My Favorite 10 Things to Do and See in the Azores  

The Azores are made up of nine major islands all having so much beauty and culture. Sao Miguel was the island I chose to visit as my great-great grandfather was born there and I wanted to see where my family is from. There was so much to see and do in Sao Miguel that I highlighted My Favorite 10 Things to Do and See while there!  

1. Poco Azul

Poco Azul is in the town of Achadinha, and to get to this stunning lagoon, you must hike about 30 minutes through lush forests. Once you arrive the crystal-clear blue water will entice you to jump in but be warned you will be taking a cold plunge! Pro Tip: During high season I would visit Poco Azul early in the morning to avoid crowds. 

2. Ponta da Ferraria

Located on the island’s west coast, Ponta da Ferraria offers magnificent views and natural hot springs right in the ocean! The cove is heated from underneath by a natural thermal spring, making the water a perfect temperature to swim in. I will warn you this is not a typical calm hot spring, as the cold ocean water and hot springs water collide there can be some waves.  Pro Tip: Be sure to check the tide schedule. The water is the hottest at low tide, sometimes too hot to go in, so I recommend planning your visit either 2 hours before or 2 hours after low tide.

3. A Day with a Local Fisherman

My brother gets credit for this one! We all picked different things to do and see while in Sao Miguel and my brother booked a day with a local fisherman. We could not have had a better day! Our captain took us all around the island giving us local fishing tips as well as local knowledge of Sao Miguel. One of my favorite things about traveling is learning more about the people and culture so to be able to spend a day with a native was such an awesome experience. Pro Tip: This is a must do while in Sao Miguel. Let one of our Destination Specialist help you design a trip that includes a day on the water. 

4. The Food

The food of Sao Miguel is simple but delicious. My two top restaurants are Casa do Bife O Gelego and Gloria Moniz Cafe. I only recommend Casa do Bife O Gelego if you are a steak lover, the steak is next level. We ordered based on our waiter’s recommendations and loved every dish.  Gloria Moniz Cafe is a simple bakery but served the best chorizo sandwich I have ever had. They are known for the best bolo levedo, which is a traditional Azorean sweet bread. You can find them all over the island, but I highly recommend a visit to Gloria Moniz Cafe for the best on the island! Pro Tip: Make a reservation at Casa do Bife o Gelego.

5. Lagoa Natural Pools (Complexo Municipal Piscinas da Lagoa)  

The natural swimming pools in Lagoa were a highlight for me. It was more of a local spot and such a fun way to spend an afternoon. You pay about 3 euros to enter and then you have access to a natural water park. There are a bunch of different pools you can explore, some with spots to dive off, and other pools where you can find a nice place to sit. Pro Tip: There is no secret with this one, just enjoy!

For more Pro Tips contact one of our Destination Specialists, they will use their experience to tailor your trip to exactly what you are looking for.  

6. Islet de Vila Franca do Campo 

The Islet de Vila Franca do Campo is a must. The Islet can be seen from the southern coast, and you can access it from Ponta Delgada. From a distance the islet does not look like much more than a rock formation, but when you get to the inside you will find it is a unique spot to sunbathe and swim. Pro Tip: I recommend taking the ferry to the Islet which lets you get off and spend some time there. There are some tours that take you around the outside of the islet by boat, but I really enjoyed exploring the inside of the Islet! 

7. Sete Cidades 

Sete Cidades is one of the most well-known spots in Sao Miguel and for good reason! The scenery is unmatched and the uniqueness of a blue and green lake side by side is breathtaking. I would make sure to hit Vista do Rei viewpoint as well as Boca do Inferno Viewpoint. Vista do Rei viewpoint gives you a great view of the contrast between the two lakes. Boca do Inferno Viewpoint gives you a 360-degree view of Sao Miguel and on a clear day you can even see both Sete Cidades lakes and the ocean. Most people say the walk to Boca do Inferno is short, but depending on where you park it can be a good 30-minute walk with a bit of an uphill hike at the end. Sete Cidades is also a great place to get active, you can rent bikes, hike, or even rent a stand-up paddle board in the lake. Pro Tip: One of my favorite things I did was explore the abandoned Monte Palace Hotel which had superior views!  

8. The Beaches of Sao Miguel 

Definitely plan to spend some time at the different beaches on the island. My favorite beaches were Santa Barbara and Moinhos, both located on the north coast.  Santa Barbara is close to Ribeira Grande and is a beautiful black sand beach with crystal clear water with magnificent views. If you are looking to learn how to surf Santa Barbara is a great spot for beginners. Praia Moinhos is a smaller and a bit more secluded beach but has just as much beauty. Pro Tip: Both beaches have snack bars, lifeguards and facilities making it easy to spend a full day at both!   

9. Poca da Dona Beija 

I spent an evening here, which was the perfect way to relax after a day of exploring. Poca da Dona Beija has multiple thermal pools scattered throughout the property with varying water temperatures. Pro Tip: The entrance fee is 8 euros, and it is recommended to book online before you go to ensure your spot

10. The Views

Finally, be sure to spend some time taking in all the beautiful views Sao Miguel has to offer. Head to Nordeste to find some of the best spots to see the coastlines, we drove around checking out all the different viewpoints, some of the best were Miradoura da Vista dos Barcos, Miradouro da Ponta do Sessego and Miradouro da Despe-te que Suas (this one is on the way to Nordeste). Pro Tip: I highly recommend checking the weather camera online before heading to Nordeste to make sure the skys are clear.  

I could go on and on about Sao Miguel and all the amazing things there are to experience there, but you are just going to have to book a trip and experience the Azores for yourself!