adminVisiting São Miguel island, in the Azores, is getting to know a small paradise planted in the middle of the Atlantic. Some believe that the island of São Miguel is the old Atlantis, others know it by heart. Any trip to the Azores should include visiting São Miguel island, as it has some of the most iconic landscapes in the Azores archipelago, and there are some places and activities you just can’t miss.
Don’t forget to check our post with an itinerary for 5 or 7 days in São Miguel island.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRACTICAL TIPS TO VISIT SÃO MIGUEL ISLAND
1. Getting to Portugal
Portugal has international airports in the cities of Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Funchal (Madeira) and Ponta Delgada and Horta (Azores), served by the national airline, TAP Air Portugal, but also others, including low-cost companies, such as Ryan Air and Easy Jet. The company that does internal flights in the Azores archipelago is SATA Azores Airlines. There are direct flights to the island of São Miguel from Lisbon and Porto, lasting around 1h45min, but you can also get there from the island of Pico or Lajes (Terceira). Currently, there are no public health control measures at entry for all passengers traveling to the Azores.
You can search and buy your flight to Portugal and Azores here.
2. When to visit São Miguel island
The climate of the Azores and São Miguel is characterized by a lot of humidity in the air, regular rain (most of the year), sometimes strong winds and mild temperatures. Keep this in mind when planning your São Miguel itinerary. Winters are not harsh, but they can be very rainy, while in summer the days are warmer and sunnier, although days with completely clear skies may still be uncommon. Therefore, the best time of year for your São Miguel itinerary is in the summer, between the months of May and September. The summer months are also those when the most important festivities on the island of São Miguel take place.
For more information about the weather in Portugal, don’t forget to check out our “Plan your trip”.
3. How to get around when visiting São Miguel island
3.1. Renting a car in São Miguel island
If you don’t have your own car, the only way to take a road trip in São Miguel is to rent a car. There are several car rental agencies at the airport and in the city (Ponta Delgada) where you can rent a car, but there is a lot of demand and little supply. Rent in advance to get the best prices. Otherwise, car rental can be quite expensive.
Rent a car in Ponta Delgada (São Miguel island) at the best prices through this link.
3.2. Tour the Azores by boat from São Miguel island
If you want to get to know the Azorean islands, the best thing to do is explore the archipelago by boat from the island of São Miguel. It will be a unique experience that can take you to see all the islands on a very low budget. Furthermore, it is an excellent trip of discovery and adventure. All islands are connected by ferry, using Atlântico Line services. During the summer, there are connections with the islands of the eastern group (São Miguel island and Santa Maria), central group (Graciosa, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico and Faial) and western group (Flores and Corvo).
4. Where to sleep in São Miguel island (Azores)
If you are going to explore São Miguel island, the most central place to sleep is in Ponta Delgada, as you can reach any point on the island in one day. If you choose to stay in Ponta Delgada, there are excellent accommodation options for your São Miguel island adventure.
If you’re looking for a hotel, guesthouse or traditional lodgings:
- Casa das Palmeiras Charming House – Azores 1901
- Hotel Do Colegio
- Out of the Blue
- Quinta de Santa Clara
If you’re looking for some luxury:
If you’re looking for an apartment:
If you’re looking for a hostel:
NOTE: If you want to explore the island during several days, you can also stay in different places on São Miguel island to fully enjoy your trip. Don’t forget to consult our itinerary for 5 to 7 days around São Miguel island, full of tips on how to organize your days.
5. How to get travel insurance in Portugal
Travel insurance is more important than ever for a trip without worries, even when the trip does not involve any particularly dangerous activities. Like Portuguese people use to say “You don’t play with health!”.
You can buy your travel insurance for the trip to Azores through this link.
6. Using bank cards in Portugal
Portugal is integrated into the international banking system, so using debit or credit cards will not be a problem in handling money in Portugal. With your debit or credit card, you can make payments at any store or commercial establishment, as well as withdraw euros in ATMs, which are widely available, the national network being called Multibanco. You can also find international networks of ATMs, but be careful with the conversion and transaction fees that are applied.
