The Azores are known for their temperate climate, which makes the destination inviting for nature vacations.
São Miguel is an island with many attractions and although it is the largest island in the Azores, in 3 days you can see most of it. It has wonderful viewpoints with a sublime view of the ocean, beaches of black sand, cascades of high altitudes, lagoons for all tastes and thermal waters above 30 degrees.
To know all these wonders, we have prepared a 3-day tour to help you explore one of the most beautiful places in Portugal.
We recommend – in order to be able to fulfil the itinerary – that the departure time is as soon as possible.
Day 1
Lagoa das Empadadas (Pies Lagoon) – Lagoa do Canário (Canary Lagoon) – Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Seven Cities Lagoon) – Vista do Rei (King’s View) – Hotel Monte Palace – Miradouro do Escalvado (Escalvado Viewpoint) – Ilhéu dos Mosteiros (Monastery Islet) – Chapels (Museum Workshop) – Ponta Delgada Historical Center
Leave Ponta Delgada towards Covoada, which will take you to the Pies Lagoon. Then continue on this way and you will arrive at Lagoa do Canário. Take the opportunity to admire these lagoons and to photograph the beautiful landscapes that surround them. Continuing on the same road you will arrive at one of the ex-libris of the Azores, the Sete Cidades Lagoon. From the viewpoint of the King, you will have a view over the whole lagoon and behind you will be able to see the Monte Palace Hotel, which has been abandoned for over a decade. Lower the road and you will pass over the bridge that divides the lagoon, it is simply wonderful. Enjoy, and have lunch at Sete Cidades. You will now follow the road to Mosteiros where you will pass by the Miradouro do Escalvado, where you will have a complete view of the Mosteiros islet. Continue on the same road that will take you to the locality of Mosteiros where you can see the Ilhéu up close and stay on the main road that will go around the western tip of the island and follow it to its northern coast. Take the road to admire all the coast and the beautiful landscapes that result from the ocean kissing the land. Continue until you reach the Chapels, where you can visit the Workshop Museum, where you will see a little of the ethnographic portrait of the ancient customs of the Azorean people.
Then return to Ponta Delgada, have dinner there and enjoy the night to stroll through the historical centre of the city.
Day 2
Ponta Delgada – Lagoa do Fogo – Caldeira Velha – Salto do Cabrito – Centro da Cidade da Ribeira Grande – Miradouro de Santa Iria – Chá da Gorreana – Vila Franca do Campo – Ilhéu de Vila Franca – Queijadas da Vila – Ermida da Nossa Senhora da Paz – Return to Ponta Delgada
Leaving Ponta Delgada, take the highway towards the city of Lagoa and turn on the sign that indicates Lagoa do Fogo. *After driving along this road you will find one of the most beautiful lagoons in the region and a series of viewpoints, all of them with different points of view to Lagoa and even to the city of Ribeira Grande.*
After observing this wonder of the Azores, descend to Caldeira Velha, where you can contemplate one of the best known thermal areas of São Miguel, with a magnificent waterfall to the mix. Then, on the same road, go down a bit more and enter the sign where it says Salto do Cabrito. There you will have the opportunity to observe a miraculous waterfall of 40 meters high and you will also be able to see the water channel that supplies the whole city of Ribeira Grande.
When you finish watching this place, stay on the road that will take you to the historical centre of Ribeira Grande, where you can enjoy lunch. After that, you can also visit several places with typical elements of the municipality, such as liquors, handicrafts, churches, among others.
After lunch, follow the highway of Ribeirinha and soon to the left you will have a viewpoint with a surprising view over the Ponta do Cintrão, then go straight on the same road until you reach the Gorreana Tea.
At the Gorreana Tea Factory, you will have the opportunity to taste the tea from the Azores – which by the way is the only tea produced in Europe – and you will still be able to admire the fantastic landscapes that the plantations provide.
On the same road, further ahead, turn towards Vila Franca do Campo. When you get there you will have the opportunity to admire the famous islet of Vila Franca do Campo – also known as ‘Ring of the Princess’ – and also climb the hermitage of Our Lady of Peace, which has a beautiful staircase and view to Vila Franca do Campo.
Afterwards, you can visit the Queijadas Factory of Vila Franca do Campo, an emblematic gastronomic product of the Azores. There you can watch its production process and still taste this typical candy.
At the end of the day, return to Ponta Delgada and take the opportunity to relax.
Day 3
Ribeira dos Caldeirões – Nordeste – Arnel Lighthouse – Ponta do Sossego Viewpoint – Ponta da Madrugada Viewpoint – Furnas – Furnas Lagoon – Nossa Senhora das Vitórias Chapel – Boilers – Stew Tasting – Lêvedo Cake Tasting – Corn Apple Tasting – Hot Bath at Poça Dona Beja
On the last day, leave Ponta Delgada towards Ribeira dos Caldeirões. When you get there you will be able to observe magnificent waterfalls and old water mill facilities. Then, head towards Nordeste, there you can visit the Arnel Lighthouse, with an incredible view to the east coast of the island. Then visit the viewpoint of Ponta da Madrugada, a peaceful place with an amazing view. Further on you will have the opportunity to contemplate another viewpoint, Ponta do Sossego. A spectacular place to relax and to observe the nature of the island in a peaceful way, the name of the belvedere says it all.
After the visit to the Northeast, follow the road towards Furnas. When you get there, dazzle and enchant yourself with its Lagoon, it is something very unique and really worth it. Next to Lagoa das Furnas, pass by Ermida da Nossa Senhora das Vitórias, a neo-gothic construction ordered by José do Canto. At the other end of the lagoon, you can see where the famous Cozidos das Furnas are produced, a dish that you can taste in a restaurant in the centre of the village. Inside the Furnas, go to the water geysers boilers in ebolição, you will be surprised by the volcanic activity there. In these geysers, sweet corn apples are made, enjoy and taste one. Also, you can taste another gastronomic product very typical of the Azores, the levedo cake. Its production is mostly made at Furnas, so you will have no problem finding this cake.
After these activities, all leave the best for the end, a hot water bath in Poça Dona Beja. Here you have the opportunity to bathe in waters with temperatures above 30 degrees, a guaranteed relaxation with many benefits for your skin and health.
This is a screenplay with a collection of some of the most famous things to do in São Miguel, if you stay longer you can see many other things. Consult our guide, your best travel companion, because the best of the Azores is here!