The Azores are an autonomous region of Portugal. They make up the Portuguese archipelago consisting of 9 major islands located in the mid-Atlantic. The islands are characterized by dramatic landscapes, fishing villages, green pastures and colorful flora . There are direct flights from Toronto on SATA airlines that serve the islands.
Ponta Delgada: the magnificent capital!
Ponta Delgada is a historical capital city that serves as a gateway to the archipelago’s popular crater lakes, iconic volcanoes, and rugged coastline. What began as a fishing village has grown into a cosmopolitan city, with a lively economic and colorful cultural life.
Also in the capital are some highlights you shouldn’t miss. There is the military museum, the harbor, the Arruda pineapple plantation, Gruta de Cavao and year round whale watching!
Food and Beverage
Azorean cuisine because of its location can be categorized as self sustaining. It consists of seafood, local beef and locally made cheeses. The ice cream is pretty good too!
The alcoholic beverages are honey or pineapple based. Tea is a local specialty as well but the coffee is also quite tasty.
You really can’t not try “Malasadas” which are a fried type of doughnut, made of flattened rounds of yeast dough, flavoured with lemon and then coated with granulated sugar. Soooooo good:)
Western Island
On the West Sao Miguel are some true gems! Lagoa das Setes Cidades or Lagoon of the Seven cities are twin lakes situated in the crater of a dormant volcano. The hike up to the viewpoint is spectacular.
The ruins of the abandoned Monte Palace Hotel are also a neat place to visit. We drove down to Lagoa das Setes Cidades and decided to venture in to the decrepit grounds. If you plan to visit this site you will have to wear closed toed shoes and be very mindful of the crumbling ceilings, debris and open elevator shafts. Despite the “No Trespassing” sign outside the property, many people still venture in at their own peril. We did!
Close to Varzea and not very far from Sete Cidades, this is another superb coastal viewpoint called Miradouro da ponta do Escalvado. There is a small roundabout that you can easily park in and step out to see the spectacular coastal view of the green landscapes, rugged rocky coastline and fishing villages below.
Also in this part of the island is Mosteiros black sand beach. It is a fantastic place to surf and there are clean bathroom facilities, change rooms, showers and a surf school. If your jam is to just chill and take in the stunning view then there are cafes that you can enjoy on this beach as well!
Also situated on the western side of the island, Ponta Ferraria boasts one of the most diverse and relaxing thermal regions. There is a natural thermal pool opening up to the Atlantic Ocean which is surrounded by immense volcanic rocks and towering cliffs. This popular and special pool offers stupendous views of the island’s coastline. You can bathe in natural salt water with waves, and they are naturally heated. The best part is this is a year round activity!
Northern Island
In the northern part of the island are the only operational tea fields and factory in all of Europe, the Gorreana tea plantation. You can sample some delicious blends, hike around the region, see the incredible tea fields and visit the tea factory on site. Whatever your cup of tea is, this stop is definitely worth the visit.
There are several viewpoints along the northern part of the island that take no more than an hour to stop at each one. There are lots of beautiful flora along the way as well as a ton of dairy and beef cattle grazing pretty much everywhere. We did stop to let the calfs who weren’t shy or apprehensive about our presence.
There is an incredible park called “Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirõ” in the north as well. Here you can hike the trails that lead to several bodies of water and a waterfall. The scenery is really serene!
Central Island
Lagoa do Fogo or “Lake of fire” is a crater lake located inside of Água de Pau Massif which is a strati volcano. There are several ways to view the lake. You can drive up to the viewpoint or hike up. Honestly, it’s weather dependent in this region of the island as there is always a lot of fog. We didn’t get a view of the lake due to dense fog which was present through the whole week. There is also another option to hike around the lake which is a seasonal thing 🙂
Eastern Island
Furnas Valley is in the eastern part of the island and is the epicenter of the island’s unique geothermal activity. The gorgeous Terra Nostra Park has multiple hot spring pools for soaking and swimming. Furnas Lake is a wonderful spot for an afternoon. From thermal pools to mineral springs, caldeiras to culinary treats, and everything in between this is one area of the island that is a must see.
Southern Island
Vila Franca do Campo to the south of Sao Miguel is a charming little ytown. Vila Franca Islet is a vegetated uninhabited islet located off the small paradise off the shore. Boats run every hour to the islet during the summer months. There is a winding uphill drive to Nossa Senhora da Paz which is a lovely church with exactly 100 steps into the “iglesia”. The panoramic views from this viewpoint are spectacular.
Worth the visit or not: WORTH
Sao Miguel boasts a vibrant culture that is steeped in rich history with diverse traditions. The landscape is breathtaking from one end of the island to the other. Most importantly there are things to see and do year round. We went in February and had plenty of options for activities. The Azores are safe and the climate is relatively warm.
On a final note, if you are looking for interesting souvenirs to bring back the Azores offers mosaic tilings, ceramics, cheesemaking, embroidery, whale bone products and an assortment of pineapple jams and alcohol.
Happy Travels 🙂