially one way, by plane (to give you an idea of the distance of the islands from the continent, just consider that Lisbon is 1,643 km (1,021 miles) away). Despite being quite far away, lost in the sea, the increasing number of direct flights provided by some companies like TAP Air Portugal (the official Portuguese airline) and Sata (official Azorean airline) have made it super easy to get to the Azores. These companies are also offering direct trips from from:

That are generally more expensive but that will allow you to spare a lot of time travelling. In Ponta Delgada , the capital of São Miguel, there is the most important airport that is served by:

• TAP Air Portugal ;
• Azores Airlines .

It takes on average two hours and a half from Lisbon to get to the island, the only thing that might be taken into consideration is that the prices of the flight are usually high throughout the year, especially in summer they never go below €100 with peaks of €220. Only from September onwards, the prices are more acceptable. You might spend no more than €70 (the season plays a great role in determining how much you are going to spend on a flight). There is also a direct flight from Porto to São Miguel, but there is no significant difference with the one you can take from Lisbon. It is always two and a half hours long. This flight costs more than €100 throughout the summer season and it is provided by the same airline companies. So the only real difference is where you want to spend time before landing on the most important island of the Azores. the colourful Lisbon or Porto, the Douro pearl.

Get to Sao Miguel by boat

However, if you enjoy cruises, and you have a lot of time to spare, there is another option to get to the Azores that it is less traditional and more adventurous. From Lisbon (and from other cities as well), there are many different cruises you can choose from to reach this unique destination. If you have ten or more days, I would suggest you pick the tour that passes through Madeira before reaching São Miguel. Starting the cruise from the city you prefer (as I said, Lisbon is just one of many choices you have), this option offers you the possibility to experience an incredible variety of cities to land to, cultures and sceneries, from the open horizons of the Azores to the golden beaches of Porto Santo in Madeira. You will have a set of unforgettable memories that you will remember with a big smile on your face. However, I have to say that cruises are very, and when I say very, I mean very, very expensive. Their prices stretch from €2,000 to €4,000 depending on how many people are joining you. If a cruise for you, have a look at the offers from Seascanner here. If you would like me to suggest to you what is the best option, I would definitely say fly. Choosing this way, you will save so much money that you will have the funds to plan another holiday.

• The best things to do on São Miguel island

There are many attractions you might see in São Miguel. It offers so many things to choose from that it is likely to satisfy the most discerning palates.

Lagoa de Sete Cidades

The most iconic attraction to see on the “Ilha Verde” is Lagoa de Sete Cidades, the volcanic crater filled with a lake whose water is so blue that you might end up confusing it with the sky. Created from the tears for a forbidden love between a shepherd and a princess, the lake can be seen from the King’s View lookout. It’s a stunning view you will remember all of your life. Lagoa das Sete Cidades is a protected landscape, considered to be one of the Seven Natural Wonders in Portugal.

Ponta da Madrugada and Ponta do Sossego lookouts

If you are a courting couple, if you are trying to find the best place to propose or even if you are just a very romantic person that loves to admire the sun rising from the ocean to the sky, Ponta da Madrugada and Ponta do Sossego lookouts are the best places in on São Miguel to do it. Even if it might require a lot of psychological strength, since you may be required to get up early in the morning, you are going to be amazed by the beauty of the sunrise. Its light will make the ocean a melted gold plan, giving you the possibility to see something close to what people see in heaven.

Miradouro da Grota do Inferno

Originally known as Lagoa do Canário lookout since it’s a few steps away from Canário lake, Miradouro da Grota do Inferno offers a breathtaking view of Lagoa das Sete Cidades. It is becoming more and more popular, so my suggestion is to get there early in the morning to avoids crowds of people that might you prevent from enjoying the 360 degrees view of São Miguel and its treasures.

Are you planning a quick trip to São Miguel? Why not take a guided tour of the whole west side of São Miguel? Take in all the highlights like Sete Cidades, Fogo Lake, Caldeira Velha, Ribeira Grande town, the pineapple greenhouses and more. Learn about the island’s nature and history from an expert guide. This tour books out fast so plan ahead and click here at Get Your Guide to book your tickets from only €59 per person which includes lunch and entrance fees.

Lagoa do Canário

Lagao do Canário is a little lake that was created in a small crater that is surrounded by a dense forest, as if it was was a blue pearl protected by a green shield. It is known worldwide as “Snapchat lake” since its shape resembles the logo of the app. It’s the ideal place to find peace and serenity, so it’s ideal for people that want to take a break from the word and their fast-paced life.

Ponta da Ferraria

If you are a busy business person that struggles to find some peace, or if you want to get rid of the stress of your nine to five job, São Miguel is the right place for you because, among the landscapes you will also find some spas and bathing sites. Ponta da Ferraria’s natural therapeutic waters have been regenerating stressed people since the 15th century and they will help you to forget the moments spent in the office.

Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias

You remember that I mentioned that you can see very impressive gothic buildings in São Miguel, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias is one of them. Reflecting itself in the pure waters of the lake, this chapel it’s one of a kind in all the Azores. In the chapel is buried José do Canto, the person that wanted to build this magnificent example of gothic architecture.

Church of Our Lady of the Rosary

If you love to visit churches, another remarkable place you have to visit is Church of Our Lady of the Rosary. The church was built over another older chapel, erected probably in the 13h century, It is known for it’s ancient and magical a pipe organ and the three sets of columns that dress up the main body of the church.

Ponta Delgada

On São Miguel, there are a lot of paths that will bring you to lakes and view points that will provide you with the best memories of all your life, but it’s not only about that. The capital of Ponta Delgada has much to offer for people willing to give it a try. You can walk on the “Avenida”, a long street along the sea, try some fancy food in the numerous bars and restaurants in the town or visit Mercado do Graça, the typical and colourful farmer’s market. There are so many things to do, you will probably need to dedicate a couple of days to Ponta Delgada itself, in order to try them all.

Pico de Barrosa

Pico de Barrosa is a mountain near to the capital, one of the few places where you can see both the south and the north of this island, admire the sea, the lakes and the capital itself.

Lagoa do Fogo

Lagoa do Fogo ‘s name refers to the fact that the lake was created in a volcanic crater. Being a natural reserve since 1974, it’s the ideal choice for people that love to hike. There are a lot of hikes of different difficulties that will allow you to have amazing views of the lake.

These are just some tips, but believe me, São Miguel is filled with attractions. From whale watching to romantic gardens, there is so much to choose from that nearly every taste can be satisfied. Have you always wanted to go whale watching? There is a fantastic tour from Get Your Guide here that will take you out around Azores waters with real biologists, conservationists and naturalists who will explain everything you wanted to know about the beautiful animals and their habitat. Prices start at only €55 per person for the three-hour boat trip. Make sure you book early by clicking here . But what about a place to stay?

• Where to stay in São Miguel

Depending on how big your budget is, there is a wide choice for you, from top rated hotels to some fancy hostels that allow you to save some money while having the best time of your life spending your holidays here.

The Azor Hotel located in the capital, Ponta Delgada, offers more than 100 rooms with a stunning view of the sea. There are a lot of facilities like an indoor pool, a spa and the possibility to arrange some outdoor activities to explore all the hidden treasures of São Miguel. Since it’s a top quality hotel, it is expensive regardless of the season, but the stay will be so magical, that the money spent is worth it. Prices start at €442 for two nights. For more details and to book, visit this hotel on Booking.com here .

Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico

Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico is the best rated hotel in Ponta Delgada. Why? The answer is simple. it has a classic design, inspired by the style of the European Grand Hotel, it is in front of Ponta Delgada’s marina with an unforgettable view of the sea and it has a lot of services like an indoor Pool. Again, it is very expensive, so be prepared to sacrifice part of your budget to book the stay as prices start at €342. Check out the best deals from Booking.com here .

1ofushostel B&B

If you want to save some money all the time, like me, but at the same time, you want something cool, 1ofushostel B&B is the perfect choice for you. It’s a hostel, so you know you are going to save a lot even if you book in the high season, but it provides so many services that, in my opinion, it can challenge the top quality hotels. This hostel also offers you a shuttle service to the airport, a barbecue area in the garden and the great advantage to be located near Portas da Cidade. Prices start at €78 for two nights and they always have deals on offer on Booking.com here .

If you are going to São Miguel with your family, I would suggest you try these magnificent Airbnb apartments. Chez Danny is a mini suit where you can have rest after having toured the island, spending not more than around €45 per night regardless of the season (cleaning fee excluded). Apartment S. Miguel is a very nicely furnished apartment in a convenient position where you are going to spend around €55 a night even if you have booked for four people. That’s the reason why, if you are a family you definitely need to give these options a try. After having seen all the hot spots of São Miguel, found a place to stay, I bet you want to know something about the weather. So, let’s dig in. Did you like this article? Don’t miss out on more like this by signing up for our newsletter here .

• The best time to visit São Miguel

It’s very difficult to pick out a season that it’s clearly the best option. Of course, the high season offers, in general, higher temperatures and sunny days, but it is not entirely true for São Miguel and the Azores. The weather can change so fast that you can have four seasons packed in one day or few hours. However, as I said, if you want to have the chance to find more sunny days, you will have to opt for the summer months and also for September, knowing that it will be more expensive and that São Miguel will be filled with tourists. For a more detailed look at the weather in the Azores, click here . Here is the weather forecast in Ponta Delgada for the next seven days: PONTA DELGADA WEATHER

After this quick overview of São Miguel, I am sure you are curious to taste some of the attractions of this beautiful island. I bet it will take only three points of view to make you fall in love with the Azores! Discover more about the Azores here .

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São Miguel, Azores: Travel guide for 2024

São Miguel island, Azores. The ideal setting for nature lovers who want a different kind of vacations, in touch with nature and filled with memorable experiences. This São Miguel guide will give you the necessary insider advice to travel smart on my home island!

A mere two-hour flight from mainland Portugal , Azores are the Atlantic’s best well kept secret. Here you can find all kinds of nature delights to get you back in touch with unspoiled nature: crater lakes, valleys, hot springs, whales and dramatic cliffs.

São Miguel is the largest island in the archipelago and home to the biggest city: Ponta Delgada . At any part of each island you will be amazed with the contrast of the blue of the ocean with the vivid green landscapes.

Hey, and it’s not because it’s my home island. It’s just rare to see a place with so much raw beauty these days.

In this São Miguel travel guide

How to get to são miguel, azores.

First step is getting there. Unless you want a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, the easiest way to get to São Miguel is by plane. These days, you can fly from both mainland Portugal (Porto or Lisbon) and countries like Spain, Canada, United Kingdom and the United States .

The island is served by many airline companies, including Delta Airlines, TAP Portugal , Lufthansa or Ryanair.

I recommend checking the cheapest fares with Skyscanner .

For more info on how to get to São Miguel, check my Azores flights page.

Best Time To Visit São Miguel

Weather-wise, the Azores are known for their ever-changing weather. Locals know we can have the four seasons in just one day! It’s a leap of faith. Having that said, the best time to go are the Summer months, June to September.

Make sure you check Spot Azores . With this website and mobile app, you can check live webcams and chase the sun all around the islands. Make sure you know what to pack for Azores too.

But choosing the best time to visit the Azores is much more than just looking at the good weather. Eventually it all comes down on your interests and which activities are you most willing to experience in the islands:

Adding all these criteria to the mix, June or September looks like winners to me. But you can find a month-by-month analysis on my page about the best time to visit the islands .

Main attractions in São Miguel, Azores

You can expect dozens of awesome spots in the island – I’ve highlighted at least 20 of them in my São Miguel itinerary article .

These are some of the places you can’t miss in São Miguel.

Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake)

This is the kind of gorgeous nature that grabs hold of you tightly. It’s one of the wildest areas in the island – modern construction is not permitted here. Once you’re next to this lagoon, all you can hear are the seagulls around you. A truly magical place and one of the top places in my São Miguel itinerary .

As of June 2023, be aware that car rentals are not allowed during summer months between 9am and 7pm. All non-residents should take a shuttle up to the lake, with a cost of 5€.

The charming settlement of Furnas, sided by lush hills on all sides is a must on your trip to São Miguel. Whilst a small village, there’s enough to keep you busy here for a whole day!

• Caldeiras – dozens of steam holes give the whole area a eerie and moon-ish look. Not to mention the sulphur smell.
• Terra Nostra Park – a lush and vibrant park with thousands of species of plants from all over the world. The big attraction is the open-air thermal pool rich in iron and other minerals. The water is orange and is at a 35-40C temperature, 100% heated by nature.
• Poça Dona Beija – another popular spot to enjoy the hot springs. A set of 5 open-air thermal pools alongside a small creek and palm trees.

Oh and just a 5-min drive away, make sure you stop by Lagoa das Furnas (see next section ).

Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas Lake)

Another one of the 3 main lakes in São Miguel . The hike to the gothic church sitting in the west shore holds beautiful sights. There’s also a new Interpretation Centre to better understand the efforts being done to preserve the lake as it is, despite the agriculture and tourism pressures.

On the opposite shore of the lagoon, there are hot springs where you can actually see boiling water and muds as well as holes in which they cook the famous Cozido das Furnas (Furnas stew).

Continue reading more about Furnas and learn more about Furnas Lake, the hot springs, beaches and where to eat!

Lagoa das Sete Cidades

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by BRUN🌎 (@bruno_mb) on Jul 8, 2018 at 7:30am PDT

Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Sete Cidades Lagoon) with its green and blue lakes is the most well-known postcard of the Azores . You’ll see it in every brochure, ad or article about the islands.

However, the whole area of Sete Cidades in the west of the island is filled with lakes, lagoons and spectacular views.

• Lagoa das Sete Cidades – the popular twin blue & lakes
• Lagoa do Canário – for some reason tourists started to call it Snapchat lake because it resembles their logo 🤷
• Lagoa de São Tiago – the greenest of them all
• Lagoa das Empadadas – a set of smaller lakes scattered in the hills; great hiking spot!
• Miradouro da Boca do Inferno – check next section
• Serra Devassa – popular hiking trail

Miradouro da Boca do Inferno

This viewpoint is also known as Miradouro da Lagoa do Canário and is located in Sete Cidades , in the western part of São Miguel island. When the weather cooperates – only about 20% of the days are sunny around here – it has a breathtaking view of the old volcanic crater with all its lakes, meadows, and hills.

Fingers crossed for this one – make sure you leave the day with best weather forecast to go here, it’s worth it!

Ilhéu de Vila Franca

This islet off the coast of Vila Franca do Campo is a swimming and bathing paradise. The natural bay has got with crystal clear waters and protects swimmers from the Atlantic waves. A wonder for kids or grown-ups like me who still feel like kids on the inside.

Bring swimwear and snorkeling gear. Note however you won’t find much comfort to lay down or towel. The best option is to nest next to some rocks or concrete platform – the only beach in the islet gets flooded during high tide.

You can only get to Vila Franca’s islet there by a small boat departing from Vila Franca’s marina. You need to buy your tickets online or in a booth in the marina itself.

I suggest buying them in advance as the demand is high during summer. Only 400 tickets are sold each day and if you don’t get there at the earliest hour, it’s likely they are sold out.

Unique things to do in São Miguel, Azores

In such a naturally gifted place, outdoor activities should be on top of your priorities. I’ve listed the main adventure stuff the island has to offer , but here’s some of the most unique things you can do in São Miguel .

Walk through a tea plantation

The Azores is the only European region with tea plantations. Gorreana and Porto Formoso tea estates have been producing biological tea for centuries now.

Bring some comfortable shoes and hike around this unique landscape with the sea as a backdrop.

Whale-Watching

Azores are a renowned world-class whale watching spot, so I’d highly recommend adding this to your bucket list when you’re in the islands. Up to 10% of ALL known cetacean species can be seen in a single three-hour trip.

April to June are the months of the year where the migratory routes of cetaceans overlap the most. Check the full whale-watching calendar here.

São Miguel island is home to many scenic hiking trails, packed with volcano craters, lagoons, small rivers and waterfalls which are accessible only on foot.

Perhaps the most popular one is hiking down Lagoa do Fogo , but there at least 20 official trails in the island . These cover all ranges of difficulties, lengths and all kinds of landscapes.

Have a volcanic lunch (Furnas stew)

Cozido das Furnas (Furnas Stew) is a stew cooked that is boiled… underground. Yap. The food is placed in holes of the hot springs of Furnas and the volcanic heat works its magic during 4+ hours to add a unique flavor to the meat and vegetables.

Don’t worry though – you can skip the cooking process and go straight to the tasting part in one of the several restaurants in Furnas . Look for Cozido das Furnas on the menu.

Where To Stay In São Miguel

I recommend staying at least three to four full days in São Miguel and pick a hub to base yourself in. Ponta Delgada, Furnas or Ribeira Grande areas are good choices. Allow yourself some time to unwind and explore the landscapes the island has to offer.

To make your life easier, you can start your search with my pre-selection of the hotels/guesthouses/villas in the island of São Miguel . The list only includes rooms with wifi and with good-to-excellent reviews, hard to go wrong with these.

These are my three best hotel suggestions in the island:

⭐ My top hotel recommendations in São Miguel ⭐

Premium hotel with modern design (opened in 2016) and within walking distance to the city center and to the ocean. Ah and there’s a gorgeous pool on the terrace!

Furnas Boutique Hotel, Furnas

Located in Furnas, its full-wellness program and nature-inspired-interiors make it the ideal place to relax.

Out of the Blue, Ponta Delgada

Stylish, clean, comfortable hotel at a very reasonable price. Excellent value for money!

Getting around in São Miguel, Azores

Public transportation on the island is very limited and not reliable for two reasons. Firstly, it’s not a frequent service – some routes only operate 2/3 times a day. But more importantly, most routes don’t take you to the places you want to see; they’re optimized for locals to move around between towns, not for tourists.

I predict this might change in the near future, but for now private guides (if you have the budget), day tours, or car rentals are better choices. I strongly recommend you getting your own wheels and rent a car to explore the island independently . Trust me, it adds to the sense of adventure!

Use Skyscanner or the below RentalCars to compare rental prices. Both are reliable and quickly give you an overview of prices across available operators.

How many days to stay in São Miguel?

While the island is not too big, there are a ton of activities which can take up some time. Also, the weather is quite unpredictable, so it would be a good idea to have some days to act as a time buffer.

I suggest a minimum of 4 full days in São Miguel , which coincides with my island itinerary . This is enough to get a good grasp of the island vibe and have time to enjoy stuff like whale-watching or just relax the entire afternoon on a hot spring.

