São Miguel Island is the largest and most popular of the nine islands in the Azores. Since most international flights fly in/out of the city of Ponta Delgada, tourists will often spend the majority, if not the entirety, of their trip on São Miguel. Given that it only takes about an hour and a half to drive from one end of the island to the other, it’s possible to experience most of the highlights in a relatively short amount of time. While this is by no means an exhaustive list, these should all be on your short list of top things to do when you visit São Miguel Island:
1. Hot Springs at Terra Nostra Garden
The main thermal pool at Terra Nostra Garden
Located in the charming (and volcanic) village of Furnas, Terra Nostra Garden is a must for anyone visiting São Miguel Island. Oftentimes hot springs can be underwhelming, but this is not the case at Terra Nostra. The centerpiece of the gardens is a large thermal pool, recognizable by its murky brown water and stately white mansion as a backdrop. There are also smaller thermal “hot tubs” on the property.
2. Lagoa do Fogo
View of Lagoa do Fogo from the road
Lagoa do Fogo (“lake of fire”) is a crater lake located in the center of São Miguel Island. You have the option to admire the view of the lake from one of the roadside viewpoints, or you can hike down to the lakeshore. Either way, this is one of the best views on the island.
3. Salto do Prego
The hike to the Salto do Prego waterfall isn’t long or terribly strenuous, but the view at the end of the trail is really majestic. The lagoon, surrounded by lush green vegetation, is a good place to take a dip after the hike.
4. Sete Cidades
View of Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul
Sete Cidades is a small village located in a volcanic caldera on the western side of the island. The area is best known for Lagoa Verde (“green lake”) and Lagoa Azul (“blue lake”) and is a great place to rent kayaks.
5. Boca do Inferno Viewpoint
Boca do Inferno Viewpoint
There are several scenic overlooks on the island, but Boca do Inferno might be the most iconic. After a short hike from the roadside parking area, you’ll arrive at the edge of a narrow path overlooking the green and blue lakes of Sete Cidades and the surrounding mountainous landscape.
6. Ponta da Ferraria
By now it should be abundantly clear that there is a lot of volcanic activity on Sao Miguel Island. Located on the western tip of the island, Ponta da Ferraria is a rocky cove that is heated by underwater hot springs. Since this particular swimming area is a combination of salt water (it’s literally in the ocean) and sulfuric hot spring water, it is said to have a host of health benefits. It is wise to check on the tide tables before driving out to Ponta da Ferraria, because at high tide you’ll basically just be swimming in the ocean and at low tide the water may be uncomfortable hot.
7. Go on a Whale Watch
The Azores are known for their massive whale population and there are a number of options for guided whale watches off the coast of São Miguel Island. The spring tends to be the best time of year for spotting whales. Read more here for a guide to spotting whales in the Azores.
8. Go Fishing
Barracuda
The Azores are world renowned for their fishing. Depending on what time of year you visit, opportunities abound for catching marlin, barracuda, shark, grouper, etc. There are numerous tour operators that offer guided half-day and full-day fishing excursions.
9. Explore Ponta Delgada
City Hall
Ponta Delgada is the administrative capital and largest city in the Azores. While you should spend the majority of your time exploring the island’s natural beauty, it’s worth spending at least an afternoon wandering the narrow streets of Ponta Delgada. Compared to most European cities, Ponta Delgada feels as though it is largely unadulterated by tourism; it combines the beautiful architecture of a large Portuguese city with the authentic grit of a small island fishing village. Highlights include the Portas da Cidade (“doors of the city”), Fort of São Bras, the Arruda Pineapple Planation, as well as numerous churches, museums, markets and gardens.
10. Geysers at Furnas Lake
The fumaroles at the edge of Furnas Lake are a little slice of Yellowstone National Park in the Azores. It’s worth exploring the trail that circumnavigates the lake, but if you do nothing else, you should at least walk the boardwalks through the bubbling geyser basin. Be sure to feed the ducks while you’re at it.
11. Castelo Branco
We ended up stumbling upon Castelo Branco purely by chance. This small “castle” on the top of a hill provides stunning views in all directions including of Furnas Lake and the ocean to the south.
12. Eat a Cozido in Furnas
The cozido is the traditional meat and vegetable stew cooked in large pots that are placed underground during the day and cooked with geothermal heat. If you visit fumaroles at Furnas Lake, you can see where the local restaurants cook their cozidos. There are a few places in Furnas known for their Cozidos including Tony’s in the center of the village. The serving was massive – basically a heaping pile of various types of meats and vegetables. It was delicious but given how heavy it is, it’s probably not something you’ll eat every night on your trip.
