SaoMiguel CentralGroup
5
Day Itinerary •
Portugal
Five days on Sao Miguel and the Central Group gives you the full extraordinary depth of the finest volcanic island destination in Europe, from the remarkable Sete Cidades twin crater lakes and the extraordinary Furnas geothermal valley to the finest whale watching in the North Atlantic, the remarkable Lagoa do Fogo crater lake descent, the extraordinary west coast lava pools and the only working tea plantation in Europe at Cha Gorreana. This extended route covers Sao Miguel completely. Two days in the extraordinary west and centre including Sete Cidades, Furnas caldeiras, Lagoa do Fogo and the full caldera rim walk, the remarkable Nordeste northeast coast on Day 2, a full whale watching expedition on Day 4, the extraordinary Mosteiros lava pools, the remarkable Gruta do Carvao lava tube and the extraordinary Vila Franca do Campo sea islet on Day 5.
Best Time To Visit
April to June for hydrangeas and whale calves, July to September warmest
Getting There
Fly into Joao Paulo II Airport (PDL), Ponta Delgada
Getting Around
Hired car essential. Whale watching from Ponta Delgada marina.
Budget Per Day
Approx 60 to 150 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, optional strenuous hikes available
DAY 1
SETE CIDADES
MORNING
SETE CIDADES VISTA DO REI AND CALDERA RIM
The extraordinary Vista do Rei viewpoint above the remarkable Sete Cidades caldera, the finest single viewpoint in the Azores, where the twin lakes of Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde fill the extraordinary 12km-wide volcanic basin below. The remarkable caldera rim trail above the viewpoint continues north along the extraordinary green ridge with fine views of both the Atlantic and caldera simultaneously. The fine cloud inversion that sometimes fills the caldera while the rim is in sunshine is a remarkable atmospheric phenomenon. 45 min drive
MIDDAY
SETE CIDADES VILLAGE AND LAGOA AZUL WALK
The extraordinary caldera village of Sete Cidades and the remarkable walk along the fine causeway between Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde at lake level. The extraordinary sight of the blue and green lakes simultaneously from the causeway bridge at water level is completely different from the elevated viewpoint. The fine cafes in the village serve the finest local dairy and the remarkable queijadas pastries made with extraordinary caldera valley cheese. 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
FURNAS GEOTHERMAL VALLEY
The extraordinary Furnas valley, the finest geothermal landscape in the Azores, where remarkable boiling mud pools, extraordinary fumarole vents and the fine Parque das Furnas create a remarkable volcanic tableau. The extraordinary Terra Nostra Garden Hotel's iron-rich geothermal swimming pool is the finest bathing experience in the Azores. The remarkable Cozido das Furnas is the finest traditional meal in the archipelago. Book the day ahead.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lagoa do Congro hidden in the forest 4km east of Sete Cidades, a remarkable volcanic crater lake entirely surrounded by fine laurisilva laurel forest with no road access, is one of the finest hidden lakes in the Azores. The remarkable trail through the extraordinary laurel forest to the lake takes 45 minutes each way. Almost no visitors find it.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Ponta Delgada hotel Good breakfast before the Sete Cidades drive. | Lunch: Sete Cidades village cafe Outstanding queijadas and dairy at the remarkable caldera village cafe. | Dinner: Tony's Restaurant, Furnas Outstanding Cozido das Furnas if booked ahead. The finest traditional Azorean meal.