When we travel abroad, we use the Wise debit Mastercard®. The borderless Wise account comes with a debit card and allows you to spend anywhere in the world at the real exchange rate. You will receive low conversion rates, free ATM withdrawals of up to £ 200 per month and zero transaction fees. You can create your Wise multi-currency account here and get your Wise debit card.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO WHEN VISITING SÃO MIGUEL ISLAND IN THE AZORES
If you want to visit São Miguel island, don’t forget to include these places in your travel itinerary around the island. These are mandatory places to visit on São Miguel island, even if you only have a weekend. Most require car rental to have flexibility of time and movement, but if you are staying in Ponta Delgada you can also visit some of these places on São Miguel island on tours (as we indicate for each of them throughout the text).
1. Visit Ponta da Ferraria hot springs in São Miguel island
Ponta da Ferraria is our favorite place on São Miguel island. It’s our little corner of paradise. Ferraria is a place where hot water, heated by volcanic vapors, mixes with cold sea water, in a small cove that forms a small natural pool. Visiting Ferraria and bathing in these warm waters is one of the highlights of any trip to São Miguel island but you have to pay attention to the tides. When the tide is high, the hot water is barely felt and, when the tide is low, the water is too hot. So, if you go to Ferraria on the island of São Miguel, plan your visit according to the tide.
2. Visit Sete Cidades lagoon in São Miguel island
Lagoa das Sete Cidades (lagoon of the seven cities) is the hallmark of the island of São Miguel. Part blue, part green, the lagoon fills everyone’s image of the Azores. The best views of the lagoon are from the Vista do Rei viewpoint, but it’s worth driving to the village of Sete Cidades and exploring its banks.
If you don’t have a car, book here a tour to the Sete Cidades lagoon and Fogo lagoon, with lunch.
3. Visit Fogo lagoon in São Miguel island
Lagoa do Fogo (Fire lagoon) is probably the most beautiful lagoon in São Miguel island. It’s not easy to get a clear sky to see the lagoon, but if you’re lucky with the weather, the views are wonderful. There are several stops on the road to enjoy the magnificent lagoon, which occupies a volcanic caldera, but the best thing is to stop the car and go down there, where there is a small parking lot. The descent takes just over 30 minutes. Then you can enjoy the lagoon almost to yourself.
4. Visit Mosteiros Beach
On Mosteiros beach on the island of São Miguel there are two giant rocks that seem to want to escape the sea. Maybe they are the ruins of the famous Atlantis! This is the most beautiful beach on the island of São Miguel. A small beach, with black sand full of olivine, a mineral associated with volcanic rocks (notice the fluorescent green crystals in the sand). This beach on the island of São Miguel is a beautiful place to spread your towel and enjoy the summer or spring heat.
5. Visit Furnas in São Miguel island
When visiting the island of São Miguel, Furnas is a place not to miss, with a lot to do. It is worth exploring the fumaroles and geysers in the middle of the town, and contemplating the forms of secondary volcanism of the Furnas volcano. It’s also worth taking a walk around the park and the caldera. Try the delicious Furnas yeast breads (pão levedo) and take a stroll around the town. Don’t miss the Furnas stew, cooked in a hole in the groun (using the heat from vulcanic activity), made by yourself or in a restaurant.
Book here for a night-time experience with thermal baths and traditional stew dinner in Furnas
6. Visit the islet of Vila Franca do Campo
A visit to the islet of Vila Franca do Campo on the island of São Miguel is a beautiful trip for a day in good weather. To get to the islet you have to take the boat in Vila Franca do Campo. The crossing normally starts in May and continues until September – October. The crossing is quick, less than half an hour. On the islet there is a sand beach, when the tide is low, or a rock beach, when the tide is high. The islet has a kind of natural pool inside, where the waters are calm. The islet of Vila Franca do Campo is a magnificent place to go diving, snorkeling or kayaking on the island of São Miguel. To check boat times and prices for the islet of Vila Franca do Campo, check this website.
