When I joined a Facebook group on Portugal I couldn't believe that such an incredible group of islands was rarely discussed! This is one of my favorite spots in all of Portugal and I don't want you to miss out so I created this sample itinerary for Sao Miguel Azores!
The Azores Islands are one of the best places to enjoy your break! During the summer months, you can expect an average temperature of low 60s. So while the Azores are not sun-baked, the mix of sun and occasional rainy conditions mean a lush green landscape and glorious hydrangeas in bloom along the trails and roads!
The islands of the Azores are a perfect place for nature lovers. The largest island, the island of Sao Miguel, is a great spot to create a home base and explore everything the Azores archipelago has to offer. With numerous hiking trails, iconic viewpoints, and volcanic rocks jutting out into crystal clear waters along one of the many Sao Miguel beaches, you can see why this is a fantastic place to spend a few days.
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You can enjoy the same affordable prices that you found in Portugal's mainland. So while it is a 2-hour flight from Lisbon, to the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, you won't experience the jacked-up prices that you find on some remote islands. The food and wine are locally sourced and amazing!
Explore small towns along the north coast, or dive deep into Sao Miguel Island history in Ponta Delgada closer to the south coast. Either way this is the perfect place to unwind.
Table of Contents
How Many Days Do I Need to Explore Sao Miguel?
We spent five days and six nights on just Sao Miguel Island which afforded us the opportunity to set a relaxed pace and revisit spots that deserved more attention. You would not be bored spending a whole week. With more time I would have taken advantage of a quick flight to Pico or Terceira (something for next time!). But you could get away with 3 - 4 days on Sao Miguel if you have less time.
How Do I Get To The Azores?
The islands are easily accessible with direct flights from the east coast of the United States, Canada, and Europe. As of this writing, Portugal's mainland has removed the proof of negative Covid test for entry but the islands still had it in place if coming in from someplace other than Portugal. The vast majority of international flights will take you to Sao Miguel's Ponta Delgada airport. Sao Miguel is the largest island in the chain of nine and a great home base. From Sao Miguel, you can catch flights through SATA airlines to the other islands or take a ferry for a cheaper, but longer, trip.
How do I get around Sao Miguel?
I highly recommend renting a car! Taxis are available 24/7 to get you to and from the airport, but public transportation is not as reliable if you want to explore the island. We rented a car from Arruda and had a very positive experience. Get comfortable with a stick shift! Luckily both my husband and I can drive a stick so it wasn't a problem. Our rental for five days was the most affordable out of all the car rental companies we reviewed.
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Highways and roads are easily navigated with Google maps. I recommend that you give yourself at least one day for the east side of the island, one day for exploring the center, and one day for the west side. Giving yourself a full day in each region allows a slower pace (you will share the road with cows - so drive carefully!) and the luxury of pulling over to explore great viewpoints as well as one-of-a-kind small beach towns is not to be missed.
Ponta Delgada
Photo by Nuno Franca on Unsplash
When you arrive at the airport on Sao Miguel you're just minutes from the island's major city, Ponta Delgada. Whether you choose to get accommodations here for your whole stay or move around to different island locations, don't miss exploring the points of interest the city has to offer.
Walk to Graca Market and pick up breakfast or a snack or two from local vendors. Explore military history at the Fort of Sao Bros. Walk the shops harborside along Avenida Infante Dom Henrique. Tour the convent and Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Esperanca. See Goncalo Velho Square.
For a sweet treat visit the Ananas do Acores Pineapple Plantation right in town. Log in to their wi-fi to follow the very informative self-guided tour. Then stop by their cafe for free tastings of pineapple jam and liquor. If you didn't fill up at the Graca Market then consider ordering from their cafe anyone of the sandwiches and snacks that have the sweet island treat as an ingredient.
Speaking of eating, come into the city for lunch or dinner at Michel Restaurant. It was one of the best meals we had on the island.
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The East Side
Traveling to the east side of the island on your first day gives you a breathtaking introduction to the island. Stop at the Gorrena Tea Factory, one of only five remaining tea plantations on the island. You’ll take a quick self-guided tour of the working factory, see tea being packaged and sold as well as enjoy tastings of their many different varieties.
Outside you’ll enjoy amazing views and can hike any one of the nearby trails.
If you are interested in getting your toes in the water, one of the popular beaches is Praia do Santa Barbara in the Ribeira Quente. From there you can stop at the Miradoura de Santa Iria, a beautiful viewpoint, and a second beach Praia doe Moinhos.
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Drive to the Ponta do Sossego viewpoint with a picnic lunch you put together at any one of the mini-markets in Nordeste. There are numerous picnic tables so pull out a bottle of wine and stay awhile. Fantastic vistas of the rough northern coast of Sao Miguel abound and there’s no need to rush.