Especially if you’re looking to hike a lot or try out several activities , consider staying for longer: up until a full week there’s a lot of things to see and do.

Don’t let the prices rise more. Book your accommodation in São Miguel now!

São miguel food.

The food you can expect to eat in São Miguel does not differ much from what you can find in mainland Portugal This includes a diet with a lot of fresh fish – specially cod, vegetables and many meat-based comfort food.

Apart from the cozido das Furnas mentioned before, there are some local delicacies filled with tradition and unique flavour you have to try in São Miguel!

What to Eat in São Miguel

• Ananás : Seems rather odd to highlight a piece of fruit, but the very famous Azorean pineapple is famous for a reason. Its extra sweetness it will probably make all the pineapples you’ve ever tasted banal .
• Bolo Lêvedo : A hybrid between a cake and a bread you can eat anytime. Try it with jam, butter or even as an hamburger!
• Bife à Regional (Regional Steak) : So many happy cows living the green pastures of São Miguel also means… good beef. The meat in Azores is simply delicious, so unless you’re a hardcore vegetarian, you MUST try the steak, azorean style.

My Favorite Places to Eat in São Miguel

• Associação Agrícola : While it can be a bit expensive for Azorean standards, it’s one of the best places in the island for having a juicy tender steak. Not suitable for vegetarians.
• Terra Nostra Garden : Located literally in the middle of the majestic Terra Nostra Park in Furnas , this hotel restaurant is open for everyone to taste the delicious local food in a beautiful setting. Great value-for-money!
• A Tasca : Great local food with a lively atmosphere in the center of Ponta Delgada . This is as azorean as it gets. It’s always packed.

Note: I used to recommend Cais 20 as one must-go for seafood, but not anymore. My last experiences there were dreadful. I’ll only say it includes seafood soup made from Knorr packages. Totally overrated!

Still hungry for more? Check my food guide of São Miguel, with the best places to eat in the island.

São Miguel Travel Review

Whenever I write about my home island, I try to see things on the shoes of a traveler. It helps avoiding getting my bias out of control.

But it’s hard to not get excited about São Miguel. I’m sure the vibrant green of the fields, the bright blue of the lagoons and the dramatic landscapes will win you over in a heartbeat. In a well-connected world where more and more people travel everyday, it’s very hard to find a place with such unspoiled beauty and at the same time, safe and friendly.

São Miguel island has boomed as a travel destination in the last few years – with all good & bad things this will entail. The best time to go is now.

Useful Links

• Azores Getaways – killer holiday deals (flights + hotel) to the Azores
• Car Rental – book your car rental from Ponta Delgada airport right away
• Hiking Trails of São Miguel – official hiking trails in São Miguel
• Visit Azores – the tourism board of Azores

More articles about the Azores

• The Ultimate Itinerary of São Miguel Island (Made By An Azorean)
• The Top Azores Hot Springs & Thermal Baths in Sao Miguel
• Furnas, Azores: Unique things to do in the Furnas Valley
• Ponta Delgada, Azores: 12 Things To Do In My Hometown
• The 13 Most Beautiful Azores Beaches
• When Is The Best Time to Go To Azores?
• Hiking in Azores: An Insider Guide
• São Miguel, Azores: Full Travel Guide by a Local
• The Best Hotels in São Miguel, Azores For All Kinds Of Travelers
• Azores: 20 Travel Tips To Know Before You Go

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The complete guide to são miguel azores.

Sao Miguel Azores is a hidden gem of an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean! This will walk you through how to get there, where to stay, what to eat, and what to do in São Miguel Island !

São Miguel island Azores in Portugal is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to! My expectations were high after seeing incredible pictures online, but I was honestly blown away as we explored the island! We happen to go in the summer during the hydrangea bloom and it was truly a sight to behold! There are so many amazing things to do in Sao Miguel, but not a lot of information out there. Hopefully, this Azores guide will help you plan your visit.

Here's a Short Cut

Where is São Miguel Island

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São Miguel Portugal is one of 9 main islands in the Azores archipelago located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. São Miguel is the largest and most populated island in the Azores and where all flights from the US come to in the Azores first. 

Getting to São Miguel is easy. There are direct flights to São Miguel coming from Boston, New York City, and Portugal. It’s an easy flight from the US, just under 5 hours. I can get to São Miguel faster than I can get to California. 

How to Get Around São Miguel Island

There are several great tours on São Miguel island, Azores and it can be a great way to see the island and learn about it from a local. This is a great tour that will take you to see the best sites in the island. We took a full day ATV tour and it was seriously amazing! We were able to go on a lot of little dirt side roads that we couldn’t take our rental car down. 

While taking a tour of São Miguel is a great idea, renting a car is a good way to see the island at your own pace. The roads are fairly good, but windy and narrow. Check here for the best car rental São Miguel Azores rates.

Where to Stay in São Miguel Island

There are plenty of São Miguel Azores hotels and Airbnbs on the island. Since it was our anniversary, we mainly stayed in nice hotels (a rare treat for us). These were the best São Miguel hotels that we loved.

We loved this unique luxury hotel in the adorable town of Furnas. It has its own thermal pools, a swimming pool, and an amazing restaurant, A Terra! 

Located in the Terra Nostra Park, the beautiful botanical gardens, Terra Nostra Garden Hotel is a beautiful oasis with a great location. You’ll also have full access to the natural hot springs and natural pools.

This luxury hotel, located in downtown Ponta Delgada, was beautiful. We had a huge corner suite with gorgeous views of the ocean.

This hotel is also in Ponta Delgada and is in a great location, walkable to great restaurants and anything you want to see downtown. Honestly, the Azor and this hotel are pretty close together and I preferred the Azor . So if you have to pick, I’d choose that.

If you’re looking to go to the Azores, but don’t want the hassle of booking your airfare, accommodation, car rental, or tours,  AND you want to save money, then Azores Getaways has some seriously amazing packages and deals! I honestly think they are the best bang for your buck. Their prices really can’t be beaten for a package tour. 

Their deals start as low as $499/person . That includes airfare, hotel, and car! Insane! And they often occasionally have sales on top of that, so keep an eye out! Click here for a list of the Azores Getaways itineraries and deals.

This Sao Miguel Island package looks amazing! 

São Miguel Azores Weather

Let’s talk about the weather in São Miguel, and the Azores in general. The Azores definitely has seasons, but they are much milder than you’ll find in other parts of Europe.

How cold does it get in the Azores? Well, not that cold. Even in the dead of winter, the coldest it gets at night is in the low 50s (11-12 Celcius) and it’s in the mid-60s (17/18 Celcius) during the day. The summer temperatures are even nicer at around low 60s (17/18 Celcius)  at night and mid-70s (24/26 Celcius) during the day. 

So with the weather only fluctuating about 20 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, it’s a very mild climate. However, it does rain a lot! I mean look at these pictures! All that green, all those flowers, and all those lakes? How do you think they get like that?  Rain! It rained almost every day we were in the Azores in July, but there was never a crazy downpour and the light sprinkle wasn’t too cold. We found that it mostly rained in the afternoon, so it’s best to get up early and prepare for some rain later in the day. 

What is the best month to visit the Azores? This is a tough question to answer because I think the Azores would honestly be lovely year-round, but I think visiting São Miguel especially in the summer is quite magical because of the hydrangea bloom!

If you’ve seen any pictures of the Azores before, particularly São Miguel, you’ll see massive hydrangea blooms everywhere! These gorgeous flowers, that are actually an invasive species brought over from Japan, cover the island during the summer months, turning it into a colorful island of blues, pinks, and purples. The blossoms differ in color due to the content of the soil. 

The hydrangeas bloom between June and September . This is also when the weather will be warmest. We were on São Miguel in the middle of July and it did not feel crowded or touristy at all. The tour companies all seemed happy to have us there and were grateful for the tourism. 

That being said, they did say that tourism is really slow there in the winter. So if you are really crowd averse, or want to save some money, It might be a good idea to visit in the off-season.

São Miguel Food

The food in the Azores totally blew me away. I had honestly never read or heard anything about Azoreean food so it was an amazing surprise. I’ve never seen a culture use fruits and vegetables in such a tasty way in almost every dish! You can read more about amazing food in my Azores Food Guide. 

The great thing about the food in the Azores is that it is super affordable! We ate out at nice restaurants every night for around $30 total! Be sure to order fresh grilled fish at least once! It was amazing. 

We ate out every day in the Azores, with the exception of a few lunches where we just ate food from the market or a homemade sandwich with bolos & queijo, but we were on an anniversary vacation and staying in hotels, so I was NOT cooking! There were honestly not any restaurants in São Miguel that we didn’t like, but these were the standouts for us:

• À TERRA: This modern restaurant located in the Furnas Boutique Hotel combines a new era of cooking with the traditional flavors of the Azores. All of their meats and produce are sourced locally, and I promise everything is delicious! We ate here for all three meals while staying in the incredible attached hotel. I didn’t want to leave! 
• Restaurante Lagoa Azul: Our tour guide took us to this restaurant near Lago Azul in Sete Cidades. It was a great place to sample tons of different Azorean cuisine from fish, beef, oxtail, and passion fruit cheesecake! It was all super yummy and affordable. 
• Tasquinha Vieira: This little hidden gem in Ponta Delgada, the main city of São Miguel, was a great surprise and celebration on the last night of our visit to the Azores! Locally sourced food meets gourmet cooking for a mouthwatering combination! 

This São Miguel Azores map will help you see where the main sites on the island are. Everything seems really spread out, but honestly, you won’t have longer than a 1.5-hour drive from one end of the island to the other. 

The Best Things to do in São Miguel Azores

There are so many amazing things to do in São Miguel Azores! For such a tiny island, you could honestly spend an entire week or more here and have action-packed days! There are many different guided tours that you can take, or you can rent a car and explore the island on your own. I’ll tell you our favorite things we did on São Miguel.

São Miguel island, Portugal is small and you can see most of it on the main roads, but there are some tiny farm roads that run through the center of the island that offer a beautiful insight into how much of the island runs and lives. If you want to access these roads you’ll need to do it on an ATV or buggy tour.

I wouldn’t recommend taking even a 4-wheel vehicle on these roads. They are too narrow, bumpy, and complicated. Your guide will know exactly where to take you. We took this 8-hour buggy tour and it was one of the best things we did on São Miguel! 

The Azores is famous for the whales that surround it! In fact, whaling used to be what sustained life on the islands a hundred years ago. The whaling industry has since ended, and a new world of whale tourism has entered the scene.

The Azores is one of the largest whale sanctuaries in the world with over 20 different species in the water! You’re nearly guaranteed to see whales if you take a whale-watching tour in São Miguel. You’ll also most likely see dolphins! There are many different whale-watching tours you can take. Most will leave from Ponta Delgada.

I recommend this 7-hour tour that will allow you to view whales and dolphins in the Azores while also snorkeling at the Vila Franca Islet! You can book the tour here. 

The town of Furnas on the east side of the island of São Miguel is not to be missed. The whole area honestly deserves aa entire article, there is so much to do! This was our first introduction to the islands and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I recommend taking at least an entire day to explore this serene area. It’s a quick 20-minute drive from Ponta Delgada, the main city of São Miguel. It’s a great place to base yourself for exploring the island. 

There are also some amazing hotels in Furnas that are great if you’re looking for something special. We stayed at the Furnas Boutique Hotel, which has its own thermal hot spring pools and a beautiful spa as well as the amazing A Terra restaurant. I could live here and die happy! The rooms were small but beautiful, and the amenities and staff were all amazing. 

Furnas is located in a valley that is actually a crater of a volcano! Seems like a good place to build a village right? The volcano erupted in 1630 and is now dormant, but the signs are still there almost 400 years later. The entire area is covered with steam holes and hot springs, making it a unique destination! 

Since you’re on an island, a trip to the beach is a must! There are several great family friendly beaches on Sao Miguel. These are the best beaches on the island of Sao Miguel:

• Praia de Santa Barbara
• Praia dos Mosteiros
• Praia de Agua D’Alto
• Praia do Fogo
• Praia Caloura
• Praia do Monhos
• Praia Amora
• Praia Populo
• Ponta da Ferraria
• Piscinas do Pesqueiro

You will see signs for “caldeiras” all over the island. These are steam holes where sulfuric liquid bubbles up through the ground. This is what makes the hot springs warm all over the island. They do have a sulfuric smell, but you honestly get used to it.

If you go to the small town of Furnas between noon and 5 pm, you should be able to see locals and restaurants cooking corn or Cozido in the caldeiras. Cozido is a meat and vegetable stew that you can’t miss while in Furnas. You can read more about Cozido and more amazing food in the Azores here. 

Lago das Furnas is one of the most beautiful areas on the island of São Miguel Island. It’s serene and eerie at the same time, especially if you’re there on a cloudy day. Furnas Lake is one of the three main lakes on São Miguel and one of the most easily accessible. It’s light green color also makes it one of the most iconic lakes on the island. You can walk the perimeter of the lake and take in the views.

There are also some more incredible caldeiras on the right side of the lake. Here you can rent kayaks or paddle boats to explore the lake. Algae is what gives the lake its distinct green color, so it’s not a great place for swimming. 

Don’t miss the gorgeous Nossa Senhora das Vitórias, a beautiful Neo-gothic church built by a nobleman who wanted to bury his wife along the shores of beautiful Lago das Furnas. 

As you walk along Lago das Furnas, stop at the little church named Ermida Nossa Senhora das Vitorias, built by a gentleman farmer in the 1800s after his beloved wife died. Both he and his wife are buried inside the chapel. 

The idea of wandering through gardens didn’t really initially appeal to me when we visited the island of São Miguel island. We are more hiking and adventure people, and less wandering around gardens people, but this place totally blew us away! In fact, Paul had to drag me out of there so we could see the rest of the island! I honestly could have spent all day in these vast gardens! There are acres to explore, so I highly recommend spending at least a few hours here. 

Not only can you explore the incredible grounds, but you can also swim in the iron-enriched hot springs! So bring a swimswuit! It’s great on a hot or cold day. The springs are warm, but refreshing. Because of the iron in the water, I highly recommend bringing a dark-colored swimsuit that won’t get stained. And because of the sulfur in the water, you should rinse it out as soon as possible to avoid bringing home the souvenir of a smelly suitcase with you! 

It costs €8 to enter the gardens and swim, but if you want to enter for free, you can either stay at the Terre Nostra Hotel, or eat at the Restaurant. Both are pricey, but you really cannot beat the location! 

As amazing and remote as this lake looks in all the pictures, it’s actually the easiest lake to get to on the island of São Miguel! You can pull off on the side of the road to snap a picture. There are absolutely no roads down to Lagoa do Fogo, making it one of the most untouched lakes on the island. You can hike down into the lake, but it is long and steep! 

The island of Sao Miguel is covered in hiking trails, but this one was our favorite. Boca do Inferno means “the mouth of hell” in Portuguese! Sounds like a pretty tough hike right? Well, don’t worry, this is an easy uphill hike/walk that will lead you to the most stunning and probably most famous view in all of São Miguel Island! From here you can see the seven blue and green lakes that make up the Sete Cidades. The view is out of this world, but it’s a steep fall down, so if you’re going with kids, just be careful. 

Ponta Delgada is the largest town in São Miguel and where the majority of Azoreans live. It’s also the historical center of the island and where you’ll find the most restaurants, hotels, and tour companies. Here are the main sites in Ponta Delgada:

• Mercado da Graça: The local indoor market where you can shop for Azorean fruit like Pineapple, bananas, watermelon, and passion fruit! 
• Rei dos Queijos: Right next door to the Mercado is the most amazing cheese shop! Buy some Bolos (bread) and queijo (cheese).
• Climb the Bell Tower for Amazing Views
• Check out the Sidewalks
• Visit the Arches

São Miguel island Azores is abundant with natural hot springs due to its volcanic activity. Visiting hot springs is one of the most popular things to do in São Miguel! Here are some things to know before going to the thermal hot springs in the Azores:

• Don’t wear a light-colored swimsuit. There is iron in most of the thermal water which will stain light suits brown or orange (ask me how I know)!
• Pick a cloudy or rainy day to visit the hot springs. If you’re going to get wet anyway, you might as well be warm! 
• Don’t wear jewelry in the hot springs. The water can tarnish it.
• Don’t drink the water.

There are several hot springs on the island of São Miguel. These are the ones we visited:

• Caldeira Velha: This is probably the most beautiful of all the thermal springs in São Miguel Azores. There’s even a picturesque waterfall (pictured above). It does get busy, so I recommend going early if you can. You can rent lockers at this hot spring for a fee.  Cost: €8
• Poca Dona Beija: These 5 thermal pools are also very popular, but super pretty! Get there early. Cost: €6
• Termas das Caldeiras: This hidden gem has 3 pools, 1 outdoor and 2 indoor. The public can use the outdoor pool, but to gain access to the indoor pools you’ll have to book the spa!  Cost: €3 for outdoor pool
• Ponta da Ferraria: This small cove on the western side of the island is surrounded by lava rock cliffs. The ocean water is heated by a geothermal natural spring beneath the waves. There is also a spa here !  Cost: Free
• Terra Nostra: This gorgeous garden I’ve mentioned above has its own hot spring. This one is very brown/orange due to the iron content, so be especially careful with your lighter swimwear. You can rent towels at this hot spring for a fee. If you want free access to the hot springs and gardens you can eat lunch at the Terra Nostra or stay as a guest. Book here.  Cost: €8 Check Availability
• Furnas Boutique Hotel: We stayed at this gorgeous hotel, which is also home to the A TERRA restaurant. The hot springs were amazing. They all have pools built around them with several different temperature options. They also have saunas and luxurious showers. If you want to access to the pools you’ll have to stay at the hotel. Book here.  Check Availability

Sample Azores São Miguel Itinerary

You could spend as little as 3 days on the island of São Miguel or up to a month on this amazing island! Here’s what you can do with on week in Sao Miguel:

• Day 1: Arrive in Ponta Delgada and explore the town. Visit the Mercado da Gracia. 
• Day 2: Spend the day exploring the town of Furnas and watching locals cook Cozido.
• Day 3: Explore the Terra Nostra Gardens 
• Day 4 : Swim in the hot springs of São Miguel Island.
• Day 5: Take an ATV tour of São Miguel Island.
• Day 6: Take a Whale Watching Tour
• Day 7: Take a day trip to another island in the Azores

I hope you have an amazing time on São Miguel island. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world and I promise you won’t be disappointed! If you have any questions or need help planning, please get in touch! If you want to save this for later, please pin this post and be sure to check out my Azores board on Pinterest for other great ideas!

