Best Places to Visit in Portugal’s São Miguel Island Azores

São Miguel is the largest island in Portugal’s Azores and is an amazing place to visit. The island was created during various volcanic periods, so the landscapes from one end to the other are surprisingly different. São Miguel offers those who love nature an opportunity to see stunning, unspoiled scenery with easy day trips from the central part of the island.

This article will provide insight on the top places to visit in São Miguel for your vacation planning.

• Sete Cidades, with its two-toned colored lakes and sweeping vistas
• The bubbling geothermal area of Furnas for hot springs and traditional food dishes
• For a more rugged and wild side, venture to Nordeste for stunning viewpoints and waterfalls

Sete Cidades

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Advertising images of São Miguel island quite often show pictures of the Sete Cidades lakes, and for good reason. This area has some pristine lookouts of the huge caldera below, filled with the Azul and Verde lakes. 

The caldera is quite large and provides the perfect backdrop for hiking, horseback riding, or driving its 12km edge with a 4WD vehicle. The vantage points get better from the Cumeeiras Summit Road as the road narrows—but this should only be done with a skilled guide! From here, people also enjoy paragliding down to the water’s edge, gliding quietly over gorgeous scenery.

One of the best times to visit is during the hydrangea season, which lasts from May through to the middle of September. These large blossoms are all over this area, lining the roads, covering the cliffs of the caldera, and creating borders for the many farms. It is really something to see.

From the town of Sete Cidades, numerous water sports can be done on the lake, including swimming, canoeing, paddle boarding, and kayaking. Only non-motorized activities are allowed to keep the peaceful surroundings in perfect shape. Along the water’s edge are many places to set up a picnic and enjoy a lovely day relaxing and socializing.

The small village also has a church to visit, built in the 1800s. The Church of São Nicolau is built in the Neo-Gothic style seen regularly around the island. The path leading to the building is very pretty, with tall trees and, of course, many hydrangeas lining the entrance. Inside is a typical, although understated, Portuguese nave with traditional blue tiles lining the walls. This is a nice spot for some quiet contemplation.

From Sete Cidades, it is an easy drive to reach the western side of Sao Miguel Island. The landscape here is also different since the volcanic eruptions took place much later. This means the lava rock is not as mature and is still quite stark, with less vegetation covering it. 

It is definitely worth visiting the area of Mosteiros, where the black volcanic rock is the main attraction, with large boulders jutting from the sea, natural hot pools, and a black sand beach along the coast. Further along from here is the spa area called Termas da Ferraria, where visitors enjoy spa treatments and a swim in the natural hot spring carved into the ocean. This entire area is beautiful and provides some wonderful natural experiences that are truly unique.

Furnas

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Heading inland from Ponta Delgada, you will find a hub of geothermal activity. Right in the center is the town of Furnas, settled in the deep caldera of one of the oldest active volcanos on the island of São Miguel. This is also the biggest caldera on the island, reaching 8 km by 6 km. Geologists estimate that this volcano collapsed three times, with the first explosion occurring 33,000 years ago.

There is a very nice viewpoint, Miradouro Pico do Ferro, overlooking the town of Furnas and the lake that is located beside it. 

Venturing down to the town is an exciting experience as you come across steaming, boiling hot pools. This entire area demonstrates the intense heat that has broken through the earth to release gases of the geothermal activity below.

Raised pathways are available to walk around this intriguing area. Interspersed among the pools, there is solid land with large holes. Inside the holes are round concrete tubes that function as ovens. These ovens are used to make the most famous dish in this region called Cozido. It is a popular Portuguese dish made with vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, taro, and kale, along with meat, including beef, pork, and sausage. The ingredients are loaded into large pots and lowered into the ground for six to seven hours to cook in the fat juices from the meat. It is available to try in many of the restaurants in the town of Furnas.

Also in this area is a very interesting location called Caldeiras das Furnas. This is another super hot area that allows visitors to walk among the natural thermal pools, observing the evidence of the volcanic activity below coming up to the surface. Steam billows around the pools, and the smell of sulphur is constantly in the air. It is fascinating to see the different minerals in the earth and to understand how their presence affects the healing nature of the water. 

Another highlight in this area is Terra Nostra Park, one of the top things to do in São Miguel. This natural area has a stunning garden that was started in the 1700s and spans 12 hectares. 

The botanical garden hosts plants and trees from all over the world. Due to the large amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the greenery grows to immense sizes to absorb the excess gases. This makes for a magical spot to walk and admire an immense collection of plant material amassed over many years.

In the center of the park is a large thermal pool. Its water, steeped with iron oxide, is unusually orange. Locals believe the mineral content has medicinal properties, making it a very popular place for visitors to enjoy a relaxing soak.

Nordeste

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On the east side of the island is the region and town known as Nordeste. This is one of the best places to visit in São Miguel, Azores. Those looking for a more natural and wild side will thoroughly enjoy this hidden gem.

The oldest volcanic region is located here, and this has resulted in a fertile farming area that is quite picturesque. Large open pastures, where cows wander, are a very common sight, with the cliffs of the caldera looming in the background. When driving around and then into the caldera, it is reminiscent of a rainforest with towering trees and a densely forested area inside. This is one of the most lush areas of the entire island.

The coastal areas of Nordeste are also stunningly beautiful. Completely unspoiled here, the green cliffs seem to melt onto the black lava rock beaches and slide into the blue sea. These sights are very easy to see thanks to the numerous viewpoints readily available with parking facilities and amenities on site.

Viewpoints such as Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego and Miradouro da Ponta da Madrugada are perfect places to stop and take in the fabulous landscapes. Both offer extensive gardens—some on various levels—designed for walking, relaxing, and taking in the superb vistas of this coast. There are also a number of picnic tables and BBQs to enjoy a nice afternoon.

This coast is also home to one of the iconic spots of the Azores archipelago. The region’s first lighthouse, built here in 1870, is the Farol do Arnel Lighthouse, which is a popular location for taking pictures of the sweeping views surrounding this strategically located beacon.

And for those who enjoy seeing waterfalls, Nordeste is the perfect spot for viewing opportunities. There are many hikes available in the forested areas with beautiful waterfalls to discover. This is best done with the assistance of a local guide who can help visitors explore the eastern part of the island.

For those with limited time or not wishing to hike, some waterfalls can be easily accessed from the road, especially in the park area of Ribeira dos Caldeirões. Here is a lovely area with paved walkways amongst a lush valley filled with flowers and plants. There are many waterfalls, rapids and watermills to enjoy on a leisurely walk.

When creating a plan to explore the island, be sure to include the northeastern coast. This gorgeous area is often overlooked but well worth the visit.

Visiting São Miguel Azores

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The Azores island of São Miguel is a natural wonderland with exciting places to visit from coast to coast. With gorgeous scenery, stark volcanic formations, thermal springs, and flora and fauna covering almost every land surface, this is an amazing place for those who appreciate the outdoors and want to relax in and amongst nature.