Sao Miguel is the largest island in the Azores, and for most visitors, their first introduction to this archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
It’s a nature lover’s paradise, filled with great trails, strong waves, and exceptional views, and its volcanic past is clearly visible in the many hot springs (and unusual cooking techniques from some of the locals!)
There’s more to see there than you might expect, but Sao Miguel’s well-paved roads and relatively low number of visitors make it an easy place to explore. We’ve tracked down 12 of the best things to do on the island, from walking to soaking in thermal pools, relaxing in beautiful gardens and cooling off under waterfalls, and much more.
Enjoy breathtaking views over a multi-colored lake
The views over Sete Cidades lake are some of the most famous in the Azores, and the Vista do Rei (King’s View) viewpoint is the most popular place to do so.
Sitting inside the crater of an extinct volcano, a bridge divides the lake into two sections. Each one has quite different colors (especially when the sun is out) due to the different vegetation that surrounds each part.
Be sure to visit on a clear day if possible, as that’s when you’ll get those postcard-perfect views. There is a dirt road that runs along the top of the caldera, which you can walk or drive to get a different perspective.
The abandoned Monte Palace hotel is located right next to the Vista do Rei viewpoint. For many years it was possible to carefully explore the ruins, but the site has now been bought and bricked up in preparation for reconstruction.
Lunch cooked by a volcano
Basing in the beautiful town of Furnas is a great alternative to staying in the capital Ponta Delgada, but even hikers can enjoy the area’s highlight – eating a meal literally cooked by a volcano.
Nowhere else on the island is the volcanic nature of Sao Miguel more evident, with steam rising from various vents and mud pools around the city. Locals make the most of it, burying their food in the hot ground in the morning and getting it back fully cooked a few hours later.
Tony’s Restaurant is one of the best-known places to try the resulting cozido das Furnas , and it’s worth reserving a table in advance. Be warned – the steamed meat and vegetable dishes are huge!
Marvel at the beauty of Boca do Inferno
Boca do Inferno translates to Hell’s Mouth, but on a sunny day, this viewpoint is likely to be one of the most beautiful places you’ve ever visited. With just a five minute hike along a ridge, you will be presented with a panorama that even the best photos cannot do justice to.
Rugged craters, placid lakes, and a vibrant green countryside compete for attention, with the small town of Sete Cidades visible in the distance, and it’s one of the best places in Sao Miguel to see how volcanic activity has shaped the island.
When driving, follow the signs to Lagoa do Canário. Do not park in the off-road parking lot, instead take the dirt road in front for a few minutes until you reach the end. The boardwalk starts directly next to where you park your car.
Enjoy the warm water of the ocean
Looking for an unusual experience? Take a trip to Ferraria on the west coast of the island, and you can swim in the ocean water warmed by hot springs.
There is a spa and outdoor pool next to the car park with an entrance fee of 15 euros (5 euros to access the pool), but swimming in the nearby natural cove is free.
However, you’ll need to be a little careful if you opt for the latter – the water can get quite choppy and it’s often uncomfortably hot at low tide. On the other hand, the temperature is hardly affected by the hot springs at high tide, so check the tide times or ask the locals if you’re not sure.
Get ready for a steep switchback ride up the cliffs to the rocky shoreline. The spa / pool building has a restaurant available if you’re hungry, and there are also changing rooms and bathrooms on-site.
Visit a lake inside a volcano
High in the mountains, inside the crater of an extinct volcano, is the beautiful Lagoa do Fogo. You’ll get spectacular photos from the point of view of the road on a clear day, but if you have the time and mobility, it’s worth the steep half-hour descent to visit the lake as well.
Part of a nature reserve, the area is protected from development and feels truly unspoiled. Few people make the effort to walk there, so you probably have the sandy shoreline to yourself. Protected from the strong winds that are in the viewpoint, it is the perfect place to relax for a while in the middle of a quiet and beautiful environment.
As you would expect from such a secluded location, there are absolutely no facilities at Lagoa do Fogo. Take your own food and drink there, and bring everything back with you.