São Miguel, Azores is the largest and most famous island in the Azores archipelago of Portugal. It’São Miguel, Azores is the largest and most famous island in the Azores archipelago of Portugal. It is known for stunning views, mountains, and lakes. It is also known for its pineapple production.

That’s really tough to answer. Each island in the Azores is beautiful in its own way and known for its different beautiful places. I think if you are judging solely off the beauty of the landscape, I would have to choose the island of Sao Miguel.

I mean, are there ever enough days for a vacation? I think 3-5 days is a good amount of time to explore the entire island. If you visit Sao Miguel for a week, you could leave a few days for day trips to other islands.

Sao Miguel is the easiest island to get to in the Azores. The easiest way to get there from the US is to fly directly to Sao Miguel. There are direct flights from New York and Boston.

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Book Your Flight s and Car Find a budget airlines by using  Skyscanner . This is my favorite way to search for flights because they crawl websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know you’re getting the best deal. Learn more tips for finding the best flight deals here. For cars, I like to use Rental Cars because they have good filters and its easy to search for multiple companies.

Book Your Accommodation My preferred way to stay around the world is VRBO . I find it usually gives you a unique local experience in any destination. If you want to stay in a hotel, use  Booking , as it consistently gives the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. I use them both all the time.

Always Get Travel Insurance Travel insurance protects you and your family against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s peace of mind in case anything goes wrong. I never travel without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for the last few years and love how easy it is to use. I have also used Allianz . Compare rates to see which is best for the coverage you need.

Looking for ways to save money on travel? Check out my  resource page  for the companies I use for traveling! I share everything I use to save me time and money.

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São Miguel Itinerary: how to spend 3 to 7 days on this wonderful island

By: Author Kris

Posted on Last updated: May 28, 2024

This São Miguel itinerary will show you the best of this unspoiled island in the middle of the Atlantic.

Whether you have 3 days in São Miguel or a full week, you will see many of the highlights and the hidden gems that the island has to offer.

São Miguel is the largest island of the Azores archipelago. While it is still relatively small it does require more than 1 hour to drive from the eastern to the western tip. Therefore we also share advice on where to stay during your vacation.

Are you ready to discover some of the earth’s most spectacular wonders?

There  is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you.

Best tips for your São Miguel trip

Here is an overview of the most important things to know before traveling to São Miguel.

Where to stay:

Ponta Delgada: Casa do Contado

Furnas: Furnas Boutique hotel

Renting a car: Check out Discover cars and Rentalcars.com

Need travel insurance for your São Miguel trip? Here you can find all information about World Nomads and Safety Wing

What to pack for the Azores? Hiking shoes and  hiking poles .

Here you can find all our Azores travel posts.

Table of Contents

Is this your first trip to the Azores and do you feel a bit overwhelmed by the travel preparations?

Creating a fantastic itinerary for the Azores will be much easier and much more enjoyable with our Azores Travel Planner .

The perfect São Miguel itinerary

We start our trip in Ponta Delgada. This is the largest city of the Azores and the city serves as its capital.

In total, the Azores has 9 islands.

The Azores are part of Portugal, although they’re located about 1,500 miles from Lisbon.

They are a Portuguese autonomous region, meaning they have their own government and laws.

The Azores were discovered in the 14th century and became a colony of Portugal in the 16th century. Here you can find more information about the Azores islands.

3 days in São Miguel

Here we share a São Miguel itinerary for 3 days.

Day 1 Ponta Delgada, Lagoa das Sete Cidades and the beach of Mosteiros

We start our exploration close to home with a visit to Ponta Delgada.

Ponta Delgada

Ponta Delgada is located on the west coast of São Miguel Island.

The capital is a very interesting destination to visit with its mix of ancient and modern styles.

Visitors can explore different monuments and historical buildings, go for a walk on gorgeous beaches or simply enjoy delicious local dishes.

The historical city center is quite compact and by just getting lost in the city’s charming cobblestone streets you will automatically see many of the major sights.

These include the historic Portas de Cidade at the main square and the 16th century forte de S. Bras which used to defend the city from pirates.

Other historical structures that are worth seeing are the Santuário do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres and the presidential palace that can be found opposite the small but beautiful botanical garden.

Make sure to also take a peek into the Mercado da Graça, the local farmer’s market.

Saturday is market day and then all stalls are open, but there are also more than enough stallholders on other days to make a visit worthwhile. You will see all kinds of fruits, veggies, and cheeses, many produced regionally on the islands.

Make sure to try some of these fresh delicacies, don’t forget that the Azores are famous for their cheese.

Next, we jump into our rental car to explore some of the sights close to the city.

Lagoa das Sete Cidades

Not to miss are the two-tone lakes at Sete Cidades. It is the iconic sight of the Azores which you will find on many postcards. It is located in the northeastern end of the island.

The lakes are often referred to as just Sete Cidades.

Heading to these viewpoints is only worth it if the weather is good.  They are often shrouded in a thick fog. The website  http://www.spotazores.com has several webcams, including one at the viewpoint at Sete Cidades.  We advise to check these webcams before you leave.

This is actually a small village on the western shore of the lakes. The village has a white-washed church and some houses surrounded by lush green fields dotted with cows and sheep.

To see the magical beauty of the lakes you do not have to drive to the village. There are several viewpoints from where the lakes can be seen. These are the two best.

Vista Do Rei

The Miradouro da Vista Do Rei is the easiest of the two to visit. You can almost see the view from your car.

Because the viewpoint is so popular, there are now 2 parking lots. One short-term parking right at the vista. It is limited to 20 minutes which should be enough to take in the spectacular view and take some pictures. Thanks to the time limit you now usually find a parking space in this lot.

If you need more time, or if this parking is full, you can park at the long-term parking which is 900 meters further down the road. It is well signposted.

Boca do Inferno

The view from the Miradoura da Boca do Inferno is perhaps even more spectacular than that from Vista Do Rei. However, even if the view is not better, the experience from this viewpoint will still be more enjoyable as it is less touristy and not next to a road.

Getting to the viewpoint here requires a short hike including a flight of stairs.

The vista has become more popular since it was featured in National Geographic but once you arrive at the point you will see that there are plenty of small spur trails that allow you to spread out and avoid crowds.

The Boca do Inferno viewpoint is not signposted.  To get there you first need to drive to the car park of Lagoa do Canário.

You can stop in the car park along the main road, but you can also take your car down a dirt road opposite the car park until this road eventually terminates in another small car park.

It is a 10 to 15-minute walk from the main road to this car park at the end of the dirt road. From here, steps lead up to the viewpoint.

Something to keep in mind: The fickle weather in the Azores

The islands have a climate that is very much influenced by the surrounding sea, which means that it can be dramatically different from day to day. Speaking of 4 seasons in one day would be an exaggeration, but keep in mind that the weather can completely reverse in the course of a day.

We planned our visit to Sete Cidades on day 1 because this is one of the highlights. This way you can still adjust your schedule if the weather is bad on your first day.

Once you’ve had enough of the view, hop back in your car and follow the road down to the quaint village of Sete Cidades.

The road will lead over the bridge separating Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde. You can park there to take a closer look at this phenomenon.

Then, if you still have the energy and the time you can continue to the spectacular beach of Mosteiros. It impresses with a series of lava rock formations that fringe the shore. Weather permitting you can enjoy a spectacular sunset at this black sandy beach.

Best beach shade for wind

Mosteiros is only a 15-minute drive from Sete Cidades.

Alternatives

• A trail leads from the Vista Do Rei viewpoint to the town of Sete Cidades. It is not the best hike of the island but it offers several nice views at the beginning and the end. The hike is a little over 7 kilometers long and largely follows a dirt road. It is a linear trail, between the start and endpoint is a height difference of 278 meters.

Day 2 Whale watching

The Azores are one of the best places on earth to go whale watching. This means that a whale safari should not be missing on any Azores itinerary.

Whale watching in the Azores

Here are some quick facts about Whale watching in the Azores.

• Whales can be spotted all year round although April to October are considered to be the best months. The types of whales that can be seen vary over the months, you can read more about it here .
• Whaling tours are usually done on zodiac boats. These boats are small, fast, and manoeuvrable. They can get you close to the whales (or at least as close as you’re allowed to). Because of their speed and size the ride can be bumpy at times. If you prefer going with a bigger boat, click here.
• Most tours last 3 hours
• Tours are leaving from either Ponta Delgada or Vila Franca do Campo.
• Companies usually offer a tour that leaves in the morning and one in the afternoon. The chances of spotting the animals are equal in the morning and afternoon.
• Did you know that you can also go swimming with wild dolphins in the Azores?

Check prices and availability: Whale watching tours

Or read our full posts about whale watching in the Azores here.

We encourage you to plan your whale watching excursion early during your trip.

Tours may get canceled if the ocean is too rough. Planning your trip during one of the first days allows you to reschedule it and get a second chance.

We recommend booking the tour that leaves from Vila Franca do Campo.

These tours include a trip around the impressive islet, Ilhéu de Vila Franca , in front of the coast.

The islet is the remains of an old volcano and houses one of the most stunning beaches of São Miguel.

The beach is shaped like a crescent moon and is located within the crater.

The inside of the crater is only connected to the ocean by a small canal so the water is always calm. This makes it probably the most family-friendly beach of São Miguel.

The beach is small and so the number of visitors is limited.

If you want to visit this beach during peak season you may want to do it first thing in the morning as it may have reached its max capacity after you come back from the whale excursion.

Day 3 Lagoa do Fogo, Cascata do Salto do Cabrito, hike to de lakeshore and Ribeira Grande

Today we are heading to another impressive crater lake: Lagoa do Fogo .

Lagoa do Fogo

Lagoa Das Sete Cidades is the most known of the two but we think that Lagoa do Fogo is not inferior. The opposite may be true.

The crater lake is at 575 meters above sea level the highest of the island. There are several viewpoints at the crater rim that you can drive to. These viewpoints are significantly higher, the highest being at 949 meters, and thus often shrouded in clouds.

A webcam at the top of the crater will tell you whether it is a good time to drive to the top or not.

The drive-up is really only worth it if there are no clouds.

These are the most popular viewpoints:

• Miradouro do Pico da Barrosa : the highest viewpoint. It is located along EN5-2A. You can drive to this viewpoint and there is a small parking lot
• Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo : Also located along EN5-2A, a little lower than the previous viewpoint. There’s a trail that leads from this viewpoint to the lakeshore. This is different from the “official” trail to the lake that we discuss below. Be careful if you go down because the path can become very slippery.
• Miradouro do Pico da Vela : Another view on the lake from the nearby Pico da Vela which is 862 meters high. The trail to this viewpoint is a 9km out and back trail with an elevation gain of 344 meters. It starts near Porto Formosa.

Cascata do Salto do Cabrito

When driving up or down to the first 2 viewpoints, you can stop at the Cascata do Salto do Cabrito . A pretty 20-meter high waterfall. Next to the waterfall are stairs leading to a platform at the top from where you have the most impressive sight.

Hike to the lakeshore

It is also possible to hike to the lakeshore and we really advise doing so if you can.

The hike starts a little north of Agua De Alto on the Caminho da Ribeira de Praia. It’s an out-and-back trail of 11 kilometers in total. The details of this hike ( PRC02SMI ) can be found here .

We found the first part of the hike to be rather boring but that all changes once you arrive at the irrigation channel.

The hike follows this channel for quite some time and you will eventually arrive at a valley called Ribeira da Praia.

The small houses you see in the valley abstract water and pump it into the irrigation channel.

From there it is only a short walk to the shore of the lake.

Depending on the weather you can choose to do the hike in the morning or the afternoon.  The first and last part are exposed but where you hike next to the irrigation channel you’re in the woods.  The flowing water also provides cooling.

Reserve at least 4 hours for the walk.

TIP: The sunset over the lake is mind-blowing in good weather.

Here you can find more info about the Lagoa do Fogo hike.

Ribeira Grande

You can end the day in Ribeira Grande .

It’s a charming little town. At the heart are a nice park and the iconic bridge of the 8 eyes.

In the old town, you can choose from several restaurants and bars for a good meal.

• If you won’t be hiking you can spend the afternoon at the Praia de Santa Barbara near Ribeira Grande. A huge elongated black sandy beach. You can opt to relax at the beach but if you’re more of an active person the watersports rental shops are for you. It’s also possible to take surfing lessons.
• While driving from Lagoa do Fogo to Ribeira Grande you also pass the thermal baths of Caldeira Velha . Here you have 3 thermal pools, each has another temperature. The unique location of the baths in the middle of nature makes them particularly picturesque. There’s even a waterfall flowing in one of them. Read more about Caldeira Velha here .

São Miguel itinerary 4 days

Here is what to do if you have 4 days in São Miguel.

Day 4 hiking, canyoning, surfing, paddle boarding or kayaking

We have kept this day free so that you have time to do some of the activities on the island.

Here are some suggestions:

There are numerous fabulous walks on the island of São Miguel. The island has 29 officially marked trails.

The shortest is just over 2 km and the longest is 15 km. Here we describe some of the trails that are worth exploring.

Canyoning is a fun activity for people who are looking for adventure.

When canyoning you will not only see the island’s dramatic landscape but really experience it. It involves rappelling up mountains and waterfalls and abseiling, jumping, and sliding back down.

Some tours also involve a zipline.

There are some tours going to the Ribeira dos Caldeirões natural park while others head to Salto do Cabrito.

Check prices and availability: Canyoning tours overview

Ribeira Grande is the place you want to be for surfing.

Both Santa Barbara beach and Monte Verde beach usually have good waves for surfing.

These are however not the only beaches where you can hit the waves.

São Roque, Pópulo, and Ribeira Quenta, all located on the southern side of the island, are also known to provide good surfing conditions.

The Santa Barbara Surf school can take care of all your surfing needs and, as its name says, is also providing lessons.

Paddle Boarding

You can also rent a SUP board at Lagoa das Sete Cidades.

SUP’ing is not only a great workout that is good for the whole body, but it is also an excellent way to connect with nature.

The SUP rental office is located in Sete Cidades, next to the blue lake.

Check prices and availability: Paddle Board rental

If SUP’ing sounds a little bit too challenging then kayaking might be something for you.

Kayaks are rented from the same location in Sete Cidades and are an equally good way to explore the beautiful lake at your leisure.

Check prices and availability: Kayaking Sete Cidades

You can also join a guided tour from the marina at Vila Franca do Campo to explore the gorgeous islet situated in front of the coast.

Check prices and availability: Guided kayak tour

São Miguel itinerary 5 days

Day 5 furnas.

Today we head to Furnas. Furnas is located in the eastern part of the island of São Miguel.

It is one of the oldest municipalities in São Miguel.

The area has been inhabited since Celtic times and its first settlers were probably people from southern Europe who wanted to escape barbarian invasions. Today the city has 4000 inhabitants.

On top of its rich history, it also has a wonderful landscape, with beautiful mountains and beautiful views.

You can start by visiting the Lagoa das Furnas , a large scenic crater lake located a little outside of the city. This is also where you can see the Caldeiras da Lagoa das Furnas .

This is where they prepare the famous Cozida das Furnas.

There is a small entrance fee to access this area.

Cozida das Furnas is a Portuguese dish that has been passed down from generations to generations. Cozida das Furnas is made up of different meats like beef, veal, lamb and pork which are stewed for hours with vegetables like carrots, onions and potatoes.  The stewing is done in pits in the volcanic ground.

Cozida das Furnas is known for its rich broth that derives from the long stewing process.  The dish can be served with bread or rice but traditionally it was served with bread only because people believed rice would take away the original flavor of Cozida das Furnas.

Many restaurants in Furnas have it on the menu but because of the long preparation process you need to reserve it a day in advance.

Caldeiras das Furnas

In downtown Furnas, you will come across another group of Caldeiras, the Caldeiras das Furnas .

Here you can hike for free in between the boiling mud pools.

Depending on what time you’re there you might see people selling cooked corn cobs. These were cooked in bags in the mud pools.

The mud pools might be good for preparing food but they’re probably a little too hot for a mud bath.

To enjoy the warm pools yourself you can go to either Parque Terra Nostra or the Poça da Dona Beija.

Poça da Dona Beija

Poça da Dona Beija has 5 thermal pools of different temperatures.

There’s a small entrance fee. You can visit it on your own or with a guided tour that includes a traditional Cozida das Furnas meal.

The advantage of a tour is also that it includes transportation.

We found it rather hard to find a parking spot for our car near the baths.

Check prices and availability: Poça da Dona Beija night tour

Terra Nostra baths

The Terra Nostra baths are located in the beautiful Terra Nostra garden.

Here you find 3 iron-enriched thermal pools.

One large pool is suitable for swimming and 2 smaller ones act more like hot tubs.

The smaller pools are hotter while the temperature of the water in the main pool gets warmer the closer you get to the source.

There’s also a small entrance fee that also covers the garden.

It’s really worth exploring this magnificent garden before or after you’ve relaxed in the pool.

Guests of the Terra Nostra Garden hotel have free access to the pool and can also access the pool outside the regular opening hours.

Check prices and availability: Booking.com

Here you can find more info about the hot springs. 

Furnas Boutique hotel

In addition to the Terra Nostra Garden hotel, there is one other hotel in Furnas that has its own thermal pools.

The Furnas Boutique Hotel . This is also where we stayed during our last visit and we can certainly recommend the place.

The hotel is not cheap but being able to relax in the thermal pools after an active day is a real treat.

For one of the best views on the Lagoa Das Furnas make sure to also head to the viewpoint at Pico do Ferro .

• If you have the time we highly recommend hiking the loop around Furnas lake. The trail is just over 9 kilometers and completely flat. It’s an easy trail that will be enjoyed by both young and old. You can also make a small detour to include the Salto do Rosal .
• The Pico do Ferro viewpoint can be reached by car but if you want you can also hike there. The hike starts near the hot springs at the lake and follows a steep trail up the mountain. In a little over a kilometer you climb from a height of 300 meters to the peak of Pico do Ferro at 540 meters.
• The Cascata da Ribeira Quente is a beautiful waterfall a 10-minute drive from Furnas on the road to Fogo beach. The waterfall is a bit hard to spot from the road. If you don’t know where it is you will certainly miss it. Read more about it here .

