São Miguel Road Trip – Exploring the Beauty of the Azores

Our São Miguel road trip was incredible! Words are not enough to explain the beauty of this island. We had a gut feeling it would be one of the best road trips we’ve ever been on, but we didn’t expect it to be this beautiful!  

Everywhere you look, there’s nature. Have you ever seen those edited photos which look unreal? São Miguel’s nature is exactly like stepping into one of those photos with unreal, bright colours. The flowers are so vibrant, and the grass is so dense and green that it feels unbelievable! We experienced the most beautiful nature we’ve ever seen!

In this blog, you’ll find everything you need to plan an unforgettable road trip to São Miguel. You’ll find detailed information on why to visit, how to get around, where to stay, and not to miss, all organised to make your trip planning easy.

About São Miguel

São Miguel, the largest island in the Portuguese Azores archipelago, is often called “The Green Island” (Ilha Verde). It’s renowned for its volcanic landscapes and marine life, including whales.

The island covers 760km² and has around 150,000 residents. Of these, 50,000 live in Ponta Delgada, and it’s rare to see people outside the city (if it’s not high season, of course).

While the island mainly offers a serene and natural atmosphere, there are also options for those who enjoy nightlife and city vibes. However, these spots are all located in Ponta Delgada. 

Something to know is that before Ponta Delgada, the island’s first capital of São Miguel was Vila Franca do Campo.

Why Visit São Miguel

Actually, this shouldn’t even be a question: why visit São Miguel? On São Miguel, you have everything you need for a perfect road trip. 

São Miguel island offers incredible views that make you stop to admire them, along with waterfalls, black beaches, volcanic mountains, hiking trails, hot springs, pineapple plantations, architecture, natural pools, and so much more!

An ideal destination for stress relief and relaxation, São Miguel offers a quiet environment that allows one to appreciate the beauty of nature.

How to Get to São Miguel

The only option to get to São Miguel Island is by plane. As soon as you arrive, you’ll experience one of the most beautiful landings at the airport named after Pope John Paul II in Ponta Delgada. 

Organised airlines such as Ryanair, SATA Air Açores, TAP Portugal, and Azores Airlines run regular flights from Lisbon and Porto.

Getting Around São Miguel

São Miguel is a small island that is easily accessible. While public transport, taxis, and TukTuks are all good options, renting a car is the best option for exploring the island. 

A road trip always gives you more flexibility to stop whenever you want and the freedom to discover less visited places.

Buses on São Miguel are very limited, as the routes may not always be clear or functional, and the schedules are quite unreliable.

Taxis and TukTuks are quite expensive as TukTuks cost between €10 to €15 per person and taxis cost around €10 for a short ride.

For an unforgettable road trip, renting a car from Magic Islands is the best choice. They provide excellent service, including airport pick-up and drop-off. Known for their reliability, they offer excellent vehicles and the best service on the island.

Where to Stay in São Miguel

Where to stay in São Miguel depends on the length of your stay and the places you wish to explore. It’s ideal to split your time in different locations, especially if you stay long.

We spent two weeks on the island and split our stay across four locations. We started in Candeleria, moved to Nordeste, then Vila Franca do Campo, and our last stay was in Ponta Delgada. It was the best way to avoid wasting time driving through the same routes and have more time exploring new places.

Vivenda Paraiso in Candeleria

This accommodation exceeded our expectations and is perfect for digital nomads. It offers an ideal work environment with quiet surroundings, mountain and garden views, free WiFi, and free private parking.

Aldeia do Priolo in Nordeste

Aldeia do Priolo is another excellent accommodation option. It offers mountain views, free WiFi, and free private parking. The owner also provides complimentary fresh bread every morning.

Black’nYellow Place in Vila Franca do Campo

Black’nYellow Place offers sea and mountain views, free WiFi, and free private parking. Guests also have access to an outdoor pool, a fitness centre, and a gym in the neighbouring building.

Apartment 32  in Ponta Delgada

Apartment 32 is a fully equipped apartment with a large yard in the centre of Ponta Delgada. A free car park is available just a 5-minute walk away. The apartment is a few minutes drive or an hour’s walk from the airport.

Not to Miss in São Miguel

Miradouro da Boca Do Inferno

Miradouro da Boca Do Inferno is one of our favourite viewpoints on São Miguel. If you arrive to find the view covered by fog, don’t leave immediately, even if the weather is bad! Be patient and wait for the clouds to clear. When they do, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the mountains and the sea in the surroundings. 

You’ll also witness the Rasa and Santiago lagoons, which offer a complete 360-degree nature experience. The view spans the entire volcanic crater of Sete Cidades, which formed 22,000 years back.

If you visit Miradouro da Boca Do Inferno on a rainy day, be careful as the path may become slippery due to mud. Entrance is free.

Lagoa das Furnas

Lagoa das Furnas is one of the main lakes on São Miguel. We suggest first experiencing it from an elevated viewpoint and then exploring it from ground level, where the main attraction lies on the lake’s opposite shore.

One must pay €3 per person to enter, which also covers the car park. You’ll notice you’ve arrived at the correct location by the strong, terrible smell of sulfur. Don’t worry; you’ll get used to it, and the experience is definitely worth it!

The smell emanates from the geothermal springs, which have been constantly emitting mud and steam into the air for centuries. These features, known as the Fumarolas, are where you can find steaming holes with temperatures from 70 to 100 degrees celsius where the famous Cozido das Furnas is slowly cooked for about six to seven hours underground.

