Best things to do in São Miguel, Azores – 5 day itinerary

Last Updated on March 27, 2024

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The Azores are an archipelago of 9 islands of volcanic origin, located in the middle of Atlantic Ocean. The largest and most populated of the islands is São Miguel. It’s a very diverse place, one where you’ll find lakes, beaches, lush gardens, natural hot springs and waterfalls, among other wonders of nature. All to be found on this relatively small island. With so many things to do on Sao Miguel, the island is a great gateway to the Azores Archipelago.

The Azores are still very much an off the beaten path destination. Even though the islands are becoming more popular, they’re yet to see the crowds of other places in Europe. Something I find very surprising, given how much they have to offer. After spending 5 days in Sao Miguel, I can say the island is one of the most spectacular places I’ve ever seen. Stunning landscapes and jaw dropping views on every corner. On top of that, it’s affordable and easily accessible from both the US and mainland Europe.

São Miguel is the perfect first destination in the Azores and hopefully this guide will be helpful in planning your visit. It’s very easy to get overwhelmed, as there are so many things to do in Sao Miguel, so I created this suggested 5-day itinerary. This can be altered depending on what interests you or weather conditions, which in a destination like the Azores, can greatly impact your experience. Luckily, São Miguel is a small island and distances between the attractions are not too long.

How to get to São Miguel, Azores

Whether you are coming from mainland Portugal, other European countries or United States, getting to São Miguel is very easy. The island’s airport in Ponta Delgada is the biggest in all of the islands and well connected with many countries.

• coming from the United States – currently Azores Airlines, United, Air Azores and TAP Portugal are the 4 airlines flying from the US to the Azores.

• coming from Canada – Azores Airlines have flights from Toronto and Montreal to both Ponta Delgada and Terceira.

• coming from Europe – if you’re coming from mainland Portugal or other European countries, you’re choices of airlines increase. Azores Airlines, TAP Portugal and Ryanair are among the airlines that fly to the Azores ( depending which country you’re coming from ).

How many days to spend in São Miguel, Azores

There are so many things to do in Sao Miguel, that you could easily have an entire week on the island and stay busy. I think 4 days is the absolute minimum amount of time, especially if it’s your first time on the island. If you can add a couple of days more, that would be ideal.

Where to stay in São Miguel, Azores

This will depend on how many days you plan on spending on the island. Most people make Ponta Delgada their home base for at least part of the trip. This makes perfect sense, as this is where you arrive and there’s plenty to do in the city. Even though São Miguel is the biggest island in the Azores, it’s still relatively small and you can easily get from one end to the other in 1.5 hrs. Also, most organized tours around the island leave from Ponta Delgada, so if you plan on taking any, this is a prime spot.

However, if you have 5 days in São Miguel, I recommend splitting your time between 2 locations. Ponta Delgada is a great base for the first couple of days. The city itself has plenty to see and it’s also a great base for exploring the west part of the island. After that, move towards the eastern part of the island. Furnas is a great choice, as it has quite a few things to do there and it’s also in a great location to venture out to other parts of São Miguel.

Ponta Delgada has no shortage of accommodation choices to fit any budget. Use this link to find a hotel, that suits your needs. Furnas is smaller but doesn’t lack in accommodations either. Terra Nostra Garden Hotel was my personal choice and a place I can’t recommend enough. A beautiful hotel, right in Furnas village, on the grounds of the Terra Nostra Park with a 24-hour access to the park and the thermal pool.

Things to know before visiting the Azores

Rent a car – it’s virtually impossible to see the island without your own 4 wheels. While the public transportation does exist on Sao Miguel, it’s very infrequent and you’ll be VERY limited to what you’ll be able to see. Here you’ll find more information about renting a car and driving in the Azores.

