Sao Miguel Azores Travel Guide – How to Spend 48 Hours in Sao Miguel
Whether it’s your primary Azores destination or one stop of many in the archipelago, São Miguel is an amazing island to visit! It’s both the largest by land area and the most populous island in the Azores. The island’s main city, Ponta Delgada, has wonderful shops and restaurants to enjoy, as well as a rich history you can learn about as you walk its cobblestone streets. São Miguel is also a top destination for photographers and outdoor enthusiasts. The long coastline boasts beautiful cliffside views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and the lush, mountainous interior offers many hiking trails and fascinating microhabitats to explore.
In this Sao Miguel Azores travel guide, you’ll find the best things to do, see, and eat while you’re there!
Also, a wonderful resource that can help you book your trip is Azores Getaways, an online travel agency specializing in the Azores. Make sure to check them out!
Where to stay in Sao Miguel, Azores – Antillia Hotel
During our trip to Sao Miguel, we stayed at the Antillia Hotel. It’s located in the center of Ponta Delgada, just steps away from great restaurants and shops. It’s also only a ten-minute drive away from the airport. The hotel offers spacious suites that have a balcony, living room, and kitchenette. Hotel amenities include an outdoor pool, spa, restaurant, and complimentary continental breakfast.
Things to Do In Sao Miguel
Explore Ponta Delgada
No trip to São Miguel would be complete without exploring Ponta Delgada! Ponta Delgada is the largest city and economic center of the Azores. It’s also home to the biggest airport in the archipelago. In the historic old town, you’ll find colorful homes lining charming cobblestone streets and several of the city’s main squares.
At Portas da Cidade, the city’s main square, you’ll find a statue of Gonçalo Velho Cabral, the Portuguese explorer credited with the re-discovery of São Miguel in the 1400s.
Close to Portas da Cidade is Praça do Municipio, Ponta Delgada’s town hall. The buildings here surround a beautiful fountain that runs the length of the square.
While you’re in the historic old town, make sure to stop by Comur – Ponta Delgada. This shop offers a large selection of canned goods, including a variety of fish, and even a few vegetarian options. The best thing about the shop is that each can is decorated with original illustrations reflecting Portuguese culture and history!
Where to eat in Ponta Delgada
Café Central – Café Central is located in the center of Ponta Delgada’s historic old town across from the Church of Saint Sebastien (Igreja de São Sebastião). It’s a perfect spot to grab coffee or a light meal. The outdoor patio also makes it a great place for people-watching!
Taberna Açor – Taberca Açor is a wonderful dinner spot in Ponta Delgada’s historic old town. If it’s a warm night, try to snag a table outside on the charming cobblestone street! The menu features tapas and local Azorean food with meats, seafood, and vegetarian options. If you like wine, ask the staff to recommend a local Azorean white wine to pair with your meal.
Visit Gorreana Tea Factory
Established in 1883, the Gorreana Tea Factory is the oldest tea plantation in Europe. It’s also the only European plantation still functioning. Inside the main building, you can try free samples of the plantation’s black and green teas and learn about the machinery used in the process of tea production. In addition, you can walk across the street to explore the hillside fields where the tea is grown.
Explore Parque Terra Nostra
Parque Terra Nostra is located in the Valley of Furnas, a dormant volcanic crater with a humid microclimate. The combination of rich volcanic soil and humid atmosphere in the valley enables the growth of abundant and diverse vegetation.
The park’s sprawling botanic gardens are home to many species of exotic plants. Make sure you allow enough time to explore them well! You can also swim in the park’s thermal pool, which has iron-rich brown water that stays at a pleasant 25C (77F).
The entrance fee for adults is 8 euros. Tickets for children ages 3-10 cost 4 euros. Children under 2 can enter for free. If you’re traveling by car, it can be difficult to find parking nearby. We recommend looking for a spot along Largo Marquês da Praia e Monfort, just to the east of the park.
Farol do Arnel in Nordeste
The octagon-shaped Farol do Arnel (Arnel Lighthouse) in Nordeste was the first lighthouse built in the Azores archipelago. It sits atop a cliff on São Miguel’s eastern coast and has been operating for over 140 years. Because of its location, it provides a beautiful spot to enjoy the sunrise.
