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Trip Report
7-Day São Miguel Island Itinerary: Ponta Delgada, Sete Cidades, Nordeste, and Caldeira Velha
This is my Azores trip itinerary. I spent 5 days in Sao Miguel, main island of the Azores, exploring it's nature and admiring the wonderful landscapes. Enjoy!
+ 5
EuropePortugal8 days / May 2022
Highs & Lows
Thermal bath and waterfalls
Rainy weather
Itinerary Overview
I arrived on Monday afternoon at the airport João Paulo II and rent a car from Ilha Verde company.
After a 15minutes drive I arrived in Ponta Delgada, the capital of Sao Miguel island.
The 3 following days, I spent them doing my diving Advance Open Water Certification with best spot Azores diving center.
They whole team was professional and knowledgeable.
On Friday morning, with a few more people I met in the hostel, we drove to the west part of the island to visit the most famous landscape of the island: Sete cidades.
The lagoa of Sete cidades is located in the crater of a dormant volcano and there is various view points and short hikes to do around it.
The main viewpoint is Miradouro da grota da inferno and will take around 45mins to reach from Ponta Delgada.
There is a parking space and several short hikes start from there. You can easily stay 3 hours around the lakes.
In the afternoon, we went to Ponta da Fereira which took us 45mins by car in the natural thermal pool to relax for the afternoon before heading back to Ponta Delgada.
On the Saturday I decided to explore the west part of the island.
It will take an hour from Ponta Delgada to reach the Miradouro da Ponta do Arnel. It is a beautiful viewpoint that allows you to see the arnel lighthouse.
Later we went to Miradouro da Ponta do Arnel. There is a flower garden you can visit and also picnic table and BBQ to have lunch with the incredible views overlooking the ocean.
On Sunday, we went to Lago de fogo and then we chilled at the hot spring of caldeira velha before having a walk in Ponta Delgada.
Ponta Delgada Capital of the Azores island
Ponta Delgada is the capital of Sao Miguel island.
The city center is filled with amazing Portuguese restaurants, a few diving school and some authentic churches.
Sete Cidades Viewpoint and hikes
The lagoa of Sete cidades is located in the crater of a dormant volcano and there is various view points and short hikes to do around it. It is located in the west part of the island.
The main viewpoint is Miradouro Da Grota Da Inferno and will take around 45mins to reach from Ponta Delgada.
There is a parking space and several short hikes start from there. You can easily stay 3 hours around the lakes.
In the afternoon, we went to Ponta da Fereira which took us 45mins by car in the natural thermal pool to relax for the afternoon before heading back to Ponta Delgada.
Nordeste Viewpoints and hikes
It will take an hour from Ponta Delgada to reach the Miradouro da Ponta do Arnel. It is a beautiful viewpoint that allows you to see the arnel lighthouse.
Later we went to Miradouro da Ponta do Arnel. There is a flower garden you can visit and also picnic table and BBQ to have lunch with the incredible views overlooking the ocean.
Centro de Interpretação Ambiental da Caldeira Velha Thermal bath
On Sunday, we went to Lago de fogo and then we chilled at the hot spring of caldeira velha before having a walk in Ponta Delgada.
Q & A
Restaurant recommendations?
A Tasca, in the city center of Ponta Delgada. Authentic Portuguese cuisine
Packing tips?
The weather can change very fast in the Azores so be prepared to every kind of weather and specially rain jacketsTransportation Tips?
Renting a car is necessary to go around Sao Miguel island. You can book a car online to pick up at the airport or when you arrive at Azores bagus hostel and team up with other tourist.Booking details?
I booked accommodation through booking.com
Lodging
Azores bagus hostel
Azores bagus hostel
Azores bagus hostel