The Azores Islands in Portugal are one of our new favorite travel destinations and there’s no question why! They are home to awe-inspiring viewpoints, natural hot springs, incredible waterfalls, and even Europe’s only tea plantation! Keep reading for 15 amazing things to do in São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores archipelago.
If the Azores is on your bucket list — and I think it should be— your first big decision will be which island(s) to visit. If you are short on time or aren’t sure where to start, my number one recommendation would be São Miguel! This island is referred to by many as the most beautiful in the region and it has everything you could ever dream of to make your trip picture perfect.
First things first: How easy is it to get around?
São Miguel is incredibly easy to travel… with one condition. You need to rent a car. Okay, technically, you don’t need to have a vehicle as there are large tourist buses that take people around the island. But trust me on this one, okay? You are going to want to rent a car. It gives you a ton of freedom to explore the island at your leisure, avoid the crowds, and take smaller, off-the-beaten-path roads that will blow your mind.
We traveled the entire island by car and were pleasantly surprised when every single road we took was well signed and in excellent condition. They actually all look brand new! Please note, however, that the roads in São Miguel are much narrower than roads in North America. That combined with the steep switchbacks leading down to the ocean can create some nerve-racking experiences. As long as you go slow and are mindful of other drivers, though, you will be fine.
Renting a Car
My best advice for renting a vehicle on this island is to reserve it as far in advance as possible. When booked in advance, you can find cars for as little as 20 Euros per day. If you wait until the last minute, the prices will likely quadruple. The earlier you can book, the cheaper it will be.
There are several rental car companies in and around the São Miguel airport making pick up and drop off very convenient. We rented our car with ANC Experience and they were absolutely fantastic! They are very reasonably priced and offered perfect customer service. Although they are located a few minutes’ drive from the international airport, they have a very convenient airport shuttle.
Where to stay
During our visit, we stayed with ANC Experience Resort and had the most wonderful time. Check them out here! The location was excellent, the customer service was fantastic, and don’t even get me started on the complimentary breakfast. YUM!
Every staff member we encountered went above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable. The rooms are spacious with mesmerizing balcony views of the ocean and coastline. What else could you ask for… a great price and an oceanfront pool? They’ve got that, too!
Related Post: ANC Experience Resort: A Stunning Hotel in São Miguel, Portugal
Now that we’ve got the housekeeping items sorted, let’s dive into the good stuff! Here are 15 things you can’t miss in São Miguel, Portugal!
Miradouro da Boca do Inferno
When you type “The Azores” into Google, this is most likely the photo you will see first. This Miradouro (AKA viewpoint) is located on the west side of the island at the end of an easy 1.2 km hike. The wide paved path and minimal elevation gain make this beautiful lookout a very popular tourist destination. Here’s where your rental car and a little bit of planning come in if you want to beat the crowds!
First of all, I would highly recommend getting to the trailhead (GPS coordinates here) before 8:30 AM. The tour busses start rolling in around 9 and things get BUSY! David and I made it to the top just before 9 AM and got to enjoy it all to ourselves for a sweet 10 minutes before big groups of people started flocking in.
Secondly, this part of the island is notorious for being socked in with clouds. If you choose to visit on a cloudy or rainy day, you will most likely get to the top only to be disappointed with a subpar view. Luckily for all of us, São Miguel has a series of webcams set up at viewpoints all over the island that live stream directly online. What a brilliant idea on an island that is known for inconsistent weather! Using these webcams before you go will ensure you have a spectacular view from the top.
azores webcam website
TIP: My biggest piece of advice when visiting São Miguel is to be flexible in your schedule and take advantage of the webcams. The weather can change quickly and it is common for it to be raining on one side of the island and sunny on the other. We planned our days by grouping activities together that were close to one another, but we’re flexible about which day we went where.
We would wake up, check the webcams, and decide which section of the island we wanted to do that day based on what we saw. It allowed us to take full advantage of our time on the island and have great weather everywhere we went!
Salto do Cabrito
This is hands down the most beautiful waterfall on the island and one of our favorite things to do in São Miguel! The uniquely carved stone walls surrounding this two-tiered waterfall making it incredibly serene.
While it is possible to drive all the way to the falls, be warned that the parking lot is located at the bottom of a steep and narrow section of the road. Many people, including ourselves, choose to park at the top of this road and take the 15-minute walk down to the falls instead.
Once you arrive, there is space to sit and admire the tranquil waters. I would highly recommend following the trail to the right of the falls which brings you up to the top. It is fairly short and steep, rewarding you with a metal catwalk over the waterfall once you reach the top. Make sure to pack your bathing suit, you will want to go for a swim in the crystal clear water before leaving!
Islet of Villa Franca do Campo
This island was made for drone photos! Located only about 500 meters off of São Miguel’s south shore, you can view it (or fly to it!) from Villa Franca do Campo. Many operators offer tours here ranging from a few hours to a full day. You can hike around the island, enjoy the beach, and snorkel in the turquoise waters. We even saw a few tours that combined a visit to this island with a whale and dolphin watching experience!
Caldeira Velha Hot Springs
One of the most relaxing things to do in São Miguel is to soak in the natural volcanic hot springs. There are several on the island, but Caldeira Velha is one of our favourites for a few reasons. First, its in the middle of the forest. Second, they have tried to maintain a natural environment and third, they have an extremely picturesque hot waterfall! This is an excellent activity for a cold or cloudy day or a great way to start your morning.