Book here your Vila Franca do Campo islet kayaking experience.
7. Explore the northeast of São Miguel Island
The northeast of the island of São Miguel has something magical about it. This is the least visited part of the island of São Miguel but where there is an aura of wild beauty. From Ponta da Ribeira, passing through the magnificent Ponta do Amel and ending at Ponta da Madrugada or Ponta Redonda, the northeast is a fabulous destination for a road trip in São Miguel. Roads full of bays and coves, where waterfalls and viewpoints lurk around corners.
Book here your full-day van tour with lunch to the east of São Miguel island.
8. Visit Rabo de Peixe
In the heart of Ribeira Grande, the small village of Rabo de Peixe remains almost forgotten on the island of São Miguel. The town seems to defy the laws of physics, built on the steep, rocky cliffs facing the Atlantic. The majority of the population of Rabo de Peixe lives from fishing, so walking around can be a great way to get to know the traditional activities of the island.
9. Visit Ponta Delgada, the capital of São Miguel Island
The city of Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel is magnificent. The whitewashed walls contrast with the Portuguese sidewalks made of black basalt rock. Walking along the Ponta Delgada waterfront can be a beautiful way to get to know the capital of the archipelago, but there is much more to see and do.
Pass by São Brás Fort, the Convento da Esperança (Hope Convent), Igreja do Espírito Santo (Church of the Holy Spirit) and Igreja de São José (Church of Saint Joseph), in the western part of the city. In the center, don’t miss the Igreja Matriz (Main Church), Portas da Cidade (City Gates), the Conceição Palace and the various hermitages spread across the city. Take the opportunity to visit the Carlos Machado museum and learn about the history of the sea, fishing and whaling in the archipelago. To get a beautiful perspective of the city, climb the bell tower of the Town Hall, an 18th century tower, in Vasco da Gama square.
Book here a walking tour of the historic center of Ponta Delgada, including the Botanical Garden.
10. Visit the Gorreana tea plantations in São Miguel island
Gorreana is reputed to have the only tea plantations in Europe. It is thought that the introduction of the tea plant to the island of São Miguel was made by ships that, in the 18th century, brought tea from the East to Lisbon. Without certainties, the truth is that the Camellia sinensis plant, from which green tea and black tea are made, intended to cope with the growing import of tea from China and India. The idea was good, since Europe did not produce tea but consumed it. The Azores seemed to have the ideal conditions for planting it, especially on the island of São Miguel. It seems that nowadays there are more places growing tea in Europe, but Gorreana still holds the title of “oldest tea plantation in Europe”.
11. Visit Poça da Dona Beija in São Miguel island
Poça da Dona Beija (Mrs. Beija’s puddle) is a group of swimming pools near Furnas. The waters of Poça da Dona Beija are at a temperature of 39ºC (102ºF). Even on a hot day, it is very relaxing and therapeutic to bathe there. In Poça da Dona Beija, in Furnas, relaxing is the watchword on the island of São Miguel. Poça da Dona Beija is part of a group of iron and hot springs associated with the phenomena of secondary volcanism clearly evident in the Furnas Volcano Caldera. On site there is a natural hot water spring, inside a cave, which provides two swimming pools, an area to wet your feet or body, and part of the river, which houses a removable gate, providing a mixture of hot water and cold.
12. Visit Terranostra park
Terranostra Park is very close to Furnas and a fantastic place to spend a beautiful spring or summer day. The hot water pools are great for relaxing on the island of São Miguel, but the magnificent gardens of the palace make for a beautiful walk and serve as the setting for a magnificent Azorean picnic. Enjoy the lakes, the hidden corners and the countless native species that exist there.