Day 6 Nordeste

Today we will spend the day in the rugged Nordeste region of the island.

The ring road at this part of the island is much more winding and you will pass several impressive viewpoints. Not only the views are impressive by the way. The viewpoints themselves are also beautifully landscaped.

You have Ponta Da Sossega, Ponta da Madrugada, Miradoura do Cintrão, the Farol do Arnel, porto de Santa Iria, and many more… It’s worth stopping at all of them as it’s hard to pick a winner.

Ribeira dos Caldeirões

Here is also where you find the beautiful natural park of Ribeira dos Caldeirões .

The name Ribeira dos Caldeirões translates into “Stream of Boiling Cauldrons,” which is indicative of its geography.

The entrance of the park is at the mouth of a valley carved by volcanic activity.

Lava flows caused by volcanic eruptions have created deep gullies and ravines which are full of water during the rainy season, while streams running through them provide fresh water for drinking and fishing.

The park has amazing trails that are waiting to be explored.

Hikers will have numerous photo opportunities of the tropical lush green scenery with impressive waterfalls and restored water mills.

If you want to explore the park in a different way, you can join a canyoning tour .

Depending on the kind of hike you did in Ribeira dos Caldeirões you will still have time to stop by the tea factory Chá Gorreana .

This is a relatively small tea plantation where many things are still done by loving hands.

You can freely walk around the plantation and you’re even welcome inside the factory where you can observe the manual process.

There is also a 3.4 km trail that will give you magnificent views of the tea plantation.

Here is a complete list of what to see in Nordeste, Azores. 

São Miguel itinerary 7 days

Day 7 beaches and hiking.

By now you have seen most of the island.

But don’t worry, there’s still plenty to do.

São Miguel counts plenty of idyllic beaches, you may have come across a few of them already but there are many more waiting to be explored.

We have a list of excellent beaches here .

You can pick the one that suits you most or you can opt to make this last day a beach-hopping day.

For another unique Azorean experience you can head to Ponta da Ferraria where you can join the locals in the natural pool.  The water in the pool is slightly warmer than the regular ocean water because of a nearby hot spring.

If the ocean water is still too cold for you then you can use the heated pool. This pool is managed by the nearby wellness complex and it comes with a fee.  If you want to spoil yourself on the last day of your trip you can take a look at the various spa treatments that this complex offers.

There are also many trails that are still waiting to be explored.

One that we haven’t mentioned yet but absolutely love is the one to Salto do Prego .

The waterfall is beautiful and also the trail that leads there is absolutely amazing.

The hike offers several excellent views of the valley and also leads past the lost village of Sanguinho.

You can read more about this hike here .

Another short but rewarding hike is the one to Lagoa do Congro .

Lagoa do Congro is a small picturesque late and if you come early in the morning or late in the afternoon when there are fewer crowds, you may hear and see wildlife.

Best things to do in São Miguel.

São Miguel travel tips

Best time to visit são miguel.

Although you can visit São Miguel all year, the best time is during spring and summer.

Here you can find more info about the best time to visit São Miguel.

How many day in São Miguel?

I would aim for 7 days if you have the time. With 7 days you have the time to also do some of the hikes or other activities.

An absolute minimum to see all the sights is 5 days.

How to get to São Miguel

Most flights to the Azores leave from either Lisbon or Porto but because of the growing tourism, there are more and more direct flights from other places.

There are for example direct flights from the United States, Canada, the UK, and the Netherlands.

Here’s an overview of the flight options . You can off course also use popular flight aggregator sites such as Momondo to find the best flights.

Renting a car in São Miguel

The best way to discover the Azores is with a rental car. Public transport is very limited and with public transport, it is very difficult to reach all the sights. There are also taxis but compared to the rental cars they are expensive.

Car rental companies have offices in all airports as well as in all harbors.

The process of switching cars when island-hopping went faster than expected.

Read all about renting a car in the Azores in our detailed guide .

Going independent or joining an organized tour

With a rental car, it is easy to explore São Miguel on your own.

Driving is really relaxed and the island is not that big and has few roads. It is almost impossible to get lost.

But if you don’t want to travel independently you can join also join one of the organized tours.

There is a whole range of tours that show you all the highlights of this island in 6 to 8 days. In addition, if you would decide to also visit some of the other Azorean islands, you can choose from island-hopping tours as well.

Here you can find an overview of the best São Miguel tours.

Where to stay in São Miguel?

São Miguel is the largest island in the Azores. Although still relatively small it makes sense to pick two bases to enjoy your time to the fullest. This way you limit the time in your rental car and you have more time to enjoy the outdoors.

Good bases are Ponta Delgada to explore the western part of the island and Furnas to explore the eastern part.

For this specific itinerary, we suggest staying in Ponta Delgada for days 1 to 4 and then moving to Furnas.

Here you can find an overview of the best apartments and vacation homes on the island.

Ponta Delgada,   Furnas and São Miguel in general

São Miguel, the largest and most populated island in the Azores archipelago, is a true traveler’s paradise. The island’s stunning landscapes – which range from rugged mountains to verdant farmland to sparkling coastlines – are crisscrossed by hiking trails and roadways.

The island is home to beautiful beaches like Praia da Vitória (the largest beach on the island) and one of Europe’s most spectacular lakes, Sete Cidades.

As you can see the mountainous island has a lot to offer to visitors: the lush green forests, the deep blue sea, and many historical sites such as castles and churches.

The Azores used to be an important stop for Portuguese explorers on their journeys around the world, and today it still retains its magical appeal for tourists from all over the world.

Are you traveling to the Azores for 7 days and planning on visiting several islands? Check out these Azores 7-day itinerary suggestions.

Travel Blog

Sao Miguel (Azores) Travel Guide: things to see and do in 3, 5 or 7 days (a week)

São Miguel is the largest and most populated island of the Azores, also the most touristic. It is a very heterogeneous island where there are plenty of plans to spend a week if you want to explore it calmly. Here the days are lived among some of the most beautiful lagoons of the archipelago, trails in biodiverse forests dotted with waterfalls , steaming hot springs to rest, breathtaking viewpoints to explore and a cup of tea to taste in the only plantations in Europe . It is the island with the greatest variety of gastronomy and accommodation, so there are options for all budgets and tastes.

It is an excellent starting point to the Azorean archipelago . Although it is the most touristc island and where overcrowding is noticeable, especially in those places labelled as “must visit”, it still offers Azorean authenticity if you go a little off the beaten track.

In this guide we try to reflect all that São Miguel has to offer with practical tips, itineraries from 2 to 7 days , where to sleep and even where to eat so that you can make the most of your trip to the island.

Guide updated in June 2024 to include the updated information on access to Lagoa do Fogo during summer (restricted times and buses routes) and update prices.

Basic facts for traveling to São Miguel

When to visit são miguel, how to get to são miguel, how many days to spend in são miguel, map of são miguel, miradouro vista do rei and lagoa das sete cidades, monte palace hotel ruins, lagoa do canário and miradouro da grota do inferno (or boca do inferno), serra devassa and lagoa das empadadas trail, aqueduct and “muro das 9 janelas” (wall of the 9 windows), road to sete cidades, miradouro cerrado das freiras and miradouro lagoa de santiago, sete cidades, ponta da ferraria (natural pool with warm sea water), ponta do escalvado viewpoint, lagoa das furnas and chapel of nossa senhora das vitorias, furnas and its gastronomic and relaxing experiences with sulfur scent, terra nostra park, poça dona beija, poça da silvina, miradouro pico do ferro, lombo dos milhos viewpoint, miradouro do castelo branco, miradouro do salto do cavalo, ribeira quente and praia do fogo, lagoa do fogo, caldeira velha, salto do cabrito (cabrito waterfall), lagoa do congro, santa barbara beach, ribeira grande, rabo de peixe and arquipélago, miradouro de santa iria, chá gorreana and porto formoso tea plantations, lagoa de são bras, poço azul and salto da farinha, ribeira dos caldeirões, miradouro despe-te que suas, miradouro ponta do arnel, farol and porto de arnel, miradouro da vista dos barcos, miradouro da ponta do sossego, miradouro ponta da madrugada, priolo interpretation center, praia do lombo gordo, miradouro agua retorta, salto do prego, miradouro pico dos bodes, povoação and povoação beach, pico da vara and planalto dos graminhais, what to see in ponta delgada, são miguel and the pineapples: ananases a arruda and herdade do ananás, the gin library, praia das milicias and praia do pópulo, lagoa and natural pools, agua d’alto, vila franca do campo and ilhéu de vila franca, the best hiking trails in são miguel, where to dive in são miguel, where to stay in ponta delgada, where to stay in ribeira grande, where to stay in são miguel: different and special experiences, where to eat in são miguel, things to do in são miguel in 2-3 days (a weekend), things to do in são miguel in 4-5 days, things to do in são miguel in one week (7 days), transportation: rent a car in são miguel, how much does it cost to travel to são miguel, useful apps for traveling to são miguel, tips to enjoy são miguel, checklist: what to take in your backpack/suitcase to são miguel.

Currency : Euro

Language : Portuguese

Population : 133,000 (in 2021)

Daily budget : From 70€/day per person (approx.) for a one week trip with rented car and the cheapest options of private accommodation for 2. More budget information here

Weather : Undoubtedly the best time to visit São Miguel is in summer due to better air and water temperatures and less chance of rain, although winter is not very cold (but it tends to rain more). Find out more about when to go here.

Accommodation : The ideal areas to stay are Ponta Delgada or Ribeira Grande, because of their central location, connections with other points of the island and gastronomic and accommodation offer. More info on where to stay here .

Duration : Minimum 3 days, recommended 5 days and ideally one week. More info here.

Flights : The cheapest is usually to fly from Porto/Lisbon, where there are many flights with Ryanair, Tap or Sata. We recommend you to use flight comparators like Skyscanner and Kiwi and be flexible with dates. More info on how to get to São Miguel here .

Transportation : The best option is to rent a car. We did it with Autatlantis and we loved it: new cars and the best franchise policy. Find the best price for your car rental in DiscoverCars . More info here

Time zone : UTC +0. The time in the Azores archipelago (Portugal) is one hour behind the Portuguese mainland

The best months to visit São Miguel are May, June and September . Considering that it is the most touristic island of the Azores, it’s better to avoid July and August, which are the most touristic months. June and September are usually the best months, with good weather, warmer ocean waters and less overcrowded tourism.

In terms of climate, summer is undoubtedly the best time , with higher temperatures, less chance of rain and the possibility to enjoy more its beaches and natural pools. In any case, the weather in São Miguel (and in the Azores in general) is very unstable so there are no guarantees at any time of the year (it is often said that you can have the 4 seasons in the same day).

Climate chart of São Miguel, with temperatures and rainy days per month:

If you like music festivals and other types of art events, you can try to schedule your visit to the island according to their dates: Tremor , Azores Burning Summer , Meo Monte Verde , Festival das Marés or Walk and Talk

The cheapest and more convenient way to get to São Miguel is usually to fly from Lisbon/Oporto with Ryanair although sometimes you can also find good prices with Tap (the Portuguese airline) or with Sata (the Azorean airline responsible for all inter-island flights). We recommend you to be flexible with dates and use price comparators such as Skyscanner and Kiwi.com .

We recommend a minimum of 3 days , although the ideal amount of days to visit São Miguel would be about 5 days, and if you stay a week , taking into account the unpredictable weather in the islands and travel in a more relaxed way, you will not regret it. For this reason we propose different types of itineraries , from 2 to 7 days.

Things to see and do in São Miguel

This is a summary of the places of interest to visit in São Miguel, and below you have the map and specific information of each place.

• The most beautiful lagoons of the archipelago
• Smoky volcanic vents where sulfur-smelling stews are made.
• Natural hot springs in the middle of nature for relaxation
• Breathtaking viewpoints
• Meandering, green and (in summer) flowery roads

Here we leave you all the things to see and do in São Miguel that we talk about in this guide on a Google Maps map that you can carry with you on your smartphone to check at any time.

And here is also a tourist map with the roads of São Miguel ( click on the image to download it in larger size and resolution ).

West of the island: Sete Cidades and surroundings

There are several viewpoints from which to contemplate the beautiful Sete Cidades lagoon but the Miradouro Vista do Rei is the most famous spot . Although Sete Cidades looks like two lagoons – one green and one blue – it is actually one lagoon whose green and blue waters do not mix. There is a legend about it, full of romantic love, that says that the two-colored lagoon was formed by the tears of the impossible love between a blue-eyed princess and a green-eyed shepherd who cried so much at their last meeting, before the princess married another fiancé, that this two-colored lagoon was born.

Legends aside, it seems that the reason for the different colors of the lagoon are the depth and the concentration of algae on each side. The separation between the two sides that you can see from the viewpoint is a bridge that you can cross on your way down .

Do not be surprised when you arrive at the Miradouro da Vista do Rei if find yourself surrounded with tourists buses and share it with many more people, it is the price to pay for being in front of one of the most beautiful lagoons of the archipelago and one of the best places to contemplate it . At the viewpoint there are toilets and a parking area but it tends to fill up quickly, especially in July and August, so people parks along the road. Precisely there, on the road, when we went in July hydrangeas, a symbol of the Azores, were blooming (although they are not endemic flora) and the environment of the lagoon with hydrangeas was quite photogenic.

We parked right in the back area of the Monte Palace Hotel , about which we will tell your more next

There is something about abandoned buildings that attracts us, that sharpens our curiosity and makes us instant inventors of stories. The Monte Palace Hotel , the building across the road from the Miradouro da Vista do Rei, was a luxury hotel that opened in 1989 (apparently 6 years later than planned) and closed less than 2 years after that due to financial problems. Over time it became a tourist attraction mainly because of the incredible views it offers of the Sete Cidades lagoon from its terrace on the top floor.

To enter (and exit) the hotel you have to climb (and descend) a 2 meters wall, although recently a follower told us that on the far left side of the hotel (closer to the lagoon than the parking lot) there is an area where the entrance is easier (apparently there is a land wall not as high).

Also, be careful, inside the hotel there is a lot of debris that can make a silly accident spoil an incredible trip. Recently a real estate group acquired the hotel to, hopefully, convert it into something nice so, currently, although it has no security or signs when you go, you should know that it is private property and entering it is forbidden.

The breathtaking views do not end at Sete Cidades, in fact, they have only just begun. We recommend you to park your car here to visit another beautiful lagoon, Lagoa do Canário . When you arrive and park your car, you will see that there are two trails, one that leads to the Miradouro Boca do Inferno (across the road) and another (right where the parking lot is), longer, 1.5 hours through the Serra da Devassa, about which we will tell you more later .

Lagoa do Canário has the particularity that its silhouette drawn by the trees, from a bird’s eye view, looks like a ghost or, for the most technological people, the logo of the Snapchat app.

The lagoon is located right at the beginning of the trail that you will take to reach the well-known Grota do Inferno viewpoint (there is a 15 minutes walk from Lagoa do Canário to the famous viewpoint), in the Parque Florestal da Mata do Canário. Before arriving at the viewpoint you will understand that this is a special view because of the crowds of people that will probably be there. This is what happened to us when we went there, in the middle of July, where we even witnessed some elbowing to get a photo in front of one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the island and from which you can see the largest number of lagoons .

At an altitude of 1000 meters, from this imposing viewpoint you can see Lagoa de Santiago (in the foreground), Lagoa de Sete Cidades, Lagoa Rasa, Grota do Inferno and Serra da Devassa

The trail through Serra da Devassa (PRC05 SMI) ( information brochure in Portuguese and English ) is a circular trail that starts at the parking lot of Lagoa do Canário , and passes through several lagoons and viewpoints , taking you about 1h30. There are also a couple of detours during the trail, one to reach the beautiful Lagoa das Empadadas and the other to the get to the Pico do Paúl viewpoint . We took both detours which took us 30 minutes, so we did the trail in about 2 hours.

Randomtripper scale of difficulty : Easy . It is a trail with little elevation (a couple of gentle climbs), well marked and not too slippery terrain (at least when we went, in July). Trekking boots/sneakers are essential to do the trail.

Apart from the beauty of the trail through Serra da Devassa, another aspect that we loved is that although the trail is next to two very visited points of the island – Grota do Inferno and Lagoa do Canário – we hardly met any people here, which made us feel in a bubble of peace in São Miguel in the middle of July.

We decided to eat the sandwiches we brought with us at the highest point of the trail, Pico das Éguas, at 873 meters . By the way, the highest point of São Miguel Island is at 1103 meters, at Pico da Vara where there is also a viewpoint.

When we reached the first detour to Lagoa das Empadadas , we were grateful for the shade provided by the incredible forest that we crossed to get to the lagoon. Then, the splendor of two volcanic lagoons separated by a piece of land made us stay contemplating them in solitude for a few good minutes. Clearly, these two lagoons are kept off the touristic route in the area.

We took the small detour, walked a few more minutes and found another detour to the miradouro do Pico do Paúl . This detour greeted us with a path worthy of any royal wedding: white flowers leading us as if we were in a celebration of nature. Well, we could really say that traveling to the Azores is celebrating Nature .

After walking about 500 meters we reach the Miradouro do Pico do Paúl from where you can see a large part of the island, the north and south coasts.

At the end of the trail through Serra da Devassa, we went to visit the Aqueduct and the “Muro das 9 Janelas “: the largest and most emblematic piece of the island’s aqueducts.

From the first moments when the island was populated, different systems were built to transport and store drinking water. This aqueduct was intended to transport water from Lagoa do Canário and Lagoa das Empadadas to the city of Ponta Delgada, with an extension of more than 10 kilometers. It is worthwhile to approach this small but beautiful witness made of nine windows (in Portuguese “nove janelas”) to learn about the history and effort to have access to drinking water around the island

When you look at Lagoa das Sete Cidades from the top of the previous viewpoints you can clearly see how a line crosses the lagoon, marking the difference between the blue side and the green side. That “line” is actually a bridge, so we wanted to cross it and see the lagoon up close, of course! On the road to that bridge we passed two viewpoints that are worth a stop to appreciate the views. The first is Cerrado das Freiras Viewpoint which allow us appreciate the magnitude of Lagoa das Sete Cidades from another point of view (for some people, even more beautiful than Vista do Rei).

The second is Miradouro Lagoa de Santiago and its explosion of greens. Seeing this lagoon from the miradouro da Grota do Inferno promised something special so we decided to stop for a closer look: a success.