Weather in the Azores is unpredictable – one of the most important things to know before you visit the Azores islands is that the weather is very unpredictable. You can easily experience both sun, clouds, fog and rain in one day. Also, the weather conditions change depending on which part of the island you are. It can be sunny with crystal clear skies in Ponta Delgada, but rainy and foggy in the western part of the island, just 30 minutes away. The finicky weather can especially impact the visibility from some of the most popular viewpoints on São Miguel. Miradouro da Vista do Rei and Miradouro da Boca do Inferno are often covered in fog.

Monitor the weather through Web cams – even though the weather in the Azores can change dramatically over the course of the day, there are ways to monitor it. Thanks to web cams all over the islands you can monitor the weather conditions on SpotAzores . This is especially helpful when planning to visit some of the higher spots on São Miguel, that are very often covered in fog.

Pack an old bathing suit – visiting hot springs is one of the most popular things to do in Sao Miguel, so be sure to put a swimsuit on your Azores packing list! Preferably not your favorite one, as the water is high in minerals and can and will stain your swimsuit.

Best Sao Miguel Tours

While the best way to see Sao Miguel is by renting a car and exploring on your own, ideally over a few days, there are many great tours to choose from, if that is your preference.

If for some reason, you cannot rent a car or have a limited time in Sao Miguel, you can still see the best spots on the island by joining one of the full day tours. Most of them leave from Ponta Delgada and include all the main Sao Miguel attractions and not to miss spots. It’s a great introduction to this beautiful island and it might convince you to come back and explore more.

Here are some of the best and highest rates Sao Miguel tours to choose from.

Things to do in Sao Miguel, Azores – Day 1

Explore Ponta Delgada

Since this is where your Azores trip will begin, it makes perfect sense to spend the first day exploring Ponta Delgada. São Miguel’s capital is a city with just enough things to keep you busy for a day. Ponta Delgada is very compact and with the exception of Arruda Pineapple Plantation, you can reach all the main attractions by foot. On top of that, a lot of the things to do in the city are either free or really cheap.

As you walk around exploring the city, you can’t miss Portas da Citade. The gates are the biggest symbol of Ponta Delgada and represent the entrance to the city. Take a walk along the main waterfront promenade, visit Mercado da Graça and climb to the top of the City Hall Bell Tower for some of the best views. Take a self-guided tour through Arruda Pineapple Plantation and learn how pineapples are grown in the Azores. In fact, it’s the only place in Europe where pineapples grow.

If you happen to visit between May – June, one of the absolute best things to do in Ponta Delgada is whale watching. The Azores are one of the world’s best destinations to spot many different whale species and tour operators pride themselves in being as ethical and least disturbing to the animals as possible. Besides Whale Watching tours, you can also go Swimming with Dolphins or go on a Half a Day Fishing Adventure.

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For a more detailed guide on what to do and see in Ponta Delgada check out Things to do in Ponta Delgada, Azores.

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Things to do in Sao Miguel, Azores – Day 2

Some of São Miguel’s biggest attractions are located on the western side of the island, so this will be one of the busier days. Make sure to get an early start, so you can visit most of them and make it to Mosteiros for the sunset.

Use your fingers to zoom in or/and out

Monte Palace Hotel

It took about 30 minutes from Ponta Delgada to reach the first stop of the day: Monte Palace Hotel, also known as the Abandoned Hotel. Quite an unusual attraction, considering most of the things to do in Sao Miguel are nature related. This once luxurious hotel is now just a shell of what it was when it first opened in 1989. The hopes were high for the beautiful 5 star hotel featuring 88 rooms, a couple of restaurants, a bar, a nightclub and a hairdresser, all in a beautiful location overlooking Sete Citades. However, just 18 months later, Monte Palace closed its doors. Ironically, the same year, that it was named the best hotel of the year.

Today, what’s left of the once fancy hotel, are graffiti covered walls. I won’t be exaggerating when I say, this could easily be a perfect setting for a horror movie. Officially you are not allowed to enter the property, but most people ignore the ” No trespassing signs ” and do (myself included). There have been talks for quite some time now, that the hotel was bought and there are plans to reopen it, but nothing has been happening so far.