13. Visit Caldeira Velha in São Miguel island
Caldeira Velha is one of the most visited places on the island of São Miguel. There, a hot waterfall runs down the volcanic rocks towards a small lagoon. But there is more to see in Caldeira Velha. There are fumaroles everywhere and secondary manifestations of active volcanism on the island.
14. Visit São Miguel island geothermal plant
The only operational geothermal plant in Portugal is located on the island of São Miguel, in Ribeira Grande, and is known as the Pico Vermelho Geothermal Plant. It is a plant that uses the heat emanated from the Earth’s interior and transforms it into electrical and thermal energy. Around 20% of the energy consumption on the island comes from this plant. You need to make an appointment, if you want to visit inside, but you can see it from the outside, which is well worth it.
15. Visit the coast of Porto Formoso in São Miguel island
The coast of Porto Formoso is extremely indented and has several capes and bays that follow one another. It is worth traveling along this coast of São Miguel island, stopping at the various viewpoints and beaches. Take a picnic and enjoy the magnificent views of the north coast of the island of São Miguel, always green and magnificent.
16. Visit the Porta do Inferno viewpoint in São Miguel island
Porta do Inferno (Hell’s Gate) is the most emblematic viewpoint on the island. In fact, it not only has views over Lagoa do Canário (Canary lagoon) but also over Lagoa das Sete Cidades and even the sea. You have to climb the Sete Cidades volcano to admire its beauty from the top of the Porta do Inferno viewpoint on the island of São Miguel. The views are unbeatable, over lagoons, villages and volcanic calderas. We spent almost an hour waiting for the clouds to let in the sun’s rays that brighten this place. It paid off.
17. Visit the Salto do Cabrito waterfall
The Salto de Cabrito (Goatling Jump) waterfall is an extraordinary place. It’s reminiscent of Philippine waterfalls and is worth a visit and even a swim. There is a first parking lot where you can leave your car. However, the road descends steeply, in sections with asphalt and dirt, for around 500 meters. If you have experience driving on very steep terrain, you can take your car close to the waterfall, otherwise we advise you to leave your car in the first parking lot.
18. Go whale and dolphin watching in São Miguel island
When visiting the island of São Miguel, be sure to join a whale and dolphin watching excursion, something you shouldn’t miss on your trip to the Azores. It sells out fast!
If you are going to travel to the Azores, these are our posts that you shouldn’t miss:
- AZORES ISLANDS – Travel to Portugal’s best kept secret – Introduction to the nine islands of the Azores and their characteristics; practical tips for visiting Portugal’s best kept secret. Ideal to get to know Azores a little better before traveling to São Miguel island.
- SÃO MIGUEL ISLAND – What not to miss when visiting the Azores – Tips for visiting São Miguel island, a paradise in the Atlantic; how to get around, where to sleep, what to do and see and places not to miss.
- São Miguel itinerary – Road trip for 5 or 7 days in the Azores island – All the tips for a São Miguel itinerary, bringing together the best of the Azores island, for a 5 or 7 days road trip. Ideal to organize your visit to São Miguel island.
- Visit Terceira island – Territory, history and geography – Guide to visit Terceira island in the Azores; the territory, history and geography of this beautiful and diversified Azores island.
- Terceira island travel tips – Travel tips to start planning your trip; when to go, how to get there, how to get around, travel insurance and where to stay.
- Terceira island itinerary – 5 days itinerary on this beautiful Azores island, covering the island’s main attractions.
- Where to stay on Terceira island – The best hotels and places to stay in this beautiful Azores island.
- Terceira island best viewpoints – Best spots to enjoy the spectacular landscapes of this beautiful Azores island.
- Terceira island culture & heritage – Best places to learn about Terceira island culture & heritage, UNESCO heritage town of Angra do Heroismo, religious and historical places on the island.
- Terceira island beaches, bathing areas and natural pools – Terceira island best beaches and bathing areas, including natural swimming pools, the best places in the island to enjoy the sea and sun.
- Terceira island best restaurants – Best places on Terceira island to taste Azores traditional food, fish, seafood and meat.