Just off the main road (EN1-1A) there’s a parking lot at the top of the steep, narrow road that leads down to the lighthouse. You can leave your car here and hike down to the lighthouse. Otherwise, you can drive down the narrow road. Keep in mind the road is very steep, and there are only three parking spots available at the lighthouse itself. If you continue past the lighthouse, you’ll also find a small fishing village and port.
In addition to seeing the lighthouse up close, you can see it from two other nearby viewpoints. Miradouro da Ponta do Arnel in Nordeste offers a view from the north down rocky cliffs to the lighthouse. From the south, Miradouro da Vista dos Barcos offers the most dramatic view, including the lighthouse and the path leading to the fishing village and port.
Cascata da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
The Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões is a protected natural area located on the island of Sao Miguel in the Azores. It is home to a variety of plant and animal species, including many endangered and rare species. The park is known for its beautiful waterfall, which is a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can walk along the trails and take in the natural beauty of the area, or relax by the river and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Augusto Arruda Pineapple Plantation (Ananases A Arruda)
On São Miguel, only a few pineapple plantations are open to the public. One of the most popular among them is Augusto Arruda Pineapple Plantation, which is located in Ponta Delgada. Here, you’ll see whitewashed glass greenhouses growing pineapples using the “hot bed” method. Unique to São Miguel, this method is necessary because pineapples aren’t native to the island. Landowners turned to pineapples only in the second half of the 19th century when their main export crop, oranges, were attacked by disease. The “hot bed” method creates the hot and humid conditions typical of South America, where pineapples grow naturally.
Since the full life cycle of São Miguel pineapples takes 18-24 months, you may or may not see ripened fruit when you visit. But it’s still really cool to learn about the growing process and see where it all takes place!
Take in Amazing Views at Scenic Overlooks
Lagoa do Fogo
Lagoa do Fogo (Lake of Fire) is a must see spot for anyone visiting São Miguel! To get there, you’ll travel along EN5-2A, a winding mountain road that takes you through the interior of the island. Two main viewpoints – Miradouro da Barrossa and Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo – offer different perspectives of this beautiful lake and the picturesque hills that surround it. Because of the lake’s high elevation, the weather there is usually cloudy. You might just get lucky though. If sun rays break through the clouds even briefly, it can make for a truly stunning scene!
Miradouro do Cintrão
Miradouro do Cintrão is a beautiful scenic overlook on São Miguel’s northern coast. Here, you can look west over a series of dramatic, rocky cliffs extending north into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a great place to watch the sunset!
Miradouro de Santa Iria
Miradouro de Santa Iria is another great scenic overlook on São Miguel’s northern coast. Here, you’ll find sweeping views both to the east and west.
Miradouro da Ponta da Madrugada
Miradouro da Ponta da Madruga is just one part of a lush garden situated on São Miguel’s eastern coast. In spring and summer, pastel hydrangeas grow along the iconic cliffside pathway overlooking the Atlantic. This is a great place to visit any time of day. But if you get the chance, it would be wonderful to catch a sunrise here!
Miradouro da Boca do Inferno
Miradouro da Boca do Inferno is a viewpoint located in the village of Sete Cidades, on the island of São Miguel in the Azores, Portugal. It offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the nearby Lagoa das Sete Cidades, a twin crater lake. It’s a popular tourist destination, known for its breathtaking views and photo opportunities. Make sure to check the wether forecast before going there because this viewpoint is often covered in clouds.
Miradouro do Pico do Ferro
Miradouro do Pico do Ferro is another viewpoint with a breathtaking panoramic view of lake Furnas. You can’t drive all the way up there, but it’s only a short hike from the main parking lot. This spot is definitely worth a visit!
Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz
Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz is a small chapel that sits on a hilltop overlooking the town Vila Franca do Campo. Here, you’ll find an overlook platform offering beautiful panoramic views of São Miguel’s southern coast. At the other side of the platform, a series of steps ascends past 10 small platforms adorned with religious images to the chapel.
During the winter months, this is a great spot to watch the sunset.
Helpful tip: There’s a small parking lot at the top of the hill, just below the chapel. The road leading there is steep, narrow, and partly cobblestone, so be careful as you drive.
We hope our Sao Miguel Azores travel guide can help you plan your own adventure to this beautiful island in Portugal If you’re looking for more content about the Azores, check out our Terceira travel guide.
