Location: Ponta Delgada
Day 1 - 1 Aug 2021
Aeroporto de Ponta Delgada - São João Paulo II (PDL)
Content: First things first, arriving at Ponta Delgada, which is the “capital” of the island São Miguel. Since there is only one airport which, I recommend booking your flights in advance! But fortunately you will not take a very long time here since the airport is really small 👍
Pópulo Rent-A-Car
Content: In my opinion, it is really important to rent a car on this trip. It gives you the flexibility of going everywhere you want in the island! Also public transports are not great and only go to the villages/city center. Everyhting worked out well with the company that I recommend here and they can meet you at the airport for you to take the car 😊
Airbnb
Content: This is the place where I stayed for the entire trip! Name: Green Island City Apartment. I totally recommend it: the owners were friendly and helpful (they even gave us a book itinerary), it is in the city center of Ponta Delgada, it is clean & spacious and it also has good amenities such as coffee and laundry machines. 💯 10/10
Portas da Cidade
Content: Let’s start exploring the city of Ponta Delgada 😊 You can easily head to the city center by car or walk, depending on where you are staying. This is a famous square and around it there are many restaurants and bars.
Igreja de São Sebastião
Content: Next to the previous square you have this church. I recommend going if you enjoy doing this sightseeing 😊
Igreja do Colégio dos Jesuítas
Content: This is another church with a sunny square that you can visit. Right next to it there is a small garden where you can sit and enjoy a drink when it is hot 😊
Restaurante O Museu
Content: Time for dinner! I went to this traditional restaurant. I recommend if you enjoy fish or meet. They have typical Portuguese dishes and the staff was very nice. 8/10 Next I advise to rest and going home to be ready for the next days of discovering the island 😉
Location: Vila Franca Do Campo
Day 2 - 2 Aug 2021
Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz
Content: Starting the day at this amazing viewpoint in Vila Franca do Campo 😍 you have a view over the village and the ocean. Plus you can also visit the small chapel!
Location:
Day 2 - 2 Aug 2021
Lagoa das Furnas
Content: Heading to the first lagoon of the trip: “Lagoa das Furnas” 😊 You can have a walk around the natural park that surrounds the lagoon. I totally recommend it since it has amazing views and a beautiful flora.
Location: Furnas
Day 2 - 2 Aug 2021
Restaurante MIROMA 1
Content: Here you can find the famous dish “Cozido à Portuguesa” 😊 I advise you to book the restaurant in advance and if you want to eat the dish, also order it before you arrive! It is usually sold out 😅
Location:
Day 2 - 2 Aug 2021
Miradouro do Pico do Ferro
Content: Next, another viewpoint! This place was amazing and here you can have the best view over the lagoon! 😍 It is easy to access by car and you just have to climb a small road to get here. You also have a view over the village Furnas. IMPORTANT: you should come here with good weather (clean sky) in order to see this colors!
Location: Furnas
Day 2 - 2 Aug 2021
Caldeiras das Furnas
Content: Then you can go down to the village Furnas. Here you can see the “boilers” which are a manifestation of the volcanic activity of the island!! Pretty interesting right? However, if you tend to feel stick with intense smells you might want to take that into account since the sulfur smell is pretty intense here.
Poça da Dona Beija
Content: I LOVED this place. Poça da Dona Beija is a set of 4 thermal pools immersed in the wild nature 😍 The water is pretty hot and it comes from an iron spring. The entrance fee is 6€ for adults. Moreover, I recommend going with time (because of the long line to enter) and in the evening (when it is colder and the lights of the pools are on)! 💯 10/10
Location: Ribeira Grande
Day 3 - 3 Aug 2021
Termas das Caldeiras
Content: Starting the day in the town of Ribeira Grande, you can visit and book the thermal pool! However, this place is not as good as Poça da Dona Beija but if you want to have another experience of thermal baths you can come here!
Location:
Day 3 - 3 Aug 2021
Miradouro Caldeiras de Ribeira Grande
Content: Next to the town there is this viewpoint which is also where you can park your car to go down to the thermal pool!
Location: Ribeira Grande
Day 3 - 3 Aug 2021
Cascata do Salto do Cabrito
Content: The first waterfall that I visited in the island! I can’t describe how beautiful it was, the water is crystal clear and the place is fully immersed in the nature 😍 You can drop the car near it but for that you have to go down a really steep road. However, I think it is the best, otherwise you will have to climb the road for around 7 min and it is really steep. 💯 10/10
Location: Lagoa
Day 3 - 3 Aug 2021
Baixa d'Areia Beach
Content: Yes this is Portugal! Not Indonesia or Thailand 😉 You can go down to this side of the island and enjoy the amazing beaches! This here is smaller than usual but the water is amazing and also are the views.
Location: São Miguel
Day 3 - 3 Aug 2021
Caloura, Agua de Pau
Content: Then, you can go to this bathing spot. There is no sand, however you can jump to the crystal clear water and enjoy a natural pool!