Bathing in wooded hot springs
Halfway down the winding road from Lagoa do Fogo on the way to Ribeira Grande is one of the island’s biggest attractions. Caldeira Velha is a group of natural hot springs in the middle of the lush tropical jungle, with its own waterfall.
Smaller pools are noticeably hotter, usually around 100 degrees F, and perfect for when the temperature drops outside. The larger pool with the waterfall is much cooler, more like a warm bath.
Popular with tour groups and independent travelers, don’t expect to have the place to yourself in high season! Parking is on the road outside the driveway, and it can be hectic at times. You will have a little more space if you visit at the beginning or end of the day.
The hot springs have lockers, changing rooms, and cold showers available.
Visit the oldest lighthouse in the Azores
On the remote east coast of Sao Miguel is Farol do Arnel, the oldest lighthouse in the Azores. It’s only open on Wednesdays, but it’s worth a visit on other days of the week due to its impressive location.
If you want to visit it and the attractive little fishing community nearby, consider the extremely steep and winding road that leads there. Small cars have been known to get stuck at the bottom, not enough power to get back up!
For most visitors it is better to park at the top and break a sweat visiting on foot.
Cool off under a waterfall
While the Azores do not suffer from the extremely hot climate of mainland Portugal, it can still get quite hot at times, providing the perfect excuse to cool off under a waterfall. You have many options to choose from throughout the island, but two of the most popular waterfalls to visit are Salto do Cabrito and Salto Do Prego.
You can access the former either by taking a marked two-hour hiking trail or by driving to the hydroelectric station parking lot and walking for five minutes along a flat path alongside the river.
Salto do Prego is at the end of a roughly 40-minute uphill hike, making the blast of cold water even more appreciated.
Even if you don’t want to get soaked, both waterfalls are very scenic, with plenty of photo opportunities from the mainland.
Road trip along the coast
One of the most enjoyable parts of any trip to Sao Miguel is simply driving the island’s roads.
Most of the winding, well-paved routes see little traffic and have attractive beaches and stunning lookouts at almost every corner. While all coasts have their spectacular parts, the northeast section is a particularly enjoyable trip.
Stay off the road as much as possible, and instead take the back roads through beautiful towns and villages like Lomba da Maia, Salga and Achada to get a slice of local life against a backdrop of white walls, red roofs , distinctive churches and endless blue ocean.
Relax in the Terra Nostra park
Dating back to 1775, the picturesque setting of Terra Nostra Park in Furnas is the perfect place to relax on a sunny day. Filled with tropical and subtropical plants from the Azores and around the world, it’s easy to spend an hour or more exploring these large and impressive gardens.
The ticket includes a visit to the thermal pools on site. As with most other hot springs in Sao Miguel, an old bathing suit is worth wearing, as iron deposits in the water can stain your clothes.
There is a high-end hotel next door, but you don’t need to stay there to visit the restaurant and bar if you need a snack. Meals are expensive, but if you dine before visiting the park and you keep the receipt, they will not charge the park entrance fee.
Walk the trails
If you like hiking, a pleasure awaits you in Sao Miguel. The island is crossed by several trails, ranging from short walks to a viewpoint, to hikes of several hours through the mountains. The official Azores tourism website lists more than two dozen of the best hikes, which you can sort by length and difficulty to find the best option.
Popular options include a 6-mile hike around Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas Lake), starting and ending in the municipality, and the shorter, steeper hike to the Salto do Prego waterfall mentioned above.
The weather changes quickly in the Azores, so check the forecast before leaving and be prepared to change your plans if conditions suddenly deteriorate. Bring waterproof clothing and plenty of water, and wear appropriate shoes.
Go whale watching
You don’t need to restrict yourself to land-based activities on Sao Miguel – some of the highlights are in the vast ocean that surrounds it. Many species of whales and dolphins pass through the Azores on their annual migrations or live permanently in the area.
The boats leave from Ponta Delgada and Vila Franca, with trips that generally vary in cost depending on how long you are out and where you are going.
April through June is the best time to see blue whales, but the chance to see other types of whales and dolphins is very high throughout the year, and you will generally receive a refund in the rare event that you don’t see any.
