adminSão Miguel is a charming island with wonderful places to spend a week on the island. We’ve brought together the best of the island in five days (or seven), in a São Miguel itinerary that allows you to get around the island and explore its most beautiful landscapes. Here is our São Miguel Itinerary (click on the image to enlarge the map).
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR YOUR SÃO MIGUEL ITINERARY
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.
3. How to get around 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 São Miguel island at the best prices through this link.
4. Where to sleep in São Miguel island (Azores)
If you are going to travel and do an itinerary in São Miguel, the most central place to sleep is in Ponta Delgada. For a 5-day itinerary there is no justification for staying far from Ponta Delgada. With a rental car 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 itinerary.
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 more of the island on your São Miguel itinerary, the ideal is to stay in different places on the island to be able to enjoy your trip. You can search for accommodation elsewhere on the island using the links in the respective points of the itinerary below.
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.
SÃO MIGUEL ITINERARY FOR 5 OR 7 DAYS IN THE AZORES
Day 1 of São Miguel itinerary: Visit Ponta Delgada
Take advantage of the first day of your itinerary in São Miguel, and the day you arrive in São Miguel, to discover the city of Ponta Delgada. The capital of the archipelago and the island has several places that are worth a leisurely visit. This will be the first day of your São Miguel itinerary.
Pass by São Brás Fort, the Hope Convent (Convento da Esperança) and Church of Holy Spirit (Igreja do Espírito Santo) and Saint Joseph Church (Igreja de São José), in the western part of the city. In the center, don’t miss the Main Church (Igreja Matriz), the City Gates (Portas da Cidade), the Conceição Palace and the various hermitages spread across the city on the island of São Miguel. 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 great perspective of the city, climb the Bell Tower of City Hall, an 18th-century tower, in Vasco da Gama square.
Day 2 of São Miguel itinerary: Visit Sete Cidades Lagoon and the West
On this second day of your São Miguel itinerary, start by exploring the western part of the island. Leave Ponta Delgada early in the morning and follow the road that takes you to Lagoa das Sete Cidades on this day of your São Miguel itinerary. Along the way, visit the Hell’s Gate (Porta do Inferno) viewpoint, Coal Lagoon (Lagoa do Carvão), Canary Lagoon (Lagoa do Canário) and the King’s View (Vista do Rei) viewpoint, to admire the view over the Sete Cidades lagoon. Then go down to Sete Cidades, passing through the Santiago lagoon. Rest in the town of Sete Cidades at lunchtime on this day 2 of your São Miguel itinerary.
Then follow your São Miguel itinerary to Ponta do Escalvado and then to Mosteiros beach. After exploring the beach, return to Varzea and from there to Ponta da Ferraria. Take advantage of the tide to bathe in the magnificent natural hot water pools (there are also thermal baths there but the natural pools are much better). Return to Ponta Delgada on this day 2 of your São Miguel itinerary.
Day 3 of São Miguel itinerary: Visit Furnas
Dedicate this day of your São Miguel itinerary to exploring the Furnas caldera. Visit the town of Furnas, the park with fumaroles and geysers, relax in the magnificent Poça da Dona Beija and the Terra Nostra park.
After lunch, take the opportunity to stroll along the walkways of Furnas Park and then follow road 2-1ª, towards the northern part of the island of São Miguel. Stop at the magnificent Iron’s Peak (Pico do Ferro) viewpoint, with a magnificent view over the Furnas lagoon. Then, head to São Brás to visit the Gorreana tea plantations. Enjoy the end of the day of your São Miguel itinerary on the coast of Porto Formoso. You can stay overnight there (which is an excellent idea to make the most of the island) or return to Ponta Delgada after sunset on this day 3 of your São Miguel itinerary.
You can search here for your accommodation in the coast of Porto Formoso, São Miguel island.
Day 4 of São Miguel itinerary: Visit Fogo Lagoon and the island viewpoints
Leave the coast of Porto Formoso behind (or Ponta Delgada) and head to Ribeira Grande and then Rabo de Peixe on this day 4 of your São Miguel itinerary. Don’t miss lunch at the São Miguel Agricultural Association restaurant, where the best regional steak in the Azores is served. If you don’t like meat, you can also try tuna steak.
After exploring the town of Ribeira Grande on your São Miguel itinerary, take road 5-2ª, until Fire (Fogo) Lagoon (Lagoa do Fogo). Along the way, stop to see the Geothermal Power Station and Caldeira Velha for a wonderful thermal bath. Near the Geothermal Power Station, take a detour on the road to go to the Goatling’s Jump (Salto do Cabrito) waterfall. This detour on your São Miguel itinerary is well worth it. When you arrive at the Lagoa do Fogo viewpoint, admire it, but park the car and go down below, in order to enjoy this piece of paradise. Return to road 5-2ª and head towards Lagoa. Stay overnight there or return to Ponta Delgada, depending on your São Miguel itinerary.
You can search here for your accommodation in Lagoa, São Miguel island.
Day 5 of São Miguel itinerary: Visit the islet of Vila Franca do Campo
On this day 5 of your São Miguel itinerary , take the 1-1ª road and head towards Vila Franca do Campo. Leave the car there and take the boat to the islet of Vila Franca. Enjoy the day 5 of your São Miguel itinerary relaxing on the islet and going to the beach. On the way back to Ponta Delgada, stop at Ponta da Galera, Ponta da Água de Pau and Pópulo beach for one last sunset on the island.
If you have a whole week in Azores, sleep in Vila Franca do Campo and then add two more days to your São Miguel itinerary, to explore the eastern and northeastern parts of the island of São Miguel.
You can search here for your accommodation in Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel island.
Day 6 of São Miguel Itinerary: Visit the northeast
Leave Vila Franca do Campo (or Ponta Delgada) and head towards Lomba da Maia, passing through the Conger Eel lagoon (Lagoa do Congro) to the Northeast, exploring the magnificent coves and capes. On this day 6 of your São Miguel itinerary, stop at the waterfalls and the various viewpoints. End the day’s itinerary in São Miguel by exploring the town of Nordeste and Ponta do Amel. Stay in the town of Nordeste as you will have more accommodation and restaurant options. The northeast is a much more virgin and wild area of the island and, if you have time, it is worth including it in your São Miguel itinerary.
You can search here for your accommodation in Nordeste, São Miguel island.
Day 7 of São Miguel itinerary: Visit the southeast and Povoação
On the last day of your São Miguel itinerary, follow the 1-1ª road, stopping at Ponta da Marquesa and Ponta da Madrugada. Go to Ponta da Retorta and then head to Povoação. This region is magnificent and you will love this day. From there, return through Furnas to Vila Franca do Campo and Ponta Delgada. This will be the end of your São Miguel itinerary.
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. To read before planning your São Miguel itinerary.
- 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. Ideal to plan your São Miguel itinerary.
- 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.
- 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 on Terceira 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.
