Tucked away in the middle of the Atlantic, São Miguel — the largest island in the Azores — is a lush wonderland of crater lakes, hydrangea-lined roads, volcanic beaches, and hot springs. We visited in early summer when the island was dressed in blues and greens, with the scent of blooming flowers in the air and ocean views at every turn. Here are our favorite things to do, see, and taste on this magical island.
WHAT IS IN THIS POST
💙 5 Days in São Miguel – Our Azores Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 – Ponta Delgada & Island Welcome
- Explore Ponta Delgada’s cobblestone streets & waterfront
- Visit the city gates and Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião
- Dinner at a local seafood restaurant
Day 2 – Sete Cidades & the West Coast
- Morning: Vista do Rei & Miradouro da Boca do Inferno viewpoints
- See twin lakes of Sete Cidades
- Sunset at Mosteiros beach
Day 3 – Lagoa do Fogo & Caldeira Velha
- Morning hike to Lagoa do Fogo (or drive to viewpoint)
- Afternoon: Relax in the warm waterfall pools of Caldeira Velha
- Evening: Cozy dinner in Ribeira Grande
Day 4 – Furnas & Tea Plantations
- Morning: Terra Nostra Garden & geothermal pools
- Lunch: Traditional cozido cooked in volcanic steam
- Visit Gorreana Tea Plantation for tastings
- Stop at viewpoints along the north coast
Day 5 – Nordeste & Waterfalls
- Scenic drive to Nordeste’s lighthouse and gardens
- Visit Salto do Cavalo and Ribeira dos Caldeirões waterfalls
- Farewell dinner in Ponta Delgada
Best Things to Do in São Miguel, Azores
1. Chase Views at Lagoa do Fogo
Set high in the mountains, Lagoa do Fogo (Lake of Fire) feels untouched and wild. You can hike down a short trail to the lake or enjoy sweeping views of turquoise water surrounded by forested slopes. On clear days, you can see the ocean from here. The roads leading to the viewpoint, Miradouro da Barrosa, are lined with hydrangeas when we visited in July.
2. Wander Ponta Delgada
São Miguel’s capital is a mix of black-and-white cobblestone streets, historic churches, and lively cafés. It’s the best place for a sunset stroll along the marina and enjoy a scoop of pineapple ice cream, a piña colada served in a pineapple, or a pineapple tart. So yummy! Most days, we would end with a walk along the Avenida, the seaside promenade.
3. Stand in Awe at Sete Cidades, the famous twin lakes of the Azores
The postcard view of São Miguel — twin lakes, one green and one blue, cradled in a volcanic caldera. From the Vista do Rei viewpoint, you can see the patchwork of fields and water reflecting the sky. We lingered here, watching the clouds roll in and out, changing the mood of the scene like a living painting.
Right next to the Vista do Rei viewpoint, aka King’s View, you will see an abandoned building: The Monte Palace Hotel, which was built in the 1980s and closed shortly after its opening. Since then, the building has been abandoned and has become another tourist attraction.
Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) and Lagoa Verde (Green Lake), lie side by side. According to local legend, these lakes were formed from the tears of a shepherd and a princess who shared a forbidden love, with the blue and green colors of the lakes representing the colors of their eyes. The lakes are separated by a narrow bridge and are surrounded by lush greenery and rolling hills, creating a picture-perfect setting.
Lagoa das Sete Cidades is one of São Miguel’s top tourist attractions. You can arrive here on a group tour, an ATV tour, or a Buggy tour.
4. Lagoa do Canario (Canario Lagoon)
The Lagoa do Canario is another stunning lagoon on São Miguel Island. This natural wonder is located very close to the Lagoa das Sete Cidades and is part of the Forest Park of Mata do Canario. The lagoon is of volcanic origin and is situated at an altitude of 575 meters above sea level.
This was one of the stunning places to explore in São Miguel, Azores | Photo by Dharin Chandran
The main attraction of the Lagoa do Canario is its natural beauty. The water of the lagoon is of an intense green color and is surrounded by lush vegetation. Additionally, the lagoon is ideal for hiking and enjoying nature.
Apart from the famous twin lakes, there are other smaller bodies of water in the Sete Cidades crater, such as Lagoa de Santiago and Lagoa Rasa.