Finally we reach the road that crosses the Lagoa de Sete Cidades , we slow down the car a bit and we are left with the green side on our left and the blue side on our right. Feel like exploring one of the most beautiful lagoons of the archipelago? Read on.

You can go around the Lagoa das Sete Cidades by car, slowly, although the terrain is a bit muddy. If you prefer to do it by bike , talk to Azores for all : here you can rent bikes by the hour to explore the surroundings of the lagoon. If you want to explore the lagoon itself, rent a paddleboard from the same company or from Garoupa , who specializes in kayaking and paddleboarding and have better prices, our local friend Iolanda told us.

Also visible from the viewpoints is the village of Sete Cidades . Apparently, the village owes its name to the legend of “Sete Cidades do Atlântico” (Seven Cities of the Atlantic Ocean ), a legend that inspired maritime exploration for centuries .

Legend of “Sete Cidades do Atlântico “ This legend tells that there was an island lost in the sea, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean called “Ilha Encantada das Sete Cidades” (Enchanted Island of the Seven Cities), searched by several navigators throughout time. One day, a caravel from the medieval kingdom of Portugal set sail with three friars and several sailors, crossing waves and storms, with the aim of finding the enchanted island. After one of those storms, as always, the weather was calm, the mists opened up and the sailors sighted an island on the horizon. They approached the island, anchored the caravel, and spent three days exploring the green and blue paradise, its forests and rivers, learning the local customs and language (very similar to that spoken in Portugal at the time), visiting palaces and trying to establish relations with the island’s monarch. At the end of the three days on land, they returned to the caravel and set sail to the mainland to tell the king about their new discovery. However, as soon as they started to move away from the coast, the island was suddenly surrounded by fog and, like magic, disappeared into the sea . After telling the Portuguese king what had happened, he quickly sent an embassy in search for the island to establish relations, but they did not find it. According to the legend of the enchanted island of the Sete Cidades, several searches were made for centuries until, finally, the Portuguese caravels found the island again, but this time, the island was uninhabited. Occupied later by the Portuguese, they gave the name “Sete Cidades” to the giant central caldera of the volcano, in honor of this legend. Source: Lenda da Ilha das Sete Cidades

The reality is that it is very likely that when you approach the valley of the Sete Cidades you will find it wrapped in a blanket of clouds, providing it with mystery and suspense…

If you go to the village of Sete Cidades you should know that it is not very mysterious, but it has a photogenic church and a restaurant that local people recommended us, in case you get hungry, São Nicolau , with a buffet of regional dishes. If you want something a bit more lighters, they also recommended O Poejo for a snack.

Here we say goodbye to one of the most beautiful lagoons of São Miguel to continue to the west of the island.

This busy natural pool has two springs of volcanic thermal waters (unique in the world for the high level of sulfur they contain), known for their healing powers and allowing you to be in the sea with hot water! It used to be enjoyed only by local people living nearby but since the private thermal complex “Termas da Ferraria” was built, it has become more famous. The complex has indoor and outdoor pools (6€), massages, restaurant and a bar. Apparently in summer, on Fridays, the pool does not close until 23:00h and you can watch the sunset and the arrival of the moon from the warm water.

The area has lots os parking space , so although the access road is a bit narrow in some sections, there is no problem in arriving by car.

As an alternative to the thermal complex, you can go directly to the sea to enjoy these thermal sea waters. If you go, you should know that the ideal time to go is at mid-tide, when it is halfway between high and low t ide: at low tide the water is too hot (it can reach temperatures above 30º) and at high tide, too cold (you can check the tides here ).

We did not go to the private thermal complex and went directly to the natural pool in the sea but there were so many people that we turned around and left without enjoying its waters. The natural pool has several ropes to hold on to (to avoid hitting the rocks due to the sea waves) and not much space around it to stretch out your towel and dry off (further up the stairs there are free changing rooms).

On the access road to Ponta da Ferraria, don’t forget to stop (on the way there or on the way back) at the Miradouro da Ilha Sabrina , to enjoy beautiful views of the area (which is a “fajã lávica”, a protected area and has the official name of “Monumento Natural do Pico das Camarinhas – Ponta da Ferraria “) from the top. As a curiosity, the name is due to the fact that there was indeed a small islet visible from here, with the name of “Sabrina”, which arose in the 19th century with a volcanic eruption but disappeared months later.

The Miradouro da Ponta do Escalvado , built on a cliff, offers incredible views of the west coast of the island, both of Ponta da Ferraria (which we just told you about) and of the Mosteiros area.

It is also an incredible spot to watch the sunset, and was an important whale watching spot.

One of the best places to take a dip on the island is on the beach or in the natural pool s of Mosteiros. Yes, in this fishing village there are both a sandy beach and natural pools so you just have to choose.

Praia dos Mosteiros

This beautiful black sand beach is, along with Santa Barbara, one of the best surfing beaches of São Miguel. Its name comes from the two huge volcanic basalt rocks that stand in the sea which have been called Mosteiros (Monasteries, in Portuguese).

On the same beach there is a beach bar (Snack Bar “O Tubarão” , with cheap local beer, by the way) where you can watch, at the end of the day, the sun entering the sea between the “monasteries”. This is one of the most photogenic pictures of the island at sunset .

If, like us, you prefer to get closer to the rocks during the “golden hour”, at the beach bar they let us take the crystal glasses with us with the promise that we would bring them back. We did.

Mosteiros natural pools

If, on the other hand, you prefer a sand-free dip in the sea, there are natural pools nearby . At low tide, you can clearly see the labyrinths of lava that solidified in the sea where small pools are formed to soak in. When the tide rises, it is ideal for a few strokes in the sea.

To enjoy the natural pools, park your car in front of (or near) the kiosk (Sunset Steve’s Bar) where you can also have a drink after your dip.

The water in the pools was so clear that when we went snorkeling, we could see several fishes. Be careful when entering and exiting as the mossy rocks may be slippery. There are easier areas to enter the sea but the ideal is to wear water shoes (you will see that they will be useful throughout your trip to the Azores). In the natural pools there is a fresh water shower to wash off the salt on your way out, before the beer at the beach bar.

If you are hungry, we can recommend two restaurants here: at Pizzeria Fantasia we tried some of the best pizzas on the island (and their tiramisu) but if you prefer local cuisine stop by at the Américo do Barbosa “tasca” for rich and inexpensive petiscos (tapas) (try their “polvo assado”). In both cases, especially in summer, it is essential to book in advance because they fill up early.

If you want to give yourself a treat in this area of the island, the Sensi Nature and Spa is a rural tourism with 20 rooms, outdoor infinity pool, indoor pool and an incredible terrace from where to say goodbye to the sun in the sea.

More special accommodations in Mosteiros in our Where to Stay section.

Furnas: among volcanic waters

Furnas is one of the oldest areas of São Miguel, formed approximately 750,000 years ago, and the most visited of the island . Once you get there you will understand why. The “Vale das Furnas” (Furnas Valley) is located in the crater of the Furnas volcano, one of the three still active volcanoes and the largest of the green island, where volcanic activity is present in everything you are about to experience both with the sight and smell and even with the palate .

And if the volcanic lagoons are one of the greatest attractions of São Miguel, the Lagoa das Furnas is a clear example of its magnetism.

This imposing lagoon also has a legend :

Once upon a time there was a boy who lived in a village where calm, peace and tranquility were the norm. Like every morning, the boy went to the fountain to collect water, but that morning something had changed: the water in the fountain was salty and undrinkable. He ran back to the village to tell everyone but no one believed him. No one except his grandfather. Grandfather and grandson returned to the spring and found that the situation had worsened: the fish that used to swim in the small spring were floating, lifeless. They ran to tell the people about it, saying how imperative it was to go up the mountain in search of new land, but nobody believed them. Both climbed to the top of the mountain and saw a new island that had been born from the sea, it was the enchanted island of the Sete Cidades (yes, the same island of the legend that we told you before in this guide), and that was a sign that augured terrible changes. They went back to tell the people about it, but nobody believed them. A few days later, grandfather and grandson, together with all their livestock, moved to a neighboring village. Weeks passed and, one day, the two returned to the village but… the village no longer existed. In the place of the village there was water, only water, a giant and enormous lagoon, the Lagoa das Furnas . It is said since then that the people still live under and around the lagoon, invisible , and that is why we see the bubbles of volcanic gas and, sometimes, flashes: it is them cooking…

As we approached the lagoon to see if we could see anything of what remains of the legend we came across an impressive church: the Capela de Nossa Senhora das Vitórias .

Next to Lagoa das Furnas, this neo-gothic cathedral was built as a proof of faith by José do Canto, a native of São Miguel, in 1886 when his wife fell ill with a serious illness. This pledge of love is all built in volcanic basalt and can be visited every day from 10:00h to 17:00h (in summer until 18:00h), the entrance fee is 3€/person.

Next door you also have the Centro de Monitorização e Investigação das Furnas where you can learn more about the history of the volcano and the protection and recovery of the ecosystems in the area.

It is impressive to arrive at Furnas village , located in the caldera of a volcano, and see how its inhabitants live there so peacefully, among the calderas and fumaroles of a dormant but active volcano . We could say that the village of Furnas is one of the clear examples of the resilience of the Azorean people, in this case in São Miguel (each island has its particularities).

You can see the boiling water heated by volcanic activity on a simple walk through the center of the town and the steaming hot spots of the Furnas calderas are visible from any of the viewpoints we will tell you about next.

Around here, there are three experiences related to volcanic activity that you should not miss :

• Gastronomy : try the famous Furnas “cocido” (stew) (there is a place with vegan stew), a geothermal brunch or simply taste the corn, straight from the caldera to your mouth.
• The hot springs : There are two amazing paid options (Parque Terra Nostra, Poça Dona Beija) and one free option (Poça da Silvina) where you can get a taste of the effects of the thermal water.
• The views : there are several impressive viewpoints to visualize the area

All these experiences are detailed below so that you don’t miss out anything.

Next to Lagoa das Furnas there are some holes in the ground that are authentic natural kitchens where the famous dish is prepared : the “ Cocido das Furnas “! (Furnas stew) After introducing all the ingredients of a “cozido à portuguesa” (meat, sausages, vegetables), the pot is wrapped in a linen cloth and a man lowers the pot into a hole in the caldera where the volcanic heat will take care of cooking it. It takes several hours until it is ready, normally the one served in Furnas restaurants at lunch time (from 12h in the morning), has been in the caldera since 4h in the morning. It is possible to see this process of taking the stews out of the boilers: you just need to be in the area of the Alameda dos Cocidos (and pay an entrance fee) around 11:30 a.m. Be careful! To access the area of fumaroles and the “caldeiras”/boilers where the stews are made, you have to pay 3€/person if you are not a resident of the Azores.

The best known restaurants to try the stew are Tonys (usually quite full); Vale das Furnas (next to the Furnas campsite, recommended by our friend Iolanda who tells us that it is good value for money and that a portion is enough for two people); and finally Caldeiras e Vulcões where they offer also a vegan stew. The price of the stew is around 14€.

We have also been told about the possibility of making a “DIY stew” in Furnas and taking it home, that is, you prepare it in your pot and simply ask the gentleman there to take it down and cover it for you, but we do not know how it works exactly or how much it costs to do it this way.

If you have a vegan or vegetarian diet, apart from the vegan stew, there are other options. We tried the corn cooked in the calderas ( 1€ per cob), in the center of the village of Furnas. Delicious!

And if you want something between than corn on the cob and the stew (and with several non-meat and vegetarian options) you have the Geothermal Brunch overlooking the fumaroles, at Chalet da Tia Mercês (you will need to book at least 48h in advance). This very special Brunch is composed only of local ingredients and including products from the 9 islands , as if it were a gastronomic journey through the archipelago. In addition, here you can taste the only coffee produced in São Miguel Did you think that the only coffee produced in the Azores was the one from São Jorge ? Here we discovered that it is not: in Quinta Aguiar (Ginetes) they produce about 10kg to 15 kg of coffee per year, so you can get an idea of what a privilege it is to taste it.

To taste and buy the typical cheese made with brine from the bitter water of Furnas (one of the 70 mineral waters of the area), sparkling and rich in iron, you have to go to the Queijaria Furnense , very close to the entrance 0f Terra Nostra park. About 340 cheeses are produced here every day, of 5 different varieties, with the “amantequillado” cheese being the bestseller .

And to accompany that cheese, nothing better than the “bolo lêvedo”, the (addictive) sweet bread of the island: people says the best is the one from Gloria Moniz . If you don’t gain a couple of kg because of this bread (you’ll want to eat it at every breakfast and snack), you haven’t really been to the Azores.

At the end of the day, we recommend you to have a drink at A Quinta (another local recommendation from our friend Iolanda): apart from the beautiful space among trees and with good music, the cocktails are excelent. No, they are not made with volcanic water, it is the only thing that does not involve volcanic activity here. Try the pineapple or passion fruit caipirinhas and you won’t regret it.

Another Furnas curiosity is that there was a very windy day and a house was turned upside down….. No, it didn’t! Just kidding. The Inverted House is a curious building (very close to A Quinta) that belongs to the local electricity company. Get close but don’t clown around too much, it’s right next to the Municipal Police.

If you are going to São Miguel with your whole family or a large group of friends, it is possible to wake up practically on top of Lagoa das Furnas by staying at Casa da Lagoa or Casa dos Barcos . Both rent the entire house and include bicycles and kayaks to explore the lagoon on your own. If you are less, you have the wonderful Quinta da Mó , a farm 1 km from Lagoa das Furnas, with cottages of 1 to 3 rooms among fruit trees, bamboos and exotic plants.

One of the most beautiful gardens on the island where a relaxing morning or afternoon is guaranteed. Terra Nostra Park has a huge botanical garden with biodiverse flora (in fact it has the largest collection of camellias in the world, with over 600 species) through which you can walk along four different routes , but its main attraction is… its hot springs!

As soon as you enter the park through an avenue surrounded by beautiful ginkgo bilobas you will see a big “pool” with thermal waters. At first you may think that the water is dirty, but no! It is the amount of iron that gives it its “muddy” color. The water temperature is between 35º and 40º degrees, so it is suitable for all seasons (we tried it in winter and summer and the truth is that in winter it is even more enjoyable).

Be careful! You should ideally wear the oldest and darkest swimsuits you have, as this water can irreparably damage them.

In addition to the large main pool, for which there is never a queue no matter how big it is (you may, however, have some difficulty finding a bench to leave your things, we left ours next to a tree), the Terra Nostra park also has jacuzzis!

For these jacuzzis there is usually a queue but, at least when we went in July, we didn’t have to wait long. The jacuzzis are very nice and it is the way to enjoy these healing hot springs with a little more privacy.

When you leave the main pool and the jacuzzis, you should know that the park has showers and restrooms, located very close to the jacuzzis.

The entrance to Terra Nostra costs 16€/person and it’s open from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm every day (check-out until 5:00 pm). There is no time limit once inside (until 5pm).

With the ticket you get a discount on cocktails at the bar of the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel (with edible flowers from the park) so we went there to try two.

If you want to stay overnight in the Terra Nostra park and have access to the thermal pool at any time of the day and night (remember that it closes at 4:30 pm to the public) you can do so by staying at the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel .

Another option to enjoy the thermal waters of Furnas is at Poça Dona Beija . Much smaller than the Terra Nostra park but nothing to envy in terms of beauty. Poça Dona Beija has three pools of hot water at 39º and a river that crosses them at 28º.

It is open from 10:00h to 23:00h and yes, you have read our mind, enjoying it at night will be very special . The price of Poça Dona Beija is 6€/person, there is a limit of 1h30 inside and the number of people at the same time is also limited so there is usually a line to enter.

Unfortunately we didn’t enjoy it at night as we would like to because we tried to go twice and the line was so long that we had to turn around and leave, so we took the opportunity to go during a World Cup match (neither of us are football fans around here) and managed to get in at the end of the afternoon without queuing.

If you prefer to do all this on an organized tour, there is a night tour (they’ll pick you up around 18h30) in which you can enjoy the best viewpoints (including the famous Pico do Ferro which we will talk about below), tasting the stew for dinner straight from the calderas of Furnas and finally relax in the Poça Dona Beija at night (be careful, you will have to wait in the line anyway). Book here .

Here, as we recommend in Terra Nostra, you must wear an old swimsuit or one that you don’t care ruining.

There is also a free option to feel the benefits of the thermal waters … in your legs. Poça da Silvina is a small pool with natural hot water next to the river (which has cold water) where you can submerge your legs and feel the contrast between the very hot thermal water and the very cold water of the river, right next to it.

The Miradouro do Pico do Ferro is probably the best known viewpoint of this area and the one from which you will have the most beautiful view of the magnificent Lagoa das Furnas . It is located about 5 km away from the village of Furnas, at an altitude of about 570 meters and from there you can contemplate the immensity of the lagoon, the green hills that surround it and the smoking calderas. It has free parking space so you can easily reach it by car.

The miradouro Lombo dos Milhos is located at an altitude of 330 meters, in the southwest of the Furnas valley, offering a totally different panoramic view from the previous one, with privileged views of the village of Furnas . It can be reached by car, although the access is by a narrow and steep road.

Arriving at the small castle that gives its name to the viewpoint, we get the feeling that it seems to be angry (note the two small windows as eyes and the big one as a mouth) although we really do not understand why: the 360º views we have from the roof of the Miradouro do Catstelo Branco are beautiful. On one side, the Furnas valley and the lagoon and on the other, Vila Franca do Campo and its photogenic islet .

We had so much fun playing with the silhouettes of the windows inside and the views outside the castle that when we left we hoped the castle would have changed its face to a happier one, but we had no luck.

To get there, park your car here and walk to the castle.

Our favorite viewpoint in this area of the island, the incredible Miradouro do Salto do Cavalo , was the only one we enjoyed in solitude of all those mentioned, even in the middle of July, which makes us suspect that it is the least known viewpoint in this area.

We lost count of how many different shades of green we identified in the panoramic view offered by this viewpoint. It is located at an altitude of over 700 m above sea level, on the northern edge of the Furnas caldera, offering a view over the Povoação valley and the seven “lombas”, the Furnas valley with the caldera and its lagoon , extending the view towards the sea .

Apparently, this viewpoint is much sought after by paragliding enthusiasts but when we went there we didn’t see anyone. Also, from here there is a very nice hiking route that we want to do on our next visit: a 18 km linear route that starts at this viewpoint, passing by Pico da Vara (the highest point of São Miguel) and ends in the sea. More info about the route here .

