The Ultimate São Miguel Travel Guide in the Azores

Sao Miguel Travel Guide Azores

Located 1500 kms off the coast of Portugal is the Azores archipelago. The main island with an international airport is Sao Miguel. Here you will find an amazing island with 230 volcanoes and 22 lakes. With neverending, gorgeous landscapes, it is no wonder it is referred to as the Green Island.

Top Things To Do In Sao Miguel Island

After spending a week on the island, here is our list (working counterclockwise around the island) of all the best things to do in Sao Miguel, Azores.

Ponta Delgada

Most likely you will enter São Miguel through the capital city of Ponta Delgada. Here you will find a lovely, developed city that has plenty to offer visitors.  Located along the sea, there is a wonderful promenade that is perfect for strolling.

It stretches along the width of the city and has many eateries, bars and also a harbour where you can watch the boats come and go.  

There are several churches in the city – the interiors are elaborate in Baroque style but each one is different and has its own special and unique features.

For history buffs, you can visit the fort that dates to the 1500s for a look back at the strategic military role the Azores had or climb the historical tower on the Municipal building for a fabulous view of the surrounding area. 

And, Ponta Delgada has some gorgeous botanical gardens that are beautifully manicured and have tree and plant species from all over the world. They are a very nice place to visit for a peaceful walk and some time with nature located right in the heart of the city.

Caves – Gruta do Carvao

A fascinating location to visit, just outside Ponta Delgada, is the underground cave system that dates back 10,000 years. These are lava tunnels reaching more than 5kms and tours are available for exploring a small section of the extensive caverns underground.

The guide brings small groups through the tunnels and explains the geology behind what can be observed. The basalt is mixed with many minerals including iron oxide that can be seen with the different colours on the walls.

Within this location, they are conducting a significant amount of research with over 800 species of local bacteria to produce new antibiotic products. It is a very interesting place to see.

Whale Watching

One of the most popular activities to do on São Miguel Island is to board boats and head out into the sea to observe whales and dolphins. 

The Azores typically have whales all year round. Some, like the Sperm Whale, stay in the area and others pass by during migratory seasons. This makes the chances of seeing marine wildlife quite good.

We have had some pretty spectacular whale interactions in Antarctica and dolphin experiences in New Zealand so we decided not to do this activity on this trip. Perhaps it would be something we would plan on our next visit. But we did speak to some folks who went out and they commented that the water was quite rough. Keep this in mind and make sure to be prepared with seasickness medication.

✅ For a perfect half day excursion of whale watching – check out this highly rated trip that has a friendly and professional crew.

Pineapple Plantations

If you enjoy fresh and juicy pineapple you have come to the right place! The Azorean pineapples are delicious. Although smaller in size, they are sweet and very tasty.

We visited two plantations – one within walking distance to Ponta Delgada (Plantacao de Ananas dos Acores) and the other (Agusto Arruda Pineapple Plantation) that was located a little farther away.

Both offer free entry where you can see the greenhouses used to protect the plants during the wind and rain storms. It takes two years for a pineapple to mature and each greenhouse shows the different stages during that timeframe. Since the fruit is grown inside, they use a special smoking process to force the plants to bloom.  

We learned a lot while there and loved visiting the greenhouses to see the baby pineapples. Some were so pretty which would explain why pineapple plants were initially used mainly as decorative plants.

We also had the chance to enjoy some great pineapple tasting at Acores. There are so many options to choose from – we couldn’t decide so we had several including the pineapple beer, pineapple cocktail, a pineapple custard tart, pineapple flambe and a tray of fresh cut fruit.

All of it was amazing! Be sure to visit at least one plantation on your trip to Sao Miguel.

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Lagoa do Fogo

Located in the centre of the island is the second largest lake on the island – Lagoa Fogo or Lake of Fire. The Azores has a large emphasis on protecting its natural areas, designating them as natural parks and there are varying levels of protection based on the flora, geology and animals located within the area.

The Lagoa do Fogo is a natural reserve environment (the strictest of the designations) meaning there is no human intervention allowed on the premises.

Nestled within the second highest mountain of 937m is a massive lake measuring 1360 hectares. The lake sits at an elevation of 900m and is believed to have been created 1500 years ago after 3 volcanic eruptions happened. It is still an active volcano with the last eruption taking place in 1653.

Depending on the time that you go there may be low clouds and this can impede your view from the very top at Mirodouro da Bela Vista. We had to come down slightly to a secondary viewpoint called Mirodouro da Lagoa do Fogo to see the full lake and the beautiful greenery around it.