5. Visit Sete Cidades Village & São Nicolau chruch
The village of Sete Cidades is one of the charming towns on the island of São Miguel. The main attraction of this locality is the Lagoa das Sete Cidades, with its two lagoons, the blue lagoon and the green lagoon.
Near the town, there are several viewpoints from which you can admire panoramic views of its lagoons, such as the Lagoa de Santiago Viewpoint, the Cerrado das Freiras Viewpoint, or the famous Vista do Rei Viewpoint. I love the typical black and white architecture of the São Nicolau church.
Although the town of Sete Cidades doesn’t have many tourist attractions beyond the Lagoa das Sete Cidades, it is one of the most visited places by tourists to get a close look at the lagoons and enjoy some outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and kayaking, or to simply have a meal or picnic.
6. Walk Through Hydrangea-Framed Roads
Driving in summer in the Azores feels like you are gliding through a floral tunnel — endless hydrangea hedges in shades of blue, purple, and white. Even quick roadside stops became photo sessions.
7. Relax in the Thermal Pools of Terra Nostra Garden
In the charming town of Furnas, the Terra Nostra Garden is part botanical wonder, part spa. Wander past exotic plants before slipping into the giant warm, iron-rich pool — the color may surprise you, though. We enjoyed a lovely meal at the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel. They have a lovely spa and access to the healing thermal water.
8. Taste Cozido das Furnas
A unique meal to try in São Miguel is food cooked underground by volcanic steam. Restaurants in Furnas lower large pots of meat and vegetables into the hot earth in the morning, and by lunch, it’s tender and delicious. We didn’t get to do this since we ended up eating at the Hotel near the Thermal Pools.
On your way to Furnas village, you can stop at Miradouro do Pico de Ferro to see Lagoa Furnas from above. The stop is a few minutes before the town, and you will see a small sign indicating its location.
9. Visit the at Nordeste & Farol do Arnel
The eastern tip of the island is wilder, less visited, and blessed with dramatic cliffs. At Farol do Arnel, the most famous lighthouse on the island, and only a few minutes south of Nordeste. You can walk down 15 minutes of a very steep hill to get to it. I would skip the walk down. Instead, drive 3-4 min south to Miradouro da Vista Dos Barcos for the best view of the lighthouse from afar!
10. Discover Ribeira dos Caldeirões
This lush park in Nordeste is a haven of waterfalls, water mills, and moss-covered stone bridges — a perfect stop for a gentle walk or picnic. We saw people canyoning in the park. You have to book this ahead of time.
11. Visit the garden at Miradouro da Ponta do Sosssego
Next, we visited Miradouro da Ponta do Sosssego, a gorgeous flower garden near Nordeste overlooking the mountainous cliffs towering over the sea. This was easily the second-best view of the island for me, so don’t miss it! There were also a lot of pretty flowers to admire…
Tip: this place was a little hard to find as the only sign for it is at the entrance. To get to it, drive south from Farol do Arnel and pass the signs for Pedriera. It should be about 5-10 minutes from Farol do Arnel.
12. Swim at Ponta da Ferraria
A rare natural wonder — a hot spring in the ocean! At low tide, the volcanic-heated water mixes with the sea, making it warm enough for a relaxing dip while waves crash nearby. We didn’t get to do this activity in the Azores… it is supposedly reachable via a climb over basalt rocks & a ladder.
13. Explore the Tea Plantations
At Gorreana Tea Estate, Europe’s only tea plantation, we learned about the centuries-old process of making green and black tea. After a walk through the neatly planted fields, we sipped freshly brewed cups and enjoyed a meal of burgers and freshly made potato fries.
14. Visit Lagoa do Congro
Lagoa do Congro (Congro Lagoon) is a hidden gem on São Miguel Island — this emerald-green lake is surrounded by a dense forest, perfect for a quiet nature escape. It isn’t on any tourist map. You will see signs for it on the roads. Follow it, it will have you turning onto a dirt road, you will keep going about 6-7 minutes, then park near the sign and hike down.
It’s a very peaceful and gorgeous hike down to the lake. You can easily spend about a hour here.