DAY 2
FURNAS
MORNING
FURNAS LAKE CIRCUIT AND CALDEIRAS
The extraordinary Lagoa das Furnas circuit drive, where remarkable boiling caldeiras erupt directly from the lake shore with extraordinary sulphurous plumes. The fine 14km loop passes all the major hot spring sites including the outstanding Caldeira Grande and the remarkable lakeside caldeiras where local families bring their pots to cook using geothermal heat. The extraordinary Terra Nostra Botanical Garden with its collection of remarkable tree ferns and the geothermal pool is the finest botanical garden in the Azores. 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
NORDESTE WILD NORTHEAST COAST
The extraordinary Nordeste municipality, the wildest and most authentic part of Sao Miguel, where remarkable hydrangea-lined roads, outstanding sea cliffs and the fine traditional agricultural landscape are almost entirely free of tourists. The extraordinary Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego formal garden gives the finest manicured view of the remarkable Atlantic coast. The fine Nordeste village bakery produces the most extraordinary bread in the Azores. 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
RIBEIRA GRANDE AND CALDEIRA VELHA
The extraordinary Caldeira Velha natural hot spring pool in the forest above Ribeira Grande, where remarkable iron-rich geothermal water fills a fine natural pool surrounded by extraordinary tree ferns and laurel forest. Entry free. The remarkable waterfall at the pool edge creates an extraordinary bathing experience in the Azores. The fine north coast hydrangea hedgerows between Ribeira Grande and Sao Roque are the finest in the archipelago in June and July.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Gruta do Carvao lava tube 2km from Ponta Delgada city centre, the longest known lava tube in the Azores at over 2km and entirely within the urban fabric of the island's capital, is one of the finest and most accessible geological wonders in the Azores. Guided tours approx 5 EUR. The remarkable lava tube formations are extraordinary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Furnas hotel or cafe Good breakfast near the extraordinary caldeiras before the lake circuit. | Lunch: Nordeste village cafe Outstanding fresh Atlantic fish and remarkable local dairy in the extraordinary northeast. | Dinner: O Chico, Ribeira Grande Outstanding traditional restaurant. Extraordinary fresh Atlantic tuna and local alcatra beef.
DAY 3
LAGOA DO FOGO
MORNING
LAGOA DO FOGO CRATER LAKE
The extraordinary Lagoa do Fogo, Fire Lake, a remarkable volcanic crater at 590 metres in the centre of Sao Miguel with an extraordinary black sand beach and the finest crater lake swimming in the Azores. The remarkable 3km descent trail to the lake shore is steep but the extraordinary swimming in geothermal-influenced crater water surrounded by pristine volcanic landscape is unlike anything else in the archipelago. The fine view of the Atlantic on both sides of the island from the ridge is remarkable. 20 min drive
MIDDAY
SETE CIDADES FULL CALDERA RIM WALK
The extraordinary 12km caldera rim trail, the finest walking route on Sao Miguel, traversing the remarkable green ridge above both crater lakes with outstanding views of the North Atlantic on both sides simultaneously. The extraordinary volcanic geology and the remarkable laurel forest patches along the rim make this the finest full-day walk in the Azores. Allow 3 hours walking plus stops. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
MOSTEIROS LAVA POOL AND WEST COAST
The extraordinary Mosteiros village on the far western tip of Sao Miguel, where remarkable natural lava pools form the finest seawater bathing on the island, with extraordinary Atlantic rollers crashing over the remarkable volcanic rock and the fine clear tidal pools offering outstanding natural sea swimming. The remarkable sea stacks of Mosteiros visible from the shore are the finest volcanic coastal formations on Sao Miguel.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Pico da Vara, the highest point on Sao Miguel at 1,103 metres in the far east of the island, is the only place in the Azores where the remarkable Priolo bird, the critically endangered Azores bullfinch found nowhere else on earth, can be seen in the extraordinary cloud forest. The fine trail to the summit takes 4 hours return. The most extraordinary birdwatching in the Azores.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Good breakfast before the Lagoa do Fogo trail. The descent is steep and requires energy. | Lunch: Packed lunch on the caldera rim The finest picnic in the Azores. Bring food for the extraordinary caldera rim walk. | Dinner: Anfiteatro, Ponta Delgada Outstanding modern Azorean cuisine. Extraordinary fresh Atlantic tuna and remarkable local produce.