This caldera is so lush and green and since it is protected, there are many endemic species thriving on the hills. It is a wonderful spot to enjoy Mother Nature at its best.

Caldeira Velha

On the northern side of the caldera that surrounds Lagoa do Fogo, is an active geothermal area spanning over 13 hectares. It is also a protected area due to its geology since it is still part of the volcano.

If you are looking for a more natural hot spring on the island this is a perfect location to check out. It is a smaller location and does limit the capacity so advance ticket booking online is necessary.

From the parking lot, you are immediately immersed in the lush green forested areas of this natural reserve.  This area is set within a fault valley and it is actually a second volcanic area where magma interacts with ground water creating gas vents and thermal springs.

The thermal water comes from a fracture located at the base of the volcano’s lava flow and spews water at 32 degrees celcius. 

It is then fed down through a waterfall at one of the upper pools where it has lost some of its temperature and ranges between 25 – 28 degrees. Here is a wonderful place for swimming and you can even walk under the waterfall. Make sure you follow the path to take advantage of this section as well.

Located further down are two pools that are heated by the fumarole with a temperature of 38 degrees. The pools have large stone walls around them with seats built into the sides so you can immerse yourself completely.  

It is thought that the waters are excellent for your health with benefits for your skin, circulation and relieving stress.

There are change rooms onsite and for two euros you can rent a locker to keep your items. Locks are available in the visitor centre. 

Timeslots are limited to 90 minutes and we felt that was a perfect amount of time to enjoy this unique location.

✅ This is the tour company we used while in São Miguel. You can experience a wonderful trip to see Lagoa do Fago and also visit the Caldeira Velha. This is a perfect half day tour.

Vila Franca do Campo

If you are looking for something a little different then be sure to plan an excursion to the islet of Vila Franca. Located approximately 1 km from the shore of São Miguel, is a large volcanic formation where only the top of the caldera is poking out above the water. There is an opening on one side and inside is a lake of sorts since the direction of the opening keeps the ocean waves from entering.

Here is a perfect place for swimming and snorkelling and during low tide there is a nice sandy beach. It is a great location to visit from May to October when boat tours are available. When else can you say you swam inside a volcanic crater?

✅ If you would like to do a combination tour of whale & dolphin watching with a visit to Vila Franca, this highly rated tour can give you the best of both worlds with lunch!

Furnas

Located within easy driving distance of Ponta Delgada is the town of Furnas. As a geothermal area, there are many things to see in this location.

First, the viewpoint from above is a perfect place to start so you can take in the Furnas Valley and see this immense crater that is the oldest on the island. Be sure to stop at Mirodouro Pico do Ferro. 

When venturing down into the valley you can see the interesting process of cooking Cozido – a Portuguese family dish prepared in pots and cooked within the heat of the earth.

Walking along the boardwalks you can observe the locals bringing the steaming pots from the ground after they have been cooking for 6-7 hours.

It is a famous meal of vegetables such as potatoes, taro, kale, cabbage, sweet potato, beef, pork and sausage cooked in its own juices. Many restaurants in the area serve this specialty.

Also, be sure to visit the Furnas Caldeiras where you can see some amazing hot pools and taste the water from taps of 21 springs. You will be surprised at the hot, cold and sparkling water that can be sampled.

Terra Nostra

Not far from here is the beautiful location of Terra Nostra Park. With a botanical garden that dates to 1780, this is a nature lovers paradise. There are more than 12 hectares of gardens filled with plants, trees and flowers from all over the world. 

The trees are enormous due to the temperate weather and also the amount of carbon dioxide in the area that they must absorb. This park also boasts the largest collection of camellias containing more than 800 species. 

In the middle, you will find a thermal pool which is a tank built on a thermal spring. Here visitors come to bathe in the warm water and take advantage of the orange-tinted water that is heavy with iron oxide. 

Be sure to check out this paradise while visiting São Miguel.

✅ For a great experience seeing Furnas, Terra Nostra and a tea plantation check out the tour that we did. This company provided a wonderful experience and shared a lot of information about life in the Azores.

Povoacao

The small village of Povocao on the southeast coast of Sao Miguel is mainly centred around agriculture and fishing.  Here you will find a lovely town nestled in a valley where the caldera has opened to the sea. The population is only about 2000 people.

One of the important sights here is the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosario. Built in 1500, it is significant as this is only 100 years after the first settlers arrived on the island.

It is simple in style and has had some renovations attempted over the years. Inside you will notice the numbering system on the floor – this corresponds to the important families that are buried underneath.