If you plan on stopping by and seeing the hotel up close, keep in mind, that this is a seriously dilapidated building. Even though it’s easy to sneak in, be careful while walking around.

Monte Palace Hotel is right next to Miradouro da Vista do Rei, so just follow the signs and use the same parking lot you would for the viewpoint.

Miradouro da Vista Do Rei

Named after King Carlos’ visit to the island in 1906, the View of the King is one of the top viewpoints on São Miguel. It’s also where I quickly learned that a sunny and clear day in Ponta Delgada, doesn’t necessarily mean, it’s sunny all over the island. It’s not unusual, that the higher points of the island are covered in fog, which was exactly what happened during my visit.

While I still got a glimpse of the green and blue lakes, the view was far from the spectacular images I’ve seen online. If you have flexibility, you can monitor the weather conditions on SpotAzores and head to the viewpoint on a clear day.

Miradouro da Boca do Inferno

Just a short drive away from Vista do Rei is another famous viewpoint Boca do Inferno, regarded as one of the best on São Miguel. That of course, if you are lucky to visit on a clear day, which again, was not the case the day I went.

If you are using your car’s GPS to get to Boca do Inferno, it will most likely lead you to park at the main parking lot. From there, you’ll have a 15–20-minute walk to the actual viewpoint. Most of the walk is on the flat road, but it can get muddy.

When I visited back in 2019, it was possible to drive almost all the way to the view point itself. There was a gate you go through and keep driving down the dirt road and park right where the actual trail starts. From there, you were just a short walk away from the actual viewpoint. Not sure, if that’s still possible.

Miradouro do Cerrado das Freiras

Cerrado das Freiras viewpoint rarely gets mentioned, but it’s a great spot for a beautiful view over the twin lakes and Sete Citades town. Especially when the weather doesn’t cooperate, this is where your chances of having a nice view of Lagoa das Sete Citades are significantly higher.

Cerrado das Freiras view point is just a short drive from Boca do Infierno while heading down towards the village of Sete Citades. It’s definitely worth making a quick stop while driving down to town and there is some parking spots where you could pull over and take a short walk to the viewpoint.

Explore Sete Citades town

The name Sete Citades is usually used in reference to the two colored crater lakes: Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde. Without a doubt one of the most popular and photographed spots on the island. But Sete Citades is actually the name of a small village situated in the center of a huge volcanic crater. With just a 1000 people, it’s the smallest populated parish in Ponta Delgada.

While the two lakes are the main reason most people visit the area, I highly recommend making a stop in the town itself.

Sete Citades means Seven Cities, because of the seven peaks that surround the lake. The village itself is very small and quiet. In the heart of it, there is Sao Nicolau church. While it’s yet another white church typical for the area, the tree lined path leading up to it makes for a very picturesque spot worth a visit.

The town is also a great spot to stop for lunch. There are 3 restaurants in town: Lagoa Azul, São Nicolau and Green Love Café. The first one seems to be the most popular and where most tour buses stop for lunch.

Lagoa das Sete Citades

After getting a glimpse at the twin lakes from various viewpoints, now it’s time to see it up close. Lagoa das Sete Citades is easily the most popular and most photographed spot on the island.

There is a legend explaining the reasons behind the two-colored lakes. According to it, the blue and green lakes were formed from the tears of a blue-eyed princess and a green-eyed shepherd. The two met and quickly fell in love, but their story has no happy ending. The King was against the romance and forbade the Princess to see the shepherd. As they met for the very last time, the tears they shed while saying goodbye formed Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde.

For a great and inexpensive activity, you can rent a kayak and paddle around Lagoa das Sete Citades. There are a couple of rentals right by the lake, where you can just walk up and rent a kayak or SUP for an hour or two.You’ll pay once you come back for the time you used it.

You can also book your Sete Cidades Kayak Rental ahead of time right here.

