São Miguel is the largest island in the Azores and the most visited in the archipelago. Nicknamed "the green island of the Azores" due to its lush landscapes and verdant nature, São Miguel is a premier nature destination. Between its volcanoes, lakes, fumaroles, hot springs, forests, beaches and tea plantations, the island offers countless possibilities for visitors. Discover everything there is to see and do on São Miguel island.

See Lagoa do Fogo, the island's highest lake

Lagoa do Fogo is one of the most stunning postcards from the island. It is a lake formed in the middle of an extinct volcano's crater. Perched at 575 meters above sea level, it is the highest lake on São Miguel. What truly sets it apart, however, is its striking turquoise color that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding vegetation.

To enjoy this natural spectacle, you can visit one of the viewpoints offering views over the lake. Notable options include the Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo or the Miradouro da Barrosa. You can also take the hiking trail from the Lago do Fogo viewpoint that leads all the way to the lake, or hike up to the heights of the caldera.

Explore Sete Cidades, its village and lakes

Located at the western tip of São Miguel, Sete Cidades is a volcano that reaches 856 meters in altitude. It is crowned by a caldera 5 km in diameter that encompasses several lakes: Green Lake, Blue Lake, Santiago Lake and Rasa Lake. With their stunning colors reflecting the surrounding landscapes, the Green and Blue Lakes are among São Miguel's most iconic images. They are even considered among the most beautiful natural sites in the Azores.

Sete Cidades is an ideal playground for hiking enthusiasts. You can take one of the many trails that border the lake or gain elevation from the viewpoints. Among the best viewpoints over the Sete Cidades lakes, we recommend the famous Vista do Rei (King's View) or the Miradouros do Cerrado das Freiras and da Lagoa de Santiago!

Near the Miradouro da Vista do Rei stands an abandoned old hotel that delights urban exploration enthusiasts. It was once a 5-star hotel called Monte Palace, built atop a hill in 1989.

Good to know:

São Miguel is scattered with numerous lakes. If you want more, we recommend:

• Santiago Lake,

• Sao Bras Lake,

• Congro Lake,

• Rasa Lake,

• Canário Lake,

• Éguas Lake,

• Empadadas Lake,

• Caldeirão Grande Lake and

• Carvão Lake.

Visit Furnas: between lake, hot springs, fumaroles and botanical garden...

The Furnas valley is among travelers' favorite discoveries. This region truly offers a wealth of activities: a village, a lake, calderas, hot springs, geysers and fumaroles, a botanical garden...

Considered the center of geothermal activity on São Miguel, you will discover calderas from which sulfur-laden fumaroles escape. You can even see locals using the heat of volcanic earth to cook an iconic local specialty: Cozido. This traditional stew is cooked deep in the soil, through a pot buried for 7 to 8 hours. To try this typical dish at one of the village restaurants, be sure to book the day before.

Beyond its fumaroles, the region is known for its eponymous lake. A circular hiking trail allows you to walk around the lake without difficulty. You can also gain elevation to reach the majestic summit of Pico do Ferro from which you'll have breathtaking views over the lake, village and valley.

Finally, don't miss a stroll through Terra Nostra, a botanical garden where you can admire a beautiful collection of endemic and exotic trees and flowers (redwoods, bamboo, water lilies, magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons...). But there's more—you can also enjoy the benefits of a thermal spring by bathing in water heated to 38°C. Note that the water in the volcanic basin is earthy and it's better to wear a swimsuit that won't be damaged by dirt.

Relax at São Miguel's hot spring waters

The Furnas botanical garden is not the only place on the island where hot springs can be found. If you want to relax in naturally heated pools, we recommend:

• Poça da Dona Beija springs,

• Ponta Ferraria natural pools,

• Caldeira Velha springs,

• Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande thermal baths,

• Thermas do Carapacho...

Observe whales in their natural habitat

The Azores archipelago ranks among the world's best whale-watching destinations. In total, 28 species of cetaceans have been recorded in coastal waters, including:

• The blue whale,

• The sperm whale,

• The sei whale,

• Bryde's whale,

• Risso's dolphin,

• Bottlenose dolphin,

• Common dolphin,

• Spotted dolphin...

Some species live there year-round while migratory whales pass through in spring and summer. For example, blue whales can be observed in late winter, while sperm whales, sei whales and baleen whales are observable in summer.

Many excursions depart from São Miguel to encounter these magnificent creatures. Most of them leave from Ponta Delgada. While the Azores autonomous government has implemented rules to ensure animal welfare, we still recommend researching companies' practices before booking.

Companies must respect certain measures for ethical and respectful cetacean observation, namely:

• Limited number of people on the boat,

• Respect for safety distances (no more than 50 meters from the animal),

• Reduction of noise and pollution,

• Limited duration in the animal's company,

• Prohibition of touching or feeding an animal...