Near the Furnas valley, it is worth visiting Ribeira Quente , a fishing village between the hills and the sea. But the most interesting place there is its beach…

Praia do Fogo is a beautiful black sand beach in the shape of a bay bathed by a calm sea and a nice bar where you can have a drink . The particularity of this beach is that it has underwater fumaroles (hydrothermal springs) that make the sea water warmer, something that is, in theory, especially noticeable at low tide. The truth is that we did not notice anything and the water was quite cold… If you have more luck than us and find that it is true, let us know in comments!

On the beautiful and winding road on the way to this particular beach (the road leaves from Furnas, so it’s a good idea to visit this place on the same day you visit Furnas) there is a waterfall . It is located between the two tunnels that you pass and to get to it you have to park where you can outside of the tunnels and walk along the road (be careful, it can be dangerous).

North and center of the island

Lagoa do Fogo is one of the largest lagoons of São Miguel and, in our opinion, the most beautiful of the entire archipelago . Well, not only in our opinion as it has been chosen one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.

Classified since 1974 as a Natural Reserve, it has an altitude of 575 meters and a maximum depth of 30 meters. It is surrounded by dense endemic vegetation and it is located in the huge caldera of the Fogo volcano – also known as Vulcão Água de Pau – which erupted 15,000 years ago.

You can admire the magnificence of the lagoon from two viewpoints, the Miradouro Pico da Barrosa and the Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo (850 meters above sea level). Both have free parking (although they can fill up, especially the first one, which is small) but the Lagoa do Fogo car park (48 spaces) is free only for the first 20 minutes and subject to payment in subsequent periods. Precisely due to the concentration of cars next to the viewpoint, a situation that has become especially evident during the summers of recent years due to the large influx of tourism that São Miguel is receiving, from now on access to Lagoa do Fogo is done by bus, only during the summer .

Same as in 2024, from June 15 to September 30, access to Lagoa do Fogo from 9h to 19h is done by round-trip bus . This shuttle costs €5/person (free for residents of the Azores and for children under 6 years of age) and you can buy the ticket here, at this link or directly there at the bus.

The shuttle operates from 9h to 19h every day, during summer. The frequency of the shuttle is not published/announced, which is causing claims by the tourists, who in some cases had to wait up to 30 minutes.

As the shuttle operates from 9h to 19h, it is possible to drive that road on your own rented car from 19h to 9h. So if you want to save 5€ and the hassle of having to wait for the bus, it can be a good plan to watch the sunrise from any of the viewpoints or to go before sunset.

In 2024 the are 2 different routes:

• Starts in Caldeira Velha (where you can park your car, there is space for 101 vehicles)
• First stop: Miradouro da Bela Vista (3 minutes)
• Second stop: Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo (10 minutes)
• Thirds stope: Miradouro do Pico da Barrosa (3 minutes)
• Back to start
• Starts in Casa da Água (free parking for 60 vehicles)
• First stop: Miradouro do Pico da Barrosa (3 minutes)
• Second stope: Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo (10 minutes)

You can see below an official map of the itinerary of the shuttle bus and the stops, shared by Visit Azores :

And here the information of the two bus lines and the stops they make, as well as the duration of each stop:

Buy your shuttle ticket to Lagoa do Fogo here (€5/person, free for residents of the Azores and for children under 6 years of age)

If you are up for it, there is a trail that goes down to the lagoon with a reward: a dip in the lagoon beach! The trail (PRC02 SMI) is circular, 11 km long and takes about 4 hours (2 hours there and 2 hours back) and it is ideal to appreciate the endemic flora while recovering energy to continue walking until you reach the beautiful Praia da Lagoa . Here you can see the official trail brochure in Portuguese and English.

Stroll through a garden rich in endemic plants, take a deep breath and end up under a waterfall of hot water , pools and fumaroles: welcome to Caldeira Velha .

Well, maybe it is not as paradisiacal as it sounds because we are forgetting how well-known Caldeira Velha has become, so the probability of enjoying it with very few people is scarce (or non-existent) and that there are usually queues to enter even before it opens. It is so well known and sought after that we risk to say that it probably is one of the most photographed spots of the island . The temperature in the main pool is around 25º and, in the other three thermal pools, the water reaches 37º and 39º. The environment is incredibly beautiful.

Fortunately, they have recently enabled the possibility of booking online to avoid queues. You can book your ticket at Caldeira Velha here (if you can, do it a few days in advance). The entrance fee is 8€/person and it is open from 9:30h to 20:30h. There is a limit of 2 hours inside and a limit of 250 people at the same time. As in many other attractions on the island, if you are a resident you can enter for free.

There is a large, free parking lot next door, signposted on the road.

As we recommended in every thermal baths of Furnas, the ideal thing to do here is to wear a swimsuit that you do not mind damaging because this type of water usually causes irreparable damage to the garments.

The waterfall of Salto do Cabrito is a must. To get there, you have to go down a short but steep road and then, of course, climb it back. You can go all the way down by car, although the road is so steep that we did not risk it with the rental car (it is feasible to go down by car, as we saw several doing it and there is a free parking area down the road). Also, if the day is rainy (or threatening to rain) it can be more complicated. Alternatively, you can park at the top and walk down that short but steep stretch, which is what we did.

Upon arrival, there is a beautiful waterfall where, if you dare, you can take a cool bath. It is right next to a hydroelectric plant that takes away a bit of the magic.

Lagoa do Congro (Congro Lagoon) is, in our opinion, one of the most special lagoons of the island for a very simple reason: it is only accessible through a path of about 10-15 min downhill (and then uphill) and the fact of not being able to see it as soon as you park your car makes it much less crowded than the others.

It was one of the few lagoons, along with those of the Serra Devassa trail, that we enjoyed alone on the island, in the middle of July.

Difficulty : Easy . It’s a trail with some elevation gain (a couple of gentle climbs), well marked and not slippery terrain (at least when we went, in July). When we went down there was a family with kids going up, so it is suitable for people of all ages. Ideally, you should use sneakers/boot before to descend, as in all the trails

Upon arrival, the reward is not only visual but also audible . The 3900 year old crater surrounded by such a dense green forest accompanied by the soundtrack of frogs and birds makes all the problems you may had before coming down go away, so you can just concentrate on enjoying the peace of this place.

To get there, you have to drive to this point on the map where you have to turn onto an unpaved road. We parked here (where there was more space to maneuver the car) and walked a short distance to reach the beginning of the trail to the lagoon.

Next to Lagoa do Congro there is another lagoon that is apparently covered with water lilies (Lagoa dos Nenúfares ). We didn’t get to go there because we left Congro at sunset but if you have time and feel like investigating it, you should know that it is next to it (in theory there is a trail that connects both but according to what we read the other lagoon is a bit neglected and it is possible that the trails are not in good condition).

Welcome to the surfing capital of São Miguel par excellenc (in case the statue of a surfer in Ribeira Grande didn’t make it clear).

Very close to the town of Ribeira Grande, the beach of Santa Barbara is beautiful, with a huge sandy area, about 1 km long, being one of the longest in the region. Apart from being a very popular beach for surfing and bodyboarding because of its waves, it is ideal to enjoy an Azorean gin and tonic at sunset – Rocha Negra or Baleia Gin – in the bar overlooking the sea: Tuká Tulá .

If you want to treat yourself and stay in the capital of surfing , with the advantage of not having to drive after experiencing one of the best sunsets on the island, then look no further, book at the Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort . If you are hesitating, the 30 villas, the saltwater pool overlooking the beach of Santa Barbara (and direct access to the beach itself, of course), massages, surf lessons (of course!) and yoga classes or cocktails and dishes from the chef, will end up convincing you.

Although Ponta Delgada is the most obvious choice for staying in the island, because of the huge gastronomic and accommodation offer and its location – for those who want to escape from the obvious and, therefore, from the tourist overcrowding that it implies, we think that staying in Ribeira Grande is an excellent choice. Still far from the hordes of people attracted by the fame of the capital, in Ribeira Grande it is easy to breathe Azorean authenticity among beautiful narrow streets and few but good options where to eat by the sea. Nearby is the mythical Associação Agrícola where you can try the famous “Bife à Regional” and you also have to try the incredible tuna at Botequim Azoriano or Quinta dos Sabores , both in the nearby town of Rabo de Peixe (by the way, one of the poorest towns in Portugal in the early 2000’s).

Given the international success of the Portuguese Series “ Turn of the Tide “ (2023) on Netflix (Original title “ Rabo de Peixe “), set on the island of São Miguel, we thought you might find it interesting that the fictional series had as its starting point an unusual real event that occurred in the quiet town of Rabo de Peixe . In 2001, a boat loaded with half a ton of cocaine sank and the tide dragged it to the north coast of the island, more specifically to Rabo de Peixe, an event that changed this small town forever. In the Netflix series, there are 7 episodes of adventure, suspense, incredible actors and actresses, and a photograph of São Miguel Island so impressive that makes the island a main character itself . If you have seen the series and you are a fan, we have created this post with the locations where the main scenes were filmed:

Turn of the tide (Rabo de Peixe): Filming locations of the popular Netflix series in São Miguel (Azores islands)

Find accommodations in Ribeira Grande here

The Arquipélago – Center for Contemporary Art – is our favorite museum on the island (in the three times we visited the island, all three times we got lost in it). It used to be an alcohol factory but since 2015 it is a factory of culture, making those of us who pass by reflect and bringing us closer to proposals from local artists. You can follow them on social media to find out what’s happening when you visit the island.

The Miradouro de Santa Iria , near Porto Formoso, offers incredible views of the north coast of São Miguel , where the green contrasts with the Atlantic blue of the sea. It has some free parking places so you can perfectly get there by car, on your way to the North-East area of the island.

Did you know that the Azores are home to the only tea plantations in Europe?

Because of São Miguel’s location in the middle of the Atlantic, with its humid climate and clay soil, blessed are those people who tried to grow tea (or, rather, camellia sinensis , the plant) here for the first time, because what a success. By the way, tea in Portuguese is “chá”, read “sha” as in “Shakira”. Years ago the island had more than a dozen tea factories operating, but today only two remain: the most famous, Fábrica Gorreana, and the one in Porto Formoso, the last two tea factories in Europe .

The Gorreana tea factory is the oldest in Europe (operating since 1883), the best known on the island, the one that attracts the most tourists and whose brand of tea is the most distinguished in the Azores.

It is interesting to visit the factory, both for learning about the whole tea process (from picking, leaf withering, rolling, drying, sorting and packaging), and for observing the original machines used in the process in full operation. Some of them date back to 1883! There are four varieties of tea to try and, if you wish, to buy. The visit is free , every day from 08:00h to 20:00h (on weekends from 09:00h). If you visit the island between April and September you are lucky: it is the tea picking season and means more activity in the factory.

What really impressed us is the beauty of the Gorreana tea plantations , where the waving patterns of green contrast with the blue of the sea . The plantations extend over 35 hectares (about 30 tons of tea per year) and walking through them is free.

We think it is a must to walk through these plantations. You can stop here directly with the car and walk freely.

The Porto Formoso factory is more recent and something curious about this factory (which is also free, both walking through the plantations overlooking the sea and visiting the factory itself) are the typical costumes of the tea pickers who are used in the annual recreation, in spring, of the old style harvest . If it is cold, the tea is taken inside, warm, and if it is hot, outside, an iced tea, overlooking the plantations and the beautiful village of Porto Formoso.

We liked Porto Formoso and its Praia dos Moinhos a lot. When we arrived we had that feeling of going out of the beaten track that we like so much. Maybe because we were the only non-locals walking through the streets or maybe because of the curious looks and smiles we received, but it is true that it has left us wanting to explore this are more.

The Lagoa de São Bras is another beautiful lagoon, less known and that you will probably enjoy in solitude, that you can visit on your way through the North-East area of São Miguel. A curiosity about this lagoon is that it is one of the points through which the Sata Rallye Azores passes.

Nordeste and Povoação

A long time ago, as we have read, the Northeast of the island of São Miguel was called the tenth island of the Azores because of how difficult it was (and how long it took) to get there. Nowadays, the roads not only make the Nordeste easily reachable, but it is also increasingly on the touristic route of those who visit the island. In fact, if some years ago it used to take time because of the roads, today it is because of the number of stops you will make every few minutes on the beautiful and winding roads, dotted with viewpoints with breathtaking views .

Although it is true that in some of the points of this area we already see many more cars with the rental sticker, it is still far away from the crowds of Furnas or Sete Cidades.

In the parish of “Achadinha” there is a blue pool in the middle of a lot of green . It is called Poço Azul and the short but (quite) steep and beautiful path to get there is worth it.

Unfortunately when we went, in July, the waterfall had no water but the color was still impressive.

The trail connects with Salto da Farinha , a waterfall that when we went (July) also didn’t have water so if you have time you can visit both in the same walk on the longer trail: a linear trail of 5 km (2h approx.), the PR21SMI (here is the official information brochure in Portuguese and English ).

We didn’t have time to do it all (and come back after as it’s linear) so we only did the part that starts in Achadinha (exactly at this point ) that connects to Poço Azul and back, and visited Salto da Farinha by car after that.

The Ribeira dos Caldeirões natural park has a great variety of Macaronesian flora (region comprising the Azores, Madeira and the Savage Islands, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde) and Laurisilva . Apart from the impressive waterfall , here you can find old mills , two of them still working.

If you like adrenaline and are looking for adventure, right here, in the Parque dos Caldeirões you can go! canyoning , jumping in waterfalls and making your way through the endemic Azorean flora. Find out more about this activity and book your place for the day you want here .

The viewpoint with the most curious name we passed by on the island, “ Despe-te que suas ” means literally, in Portuguese, “undress or you will sweat”. The name comes from the effort involved in the past to climb up here by the cliff where it is located, with a very steep slope.

When we went we neither sweated nor undressed, it was so cold and windy that we felt like we were going to fly away. However, with other weather conditions it seems to be a good option to watch the sunset. The view from the viewpoint is dazzling , you can see the entire north coast and there are some tables for picnic.

The Ponta do Arnel lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in the Azores, installed in 1876. It is still working today (although electrified) and to visit it you have to go down a steep (35% inclination) and narrow road that we do not recommend to do by car (you can but less powerful cars may have problems going up and if you cross with another vehicle on the way it can be a drama, plus there is hardly any parking space below). We went down on foot, although it is a good exercise so unless you are very interested in going down to the lighthouse, we think it is not worth it.

From the top, at the Miradouro da Ponta do Arnel , you will have incredible views of the lighthouse and the surrounding area, and on the way down there is even a waterfall. If you decide to go down to the lighthouse, you can visit it, but only on Thursdays (from 14:00 to 17:00 in summer, from 13:30 to 16:30 in winter).

Continuing along the east side of the island towards the south, the next stop is at the Miradouro da Vista dos Barcos , from which we will have another perspective of the Arnel Lighthouse and the port, also incredible from the top of the cliff.

Sossego, in Portuguese, means tranquility and that is what you will find in this viewpoint. Literally. The Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego has a beautiful garden full of flowers, trees and birds, very colorful. You can see perfectly that it is on the tourist route as it has a kiosk at the entrance itself. From the viewpoint we have beautiful views of the cliffs, full of flowers, and it has also picnic areas. Like all places on this coast, it is an excellent spot to watch the sunrise.

Continuing along the same road towards the south, we stop at the next viewpoint: Miradouro da Ponta da Madrugada : also very well kept and prepared, with barbecue/picnic area, wide views of the sea and the cliffs. As its name suggests (Madrugada means sunrise), it is considered the best place to see the sunrise in São Miguel.

Did you know that the priolo is one of the rarest birds in the world? Yes, this small endemic Azorean bird that measures between 15 and 17 cm and weighs about 30g only lives in the area betwwen Furnas and the Northeast of the island, it can only get food from the Laurisilva forest and only 600 to 800 pairs of the species survive, which means it is currently considered a critically endangered species , the step before extinction.

The Priolo Interpretation Center is located in an old rangers house, in the middle of the forest and the visit is highly recommended. During our visit we were lucky to be guided by Luis Pacheco and we loved it. We learned about the Priolo, its morphological characteristics , life cycle, feeding, habitats, threats but above all we found the center very interesting because it tells a bit of the history of the Azores themselves, through the history of the priolo . From the 15th century when Gaspar Frutuoso arrived to the islands, passing through those times when the main activity of the island was exporting oranges to the United Kingdom and how the priolo was considered a plague because it ate the leaves of the orange trees (even taxes were allowed to be paid with corpses of the bird). Then we go through the reforestation plan of São Miguel in the 20th century (more wood was needed for houses, firewood, etc.) and the important doctoral thesis of Dr. Jaime Ramos about the Priolo (1990), from which the knowledge of the bird changed thanks to SPEA (Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds), the “Life Priolo” project (2003) and the creation of this center in 2007. Have we convinced you yet?

Praia do Lombo Gordo is one of the few beaches in this area of the island, the Nordeste. The tides changes the beach every year, increasing or decreasing the amount of sand and, therefore, the space to leave your towel. The environment is very beautiful, as the beach is formed by black sand that contrasts sharply with the blue of the Atlantic ocean and the green of the cliffs.

The road to access is fairly steep and according to what we read, it is best to leave the car at the top and walk all they way down.

Continuing driving the road and already reaching the south, we find this viewpoint overlooking the village of Água Retorta and its surroundings, advertised as the “most picturesque village of the Azores”. As you can see, the village is located on a cliff, surrounded by greenery and overlooking the Atlantic, so who wouldn’t want to live there?

One of the most beautiful trails on the island is Salto do Prego e Sanguinho (PRC09 SMI , official information brochure in English and Portuguese ). It is a circular trail of 4.5 km that starts in Faial da Terra , passes by the impressive waterfall Salto do Prego to cool off (the water is freezing) – you can make a detour to another waterfall called Salto do Cagarrão – and at the end of the trail passes through Sanguinho , a beautifully restored rural village where it is possible to stay overnight.

It took us about 2 hours to complete the trail, including a dip in the icy waterfall. It is a very biodiverse trail, we passed through different types of vegetation and we even met some chickens! (a bit territorial of course…).

The day we went there it was very hot and the trail through the forest was very humid, so bring plenty of water, a hat, sunscreen and appropriate footwear.

If you want a 360º panoramic view of the entire west coast, from Faial da terra to Vila Franca do Campo, go up to the top floor of this wooden building and enjoy the incredible view of the Miradouro Pico dos Bodes .