Praia do Lombo Gordo is another beach just a 10-minute drive from Ponta do Sossego but we chose to drive a bit further down to Praia de Fogo. This black sand beach in the Ribeira Grande had calm water and was my oldest’s favorite beach. All of these beautiful beaches access the Atlantic Ocean so be ready for crisp water temperatures. While Fogo had a warm sandy beach there are a lot of rocks under the water so water shoes are an advantage.
If you want to continue toward Ponta Delgada you’ll come to Vila Franca do Campo. Here you can enjoy Praia de Ague d’Alto, considered one of the best beaches in the Azores. This more golden sand beach is set in a lovely bay.
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The West Side
The west side of the island is most well known for its iconic Sete Cidades lakes. When the area volcano caved in on itself the gaping holes filled with water. The resulting gorgeous lakes draw visitors year-round.
From Ponta Delgada drive to the Grota do Inferno viewpoint for a view of the largest lake in the Azores. From there you’ll make a short drive to Vista do Rei for the most memorable views.
You cannot miss the abandoned hotel on the hilltop. Walk around the curve in the road on a path along the tree line to the hotel entrance. While officially explorers are discouraged (you can’t miss the signs), you’ll notice visitors crawling all over the site. We enjoyed walking through the lobby and rooms with lake views. It’s a unique, albeit unsanctioned, way to enjoy the location.
When you exit the hotel don’t skip the food trucks parked in a turnout across the street. Komaki Burguer was a fantastic lunch for a very reasonable price.
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After eating, head down to Sete Cidades. You can kayak or canoe on the lake when the waters are calm. Connect with Garoupa Canoe tours via their website or phone. They offer guided or self-led opportunities to get out on the water.
If you can’t get out on the lake, Azores beaches on the west side do not disappoint. Enjoy Praia dos Mosteiros. This beautiful area is prime for climbing along lava rocks to view tidal pools. The natural pools fill with ocean life at each high tide. We saw numerous types of fish, sea anemones, and crabs battling it out on the rocks.
The water temperature is a bit warmer as thermal waters meet the ocean here so you can comfortably swim and there are ladders that give you access from the rocks to the water.
Continue your drive around the west side toward Caelas and enjoy the many small beach towns along the coast. You can end at Rabo de Peixe and then cut across the island to black-sand Populo Beach. Grab a drink and snacks at one of the many beach bars.
The Center
The middle of the island is an adventure in itself! Any itinerary to Sao Miguel would not be complete without at least a day of exploring this region of the island. You can head straight to Parque Terra Nostra where iron-red shallow waters wait to welcome you. Or if you’d like to minimize the iron stains on your swim trunks head over to Poca da Dona Beija. This spa was a highlight of our trip. Each guest is allowed to stay for 90 minutes and can take advantage of the showers, changing rooms, toilets, and storage lockers.
At the back of the spa, the hot thermal waters meet a lazy flowing stream in the first pool making it the coolest water and a great place to start. Then indulge and relax at each of the pools along the stream over your stay in consistent 90-degree water. The iron-rich waters are said to have healing properties!
Have lunch on the patio at Miroma. We enjoyed the wide variety available on their menu, including a yummy cheese plate with local cheeses and wine. It was a great way to wrap up the experience.
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You can then drive into Furnas and walk off those lunch calories with an easy trail along the calderas. In the parking lot just above the bubbling waters, you can try corn on the cob cooked in the area’s thermal waters if you are still hungry.
Lake Furnas just outside of town shouldn’t be missed. Here you can enjoy an easy hike around the lake, see the chapel Capela de Nossa Senhora das Vitorias, and explore the Jose do Canto garden. Our favorite hike in the gardens went to the left from the ticket office, by the chapel, and back to a giant Sequoia and waterfall. You can also turn right to explore the fern gardens.
Tip: Public bathrooms are available by the entrance to the lake but bring your own tissue.
While Sao Miguel is not the only island in this volcanic chain, it is a great place to introduce yourself to the Azores. With amazing beaches, nature reserves, viewpoints, and hiking trails alongside historical sites and fantastic restaurants, you will have many opportunities to relax and enjoy the beauty of Portugal’s island life. I hope you get inspiration from this itinerary for Sao Miguel and can adventure soon to the Azores!
Interested in another taste of island life? Check out our post on Mexico’s Beach Life. Isla Mujeres is an island gem and we’ll show you how to make the most out of a trip there. Or enjoy islands without the crowds with our post on California’s least crowded national park, the Channel Islands.
I have stayed in Sao Miguel, Portugal many times. Hope to see you in September 2022
We absolutely loved our stay there! Preferred the rural regions over the city for sure, so lush! Glad you get to go in September.