The Azores, an archipelago of 9 Portuguese islands in the Atlantic, remain relatively untouched by mass tourism. We had the chance to visit the largest island, São Miguel, also known as ‘the green island.’ So, what is there to discover on this island? Is it worth the detour?

Why São Miguel?

São Miguel is worth visiting for several reasons:

There are still relatively few tourists – Some countries and cities are already in high demand, with tourists traveling from all around the world leaving little room to walk peacefully without being surrounded by an intrusive crowd. Nothing like this will be found in the Azores, or at least not yet. São Miguel is particularly charming for its calm, authentic atmosphere. It was September and the weather was perfect, around 24 degrees celsius every day. If you’re looking to escape the crowds on your vacation, the Azores will be a true delight.

A breathtaking landscape – with lush nature, fresh air, and a wide variety of activities to explore. There is never a dull moment on the island of São Miguel, there is something for everyone. Hikes in the great outdoors with breathtaking views, plantation visits, swimming in waterfalls or hot baths and much more.

Easy Drives to Explore the Island – We rented a car to get around the island. São Miguel measures 62 km in length and 15 km in width, making it easy to travel between activities, with most destinations only a few minutes to an hour away.

An ideal geographical location – The Azores are in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, direct flights from the European continent can be made, but also from the American continent. We left Montreal directly and it was about a 5 hour flight. São Miguel being the main island to land on, you can then take other planes to the other 8 islands.

A kids-friendly island – We have an almost 2 year old baby (19 months to be exact) and all the activities were very well suited, as were the outings to the restaurant or café. There was always a high chair and changing tables. Of course, bring the necessary games and accessories for his/her comfort. Nature and space are the strong points of this island, and children’s parks with swings and slides are also easily found.

What to visit on the island of São Miguel?

We rented a house in Ribeira Grande, located in the north of the island. We stayed there for the entire 7 days without changing accommodation. The practical aspect of São Miguel is that we could easily reach any destination without needing to move our belongings, as everything was within a short distance. In addition, the roads are very beautiful and clean, driving is very pleasant.

Lagoa do Fogo

We fell in love with this magnificent lake near Ribeira Grande, of natural and picturesque beauty, the view is simply sublime and the landscape is breathtaking! We could only marvel at the stunning beauty, like a painting brought to life. This lake is actually located in a crater of a dormant volcano, with an altitude of 580 meters which makes it the highest lake in the Azores. You can get there by hiking, but also by car. The day we went there, the road was blocked for cars until 7 p.m., we had to take a bus. The trick was to go there after 7 p.m. with our car and take the time to admire the view from the most beautiful viewpoint at the summit, the miradouro da barrosa.

Caldeira Velha

We stopped at Caldeira Velha Park to walk and admire a very lush forest, then bathe in the thermal springs. Unfortunately that day, the springs had bacteria and swimming was prohibited. The trail leading to it is beautiful, offering an exotic setting for those who want to immerse themselves in nature. The interpretation center allows you to learn more about the formation of the island and the volcanic origins of the Azores. Entrance to the park was 5 euros per adult and 10 euros for swimming in the hot springs for 1h30.

Hiking the Sete Cidades caldera

Another magnificent viewpoint to discover, located to the east of the island, the Sete Cidades caldera, from which we were able to see the Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde. A fairly atypical and steep hike since it is mainly a farm path, to access the top and admire breathtaking views.

Salto Do Cabrito Falls

Very close to Ribeira Grande, we were able to put our feet in the water under the beautiful Salto Do Cabrito waterfall. A high hike (if you don’t have a fear of heights) is accessible to go down to the falls. We didn’t take it, we parked directly in the parking lot at the bottom of the waterfall and dipped our feet in the water.

Furnas

A visit to the geothermal activity center of São Miguel is a must! None other than Furnas! A hot and exciting experience in this charming village of fumaroles. If you have a little craving, don’t hesitate to try some hot corn straight from the geysers! You will even see bags of corncobs in some geysers that the locals have a tradition of cooking at a very high temperature. You can also try ‘Cozido das Furnas,’ a famous local stew which uses the heat of the volcano to make a very popular and tasty dish, you will find it in certain restaurants.

Parque Terra Nostra

Still in the same town of Furnas, we wanted to see this sumptuous Terra Nostra park with its garden and hot springs. You will be feeling zen walking by the calm garden but also in the hot baths in the park.The main pool is the largest thermal pool in the Azores, with a color that might not be very inviting but is warm in some areas and lukewarm in others. Still take an old swimsuit or a dark colored one because the iron water can discolor the swimsuits. Entrance to the park was 12 euros per person.

Boat excursion

This is apparently one of the activities to do on the island since many marine mammals are in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. We only saw a few dolphins and whales, the tour takes a good morning or afternoon, at least 4 hours of excursion. Allow time for this activity and it is not always guaranteed to see them, depending on the season or conditions. We went with the boat MobyDick tours, a family company at a price of 50 euros per person.

Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões

If you have not yet seen such colorful vegetation, you will be served in this magnificent enchanting park straight out of a magical film! A very pretty walk in the heart of nature in the Nordeste region with waterfalls, fountains, streams and an old water mill.

Ponta da Ferraria

A one-of-a-kind experience in the Azores! You bathe in a natural geothermal water source that merges with the ocean. For safety reasons, a ladder is installed to descend from the rocks, once in the water ropes all along the rocks allow you to hold on to them when the ocean currents are strong. Nothing like peaceful hot springs, this experience is more of an adventure, so hang in there! Everyone can access it, it’s free and there are outdoor bathrooms and showers if needed.

Pineapple plantation

On the island of São Miguel, pineapples are planted in greenhouses all year round and this is the only place in the world. The visit is short and free, there are also videos where you learn more about the plantations. There you will find a shop selling products based on pineapples and other fruits. You can also take a break and taste the pineapple liqueur. This plantation is in Faja de Baixo, near the capital city Ponta Delgada.

In short, São Miguel was an inspiring journey between calm, nature and diverse activities. We never get bored on this island and in one week we weren’t able to see everything. This leaves room for other discoveries to perhaps come back and even discover the other islands.

Enjoy your stay!