Places to visit
The Azores are a Portuguese archipelago situated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, known for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Made up of nine volcanic islands, the Azores are a unique destination that offers a variety of incredible experiences for travelers.
Vista do Rei Viewpoint
Located near the city of Ponta Delgada, this viewpoint is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful (and one of the best known) you will find on the island. The Vista do Rei Viewpoint offers a magnificent view over the Caldeira das Sete Cidades and, in particular, over the natural lakes with both blue and green waters, such as the Lagoa das Sete Cidades.
Canário Lagoon & Boca do Inferno Viewpoint
Lagoa do Canário is located about 17 km from Ponta Delgada and, in addition to being able to admire it up close, as well as the forest you will find there, know that you can and should discover the Miradouro da Boca do Inferno. From this beautiful viewpoint, you can enjoy the fantastic view over Lagoa das Sete Cidades, Lagoa de Santiago and Lagoa Rasa. Also know that for me this is one of the most beautiful viewpoints on São Miguel (when there is no fog) and it will, without a doubt, be one of the unforgettable moments of your visit to the island.
Ponta Delgada
Once a safe haven for ships sailing to and from India, Ponta Delgada grew to become one of the largest and most important cities in Portugal. With more than 500 years of history and considered the economic capital of the Azores, Ponta Delgada will enchant you with its beautiful churches, urban art, gardens, fort and cave of volcanic origin where you will find the largest tunnel of lava from the island.
Lagoa do Fogo
Lagoa do Fogo is the lagoon with the highest altitude on the island (575 meters), the second largest and one of the postcards of the island of São Miguel. To admire it, stop at Miradouro da Barrosa and Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo where there is a car park. From the Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo, you will have the possibility to go down to the level of the lagoon and its small beach (a 2 km walk). Still, be careful as the weather in this place changes quickly (the blue sky can be filled with fog in a matter of minutes).
Caldeira Velha
Here you will, without a doubt, have the opportunity to enjoy the calm and silence in a beautiful, green place. Caldeira Velha, which is located in the center of the island, between Lagoa do Fogo and Ribeira Grande, is a park where you will find great biodiversity with two pools where the water is naturally warm (38 °C in the small pool and 21 ºC in the big).
Chapel Nossa Senhora da Paz
According to legend, the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace was built in 1764, after the appearance of the Virgin Mary to a shepherd. The main reason for interest in this place is the view it offers over Vila Franca do Campo and the Vila Franca do Campo Islet, which can be visited by boat.
Gorreana and Porto Formoso Tea Plantations
When visiting the Azores and, in particular, the island of São Miguel, don't miss the opportunity to see the only tea plantations in Europe for industrial purposes. Located in Porto Formoso and Maia (less than 3 km away), the Gorreana and Porto Formoso tea plantations will allow you to discover all the stages of production; You will have the opportunity to stroll through the plantations and, of course, taste delicious tea.
Furnas
The town of Furnas is, without a doubt, one of the most visited places on the island of São Miguel and you will need at least a day to appreciate its wonders. Furnas has a magnificent lagoon with two points of interest located at both ends that you cannot miss. In the southern part, I invite you to visit the beautiful Hermitage of Senhora da Vitória. In the northern part, you will find the Caldeira das Furnas, a place where the inhabitants prepare the Portuguese style stew in natural ovens fueled by volcanic activity. To be able to enjoy this specialty, I advise you to make a reservation in advance at one of the town's restaurants. Another place not to be missed in Furnas is Parque Terra Nostra. This superb 12-hectare park with lush vegetation offers unique moments alongside an impressive botanical collection with large ferns, hydrangeas and much more. In addition to being able to stroll through a botanical garden, you can also take a dip in the swimming pool with ferruginous thermal water at 38 ºC. Although it invites you to take a nice swim, the earth-colored water is dirty, but you will find toilet facilities in the park to wash yourself.
Arnel Lighthouse
Located next to Vila Nordeste and close to the sea, Farol do Arnel was the first lighthouse to be installed in the Azores archipelago and came into operation on November 26, 1876. You can go down to the site to admire the lighthouse up close and the small fishermen's houses and boats. I strongly advise you to leave your vehicle next to the “Farol do Arnel” sign and walk the last 500 meters. It is possible to go by car, but the road is narrow, with tight curves and, to help, a huge 35% drop in level.