The village has a small beach and also a pool built at the edge of the sea. Perfect for swimming on a warm day.

Take some time to wander around the tiny centre where there are some shops and be sure to try one of the pastries that is a specialty of the region – called Fafa. It is similar to an eclair and is very yummy!

Avenue Platanos

Along the backroads up in the hills from Povoacao, you will find a long road – 2 kms – lined with gorgeous Plane trees. They grow over the road creating a canopy similar to the Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland. 

It is a beautiful place to walk or drive to admire the trees and the unique orange soil that contains iron oxide. This is a true hidden gem of the area.

Nordeste

In the northeast of the island, known as Nordeste, it is more rugged and natural. Inside the caldera, the winding road takes you on a ride through a lush forest with tall trees, huge plants and numerous flowers. It is a gorgeous drive. 

Once you come up and make your way to the outer rim, you see stunning coastal landscapes. The green combined with the black lava rock and the blue of the ocean make for breathtaking scenery.

The iconic Arnel lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in the Azores and has been operating since the 1870s. It is a very picturesque spot to see. It does require a very difficult, steep walk unless you are with a local 4WD tour operator who understands the roads.

All along the coast, you can visit many viewpoints. Be sure to stop at some of them. We especially enjoyed Ponta da Madrugada and Ponta do Sossego where you have unobstructed views of the coast combined with gardens and lovely picnic areas.

Ribeira dos Caldeiros

If you enjoy gardens and waterfalls this is the place for you. When we visited it had started to pour rain so not ideal for walking around this stunning area. But on a nice day, it would be spectacular.

Built into the hillside, you can see numerous waterfalls and gardens with lush flora and fauna while walking along an extensive path system. It is easily accessible and a beautiful spot to really enjoy the wild nature of this part of the island.

Gorreana Tea Plantation

In the 18th century, growing tea leaves were introduced to the Azores. This location has a perfect microclimate due to the high humidity and good volcanic soil.

One of the largest plantations is Gorreana. It is a nice location to visit to see how the tea is processed once the leaves are picked. The factory is open to the public and you can see the machines as the tea is put through the sterilizing, rolling and drying processes.

While the factory is machine based it is still very much a hands-on process to ensure high quality.

This location produces green, black and white (oolong) teas. After touring the manufacturing line, they offer a complimentary taste of their product.

There is a gift shop and a tea shop onsite for a snack too.

✅ To fully enjoy the Nordeste area along with Ribeira dos Caldeiros and the tea plantation, have a look at the fantastic tour we took for the day.

Porto Formoso

This little village is a remote location with some rental houses for those who love nature, and being in a quiet, relaxing spot. It is another hidden gem of the island.

During the day with one of our local guides, we took a walk through a forested area with a pathway that led us to see Cascata do Limbo – a very pretty waterfall surrounded by dense foliage.

The ferns and hydrangea plants here are huge – we had never seen anything like it.

There is a rough path that winds around and through the forest, with a long boardwalk bridge taking you along a stream and eventually leading you out to the beach – Praia dos Moinhos. 

The beach is beautiful and when we were there it was essentially empty! This is a perfect spot to enjoy a down day at the beach with regular dips into the fresh Atlantic Ocean.

While here you can grab a snack at the tiny restaurant on the beach. They make some great goat cheese as a decadent treat.

Mirodouro de Santa Iria

One of the most stunning viewpoints on the island is the location of Santa Iria where you can see 70% of the island’s coast.

This was one of our first viewpoints that we visited and it was a great introduction to the incredible beauty that we would come to expect while in the Azores. The rolling green hills leading down to the water are covered with green foliage and pretty agapanthus (also known as African lily). 

And in true Azorean style, a lovely rainbow appeared while we stood in awe gazing at the magnificent vista. Be sure to put this one on your list.

Cascata do Salto do Cabrito

If you are with a local guide, you can be driven close to Salto do Cabrito. Otherwise, you will need to park at the top parking lot and walk down a steep road to see this lovely location. Also important to note that this is part of an 8km hiking trail that many will spend the day walking when in the area.

It is a very pretty waterfall that cascades in between a crevice of rocks. It starts off shallow but then drops off into a pool in front of the waterfall. Here is where many people will take a nice swim in the cold water.

Sete Cidades

One of the most famous spots on the island of São Miguel is the location of Sete Cidades. With its green and blue lakes, it truly offers some spectacular scenery. You can easily see the magnificent vista from Vista do Rei but if you really want some amazing views you should take a 4WD tour to travel the Summit Road.