Ponta da Ferraira

There’s no shortage of hot springs on the island, but Ponta da Ferraira is a unique spot, that should be on your São Miguel itinerary. This small hot pool is connected to the ocean and it’s a great mix of cool ocean water and hot geothermal water. You can best experience it during low tide, which you can monitor on this website. There is a ladder for an easy access and ropes to hang on too, if the water is a bit rough during high tide.

There’s no charge to enjoy Ponta da Ferraira. The drive to get there is very steep on a narrow road with many turns. Once you park at the main parking lot, you are only a short walk away from the pool. There are restrooms and showers to use in the building next to the parking lot, as well as a restaurant. If you find the water too rough, you can use Spa Thermas da Ferraira for a fee.

Miradouro da Ponta do Escalvado

During your 5 days on São Miguel, you will quickly notice, there’s no shortage of viewpoints on the island. As you drive around, the signs pointing to Miradouros are literally everywhere. Eventually you’ll get to the point, where you start skipping them. Not because they’re not worth pulling over for, but because if you did, you wouldn’t get very far. Having said that, Miradouro da Ponta do Escalvado is not one you should skip.

The viewpoint is located between Ponta da Ferraira and Mosteiros and it’s a must stop. The views of the coastline are simply spectacular. It’s also one of the best spots on the island to be during sunset. There’s a little snack bar, if you want o grab a drink and enjoy the view for a bit longer.

Watch the sunset in Mosteiros

For the last stop of the day head to Mosteiros. It’s regarded as one of, if not the best spot on the island to watch the sunset. Make sure to time it right and arrive a little earlier. Watching the sun set from the beautiful black sand beach with the spectacular rock formations in the distance will be the perfect ending to a busy day.

Things to do in Sao Miguel, Azores- Day 3

Riberia Grande

This quaint, pretty town on the Northern coast should definitely be on your Sao Miguel itinerary. One of its main features is Ponte da Ribeira Grande, the eight arched bridge, that stretches across the river.

Miradouro de Santa Iria

Yet another viewpoint with spectacular views, this time of the Northern coastline. It’s definitely one of the best ones on the island and most popular.

Porto Formoso

We discovered Porto Formoso on the North coast somewhat by accident. Nothing particular there, just a nice, picturesque spot by the water. There is a nice little harbor, with boats and colorful shacks with the church of Porto Formoso up on the hill.

If you are looking for lunch in the area, Cantinho do Cais is a great local restaurant. Their fish soup was one of the best I had the entire trip.

Chá Gorreana

When exploring the beautiful island of São Miguel, you can’t miss visiting Chá Gorreana. This tea plantation opened in 1883 and has been producing tea ever since, making it the oldest and only tea plantation in the Azores. In fact, the Azores are the only place in Europe where tea is being grown and produced.

Gorreana tea plantation is free to visit and definitely worth a stop. You can explore both the tea fields and the factory on a self-guided tour. It’s really picturesque, with the green rolling hills and the ocean as a backdrop. The views alone are worth a visit. After you enjoy the outside, make sure to walk through the rooms, where you can see the old-fashioned machines and learn about the tea making process. At the end of it, you come to the tasting room, where you are welcome to try some of their teas, also for free.

OPEN: Monday – Friday 8 am – 6 pm / Saturday – Sunday 9 am – 6 pm

Things to do in Sao Miguel, Azores- Day 4

Nossa Senhora da Paz

The beautiful Our Lady of Peace Chapel is a must stop on your Sao Miguel itinerary for a couple of reasons. While the 16th century church itself is rather small and similar in appearance to other churches in the Azores, the impressive staircase makes it stand out. Built in 1968, it’s full of religious meanings and symbolism.

Another reason for visiting Our Lady of Peace Chapel are the amazing views it offers from its location. The church sits high up on the hill and overlooks Vila Franca do Campo and the Islet in the distance.