DAY 4
WHALE WATCHING
MORNING
WHALE WATCHING EXPEDITION
The most extraordinary whale watching in Europe, where the remarkable submarine topography of the Azores mid-Atlantic ridge concentrates the finest density of cetacean species in the North Atlantic. The outstanding sperm whales resident year-round in the extraordinary deep channel south of Sao Miguel are the finest sight, with remarkable common dolphins, fine blue whales in summer and the extraordinary blue whale calves visible May to August. Tours from Ponta Delgada approx 65 EUR. 30 min debrief
MIDDAY
PONTA DELGADA HISTORIC CENTRE
The extraordinary Ponta Delgada historic centre with the remarkable Portas da Cidade triple-arched basalt gateway from 1783, the outstanding Igreja Matriz de Sao Sebastiao with its fine Manueline doorway, the extraordinary Convento de Nossa Senhora da Esperanca and the remarkable covered Mercado da Graca market with the finest selection of Azorean produce. The extraordinary black basalt and white limestone architecture of Ponta Delgada is unlike any city in Portugal. 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
PICO DA BARROSA AND CENTRAL HIGHLAND DRIVE
The extraordinary central highland plateau of Sao Miguel between the remarkable volcanic massifs, where outstanding dairy farms at 600 metres produce the finest milk in the Azores in a remarkable pastoral landscape above the Atlantic clouds. The fine Miradouro do Pico da Barrosa gives the most extraordinary elevated view of the island's dramatic interior volcanic geography simultaneously with the Atlantic coast on both sides.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary blue whale calves visible in the channel south of Sao Miguel between May and August are the finest whale encounter in the Azores. The remarkable mother and calf pairs in the extraordinary deep water south of the island are the finest cetacean spectacle in the North Atlantic. Book the earliest morning whale watch for the finest sea conditions.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Ponta Delgada cafe Good breakfast before the whale watch. Take seasickness precautions if sensitive. | Lunch: Mercado da Graca, Ponta Delgada Outstanding fresh produce and fine Azorean cheese in the extraordinary covered market. | Dinner: Restaurante A Tasca The finest traditional Azorean restaurant. Extraordinary alcatra beef and lapas limpets.
DAY 5
FAREWELL
MORNING
GRUTA DO CARVAO LAVA TUBE AND TEA PLANTATION
The extraordinary Gruta do Carvao lava tube 2km from Ponta Delgada city centre, the longest known lava tube in the Azores at over 2km entirely within the urban fabric of the capital. Then the remarkable Cha Gorreana tea plantation above Ribeira Grande, the only working tea plantation in Europe producing remarkable green and black teas from extraordinary Azorean plants in continuous cultivation since 1883. Tour and tasting free. 45 min drive
MIDDAY
VILA FRANCA DO CAMPO SEA ISLET
The extraordinary Vila Franca do Campo Islet 1km offshore from the south coast of Sao Miguel, a remarkable circular volcanic crater that has collapsed to sea level creating an extraordinary natural seawater swimming pool inside the volcanic rim. The fine boat transfer from Vila Franca (approx 10 EUR) gives the finest bathing experience on Sao Miguel. Entry limited by permit. The extraordinary circular form of the volcanic islet is the finest natural swimming pool in the Azores. 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
DEPARTURE FROM PONTA DELGADA
A final extraordinary afternoon in Ponta Delgada, visiting the remarkable Museu Carlos Machado with its outstanding collection of Azorean natural history and the fine gallery of remarkable 19th-century Azorean painting. The extraordinary final view of the island from the remarkable miradouro above the port as the ferry or flight departs gives the finest farewell to the most extraordinary volcanic island in the North Atlantic.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Vila Franca do Campo Islet, a remarkable collapsed volcanic crater forming an extraordinary natural circular seawater swimming pool 1km offshore, has daily entry limited by permit. Book the boat transfer and entry online at least one day ahead. The fine boat ride out to the extraordinary volcanic islet is remarkable in itself.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Good breakfast before the lava tube and tea plantation. | Lunch: Vila Franca town Outstanding fresh grilled Atlantic fish at a fine Vila Franca restaurant after the extraordinary sea islet. | Dinner: Farewell dinner, Ponta Delgada Fine farewell dinner at Anfiteatro or A Tasca. Extraordinary Azorean produce.
Where To Stay
Ponta Delgada, All Nights Hotel do Colegio or Azor Hotel. Historic centre. Approx 80 to 200 EUR per night. Furnas Alternative Terra Nostra Garden Hotel. Geothermal pool included. Approx 150 to 300 EUR per night. Budget Hostels or guesthouses in Ponta Delgada. Approx 25 to 60 EUR per night.
Top Tips
1. Sete Cidades vista is clearest before 10am. Atlantic cloud regularly obscures the lakes by mid-morning.
2. Book the whale watch with Futurismo. They use a shore-based lookout to maximise sighting rates.
3. Cozido das Furnas must be booked the day before at Tony's or Miroma restaurant.
4. Vila Franca do Campo Islet entry is permit-limited. Book online the day before your visit.
5. Hire a car from Ponta Delgada airport. Sao Miguel is 65km long and unreachable by public transport.
6. Azores weather changes rapidly. Carry a waterproof jacket at all times.
Total Budget
70 to 465 EUR/day