TIP: Walks-ins are not typically possible at this hot spring. You can book a two-hour time slot online which we would recommend doing a few days in advance. The nice part about these online bookings is that the pools never get over crowded making them harder to enjoy.
Mosteiros Beach
This jaw-dropping black sand beach is located on the west side of the island about a 20-minute drive from Sete Cidades. It is a great place to come for a relaxing beach day and a stunning sunset spot. The rock formations in front of the beach are striking and the town of Mosteiros is absolutely adorable!
Miradouro do Salto do Cavalo
I will never understand why this viewpoint is not busier because, in my opinion, it gives Miradouro da Boca do Inferno a run for its money. Perched above Furnas Lake on the east side of São Miguel, you get a birds-eye view of the charming mountain towns, bright blue lakes, rugged mountain ranges, and even the ocean. All from one perfect place. Make sure to visit this viewpoint on a clear day. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
Furnas Lake
Furnas lake is one of the three main lakes on the island but unlike the others, offers some rare and marvellous sights. The drive here from the south of the island is very beautiful with tree-lined cobblestone streets and vibrant flowers around every corner.
In the main parking lot on the north side of the lake, you will find a path to the Caldeiras Hot Springs. These bubbling cauldrons are far too hot for swimming, but you can walk along the boardwalk and admire the different natural pools as they churn and boil. It is in these springs that the locals make a traditional dish called Furnas stew, make sure to try it at a local restaurant!
If you are up for a walk, continuing along the pathway from the end of the springs will lead you all the way around the lake. This trail takes you along the shore, in between some massive trees, and to an impressive old church on the other side of the lake.
Cete Sidades
Cete Sidades is a picture-perfect little town located on the shore of Lagoa Azul, which you can view from above at Miradouro da Boca do Inferno. The iconic white buildings are surrounded by lush vegetation and perfectly manicured winding roads.
My favorite place to visit in the town, no question, was the church of São Nicolau. The tree-lined walkway leading to the magical white steeple is absolutely breathtaking. When we visited, midday, there was hardly anyone around which made it even more enchanting.
Terra Nostra Gardens
These unique thermal springs offer a hot pool experience unlike any other. The main pool is rich in minerals which have turned the water a vivid shade of orange. Don’t let the colour scare you off, though, it’s a great place for a soak! Once you are finished in the main pool, head over to the smaller jacuzzis where you can enjoy the clear water springs before rinsing off in the showers.
TIP: I know this seems like a no-brainer, but don’t wear a light-coloured bathing suit to these pools. The orange tint left on my suit washed out relatively well but did linger on the white liner.
Along with the thermal pools, Terra Nostra also has a hotel, a restaurant, and a large garden to explore. They have accumulated an impressive array of trees and flowers from all over the world, so it is worth perusing around to admire them. Only open from 10:30 AM-4:30 PM daily, this park can get very busy. I would highly recommend going right at 10:30 if you are looking for a quieter experience.
Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park
This free natural park is home to several waterfalls, a cafe, and even a hotel. Located on the north side of the island, it is something you don’t want to miss during your time in São Miguel. For all my adrenaline junkie friends, you can even choose to canyon down the waterfall system that flows through this canyon!
Fogo Lake
This astonishing crater lake is the highest on the island and located smack dab in the middle of São Miguel. There are several viewpoints along the road that you can stop to admire this lake from. Miradouro do Pico da Barrosa was my personal favorite. If you’re looking for a hike, you have two options. Either opt for the 30-minute trail from Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo viewpoint to the beach and back up, or the longer 4-hour circuit that takes you around to the other side of the lake.
Ponta da Ferraria
Have you ever visited a geothermal spring that sat directly in the ocean? I sure hadn’t until this trip! The extraordinary location of this hot spring makes it a must-visit in The Azores. After following a steep and narrow road that winds down to the oceanfront parking lot on the west side of the island, it’s only about a 5-minute walk to the springs.
Sitting at the base of a giant lava rock cliff, these hot springs are fun at any time of day, but much warmer at low tide. When we visited they had lifeguards on duty as well as stairs and ropes set up to help you navigate the volcanic rock in the water. The best part about these springs? They are completely free!
Gorreana Tea Factory
The Gorreana Tea Factory is located along São Miguel’s north shore and is a fantastic spot to stop for some unique photos and views! Europe’s only tea plantation, you are free to walk around on the property and admire the meticulously cut rows with a one-of-a-kind ocean view.
Furnas Town
Driving into this adorable little town for the first time made me giddy. The white-washed buildings surrounded by rugged and lush mountains make it one of the most exquisite towns I have ever admired from a distance. Once inside, the streets are lined with shops, restaurants, hotels, and thermal spas. Furnas Town is perfect for a soak in some hot springs, a stroll along the narrow streets, and a bite of Furnas stew.
Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego
Although the east coast of the island has less to offer in the way of activities, it is home to pristine and rugged landscapes. Ponta Da Sossego is a viewpoint that offers a manicured garden, picnic tables, fire pits, and lookouts. If you are in the mood for a beautiful drive and a picnic lunch, this place is for you!
I hope you enjoy your time in The Azores! Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comment below with your favorite thing to do in São Miguel. We would love to hear from you.
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