Nature has carved out nine tiny islands of beauty from the vastness of the Atlantic. As a result, São Miguel is one of them. Take to the road and experience the Green Island’s beauty.
Lagoa de Santiago
The dark green Santiago Lagoon, located at the bottom of a crater near the Seven Cities Lagoon in the Serra Devassa, astounds everyone with its distinctive beauty. Without any agricultural areas nearby, it is surrounded by steep cliffs dotted with thick and green woods. Climb to the Canário Lagoon’s Belvedere – you will feel small in the face of such wild nature.
Lagoa das Sete Cidades
“Lagoon of the Seven Cities” is a twin lake situated in the crater of a dormant volcano. It consists of two small, ecologically different lakes connected by a narrow strait, which is crossed by a bridge.
Ponta da Ferraria
This is a natural rock pool with hot springs entering from the land end. Natural thermal-water pool along the ocean, reachable via a climb over basalt rocks & a ladder.
Mosteiros Beach
Although the sand is as black as coal, close examination reveals small brilliant green crystals: olivine, a mineral found in volcanic rocks. The water is warm, and in the sea, quite near to the shore, two enormous boulders provide the beach with an enticing air of mystery, evocative of mermaid and pirate tales.
Gruta do Carvão
Put on some comfortable shoes and a warm coat and journey to the Earth’s interior. The Gruta do Carvo (Coal Grotto) is a lava-carved cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites that is accessible to the public.
Lagoon of Fire
Lagoa do Fogo (Lake/Lagoon of Fire) is a crater lake located on the island of São Miguel in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. It is part of the Água de Pau Massif stratovolcano. The tallest lake on the island of São Miguel, the area is protected by government law, which forbids development near the lake.
Caldeira Velha
A waterfall of warm, iron water where you can take a dip, it is located on the north slope of the Fogo Volcano. Caldeira Velha is a spectacular hot springs experience located in the heart of São Miguel Azores. Unlike the more well-known thermal pools at Furnas, the pools in Caldeira Velha are set in a beautiful green tropical forest valley. Relax outside in this stunning natural setting.
Islet of Vila Franca do Campo
Vila Franca Islet is a vegetated uninhabited islet situated in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores. It is located off the south-central coast of the island of São Miguel. While the whole islet and surrounding seas are a designated nature reserve, they remain a popular swimming and cliff diving destination.
Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Paz
This chapel, constructed in the eighteenth century but with sixteenth-century roots, overlooks the lovely town of Vila Franca do Campo. To reach the chapel, you must climb about a hundred stairs, but the effort will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the town and surrounding area, the vast blue sea, and the islet of fanciful forms.
Fumarolas – Caldeiras das Furnas
The Furnas volcano, which has been asleep for millennia, is showing indications of life in every corner of this area. On the lagoon’s banks are fumaroles, boiling water geysers, and iron-coloured hot springs. Everything smells like smoke, and the sulfur scent takes some getting used to, but it’s worth it to loiter here. Try the traditional Furnas stew, cooked in earthenware pots in the hot springs for five hours!
Terra Nostra Park
Whether in the summer or winter, this is a must-see location for everyone visiting Furnas. After all, what could be more restorative to the body and soul than a stroll through this beautiful 18th-century botanical garden filled with camellias, cycas, and exotic trees? Or how about a soak in a pool of mineral-rich thermal water that bubbles up from the spring at temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees?
Gorreana Tea plantations
Did you know that the Azores is home to Europe’s oldest and nowadays the only tea plantation in Europe? Since 1883, the Gorreana plant near Ribeira Grande has been producing green and black tea without the use of herbicides, pesticides, colours, or preservatives. Discover the history, the manufacturing process, and delight in a cup of tea while strolling through the 32 hectares of lush green fields that reach down to the sea.
Nordeste
Nordeste is a municipality on the northeastern coast of the island of São Miguel. It is the least inhabited region on the island of S. Miguel, with the majority of its interior covered in forest, rocky peaks, and river basins interrupted by rich pastureland. But that does not mean that it is less charming. Walk aimlessly along the winding roads of the northeast of São Miguel, between bays and coves, waterfalls and luxuriant vegetation. On the way, you will find numerous viewpoints overlooking the sea. The one in Ponta da Madrugada, for example, is the perfect place to watch the sunrise.
