Azores travel guide – ultimate 10 day itinerary for Sao Miguel
- December 18, 2023
Intro
In the middle of nowhere, as beautiful as Hawaii, Sao Miguel is waiting for you!
The biggest of 9 Islands of the azores archipelagos.
Incredible landscapes, covered in lush greens and craters that once spit fire paired with a breathtaking underwater world: migrating whales, massive schools of pelagics like sardines, mackerels, amberjacks, etc. and large colonies of mantas (30+). If you’re lucky even hammerhead sharks make there appearance.
That being said, let’s dive right in!
Best time to visit
Even though the Azores are literally located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, roughly the same seasons apply to them as to the rest of mainland Portugal. Similar to many other European countries, the tourist season starts in summer. Due to the pleasant temperatures, May to October constitute the main season, while July and August form the peak of the season.
Best time to visit – Marine life edition
Following the main travel season, diving and marine life watching go hand in hand with the rest of the summer!
Starting in July and stretching until late October, water temperatures, visibility, and marine life are just blooming! Tourist peak months are July and August, and you can’t blame anybody for it! Water temperatures can reach up to 26 degrees (with an average of 22 degrees), and visibility can extend up to 35 meters on offshore dives. Say what!?
Probably the greatest attraction for divers is Princess Alice Bank, an offshore dive site that requires experienced diving skills. Discover the most beautiful underwater life: Mobulas, Amberjacks, Barracudas, Rays, Tuna, Turtles, and, if you’re a lucky diver, dolphins and blue sharks.
Leading up to…
Best time to visit – Whale edition
The Azores are pretty famous for migrating whales and whale watching.
Note: Snorkeling with whales in the Azores is prohibited!
Due to the high number of yearly tourists, this activity was prohibited to protect marine life!
Snorkeling permits are granted by the government and are ONLY granted to professionals like scientists, photographers, etc. Obtaining such a permit involves a lot of paperwork and can take up to several years.
Luckily, whales are still around and can easily be observed from a nice and “cozy” boat. So, depending on which whale encounter you hope for, plan accordingly with the following:
- All year round: Sperm whale
- April to June: Blue whale, Fin whale, and Sei whale
If you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the following
- May to June: Minke whale, Humpback whale
- April to November: Pilot whale (most common in June and July)
- June to August: Bryde’s whale
- July: Northern Bottlenose whale
Get around
By far, the easiest way to travel around São Miguel is with a rental car.
Whenever we’re in Europe, we always book them via Check24, including an all-around insurance (yep, always paranoid!). In October 202, seven days cost me 218.75 Euro.
If you can’t or don’t want to travel with a rental car, there’s also a pretty good public transportation system, connecting the capital city – Ponta Delgada, with the rest of the island. Although some smaller places, like Vila France De Campo, you can do everything within walking distance.
Though, visiting remoter locations is more convenient if you have your own car.
Where to stay
There are plenty of accommodation options, I always stayed in Airbnbs on this trip.
Recommendations, including prices and locations, are listed in the associated categories!
Travel Route
South
Arrival at São Miguels airport: João Paulo II Airport – 10 minutes to Ponta Delgada.
Day 1 – 3: Vila Franca do Campo
↠ 3 days stay, located 30 minutes from the capital city, 4100 inhabitants.
↠ Offshore crater island: Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo
Where to stay
Airbnb Vila Franca do Campo
Beautiful single cottage, suitable for 2 people traveling together. Perfectly centrally located in the heart of Vila Franca.
Things to do
Nossa Senhora de Paz Chapel
• 50-minute walk from the port
• Stunning views of Vila Franca and the offshore island Ilhéu de VF
Diving
Of course, we can’t miss this opportunity – even if the main diving season is already over. I went with Azores Sub Divers.
Whale Watching
Jump on one of the boat tours and try to get a glimpse of another beautiful whale.
Vila Franca City Strolls
• Go out and explore the narrow streets of Vila Franco.
• There are many hidden gems to be found: interesting architecture, cute doggos and cats only waiting to accompany your walk, and of course, the famous and beautiful hydrangeas!
Day 3 – 8: Lagoa
↠ 14 minutes by car to Ponta Delgada, 9000 inhabitants, located between Vila Franca do Campo and Ponta Delgada, ↠ famous fishing harbor (older times).
Where to stay
Airbnb Pedreira da Guia (52.50 Euro per night).
Absolutely amazing location with STUNNING ocean views! Literally can’t recommend this Airbnb enough and would go back every time!
- Beautiful outdoor area (huge garden and beautiful terrace with views of the Atlantic Ocean)
- 3 bedrooms suitable for 6 people. One pointed towards the seaside!
- Nice kitchen and living area (HELLO OCEAN VIEWS, AGAIN!)
Things to do
Lagoa is perfectly located to discover more of São Miguel.
Antonia’s Pineapple plantation
• Probably one of the most famous pineapple plantations – founded in 1911 by Manuel Bernado Cabral, and currently owned by the third generation of the family.
• Be prepared to share the small greenhouses with other visitors as well.
Ponta Delgada City Stroll
• Hop into your car/public transport and take a day trip to the capital of São Miguel.
• Get lost in the cute, narrow streets of Ponta Delagada. Exploring little shops, walking along the waterfront. Snacking your way through the cafés and get some chestnuts as a topping.
Take a day trip to Furnas Valley – THE HEART OF SAO MIGUEL
↠ Geothermal center of Sao Miguel
↠ Terra Nostra Park
↠ Boiling caldeiras
↠ Furnas Lake
↠ Active volcano sites
- Furnas Hot Springs – Poca da Dona Beija
Yes, please!
- Only 40 minutes from Lagoa, you can find Furnas Valley. The center of São Miguel’s geothermal activities.