Cozido das Furnas

The Cozido das Furnas isn’t for you if you’re a vegetarian. This unique dish, which can only be found in Furnas on São Miguel, is a stew made with various types of meat, such as pork, chicken, blood sausage, veal, kale, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. 

For the best experience in tasting the most authentic Cozido das Furnas, we strongly suggest trying it at Restaurante Tonys. Of course, they have a huge menu with vegetarian options if you don’t eat meat! The service is impeccable, the food is incredibly delicious, and you’ll leave the restaurant with a huge smile.

Lagoa do Congro

Lagoa do Congro is a hidden lake off the beaten path that tourists rarely visit. Upon arrival, you can park next to the trail’s starting point. The hike through the forest is enjoyable but can get muddy and messy, especially as you approach the shore. 

We visited during a storm and arrived at the lake completely soaked, but it was absolutely worth it! The deep green of the lake is just magical, and the surrounding silence is incredibly peaceful.

Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões

Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões is a protected area and one of the most popular destinations in the Nordeste region. This natural park boasts dense greenery, watermills, and several waterfalls, offering a perfect environment to unwind in nature. 

The entire park is lovely, but our favourite part was hiking through the woods along the stream. It felt like stepping into a rainforest! You can easily spend the whole day at Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões without getting bored.

Both entries to the park and parking are free.

Mosteiros Black Beach

Mosteiros Black Beach is famous for its black sand and volcanic rocks. It’s a popular spot for surfing and sunset viewing. Seeing a black beach was an incredible experience for us, as it’s quite rare. The contrast between the black sand against the turquoise waters and the lava rocks offshore creates a dramatic scene.

The colour of this sandy beach is a result of the island’s volcanic origins, which is evident not only in the beaches but also in the rocks, pavements, sculptures, and even the stone details of houses throughout São Miguel. 

We visited during March and had the beach all to ourselves, where we could enjoy the serenity and beauty of the surroundings. However, we were told that the beach gets crowded during peak seasons.

Lagoa do Fogo

Lagoa do Fogo is the highest of São Miguel’s three crater lakes and is located on a mountain in the heart of the island. For the best viewpoint, stop at Pico da Barrosa, where you can enjoy the panoramic views of the lake surrounded by trees and beautiful flowers.

As one of the island’s most stunning viewpoints, Lagoa do Fogo’s vantage point offers three distinct views, each offering a breathtaking 360-degree panorama. If you hike down to the lake, note that swimming is prohibited.

Lagoa Empadadas, Lagoa Rasa & Lagoa de Eguas

Lagoa Empadadas, Lagoa Rasa, and Lagoa de Eguas are three lakes surrounded by a forest near Lagoa das Sete Cidades. Additionally, each lake is separated from the others by narrow land spaces.

You must pass through a narrow side next to a closed green fence to enter. Once through the gate, you’ll cross a wide farm road winding through a large forest. Then, follow the signs and enter the woods to reach each lake.

This route is both easy and absolutely beautiful, ideal for those who appreciate lagoons and stunning views. Moreover, if the weather is fine, you can enjoy incredible views of the surroundings from the route’s highest point. 

Avoid visiting in the late afternoon as it gets dark and visibility becomes limited. Be careful particularly in bad weather, as the ground may become extremely slippery.

Monte Palace Hotel Ruins

The Monte Palace Hotel Ruins are on top of a hill in Sete Cidades and are a must-see on any Azores itinerary.

Constructed in the early 1990s, the Monte Palace Hotel was once luxurious, making it an ideal destination for those seeking relaxation and luxury. However, over time, the hotel fell into decline. Despite its magnificence and reputation, the owners eventually declared bankruptcy, leading to the hotel’s abandonment, which has remained for many years.

If you love abandoned places and urban exploration as much as we do, the Monte Palace Hotel ruins are a must-visit. There’s no need to jump walls to trespass this abandoned hotel as there’s an open door at the side front.

Be careful if you decide to enter, and avoid wearing flip-flops. Closed footwear, like trekking shoes, is ideal. The panoramic views from each level are simply breathtaking. From the vantage point, you can admire the scenery of the surrounding countryside, including the famous crater lakes of Sete Cidades and the Atlantic Ocean.

Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz

Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz is a small chapel built in 1764, situated on a mountain overlooking Vila Franca do Campo.

The drive up to Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Paz involves some winding roads and blind corners, but it’s manageable. However, the final steep section is quite narrow, so careful driving is important. Also, parking is available directly across from the viewpoint below the chapel.

You must climb the massive stairs surrounded by grass and flowers to reach the top. From there, you can enjoy an amazing view of Vila Franca do Campo and the harbour. It’s the perfect spot for a beautiful day.

If you visit during peak season, you’ll definitely have to wait to take a picture without people in it!

Ponta Delgada

Ponta Delgada is the most popular base for visitors to São Miguel. We stayed there for just the last two nights before our flight and managed to see all the main attractions in a single day.

In our opinion, Ponta Delgada is the most peaceful city we’ve ever visited. After nearly two weeks in the countryside and exploring off the beaten path, changing to a city usually feels challenging. However, this wasn’t the case with Ponta Delgada.

Spending a few days in Ponta Delgada is worth it if you want to experience rich history, churches, vibrant markets, and natural landscapes.

São Miguel is just magical, and if you have never considered visiting this beautiful island, we recommend that everyone make it a point to visit one day. It will be the trip of a lifetime. 

For those who have already visited, what are your thoughts? Did you also go on a road trip? Share your stories with us; we’re eager to hear about your experiences.

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