13. Eat lunch at A Tasca in Ponta Delgada
A Tasca will show up on any list of best restaurants on São Miguel Island. The restaurant has a lively atmosphere, extensive selection of local wines, and phenomenal local food from sandwiches to seafood. If you’re looking for an authentic Azorean dining experience in Ponta Delgada, this is it.
14. Cha Gorreana Tea Plantation
The oldest (and currently the only) tea plantation in Europe is worth a quick visit. The views aren’t bad either.
I love it that the Azores have the only tea plantation in Europe. That says just how unique and special this place is. I love all the volcanic activity there too. Finally, I love the related posts. You have taking one trip and generated related articles that add value for us.
So many beautiful locations to see here! I’ve never heard of this island and now I am intrigued. I would really like to visit Geysers at Furnas Lake and Salto do Prego.
It’s a very beautiful island. We only wish we could have gone to some of the other islands in the Azores…next time.
sunsetsandrollercoasters
This is such a beautiful area! I can’t believe I’ve never heard of it before. We’re visiting Portugal next summer. I so hope we have time to visit the island.
I’m SO excited to read your post! I’m hopefully going to the Azores next spring so this is perfect timing for me! My favorites on your list are Lagoa do Fogo (it’s wow gorgeous), the Boca do Inferno viewpoint, and the Cha Gorreana Tea Plantation. I’ve been to the only (commercial) tea plantation in North America-time to go to the only one in Europe! Your photos make me excited about going!
Sao Miguel Island looks pristine and untouched by commercialisation. The pictures are fabulous. We could not include Azores while going to Portugal, because there was already so much to see on mainland. But I hope we can make a plan again.
I’ve never really thought to visit, but your beautiful photos have most definitely made me add this to my bucket list. The crater lake is absolutely stunning and I actually just came back from Iceland so that and the geysers remind me so much of there!
The most popular time to go is during the summer (May-September). We went during the winter and it was less crowded, less expensive, and the weather was still comfortable. If you’re interested we put together a guide to visiting the Azores in the winter.
I’ll be in Sao Miguel next week. Thank you for the article. Along with the beautiful sites, I’m happy to go to the island where my grandfather was born. I must visit Ponta Garca where much of my paternal ancestors are from.
I love it that the Azores have the only tea plantation in Europe. That says just how unique and special this place is. I love all the volcanic activity there too. Finally, I love the related posts. You have taking one trip and generated related articles that add value for us.
So many beautiful locations to see here! I’ve never heard of this island and now I am intrigued. I would really like to visit Geysers at Furnas Lake and Salto do Prego.
The nature in the island looks beautiful! Lagoa do Fogo looks like it has some breathtaking view! I now have to add Sao Miguel to my bucket list!
It’s a very beautiful island. We only wish we could have gone to some of the other islands in the Azores…next time.
This is such a beautiful area! I can’t believe I’ve never heard of it before. We’re visiting Portugal next summer. I so hope we have time to visit the island.
Sao Miguel is a short flight from Lisbon. You probably want at least 4 days there to make it worth your while.
What an incredible place! Thanks for sharing this great content.
Thanks for reading!
I’m SO excited to read your post! I’m hopefully going to the Azores next spring so this is perfect timing for me! My favorites on your list are Lagoa do Fogo (it’s wow gorgeous), the Boca do Inferno viewpoint, and the Cha Gorreana Tea Plantation. I’ve been to the only (commercial) tea plantation in North America-time to go to the only one in Europe! Your photos make me excited about going!
You’ll love it! The Azores are a very underrated destination. Extremely beautiful and tons to see and do.
Sao Miguel Island looks pristine and untouched by commercialisation. The pictures are fabulous. We could not include Azores while going to Portugal, because there was already so much to see on mainland. But I hope we can make a plan again.
That’s very accurate. They get plenty of European tourists, but overall it doesn’t feel overly “touristy”.
I’ve never really thought to visit, but your beautiful photos have most definitely made me add this to my bucket list. The crater lake is absolutely stunning and I actually just came back from Iceland so that and the geysers remind me so much of there!
There are definitely some similarities to Iceland. Both beautiful places with lots of geothermal activity. The Azores are much warmer though.
What’s the best time to visit? Azores is popular right now…. I should visit soon before everyone go😂
The most popular time to go is during the summer (May-September). We went during the winter and it was less crowded, less expensive, and the weather was still comfortable. If you’re interested we put together a guide to visiting the Azores in the winter.
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I’ll be in Sao Miguel next week. Thank you for the article. Along with the beautiful sites, I’m happy to go to the island where my grandfather was born. I must visit Ponta Garca where much of my paternal ancestors are from.
Have fun!
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