On a sad note:
Whales were long hunted in the Azores and constituted an important source of income for inhabitants. It wasn't until 1984 that the practice was prohibited.

Relax on São Miguel's beaches

Looking to unwind? Like any island worth its salt, São Miguel boasts numerous beaches where you can enjoy relaxation, swimming and water sports. Among São Miguel's most beautiful beaches, we recommend:

• Mosteiros Beach: this black sand beach is renowned as one of the island's best spots to watch the sunset.

• Santa Barbara Beach: this long sandy beach is THE surf spot on the island.

• Moinhos Beach: located on the north coast of the island, where the sea is calmer, this beach is perfect for a relaxing time with children.

• Ribeira Quente Beach (also called Fogo Beach): containing underwater hydrothermal springs, this beach is perfect for those wanting to swim in relatively warm water.

• Viola Beach: rather isolated and uncrowded, this beach is flanked by a cliff from which several water springs flow. It's the ideal place to escape the crowds.

See São Miguel's tea plantations, Europe's only ones

Did you know that São Miguel is home to Europe's oldest and only industrial tea plantations? Located less than 3 km apart, they are the tea plantations of Gorreana and Porto Formoso.

Created in 1883, Gorreana tea plantations are characterized by terraced cultivation. Today they still grow a variety of black and green teas and 100% organic tea infusions. To learn more about the history of this cultural heritage and discover the preparation methods for different teas, you can visit the factory. It's also an opportunity for a tasting.

Located below the Gorreana plantations, you can also visit Porto Formoso tea plantations. Although it is private property, it is possible to walk through the tea fields and visit the factory and its museum. Here too, you can enjoy a cup of tea while taking in panoramic views of the region.

Cool off at the waterfalls

The presence of multiple waterfalls is another attraction of the island. Among the most beautiful waterfalls to see on São Miguel are:

• Ribieria Quente waterfall,

• Salto do Cabrito double waterfall,

• Ribeira dos Caldeirões waterfall,

• Salto da Farinha waterfall,

• Salto do Prego and Salto do Cagarrao waterfalls...

Good to know:

Do you love adventure and thrills? Most of the waterfalls and streams on the island are playgrounds for canyoning enthusiasts.

Take an excursion to Vila Franca do Campo Islet (kayaking, snorkeling, diving...)

Located 1 km offshore, facing Vila Franca do Campo, the Vila Franca do Campo Islet is formed from an ancient underwater volcano's crater. In reality, it consists of two islets representing the emergent parts of an ancient volcano whose cone has collapsed. Home to rich marine biodiversity, the island and its waters have been classified as a nature reserve.

To enjoy the beauty of these natural jewels, you can take a boat excursion, paddle around the island by kayak, go snorkeling or freediving, or even dive in the surrounding areas. For diving enthusiasts, there is a wreck zone not far from the island where you can see immersed cannons dating back to the 16th century.

Note that to protect local fauna and flora, access to the islet is regulated: the island is only open in summer and only 400 visitors are allowed per day.

Did you know?

Vila Franca do Campo Islet was the site of one of the stages of Red Bull Cliff Diving. Indeed, the world cliff diving championship has taken place here several times.

Visit Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores

Ponta Delgada is the economic capital of the Azores. Despite its title, it's hardly a sprawling metropolis! With its 500 years of history, cobbled streets, gardens and numerous religious buildings, the city has retained its historic charm. Relatively small, Ponta Delgada is easily explored on foot.

Among the city's main attractions, we recommend:

• Portas da Cidade (City Gates): located on Praça da Repúblic, near the waterfront, these emblematic 18th-century gates once served as entry gates to welcome people arriving from ships;

• Religious buildings: Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião, Capela Nossa Senhora da Esperança, Igreja de São Sebastião, Núcleo de Arte Sacra, the former Colégio dos Jesuítas...;

• Fort of São Brás: built in 1552 to defend the island from pirates and corsairs, it now houses the headquarters of the Azores military zone command as well as a large military museum;

• Fabrique Ceramica Vieira where you can find local handicrafted products;

• Canto Garden and Antonio Borges Park...

Practical information

How many days should you plan to visit São Miguel island?

Given the large number of things to see and do on the island, we recommend staying for at least 5 days (not counting arrival and departure days) to see São Miguel's must-see attractions. To take time exploring all parts of the island and hiking, plan for at least a full week.

What is the best time to visit São Miguel island?

Like all islands in the Azores archipelago, São Miguel enjoys a subtropical oceanic climate marked by mild winters and pleasantly warm summers. Temperatures rarely drop below 13°C in winter and hover around 25°C in summer. As for rainfall, it is frequent in autumn and winter.

The best time to visit São Miguel island is during summer, between May and October. This is the ideal time to enjoy pleasant temperatures, maximum sunshine and avoid rain. It's also the ideal season for hiking and whale watching!