Although years ago it was difficult to reach and you could get there with normal car, now the road is fixed and good, so you can get to the viewpoint with your rented car.

Nearby, following the same road, you can also stop to enjoy the views from another viewpoint, the Miradouro do Pôr-do-sol .

The village of Povoação owes its name to the fact that it was the first area of the island to be populated, where the first settlers disembarked in the 15th century. The Ermida de Sta. Bárbara , which is said to be the oldest in the island (and with a good view of the sea) and the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário stand out among its patrimony.

Povoação also has a beautiful black sand beach bordered by a green cliff. Right next to it you also have an artificial municipal swimming pool with sea water .

Pico da Vara is the highest point of the island of São Miguel, with 1103 meters of altitude. Accessible by foot, through a circular trail classified as difficult (the PR7SMI , here is the official brochure ), of 7km (3h approximately). At the time of writing this guide, in order to do the trail it is mandatory to fill out this form and obtain authorization. If you are lucky, you will be able to see the endemic bird we talked about above, the Priolo.

In this area there is also the Planalto dos Graminhais (the trail currently does not pass through it, although it offers views of the planalto), which is one of the oldest landscapes of São Miguel. The Planalto dos Graminhais is characterized by its “turfeiras” (humid ecosystem, more info here ) as well as by the Laurisilva forest. In theory it is possible to visit this area by car, through a dirt road (estrada da Tronqueira, more info here ).

Ponta Delgada and South of the Island

The capital of the island is an excellent base for getting around and getting to know its corners due to its strategic location in the middle of São Miguel and the gastronomic and cultural offer it has.

Although it is not our favorite Azorean city (we prefer Horta, in Faial, or Angra do Heroísmo, in Terceira, much more) because it seems to us a city not human-centered (cars are the protagonists of the city, where the sidewalks are not wide enough to walk and explore), its beautiful historic center, the fantastic restaurants and the views of the Atlantic make us wanting to explore it better, even after a day full of exploring/walking.

In Ponta Delgada we recommend to stay at the excellent rooms of the Hotel do Colegio (from 55€/night), at the Ladeira Loft apartment (from 80€/night) or at the beautiful Armazéns Cogumbreiro (90€/night), all in the city center. Find accommodations in Ponta Delgada here or see more options in the section Where to stay in Ponta Delgada .

Here is a list of things you can visit in Ponta Delgada in a day or two:

• Walk along the sea between Forno de Cal and Forte de São Bras (this can be done by bike with the Atlantic Bikes app).
• Visit the City Gates , one of the most important places in Ponta Delgada, this set of three arches was built in the 18th century and is one of the city’s promotional images. In the square where they are located, different events are held, such as the Espírito Santo festivities or Christmas decorations.

• Torre Sineira: also built in the eighteenth century, it can be visited since a few years ago and you can go up to admire the panoramic views of the city, free of charge. Nearby you can also pass by the Municipal Chamber , the square in front of it is quite photogenic.
• Learn about the history and nature of the Azores at the Carlos Machado Museum (open from 10 am to 5:30 pm, closed on Mondays).
• Climb up to see the views of Ponta Delgada from the Hermitage of Mãe de Deus
• Mercado da Graça and Rei Dos Queijos : something we always like to do if possible is to visit the local markets, and when we stay in an apartment we take the opportunity to buy local fruits and vegetables, so the Mercado da Graça in Ponta Delgada was our main shopping point. If you visit the island in summer, you can try to buy Meloa (cantaloupe melon) that comes from the neighboring island of Santa Maria , pineapples (which are grown in greenhouses near Ponta Delgada with a unique method in the world) or cheeses and butters from all the islands in the Rei Dos Queijos, inside the market itself (if you can, try the butter “Rainha do Pico”, from the island of Pico , or the one from the island of Flores, although the latter is not always available). They also have bread (you can’t leave the Azores without trying Bolo Lêvedo) and other local products. Another similar option is the Principe dos Queijos .
• Portas do Mar : this area with restaurants, parking, stores, etc., was recently built as a stopping point for cruise ships. It is not our favorite area but if you are looking for an area with a lot of restaurants and a place to walk in front of the sea, this is your place.

• José do Canto Botanical Garden : a botanical garden with different species from all over the world, endemic species, a church and a waterfall. The garden was started by its owner, José do Canto, in the 19th century and can be visited since 2014 (4€/person), from 9am to 7pm in summer (April to September) and from 9am to 5pm in winter (October to March).
• Rosto de Cão : if you visit this area to have lunch/dinner in one of its restaurants (O Galego, Cais 20…) do not hesitate to visit the “Ilhéu do Rosto de Cão”, so called because the islet (which it is actually not an islet because it is connected to mainland) is said to resemble a dog.

• Whale Watching : One of the activities you can’t miss in São Miguel is whale watching (dolphins and whales) in their habitat, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The most important thing is to make sure that you go with a company that respects the rules of sustainability and animal protection (safe distance from the boat to the cetaceans, etc.). I did this activity in São Miguel the first time I visited the island in 2013 where I was lucky to see that gentle giant, a Blue whale, with over 20 meters, peacefully passing by our boat. This year, on the island of Pico we were again lucky enough to see 3 “sardinheiras ” whales, the third largest whale in the world, and several dolphins (we will tell you more about it in our Pico island travel guide ). The Azores are a paradise for whale watching so, book a morning in your trip for this activity.

Learn more about whale watching in São Miguel in our whale watching in Ponta Delgada guide :

Whale watching in Ponta Delgada (São Miguel, Azores): a guide to do it while being a responsible tourist

Book here your whale watching tour

In Ponta Delgada there is a huge variety of accommodations but if you want something special, we highlight the Senhora da Rosa hotel: 33 rooms with terrace in an 18th century estate surrounded by greenery and, above all, pineapples! Here you can take a dip in the heated pool in the pineapple greenhouse – with all the stimulation for the senses this entails – and several trails where you can stroll after a relaxing swim in the open air.

On your way to the west of the island (Sete Cidades / Mosteiros), you will pass through Relva, where you can make a couple of stops at its viewpoints or, if you dare, take a beatiful path along the sea. The viewpoints are the Miradouro Fonte da Roca (where the trail below starts) and the Miradouro do Caminho Novo (former “lookout” area for whale watching). It can be a good spot to enjoy the sunset.

The trail is the PCR20SMI (official brochure ), a linear trail (round trip) of 5.5km (3h00) in which you will visit a “fajã detritica” (the “fajãs” formed by the crumbling of part of the cliff), going down until reaching sea level and with the possibility of taking a dip if the weather and the currents allow you to. Another curiosity of this trail is that you can have lunch/dinner (essential to book before going ) at the Lapsa Garden , a house/farm that has a beautiful terrace facing the sea, where the owners prepare private dinners to appreciate, for example, the sunset (more info here ).

The pineapple (ananas, in Portuguese) is one of the symbols of the island (in fact the method of cultivation in greenhouses in São Miguel is unique in the world, in glass greenhouses, trying to reproduce the climatic conditions of where the fruit originally came from, South America) and is present in many of the activities you can do on the island.

At Quinta Augusto Arruda, also known as Ananases A Arruda the glass greenhouses can reach 38ºC heated by the sun, ideal conditions for the cultivation of the delicious and sweet Azorean “ananases”. Admission is free and besides visiting the greenhouses, the best thing to do is to try the chutneys and pineapple mustard and the different liqueurs in the store (we guarantee you will probably come home with one).

Here, even the “bolo rei” is made with pineapple ! It is known as “malamanhado” and is an adaptation of the typical Christmas sponge cake with a filling made with pineapple jam and egg cream. We also heard about a pineapple flan with cheese , a famous dessert at the restaurant Amphitheater .

In the Herdade do Ananás the proposal is different. Here you can enjoy an Ayurvedic massage among pineapple plantations (with the corresponding delicious smell, of course). Idea for a romantic surprise: the massage can be enjoyed by two people.

At the 18th century estate of the Senhora da Rosa Tradition & Nature hotel you can even swim among pineapple plantations as there is a heated indoor pool in one of the greenhouses .

And finally, at the Mulher do Capote in Ribeira Grande, you can taste a pineapple gin . The Goshawk Azores Gin is a gin distilled with pineapple liqueur that we, as gin appreciators, are eager to try.

And if you are a gin fan like us, then this is of interest to you because here, in São Miguel, very close to Ponta Delgada, you will find the largest collection of gins in the world, or as Ali, its creator, says, the largest gin library .

After living several years in Hong Kong, the British couple formed by Ali and Caroline, who had fallen in love with the Azores years before, on their honeymoon, decided they would create a project here. And so it was: Solar Branco , the project where the “Gin Library ” was born, is a local accommodation with six independent units, a bar and an orchard where many of the spices and botanicals used to create the spectacular gin and tonics that you taste on its terrace are born.

Ali told us that he has 480 bottles of gin . We didn’t count them but we believed him, especially after seeing the professionalism with which he prepared our Baleia gin, his most recent creation, made in collaboration with Rocha Negra, of which he spoke proudly.

Taste the Baleia (or any other gin in the library) on the terrace costs 15€, enjoying the Masterclass (h istory of gin, tricks for a perfect G&T and even the creation of your own G&T with the ingredients of your choice) with 3 gin and tonics included, costs 40€. But watch out! if you bring a (full) bottle that they don’t have in their special library, you get the masterclass for free. Are you up for it?

Praia das Milicias and Praia do Pópulo are the two closes beaches to São Miguel and very visited by locals, due to their ease of access, water quality and services. We visited Milicias beach in the middle of July and were pleasantly surprised.

Another option to cool off in the Atlantic ocean near Ponta Delgada is in Lagoa and its natural pools. There are two main areas: the “ Complexo Municipal de Piscinas ” (which has natural pools, an artificial pool, pools for children and all kinds of services) and the “ Zona Balnear do Cruzeiro (Poças de Atalhada) ” (wilder, unattended, with natural pools of crystal clear water).

While you’re here, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Observatório Vulcanológico e Geotérmico dos Açores (be careful, it is only open in the afternoon from 14:30 to 17:30), where you can learn more about the seismic/vulcanological activity in this area of the Atlantic ocean.

Around here there is a real retreat where you can stay overnight: Sul Villas & Spa . The concept is unique but so is the price. If you want to surprise your partner in a romantic getaway or your family in one of the most beautiful pools of the island with a spectacular view over the Atlantic, take a look at the Sul Villas .

For some people it is the most beautiful natural pool of the island and that already sharpened our curiosity although it was really eating that brought us here. Several people recommended us the Caloura Bar and its terrace over the sea to eat good, fresh fish, so we went there.

Another attraction here is its good climate. In fact its name “Caloura” comes from “Calor” (Hot) due to the microclimate in this area (which, coincidentally or not, has the most expensive square meter of the island).

The hand-painted fishermen’s boats – with religious names asking for luck in the sea – complete the picture in this beautiful bay.

If it’s hot, go to Caloura . Sunbathing, a dip in the sea and a fresh fish (bought every morning from the fishermen) at the Caloura Bar. Perfect vacation day in São Miguel.

In the area, you can’t miss Praia Baixa D’Areia (also known as Praia da Caloura), a small cove with transparent waters, and the Pisao and Monte Santo viewpoints .

Another beach worth visiting is Praia da Pedreira , with calm and transparent waters (we were left with the desire because it was cloudy and it started to rain when we were visiting this beach). To get there you have to walk down from this point , parking the car nearby, wherever you can.

Another plan we recommend in the area is to go to Cervejaria A Lagoinha , where you can try the local craft beer at the brewery. When we went, it was full of local people, who order the beer inside and took it outside, in the little square in front of the church.

Before or after (we think it’s better before) tasting the beer(s) you can do a short and easy trail called “Quatro Fábricas de Luz ” ( PR39 SMI , here is the official information brochure in Portuguese/English ), right here in Água d’Alto. Recently opened to the public, it passes through the ruins of old factories that, during the late 19th century and early 20th century, began to produce electricity from renewable sources. It is a 2 km linear trail that starts in the Parque Escutista dos Lagos and has a reward at the end: the “ Cascata do Segredo ” and a swimming pool in Trinta Reis. More info about the trail here .

In the middle of the southern coast of the island lies the oldest municipality of São Miguel and the capital of the island until 1522: Vila Franca do Campo . This pretty town of narrow streets leading to the sea was initially associated with the sugar culture, later with oranges and more recently with pineapples. Vila Franca do Campo is a land with its arms open to the sea and from almost any point of it we can see the islet that is about 500 meters from the coast, Ilhéu de Vila Franca or, as it is also known, the “ring of the princess”, because of its shape.

The islet – Ilhéu de Vila Franca – is an ancient submerged volcano where its flooded crater forms an almost perfect circle, with a small opening to the sea .

How to visit the Ilhéu de Vila Franca?

It is possible to reach the islet and in fact it is one of the plans we recommend in São Miguel if you visit the island during summer, since the boats that make the crossing between the port of Vila Franca do Campo and the islet only operate during this season (from 15/06 to 14/10).

The round-trip boat ticket costs 8€/person and the frequency is every hour or so. As the islet is a nature reserve, the maximum capacity is 400 people per day (200 people simultaneously on the islet) so if you want to secure your place, don’t go too late.

Only official boats can disembark on the islet (you will see that there are many other boats/tours that just go around it) and you can buy tickets online or in person at the booth they have at the port . The boat ride takes just 10 minutes.

Upon arrival, you will find clean waters, warmer than usual, and an incredible biodiversity: bring a snorkel and mask kit and you won’t regret it. We also recommend that you do some hiking to contemplate the views of the islet from above, with the postcard of Vila Franca do Campo in the background.

On the way back to Vila Franca do Campo – or if you don’t visit São Miguel in summer and want to make up for the lack of dips in the islet – Queijadas do Morgado is a must, also known as Queijadas de Vila Franca do Campo , especially for those with a sweet tooth. This little convent sweet was apparently created by the nuns of the Convent of Santo André and now delights those of us who pass through here.

Other options to get to know the island better:

• Boat tour to the south from Ponta Delgada with a naturalist guide who will give you more information about the birds that frequent the islet. (It does not include entering or stepping on the islet). There is also the option to do it at sunset .
• Kayak tour with snorkel included and guide , bordering the islet (It does not include entering or stepping on the islet).

After delighting ourselves with the “queijadas”, we drove up to the Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz and its viewpoint , from which you can get amazing views of Vila Franca and the islet. The legend tells that some shepherds working in the area had to take shelter in a cave where they found a statue of the virgin. They took her to the church, and the next day she reappeared in the cave, and so on for several days, until they understood that a church had to be built in that place, hence its location.

One of the best ways to get to know the Azores is by doing trails . So in this two-month trip through the nine islands of the Azorean archipelago we promised ourselves to do at least one trail per island and in São Miguel there is no shortage of options.

We recommend checking the official Azores trails website, where you can find all the official trails and practical information (usually updated) about them. Here you can see all the official trails of São Miguel .

Here are some of the ones we find most beautiful

• Serra Devassa (PRC05 SMI): easy circular trail that starts at the parking lot of Lagoa do Canário and passes through several less visited lakes. 4,9km, about 2h. More info / official brochure
• Praia de Lagoa do Fogo (PRC02 SMI): circular trail that takes you down to the beach of Lagoa do Fogo. 11km, about 4h. More info / official brochure
• Padrão das Alminhas – Poço Azul – Salto da Farinha (PR21 SMI): linear trail from Achadinha passing by the photogenic Poço Azul and Salto da Farinha. 4,9km, about 2h. More info / official brochure .
• Salto do Prego – Sanguinho (PRC09 SMI): circular trail that passes by the beautiful waterfall of Salto do Prego, where you can take a refreshing bath, and by the village recovered as a rural tourism project, Sanguinho. 4,5km, about 2h. More info / official brochure
• Quatro fábricas da Luz (PR39 SMI): linear trail passing by factories that represent the industrialization of São Miguel with the production and distribution of renewable electric energy. 2,1km, 1h30. More info / official brochure .

In the Azores the surprises are as many or more underwater. And if the incredible and diverse underwater world is accompanied by an incredible blue bottom that looks like a swimming pool and a very pleasant temperature considering that we are diving on this side of the world, then if you have a diving certificate you will not want to miss this experience.

Although I didn’t dive São Miguel (I did it in Pico , Terceira and Santa Maria ), we were told that the best dive sites here are the following:

• World War II shipwreck: the Dori Shipwreck Archaeological Park, a WWII Liberty Ship resting on the sandy bottom.
• The Vila Franca do Campo Islet Reserve
• Caloura Arches

More info about where to dive in São Miguel here

Although we did not try any center on the island, we heard very good things about Azores Sub Dive Center , where apart from diving they also do boat trips and snorkeling.

If you already have the official diving certification, here you can book your São Miguel marine exploration of 1 or 2 dives .

If you haven’t tried scuba diving yet but you would like to try, why not do it in the Azores? Here you have more information about the diving baptism in São Miguel where you will try scuba diving in the Natural Reserve of the islet of Vila Franca do Campo.

If you want to enjoy the aquatic biodiversity of the islet without a bottle in between, hire here your snorkel tour with equipment included .

Where to stay in São Miguel: best areas

Although Ponta Delgada is not our favorite city, it is very well located and strategically connected so it can be an excellent base to explore the island . The other suggested option is Ribeira Grande also well located and connected.

Keep in mind that São Miguel is the most populated and extensive island of the Azores, and to go from Ponta Delgada to each of the extremes (Mosteiros in the west, Nordeste in the east), it takes between 45 min and 1h by car . If instead of the center of the island you stay at one end of the island, visiting the opposite end will take a couple of hours by car.

We stayed at the Ladeira Loft (from 80€/night), a very spacious one-bedroom apartment in the center of Ponta Delgada (very close to the Graça market) and overlooking the Atlantic.

With more affordable prices, the Nook Hostel (from 40€/night), in the historic center, has apartments with 2 rooms, private rooms and dorm beds. Also among the cheapest options is the Holy Cow (from 50€/night) a hostel with rooms with private bathrooms and dormitories.

The Hotel do Colegio ( 55€/night), a beautiful hotel in a 19th century building, with swimming pool, in the center of Ponta Delgada, was the hotel where my mother, my sister and I stayed the first time we visited the island and we loved it.