From this road that runs along the edge of the crater for 12 kms, you will have many different vantage points such as Pico do Cruz to see the caldera that holds seven chimneys. You can also participate in paragliding from some of these amazing points.

Down in the caldera is the charming village of Sete Cidades where you can have something to eat, enjoy watersports on the lake and visit the beautiful Church of São Nicolau.

This is a must-see spot when planning your São Miguel itinerary.

✅ For our second trip to Sete Cidades we took this amazing private tour. Our guide Delfin was fantastic and showed us so many beautiful spots around Sete Cidades and beyond.

Mosteiros

Not far from Sete Cidades, on the west side of the island, is the small village of Mosteiros. Here is where the rugged black lava scenery is breathtaking. This area is wonderful for swimming, snorkelling and diving. 

There are many spots along the coast that have hot spots close to the shoreline. To make things easy, ladders have been installed to gain easy access to the water.

This area also has one of the nicest black sand beaches of São Miguel and it is known as one of the best places on the island for sunsets. Be sure to choose a place closer to the town to see the islets or large rocks in the sea that are the remains of a volcanic crater. 

Ferraria

Just a little further down the coast is Ferraria. There is a beautiful viewpoint here that provides a fantastic overlook of the coast and what is known as the five fingers. 

Once you proceed down the steep hill, you will find a spa that specializes in treatments that take advantage of the high sulphur content in the surrounding water. 

Also located here is another natural pool within a cut out of the sea. At low tide, you can swim in a secluded area that is warmed by the underwater thermal spring. It is an amazing place to experience with the waves of the sea crashing in at one end of the lava rock opening. 

Rocha da Relva

Another hidden gem you may want to check out when you explore the island, is Rocha da Relva. This is a tiny village on the sea that is completely self-sustaining. In fact, they only received water and electricity two years ago.

The village has no roads and only 10 people live there on a full-time basis. Many people enjoy hiking down to see this remote location. The residents are very welcoming and will offer visitors wine that they make from the vineyards in the surrounding valley.

In recent years they have opened local lodges for those who are more adventurous and would like to experience living as a local.

FAQs

Is Sao Miguel Worth Visiting?

In our opinion, São Miguel is definitely worth visiting. The differing ages of the volcanos mean the landscapes across the island are quite diverse and provide many scenic locations with beautiful natural beauty. The people are warm and welcoming and the costs are very reasonable for a European destination.

Is Sao Miguel Touristy?

While there are many sights to visit in Sao Miguel and Ponta Delgada has grown up to support tourism, much of the island is still very natural and unspoiled. 

How Many Days Is Enough For Sao Miguel?

We spent a week on the island. We found this was the perfect amount of time to see almost all the sights plus some time for relaxing. If you were short on time, you could probably remove some things and see the highlights in five days.

Can You Get Around Sao Miguel Without A Car?

The main roadways are quite good on the island. However, several places are not accessible when driving a rental car and can only be visited while on tour or with a guide. Also, some of the really beautiful locations are in more remote locations that require a 4WD vehicle and a knowledgeable local driver.

What Is The Weather In The Azores?

Due to its location in the Atlantic Ocean, the weather in the Azores remains quite temperate year-round. One of the things to know is that the mountainous terrain does tend to have variable weather. And we mean conditions that can change within ten minutes. As a result, the weather forecasts are often wrong.

There is a fantastic app that shows live webcam footage all around the archipelago to help understand where the weather is moving at any given time.  This is also why it is best to work with a local guide to make the most of your time in the Azores, as they know how to best work around the changing environments.

Where To Stay In São Miguel Azores

Wondering where to stay on the island? If you are planning a week in Sao Miguel we would recommend that you split your accommodations between Ponta Delgada and the Furnas area. This will decrease the amount of driving time to the different regions.

In Ponta Delgada we stayed at the Hotel Gaivota Azores. It was ideally located along the main promenade with easy access to everything in the city. The staff were super friendly and the included breakfast was terrific each morning.

We also visited the Grand Hotel Acores Atlantico which is a larger property but it also has more services including an onsite restaurant, bar in the lobby and indoor pool.

For the Furnas area, we would recommend the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel. They offer very comfortable rooms with full amenities. And the best perk is having access to the gardens and thermal pool after hours. It is the best location for rest and rejuvenation.

The Final Word…Your São Miguel Travel Guide

As you can see São Miguel is a wonderful island in the Azores. With so much to see and explore around the island, it should be a place to put on your bucket list.