- Poca da Dona Beija is probably the most touristy spot to take a dip, but with its 5 hot water pools still extremely inviting (pools differ in their temperatures and depths).
- Best part about Poca? They are open till 11 pm (last entry at 10 pm).
- TIP: Take older, less bright swimwear with you since it’s all-natural here aka the sulfur smell comes along with discoloring your bathers.
2. Cozido das Furnas (NOT VEGETARIAN)
- Cozido is one of the most unique Portuguese dishes, and the Azores most definitely know how to do it right by using their volcanic activity to boil it. It’s placed in an underground pot and slow-cooked for hours. Not only can you eat it, but also witness the “cooking process” in the Furnas Valley where, several boiling pools are spitting out their heat.
3. Capella Nossa Senhora des Victorias
Next to the boiling ground and Lake Lagoa das Furnas, the Capella Nossa Senhora is located and ready to be admired. Built as a funerary chapel in honor of his wife, it still stands and is famous.
North - Ribera Grande Area
Praia de Santana Beach
• Ribeira Grande Area
• Absolutely beautiful, rough beach.
• Perfect for surfing and long beach strolls.
Alabook Restaurant (Lunchtime!)
Located in the Ribeira Grande area, Alabook offers yummy food with a terrace facing the rough waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A bit more pricey though, but an absolutely worth it!
Lagoa do Fogo:
Lake located in the Ribeira Grande area, offering beautiful views during various hikes.
TIP: Before you go: Check the local webcams!
Due to the height, clouds can crush your plans, and you might see absolutely nothing but fog. This was the case when I attempted to visit Lagoa do Fogo.
Miradouro de Santa Iria
Get ready to be BLOWN AWAY by unreal views of the Azores coastline and the Atlantic Ocean.
One of the most recommended viewpoints to witness the beauty of the Azores (for reasons!). Although the drive to the location itself offers endless stops to check out the vastness of São Miguel.
Porto Formoso
Located in São Miguel’s north, a small valley with beautiful water access.
Cha Gorreana Tea Plantation
Visit Europe’s only and oldest tea plantation.
Get lost in their fields, learn about the local production, its history, and end your visit with a freshly brewed tea in their cozy cafe. If you like it, you might not be able to resist the temptation to shop some tea and enjoy it at home.
East
Roadtrip to Nordeste
Nordeste is one of the most eastern parts of São Miguel and doesn’t deliver less than the rest of the island. Beautiful and breathtaking views will accompany you all the way.
West
Day 8–10: Ginetes
↠ Located on the western side of São Miguel.
↠ 31 minutes from Ponta Delgada and around1184 inhabitants.
Where to stay
Airbnb Lighthouse RRAL 542 (35 Euros per night)
Incredible ocean and lighthouse views.
Things to do
Tourist mode loading.. While several spots were pretty unknown, this region is pretty buzzing and with good weather conditions highly frequented.
Monte Palace Hotel Ruins
Although it’s privately owned and the entrance is prohibited, Monte Palace Hotel has become a famous “lost places” tourist spot. Built in 1977, Monte Palace aimed to become one of the most luxurious hotels on the island. The bitter truth: It was never able to deliver the promised financial blessings. With countless debts, it had to shut down forever, only 18 months after opening. Security was established for 20 years, after which the whole place got looted.
What to expect when entering Monte Palace Hotel:
- Entering is prohibited. You literally have to climb over the fences or sneak in from the side.
- It’s dilapidated.
- Holes, unsecured and brittle framework and, since even the elevator was stolen, a long and wide elevator shaft that isn’t secured as well!
- In case of an emergency and no tourists around, getting help can be pretty difficult.
- Heaps of graffiti and drawings all over the place.
- Stunning view of the Sete Cidades crater lakes.
Vista do Rei (Viewpoint Sete Cidades)
Welcome to the post-stamp symbol of São Miguel and probably the most frequented spot on the island. This being said,well deserved.
The Sete Cidades
• Multiple volcanic crater lakes only waiting to blow away your mind!
• ESSENTIAL: Check the weather before coming here! Due to its location, you won’t be able to see anything if it’s cloudy.
If the weather conditions turn out to be in your favor, the journey to the craters itself will already make you want to stop every few minutes and take pictures. Literal hallways of beautiful hydrangeas will guide your way up the mountain.
After witnessing the lakes from this viewpoint, you MUST check out
Miradouro da Boca do Inferno
Located close to Vista do Rei, take the quick drive to the entrance point of this hike. Driving in the direction of Ponta Delgada, you will find a parking lot with the entrance gate on the opposite side of the road stating: Entrance Parque Lagoa do Canario.
After a short hike, your final way to the viewpoint Grota do Inferno/Boca do Inferno will guide you to an absolutely stunning view of the lakes! You will have an overview of nearly the whole crater landscape.
- Lagoa de Santiago – deep blue waters in front
- Lagoa Azul
- Valley of Sete Cidade
- Lagoa Rasa
You can take a small mountain pass on the way back to the main road, it will be less crowded and still deliver stunning views at the same time. Wildflowers accompany you on the way back. Note there’s a small, narrow part that’s a bit more tricky to absolve (may have changed since 2020).
Ferrarias in Ginetes
Feel the power of the Atlantic Ocean on your skin!
The Ferrarais are located right next to the Termas da Ferraria, a geothermal spa that takes advantage of the underground activities.
TIP: If you’re traveling on a tighter budget, check the tide conditions, and you can take a dip in the rock pools instead. But be careful, here you can feel the unleashed power of the ocean!
Take a walk around and enjoy rock formations splashing and the demonstrating the power of the Atlantic Ocean. If you come too close, you’ll probably end up wet.
Mosteiros
Another very famous sunset spot marking the most western point of the island. An old fishing village that has become quite popular due to its unique rock formations and stunning views.