15. See the View from Miradouro de Santa Iria
On your way back to Ponta Delgada, stop at Miradouro Santa Iria for spectacular views of dramatic cliffs from all angles. It’s one of the higher viewpoints, so you can look down upon all the epic cliffs plunging into the water. It’s one of the most well-known viewpoints on the island, and for good reason!
This is one most stunning viewpoints on the north coast of São Miguel — sheer cliffs, rolling fields, and the deep blue Atlantic stretching to the horizon.
16. Lagoa de São Brás (São Brás Lagoon)
This natural gem is located on São Miguel Island, about a 20-minute drive from the town of Ribeira Grande. The lagoon is situated in a flat area between Pico Moniz and Monte Escuro, and what truly makes it exceptional is that its surroundings are completely pristine, as it’s protected by regulations that prohibit construction.
The lagoon sits at 610 meters above sea level and is surrounded by Macaronesian flora and meadows. You can visit this lagoon when you’re in the northern part of the island. It’s about a 10-minute drive from other tourist attractions in the area, such as the Porto Formoso Tea Factory or the Gorreana Tea Plantations.
17. José do Canto Botancal Park & Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias is a beautiful chapel on São Miguel Island, situated on the southern shore of Lagoa das Furnas. Together with the surrounding natural landscape, it is one of the must-see attractions on São Miguel Island, even if only from the outside.
The chapel was built in the late 19th century by a local resident, José do Canto, a distinguished Azorean with a keen interest in literature and botany. The chapel is in the neo-Gothic style and is unique throughout the archipelago, inspired by other great European cathedrals.
The times we’ve visited, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias has not been open to the public. Nevertheless, taking a few minutes to admire it from the outside, with Lagoa das Furnas right in front, is worthwhile.
18. Salto do Cabrito Waterfall & Caldeira Velha
Salto do Cabrito Waterfall is another must-visit spot on São Miguel Island. It’s an impressive waterfall located in the town of Ribeira Grande, one of the most important towns on the island. This spot is truly magical, combining the grandeur of the waterfall with the natural beauty of the surroundings.
At Salto do Cabrito, water drops from 40 meters and forms a natural pool that invites you to cool off. As it’s very close to Caldeira Velha, it’s often visited on the same day, so bring your swimsuit.
19. Mosteiros Village and Mosteiros Beach
Mosteiros Beach is known for its stunning sunset, where you can watch the sun set behind the cliffs. The village of Mosteiros is a fishing village located on the west coast of São Miguel Island. The coast here has natural pools nestled on lava flows and cliffs, and islets.
Another attraction of this locality is Mosteiros Beach, a black sand beach considered one of the most beautiful on the island. The predominance of black and blue colors contrasts significantly with the green color that characterizes the rest of São Miguel Island, making this place a must-see.
20. Enjoy a cuppa or a cocktail with a view
We found these little trucks at a few viewpoints. They had minimal snacks but a good array of beers and cocktails, and decent coffee. Coffee with an Azorean view!
What to eat in the Azores
The Azores offer a unique culinary experience. Must-try dishes include fresh seafood, sardines and limpets, and local cheeses like São Jorge cheese. I loved the Bolo Lêvedo, a type of sweet bread, and the various pastries, especially the pineapple ones. We brought home several bags of loose Green tea.
We found two amazing Indian restaurants in Ponta Delgada as well 🙂
Where to Stay in São Miguel, Azores
You can stay in one of the many hotels or Airbnb in the capital city, Ponta Delgada: this hotel is a great option. It is less than 10 minutes from the airport.
We chose to stay at Lagoa, which is about a 10-minute drive from Ponta Delgada. There was a lovely seafood restaurant nearby. It was a good base to explore the island. Our hotel reminded us of the ones we stayed in Iceland. Plus, the farthest place on the island we visited was 1 hour by car, so not bad at all.
Featured Photo of Vila Franca do Campo, an Islet in Sao Miguel, Azores | Photo by Dharin Chandran
Previously on our Atlantic adventure…
Before the hydrangeas and volcanic lakes, we were sipping poncha in Madeira, watching fireworks over the Atlantic, and driving roads that would make a rally driver sweat. [Explore our Madeira guide ➡️]
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