Getting to the church might be tricky as the GPS doesn’t always find the location. Good news is, that since the church is so high up, you can see it from the road. Just head towards it and eventually you’ll end up on the right road. It will get very steep and narrow at times, but that’s when you know you found it. Once at the top, there’s plenty of parking and room to walk around.

Vila Franca do Campo

Once you’re done admiring the beautiful views from the hilltop, head down to Vila Franca do Campo. This cute town was the first capital of the Azores until the devastating earthquake of 1522 nearly destroyed.

Vila Franca do Campo’s marina is a hopping place. If you are into diving, fishing or other boat activities, this is the perfect spot to find an excursion of your choice.

• Azores Whale Watching Expedition and Islet Boat Tour
• Whale and Dolphin Watching with Vila Franca Islet Visit

Islet of Vila Franca do Campo

Sometimes nature creates some of the most amazing places, and Islet of Vila Franca do Campo is a great example of that. This tiny island is located about 1 km from the coast and was created by a submerged volcano. The perfectly shaped circle inlet with crystal clear and calm water is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. There might be a little bit of a beach, depending on the tide, but it’s mostly rocky.

Visiting the Islet is one of the most popular things to do on Sao Miguel. Because of that and the limited number of people allowed a day, this little excursion requires some planning ahead. While I think the entire day would be a bit much, it definitely is a great way to spend 3-4 hours. There are no amenities, so bring everything you will need for the amount of time you plan to spend.

There are a couple of ways to get to or near the Islet.

• Ferry – taking a ferry is how most people access the Islet. It runs from June 1 – October 14 with 9 departures daily. The island is a protected area and they limit the number of tickets sold each day to 400, and 200 max people on the island at a time. For that reason, it’s best to book your tickets online, so you are guaranteed a spot. Tickets can be booked from 15 days to 24 hours before the trip date. You can always try to get them at the ticket office, that opens at 9:45 am, but I wouldn’t recommend it in high season.

• Private boat – if you miss out on the ferry tickets and don’t mind splurging a bit, you can get near the Islet via a private boat. As we wondered around the harbor, we met Felipe and ended up taking a 2-hour boat trip with him. To say he’s very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the island would be an understatement. If that is something that might interest you, look for AzorSea Adventures boat in Vila Franca do Campo harbor.

• Visiting off season – even though the ferry stops running mid-October, you can still visit the Islet in off season (which is between October 15 – April 15). However, the only way to visit is with a Natural Parks guide, and they restrict the number of visitors to 160 a day and 40 at a time.

Lagoa do Fogo

The spectacular Lagoa do Fogo is one of 3 crater lakes on the island and a must visit. It’s one of the highest points of the island and much like all the other high viewpoints, the visibility is weather dependent. I must say though, we got lucky with this one.

From the main viewpoint Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo, there’s a trail leading all the way down to the lake. The hike is rather easy, but steep at times, and shouldn’t take more than 40 minutes to get down and back. You can of course hike around the entire lake, if time permits. For a view of the lake from a different angle, go up the main road EN5-2A for about 3 minutes till you reach another great viewpoint Miradouro da Barrosa.

Caldeiras Velha

Visiting hot springs in São Miguel is one of the top activities on the island and there are several to choose from. One of the most popular ones is Caldeiras Velha, located in the center of the island.

Caldeiras Velha has 3 pools in a lush, jungle like setting. It’s a good idea to start with the one with the waterfall, as it’s the coolest out of all 3, which makes the transition easier. They do limit your visit to 1.5 hours, so keep that in mind.

Open: Nov 1 – March 31 9.30 am – 5.30 pm / April and October 9 am – 8 pm / May 1 – Sept 30 9 am – 9 pm

Tickets: There are several different tickets to choose from, depending on whether you want to visit the Interpretation Center too or you’re just looking to enjoy the pools. Full Price Ticket (Interpretation Center and Thermal Pools) costs 8 Euro and Hot Spring Thermal Pool access costs 5 Euro.