Our friends Catarina and Ricardo visited São Miguel recently and they loved staying at Casa da Graça (rooms from 70€/night), a hotel managed by the charming Vânia and Sergio who make you feel at home in Ponta Delgada, apart from the great rooms (and breakfasts):

If you want to treat yourself with a gin and tonic in a jacuzzi overlooking the sea without breaking the bank, then you want to stay at the Garoupas Inn (from 75€/night):

The Armazéns Cogumbreiro was the largest commercial establishment on the island, in a building from 1913, renovated, in the center, with spacious and bright rooms from 90€/night.

If you want something more high-end, the Azor Hotel (130€/night) has incredible rooms with views of the Atlantic.

See more accommodations in Ponta Delgada here

Outside of Ponta Delgada, the other option we recommend you to stay in is Ribeira Grande .

Here you can treat yourself and stay in front of the sea in the capital of surfing (with the option, of course, of having surfing lessons) at the Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort (120€/night):

If you want a cheaper option in this area , take a look at the Mitós Vila (a villa for two people for 33€/night) or the Central House , a house that you can enjoy from 2 people (at 55€/night) to 6 people (at 75€/night).

Pico do Refugio is a 17th century estate that was once a militia fort, an artists’ house and even a tea factory. Today, it is one of the most elegant places to stay in this area of the island: apartments and lofts from 76€/night in a dream setting.

Find more accommodations in Ribeira Grande here

For different/special experiences on the island, where you could spend a couple of nights or surprise someone, we recommend these ones:

Sleeping in a mill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean: at Moinho da Bibi (minimum three nights at €100/night) or Moinho das Feteiras (minimum two nights at €180/night):

Sleep among pineapple plantations at the Senhora da Rosa Tradition & Nature Hotel (120€/night):

Sleep in one of the most beautiful areas of the island, near Mosteiros , to have this bed close to one of the best sunsets you can enjoy in São Miguel, at Villa Varzea (99€/night):

Sleep at Sul Villas & Spa (180€/night), known by some travelers as the Eden of São Miguel Island. Here, the panoramic views of the Atlantic are privileged both from the villas and from the outdoor saltwater pool:

If you are 4 or 5 people traveling, the best option to stay on the island is the beautiful Pink House. Pink House (from 200€/night for 5 people). Downstairs are the bedrooms, upstairs the huge kitchen and living room, welcome to contemporary rural tourism:

Sleep in one of the nine most exclusive suites on the island in the White Exclusive Suites & Villas, located in a bay of volcanic rock and traces of ancient Azorean architecture (from 320€/night):

Or sleep in the heart of Terra Nostra Park and access the hot spring pool at any time of the day and night, staying at the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel (110 €/night):

Gastronomy is one of the strengths of the Azores, and there is a great variety of restaurants and gastronomic options, from the most traditional local meals to fusion food. Here are some recommendations of restaurants that we liked in different areas of the island (although most of them are in Ponta Delgada, the capital, and Ribeira Grande).

Where to eat in Ponta Delgada

• Tasquinha Vieira : expensive but very very good, fusion food (they have a tasting menu option of 30€/person). The rice we tried was spectacular. We paid 56€ for 2 main dishes, a bottle of wine and a dessert.
• A Tasca : BBB option (good, nice and cheap), but they do not accept reservations so you have to wait in the line (in summer it is usually long). In our opinion, it’s ok but don’t stop making plans around the island to queue for this restaurant, there are other options. If you decide to try it, you have to leave your name and stay close by as they call you by name when there is a table for you (we had a beer while waiting at the next door place, Canto do Aljube ).
• Õtaka : Nikkei fusion restaurant. They have several tasting menus (from 30€/person) or you can order a la carte. It is a bit expensive, but worth it if you are looking for a different option (we were looking for something like this in our last week of our two months in the Azores ).
• Alcides : one of the most legendary traditional restaurants in Ponta Delgada, where you can taste the famous “bife à regional”. Reservations are essential. We paid 50€ for two people, with a starter, two main dishes, a bottle of wine, a dessert and coffees in 2015
• Cais 20 : also a legendary place in Ponta Delgada because it is open until very late. Recommended for tapas, seafood and fish.
• O Galego : it competes with Alcides and Associação Agricola for the best “bife à regional” in São Miguel but, in our opinion, it is the best . We paid 42€ for a starter, two main dishes, two beers and two coffees.
• Rotas da Ilha Verde (vegetarian): we didn’t get to try it but it is one of the few vegetarian restaurants on the island and several people recommended it to us.
• Ta Gente : Recommended for tapas, although the prices are a bit expensive.
• Forneria São Dinis : Very good pizzas in a wood-fired oven. We paid 42€ for a starter, two pizzas, a bottle of wine and water.
• Amphitheater : in the heart of Portas do Mar in Ponta Delgada, here you can taste traditional dishes with contemporary touches prepared by students in training.
• Suplexio : If you’re craving burgers, look no further. Here you’ll find artisanal burgers and, best of all, a bar with Portuguese craft beer.
• To buy cheese: Rei dos Queijos or Príncipe dos Queijos . They both also sell sometimes Flores butter (one of the best we tried) and “Rainha do Pico” butter.
• Raíz Bar : for a drink with live music. On Fridays and Saturdays, from 10 pm, there are usually concerts of blues, jazz, rock, folk or African sounds.

Where to Eat in Ribeira Grande / Rabo de Peixe

• Associação Agrícola : Another mythical option to try the famous “bife à regional”. We paid 42€ for a starter, two main dishes, a bottle of wine and two coffees.
• Botequim Açoriano : Excellent restaurant where we ate the best tuna of our two months in the Azores. Excellent service. We paid 48€ for a starter, two main dishes, a bottle of wine, two desserts and two coffees.
• Tuká Tulá : a good choice for dinner with sunset views, next to the sea. We paid 55€ for a starter, two main dishes, two gin&tonics, a bottle of wine, a dessert and two coffees.
• Restaurant O Silva : We didn’t go there but several local people recommended it to try the “Arroz de Cherne”.

Where to eat in Furnas

• Chalet da tia Mercês : local sustainable project, with local products from all the 9 islands. When we went, the first weekend of each month they had brunch (we tried the açoriano brunch, “a journey through the Azores”, with products from all the islands: butters from Flores and Pico , cheeses from Faial/ São Jorge , eggs with “erva patinha” from Flores, etc.), nowadays it is necessary to book the brunch (or other types of meals and tastings) at least 48 hours in advance. They also have other dishes cooked in the caldeira (such as the famous cocido de furnas), and rice dishes and the like. The couple who owns the place is very very nice
• Tonys : one of the recommended options to taste the famous stew cooked slowly for several hours thanks to the volcanic activity. It is usually quite full.
• Caldeiras e Vulcões : also the famous cocido, with the option of vegan cocido.
• Vale das Furnas : Another option for cocido with excellent quality/price ratio, recommended by our local friend Iolanda.

Where to eat in other areas of São Miguel (Mosteiros, Caloura, Vila Franca…)

• Pizzeria Fantasia (Mosteiros): good wood oven pizzas and tiramisu. Reservations and punctuality are essential.
• Bar Caloura (Caloura): excellent restaurant above the sea to eat very fresh fish.
• Queijadas de Vila Franca (Vila Franca do Campo): to taste the famous “queijadas”, a delight!

A must: Try a passion fruit Kima (and then drink at least one each day). We could say that this refreshing drink would be like the Azorean Trina with passion fruit flavor, of course. Although it also exists with pineapple flavor, it is the passion fruit one that we can say is the most famous drink of the Azores and the one we miss the most, those of us who got addicted to it while visiting Azores. It is made by Melo Abreu (you may know it from their Especial beer), a factory in Ponta Delgada whose history dates back to 1892.

São Miguel itineraries

As you will have seen if you have read our entire guide, São Miguel has many incredible places to visit , so to see everything you will need at least a full week .

As we do not always have so much time to enjoy the island, we leave you several suggestions of itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days .

A weekend is very little time for São Miguel, so if this is your case we recommend that you choose: either stay in one area or assume that you are going to spend some time on the road and visit several areas in a lighter way (in which case, we recommend getting up early!). Here is a 2 and a half day itinerary to visit the most special parts of São Miguel (in our opinion)

3-day Itinerary in São Miguel: Sete Cidades and Thermal Waters

• Day 1 : Arrival in São Miguel at noon and check-in at accommodation in Ponta Delgada. Visit Lagoa do Fogo and its viewpoints, hot springs in Caldeira Velha and Salto do Cabrito. Dinner in Ponta Delgada. Days 2 and 3 are interchangeable knowing that the Furnas day does not require good weather but the Sete Cidades day does.
• Day 2 : Sete Cidades and Mosteiros. Start at the Vista do Rei viewpoint (in front of the ruins of the Monte Palace Hotel), continue to Lagoa do Canario and Grota do Inferno (possibility to do the Serra Devassa trail), go down to Sete Cidades stopping at the viewpoints. Lunch on the trail or in Sete Cidades. Continue to Mosteiros, visiting the Ponta de Ferraria with its warm sea water, the viewpoint of Ponta do Escalvado, and make beach / natural pools in Mosteiro, where you can also enjoy the sunset. Return to Ponta Delgada for dinner.
• Day 3 : Furnas. Visit Terra Nostra, Furnas lagoon, Furnas village and eat cocido. In the afternoon, go to the different viewpoints, pass by Praia do Fogo in Ribeira Quente and return to Furnas for Poça Dona Beija in the evening.

4 or 5 days is the minimum to visit São Miguel and get a good idea of the island, although if you can a week is the best to see everything more calmly and enjoy relaxing in its hot springs and spa areas. Here is an itinerary for 5 days.

5-day itinerary in São Miguel :

• Day 3 : Furnas. Visit Terra Nostra, Furnas lagoon, Furnas village and eat cocido. In the afternoon, go to the different viewpoints, pass by Praia do Fogo in Ribeira Quente and return to Furnas for Poça Dona Beija in the evening. Return to Ponta Delgada for dinner
• Day 4 : Ponta Delgada and surroundings. Visit the city (portas da cidade, promenade, pineapple plantations, museu do Machado…), have lunch and in the afternoon go to one of the beach areas/natural pools (Milicias, Lagoa, Caloura, …) or to the tea plantations in the north.
• Day 5 : Northeast and Povoação. Visit the different viewpoints (Ponta do Arnel, Ponta do Sossego, Ponta da Madrugada), the environmental center do Priolo, etc. Lunch in Nordeste or Povoação and in the afternoon hike the Salto do Prego trail.

With a week you can take things a little slower (or do it at a good pace to visit many more places), and for us this is the ideal number of days to visit São Miguel .

One-week itinerary in São Miguel :

• Day 4 : Ponta Delgada and surroundings. Visit the city (portas da cidade, promenade, pineapple plantations, museu do Machado…), have lunch and in the afternoon go to one of the beach areas/natural pools (Milicias, Lagoa, Caloura, …).
• Day 6 : Vila Franca do Campo. In the morning visit the islet of Vila Franca, return for lunch, and in the afternoon Lagoa do Congro and Lagoa de São Bras.
• Day 7 : In the morning do the Poço Azul / Salto da Farinha trail, have lunch at Ribeira Grande and in the afternoon visit the contemporary art center Arquipélago. See the sunset in Santa Bárbara and have dinner at Tuká Tulá.

As in all the islands of the Azores, in São Miguel we consider it essential to rent a car in order to enjoy the island to the fullest , make the most out of the time and to visit all the places recommended in this guide at your own pace.

We rented the car with Autatlantis , both in São Miguel and in the rest of the islands, and everything was perfect: the attention upon arrival was fast and effective, the car (a Citroen C3) was brand new and we had no problems at all. Practically all the companies include an excess in the insurance, and Autatlantis is one of the ones with the lowest excess (700€, compared to 1300-1500€ of other companies).

Prices of rental cars in São Miguel rarely go below 25€ per day and, especially in summer, we recommend booking well in advance to avoid running out of vehicles or that the few that are available reach high prices (during some summers the cars reached 100€ per day and we know several people who did not manage to rent a car because they left it to the last minute). Find the best price for your car rental in DiscoverCars.

Parking in Ponta Delgada: although in general in the Azores you will not have to worry too much about parking, Ponta Delgada is the exception because if you are staying in the center there may not be free parking available. Be well informed when you book your accommodation, to find out if it has free parking and/or if it has free public parking areas nearby.

Another option if there are no rental cars available or if you are on a budget, is to rent a scooter, although we sincerely do not recommend it due to the long distances to be covered in São Miguel and the unstable weather in the Azores.

There is also the option to move around São Miguel by public transport: there are 3 bus companies that connect some of the main points of the island, you can check the schedules here . Connections and frequencies are quite limited, but if you are traveling on a budget it can be a valid option to visit some of the main points of São Miguel.

As always, giving a generic budget is very difficult as it depends greatly on your style of travelling. What we can do is to give you an orientation of prices and you can use to calculate your own budget:

• Flights: You can find flights for 50€ (round trip from Lisbon) to Ponta Delgada but it depends on how far in advance you book and your dates (in summer it is more difficult to find cheap prices).
• Car rental: from 25€/30€ per day the cheapest car (depending on the company and the number of days). In summer prices go up and it can be difficult to find a car at short notice.
• Accommodation: from 50€/night for a double room with private bathroom or an apartment with kitchen, centrally located.
• Restaurant meals : between 10 and 25€ per person per lunch/dinner in a restaurant

In total, as a guideline, a one-week trip to São Miguel with a rented car can cost between 500€ and 750€ per person (with the cheapest options of car, lodging and restaurants).

We recommend some apps that will be useful for your trip to São Miguel:

• SpotAzores : (Android / iOS / Web ): here you can see all the existing webcams in different points of the islands to see how the weather is. Because the weather is very changeable and it can be raining in one area of the island and bright sunshine in another, this app is the fastest way to make sure and avoid unnecessary trips. Note : The camera of Lagoa do Fogo is located at a fairly high point so even if the camera shows cloudy, it is possible that the viewpoint can have a view of the lagoon. We were alerted to this by our friends Ricardo and Catarina who were enjoying the island recently.
• Windy (Android / iOS / Web ): essential app in our trips, even more so in the Azores. It allows you to see forecasts for rain, clouds, wind, etc. to help you plan your days based on the weather (as there are places that lose a lot depending on the weather). Obviously the forecasts are not 100% reliable. It also shows the available webcams
• Google Maps (Android / iOS ): is the one we use to save / classify all the places we want to go / have gone and as GPS in rental cars. You can see other people’s opinions of the places, photos, restaurant menus, telephone numbers to contact them, etc.
• Maps.me (Android / iOS ): application similar to Google Maps but that works offline (although Google Maps can also work offline) and in many cases has information that Google Maps does not have, especially trails. Useful whenever you are going to do a trail, to orient yourself, download the route from the official Azores trails website (click on Downloads->GPS), etc.
• In the whalewatching activities, respect the conduct indicated by the center and be suspicious if it does not involve measures such as: prohibition of swimming with dolphins; reduced and constant speed of the boat and a minimum distance of 50 meters from the animal; avoid the presence of several boats within a radius of 150 meters around the group of cetaceans and do not stay more than 10 minutes with the same animal.
• Do not allow the disturbance, pollution and destruction of the nesting habitats of seabirds. The “cagarros” (shearwaters) are a migratory bird that nests in the Azores that will part of the soundtrack on your trip (more appreciated by some than by others, especially in the middle of the night) for its particular sound of “awa awa” as if they were singing the chorus of the song Video Killed the Radio Star . In order to avoid situations of capture or runover of young shearwaters on the road, the Government of the Azores annually promotes the SOS Cagarro Campaign which we advise you to read when you arrive in the archipelago.
• Never try to touch or feed an animal – don’t be an accomplice to animal abuse!
• Do not buy handicrafts made from sea animals or extracted from the sea (e.g. dolphin teeth, turtle shells, shark jaws, sperm whale ivory, …). The ivory trade, currently the only valuable product of the sperm whale, is still an argument for hunters. Buy local handicrafts made from alternative materials such as wood, stone or vegetable ivory.
• Respect other people and the island : don’t play your music loudly on the beach (if you want to listen to music, wear headphones), don’t leave trash, don’t throw cigarette butts, etc. Leave the beach better than you found it (if you find plastic, pick it up).
• In some natural pools, bathing is dangerous due to strong currents . Do not be brave.
• Always travel with travel insurance : medical expenses, theft or problems with your plane on a trip can mean a lot of money, so the ideal is to take out travel insurance. We always use IATI and recommend it. If you purchase your insurance through this link you have a 5% discount.

Here is a list of must-haves that you can’t forget to take with you on your trip to the island of San Miguel:

• Water shoes like these from Cressi (transparent, comfortable and dry quickly) or these, if you prefer another material that fits better . Keep in mind that in the Azores, in general, you will not find sandy beaches but natural volcanic rock pools or mostly pebble beaches so you will want to carry your booties always in your backpack.
• Snorkel kit/glasses to see the little fishes in the natural pools. Here is a kit for less than 20€.
• Reef friendly sunscreen , i.e. free of coral-damaging chemicals, oxybenzone-free, and not tested on animals, such as this one or this one .
• Cap , the sun is very strong
• Trekking shoes because the best way to get to know the Azores is by hiking trails. We have these from Columbia .
• A water bottle like one of these to always carry water with you. You are on the island of waterfalls and great water! Take advantage of it! In addition, you will avoid using single-use plastic.
• A neck brace like one of these to protect you from wind and sand.
• Long sleeve lycra T-shirt with UV protection that we wear to protect us from cold water or the sun when snorkeling, such as one of these .
• Waterproof bag , to keep your electronic devices safe on the boat to the islet of Vila Franca or on the beaches. This one for example costs 12€.
• Microfiber towel , which occupies little and you will use for the beach. If you don’t have one, you can buy the typical ones from Decathlon or these ones on Amazon
• Camera to record Azorean adventures. We carry a Sony A5100 and a GoPro for underwater images.
• Power bank : with so many photos you will spend a lot of battery, so it always comes in handy to carry a good power bank. We travel with these 2 (Xiaomi and Anker ), which allow us to charge our smartphones, camera and GoPro.
• First-aid kit : our first-aid kit should include a medicine against seasickness (such as biodramine for seasickness on boats), antibiotics, antidiarrheals (and a probiotic to recover more quickly), antihistamines, painkillers and antipyretics.

Obrigada São Miguel. Although in some of your corners tourism has been too strong, you continue to surprise even those who, like us, are visiting you for the third time. And it surely won’t be the last. Até breve!

Disclaimer: Autatlantis helped us explore the island of São Miguel with one of their vehicles but all opinions and information expressed in this post are our own.

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