Location: Água de Pau
Day 3 - 3 Aug 2021
Bar Caloura
Content: Time for dinner! Amazing place to have dinner, not only due to the food but also to the ocean view. Great for fish and seafood lovers! 💯 10/10
Location: Furnas
Day 4 - 4 Aug 2021
Parque Terra Nostra
Content: Starting the day in Terra Nostra Park! Here you can find the most famous thermal pool the island (with orange water) and bath in thermal jacuzzis 😍 You can also walk the pedestrian rails and visit the gardens which have exotic and beautiful flowers! This place was one of my favorites in the whole island 🤗 In order to see and enjoy this place I recommend staying until it closes (4:30 pm). 💯 10/10
Snack-Bar Café Atlântida
Content: If you are hungry, you have this place right next to the park that is pretty cheap. They have big meals 😊 but the service was not amazing. 6/10
Location: Achada
Day 4 - 4 Aug 2021
Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Content: You can also visit this park! Having a walk here is pretty relaxing and you can see beautiful waterfalls, flowers and typical houses of the island! 💯 10/10
Location: Nordeste
Day 4 - 4 Aug 2021
Miradouro da Ponta do Arnel
Content: Exploring the northeast coast of the island is a must. By car you can visit several viewpoints and appreciate the sharp coast of the island!
Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego
Content: This was my favorite viewpoint of them all. The blue of the ocean, the flowers and the green fields make this place so dreamy 😍 You can easily access it by car! 💯 10/10
Location: Ponta Delgada
Day 5 - 5 Aug 2021
Lagoa do Canário
Content: First stop: a beautiful lagoon to start the day! This is “Lagoa do Canário. You can easily access it by car and walk just 3 minutes to get this views!
Location:
Day 5 - 5 Aug 2021
Miradouro da Boca do Inferno
Content: In the same path of Lagoa do Canário, if you walk more 8 minutes you can have this breathtaking view over Lagoa das Sete Cidades, the biggest lagoon of the island! I promise that the walk/climbing is totally worth it! And I advise not to wear white shoes 😅 💯 10/10
Miradouro da Vista do Rei
Content: Here you have a closer viewpoint of Lagoa das Sete Cidades! As you can see, the weather changes pretty quickly in the island. Therefore, I advise to use an app to monitor the weather/sky when you visit these viewpoints: SpotAzores. Right next to it there is also Hotel Monte Palace, famous for its views and ruins. However, it can be pretty dangerous to visit it!
Lagoa das Sete Cidades
Content: You can then go down to the village to enjoy the lagoon! There are several activities you can do such as canoeing 🛶 Plus, you can visit the village of Sete Cidades!
Location: Mosteiros
Day 5 - 5 Aug 2021
Piscinas Naturais Caneiros
Content: Next, you can go to these natural pools! Pretty good if you want to refresh in a hot day 😊
Praia dos Mosteiros
Content: Ending the day in this beach was amazing. Black sand beaches in São Miguel are common but this is one of the most beautiful beaches in the island! Plus, the water is not cold and really clean 🌊 💯 10/10
O Américo de Barbosa
Content: A traditional restaurant in the area is this one. I recommend if you enjoy fish and seafood. The food was really nice but the place itself is not amazing. However if you want a traditional experience I totally recommend it 😊 7/10
Location: Ribeira Grande
Day 6 - 6 Aug 2021
Restaurante da Associação Agrícola de São Miguel
Content: If you are a beef lover I recommend coming here! It is the most famous beef of the island and they also have other typical Portuguese “sausages” that you should try. Moreover, they have crafted beer! 💯 10/10
Location:
Day 6 - 6 Aug 2021
Miradouro de Santa Iria
Content: Another great viewpoint over the island and the ocean! It is a good stop to make if you are on the way to Gorreana tea plantations!
Location: Maia
Day 6 - 6 Aug 2021
Fábrica de Chá Gorreana
Content: Next, you can visit the factory of the famous Gorreana tea! You can buy a guided tour where they explain the history of the plantations. In the end you can buy some real tea 😍
Fábrica de Chá Gorreana
Content: Right in front of the factory you have the tea plantations that you can visit! Amazing right? You can walk through them, always respecting the rails! The smell is also great 😊 💯 10/10
Location: Ribeira Grande
Day 6 - 6 Aug 2021
Miradouro alto da Lagoa do Fogo
Content: Heading to another famous lagoon! 🤗 This one is called Lagoon of Fire and the one of the best views that you can get are these ones! Again, I advise you to check if the sky is not too cloudy so that you can see it! This place remembered me a lot of Jurassic park 😅 and was one of my favorites of the whole trip! 💯 10/10
Location: Ponta Delgada
Day 7 - 7 Aug 2021
Marina de Ponta Delgada
Content: If you have a early flight, in the last day you can stay in Ponta Delgada city and have a walk along the marina 😌 Next to it you have several typical streets where you can also appreciate the architecture of the buildings and cute houses!
Miradouro da Ermida da Mãe de Deus
Content: You can also head to a famous viewpoint of the city! However, be aware of the opening time so that you can actually enter and see the view over the city! The opening hours depend on the day of the week and time of the year.
Aeroporto de Ponta Delgada - São João Paulo II (PDL)
Content: Time to go back home! If you take this trip I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 😍💯