Things to do in Sao Miguel, Azores – Day 5

All the attractions included in this day are all located in Furnas, a beautiful valley town, located in the eastern part of São Miguel. Furnas has the most evidence of the island’s volcanic activity and some of the best things to do in Sao Miguel are located in this area.

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For a more comprehensive guide, read Furnas, Azores – a guide to São Miguel’s most charming town.

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Visit Terra Nostra Park

Often described as one of the most beautiful parks in Europe, Terra Nostra is a must visit. Dating back to the 18th century, the park has an amazing collection of trees, plants and flowers from all over the world.

Soaking in the geothermal pools is one of the must do things in Sao Miguel, and one of the best ones is located in the Terra Nostra Park. The brown color might look unappealing at first, but once you get in, you’ll quickly get over it. Be sure to wear a swimsuit, that you don’t care about, as the iron rich water will stain the material.

If you are a guest of Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, you get a 24-hour access to the park and the pool, which was one of the many reasons I loved staying there. Otherwise, you can visit the park daily from 10.30 am – 4 pm for €10. If you have a meal at the hotel’s restaurant, the entrance is complimentary.

Poça da Dona Beija

About a 10 minute walk from the Terra Nostra Garden, will get you to Poça da Dona Beija. They have 5 pools with different water temperatures located in a garden like setting. Unlike the pool in Terra Nostra Park, that closes at 6 pm, Poça da Dona Beija stays open till late.

PRO TIP: Bring your own towel. If you forget, you can rent one for €4

Open: every day except Sundays 8.30 am – 11 pm / Price: €8 (hot showers and lockers are available at an additional cost) plus there’s a €20 security deposit (refundable when you leave).

Furnas Lake

There are 3 main crater lakes in Sao Miguel and one of them can be found right outside of Furnas Village. Even though Furnas Lake is not as popular as Sete Citades or Lagoa do Fogo, it sure is worth a visit. Caldeiras das Furnas, where the famous Cozido is cooked, is right next to it, so you can combine both attractions.

Swimming in the lake is not allowed, but there are paddle boats for rent. Many people enjoy hiking or biking the 5-mile loop around Furnas Lake.

Caldeira das Furnas

The volcanic activity in Furnas is still very much present and locals sure take advantage of it. They use the volcanic heat to cook Cozido, the most traditional meal you can have in São Miguel. Pots filled with a mix of vegetables and variety of meats go underground for about 6 hours, during which they are being slow cooked using the volcanic heat.

Visiting Caldeiras das Furnas is one of the best things to do in Sao Miguel, mainly because of how unique it is. There is a path around the area, that allows you to walk around and see the bubbling hot springs up close.

Best time to visit is around noon, when you can see the workers pull out the pots of cooked Cozido from underground. For a full experience, you can then go to one of the restaurants and try the famous stew. You can find it in most restaurants, but the most popular seems to be Tony’s. It gets very busy around lunch time, and you’ll need to make a reservation a day or two before.

Pico do Ferro viewpoint

There’s no shortage of great viewpoints on the island and Furnas has one as well. From Pico do Ferro you get a view of the entire Valley: Furnas Lake, Caldeiras das Furnas and the Village.

What else to see in Sao Miguel, Azores

As much as we wanted to see all the highlights of the island, I also wanted to have slower days with just a few spots to visit. This allowed us to spend more time in places we really enjoyed, instead of just running around each day, checking things off our itinerary. Even though we saw most of the island, we did not get to the Northeast of São Miguel. Which gives me a perfect reason to return to the island. Here are some of the places worth a visit:

• Nordeste
• Arnel Lighthouse
• Ponta do Sossego
• Ribeira dos Caldeiroes

If you have one more day on the island, you can easily spend it visiting all the places mentioned above. If 5 days on São Miguel is all you have and you don’t mind a busier itinerary, you can add all these spots to either Day 3 or 5.

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READ MORE:

• Top Things to do in Ponta Delgada, Azores
• Renting a car in the Azores
• Furnas, Azores – a guide to São Miguel’s most charming town

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