Things to do in

Ribeira Grande

Explore the highlights of the western half of São Miguel island on this guided tour by van. Discover the famous crater lakes of Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo, picturesque waterfalls, amazing cliffs, and stunning rock formations around the coast of the island. Start with a visit to Ribeira Grande, one of the most picturesque towns of the Azores, followed by a surprising view of some amazingly beautiful cliffs on the North coast. Then travel to the inner areas of the island to see the gorgeous waterfall of Salto do Cabrito, surrounded by wild vegetation. Drive to the top of Fogo Volcano to enjoy views of the most pristine and magical of the crater lakes of São Miguel. From the top of the mountain, enjoy the stunning views over a large portion of the island. After a tasty meal to restore your energy levels, head to Sete Cidades, to understand why this is considered by the postcard of the Azores. Enjoy views from two completely different perspectives over the famous twin lakes.  End the day in Mosteiros, at the western coast of the island, where the lava rocks have formed enchanting small islets and natural pools.

Explore the impressive landscapes and amazing panoramas on a hiking trip to São Miguel. Bathe in the natural pools in the stunning Lagoon of Lagoa do Fogo. Start your trail on a short dirt road, that will lead you to Lagoa do Fogo. Bathe in the pools of Lagoa, in the thermal baths of Caldeira Velha, or in the grandiose waterfall of Salto do Cabrito. Get stunning panoramic views of Lago do Fogo and the north coast of the island of Sao Miguel while traveling along “Cumeeira Norte”. Pass through several small streams surrounded by incredibly green and untouched forests, before reaching the characteristic pumice-stone beach of the lagoon. Enjoy a pleasant picnic lunch of regional products. Return to the starting point while enjoying another perspective of the south coast and the Atlantic Ocean. Visit the bathing zone of Caloura, or Agua D’Alto Beach, where you can practice snorkeling.

Explore the volcanic landscape of the Sete Cidades, and the mountain scenery of the Lagoa do Fogo on a full-day sightseeing tour from Punta Delgada. Following a pick-up from your hotel, drive along a scenic road to the Vista do Rei viewpoint. Enjoy panoramic views of the blue and green waters of the two lakes in the crater of the Sete Cidades. Then, continue to different viewpoints before getting close to the banks of the twin lakes. Go to the Mata do Canário, and marvel at the unique flora of the natural park. Drive along the Pico do Carvão road past numerous small lakes, including the “Empadas Lakes.” Get multiple perspectives of the north and south shores of the island of São Miguel. Break for a lunch of typical Azorean food in a local restaurant in the city of Lagoa. Next, explore the city of Ribeira Grande with its unique historic center that dates from the 17th to 19th centuries. Ascend the Pico da Barrosa mountain at the end of your tour and discover the protected natural landscape of the Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake). Marvel at the thermal pools, waterfalls and different types of endangered plants of the area, before your return transfer to Ponta Delgada and a drop off at your hotel.

Relax and disconnect in a beautiful setting in this morning canyoning adventure in Salto do Cabrito. Explore the natural side of São Miguel Island hiking and canyoning through lush forests and cool streams.  Meet the guide in central Ponta Delgada or arrange pick up from your accommodation and travel in an air-conditioned van 20 minutes to Salto do Cabrito. Hike 30 minutes to the stream where an experienced guide will give a security briefing and distribute all the equipment needed for the activity. Once suited and ready to go, spend a few hours exploring the pools and waterfalls. For those who dare, there will be an opportunity to finish the tour with a 4-meter jump. A zipline is also available for those who'd prefer flying to jumping.

In Seven Cities have as a highlight, the King View, which offers a panoramic view of the Seven Cities Lake, where you can see the Green and the Blue Lagoon and around the crater of the volcano of the Seven cities, and this place one of the 7 Wonders of Portugal. Had been, also to know other places of great interest Tourist such as the Lagoa do Canario, Lagoa Santiago and Mosteiros. The Fire Lake, it is a Lake of very blue waters, surrounded by a dense and lush vegetation endemic, being the highest lagoon of the island of Sao Miguel (Situated in the Pico da Barrosa placed on 937m) On reaching the town of Ribeira Grande, we have to highlight the architecture of the Island Sao Miguel and the city of  Ribeira Grande, pass by Viewpoint to overlooks part of the north coast of the island of Sao Miguel and we have the opportunity to taste some traditional liquors. After you will stop in the natural park of the Caldeira Velha, which offers visitors a relaxing stroll, having a direct contact with nature, having at its disposal two eras of train waters, whose temperatures vary between 35 ° at the new epoch and 25 ° in the older era and along the waterfall. At the end of this tour, you have the opportunity to visit the pinneapple plantation in a parish village Faja de baixo (Local unique in Europe, with the cultivation of pineapple).

Once you are picked up at your hotel, get ready for a half-day of exploring. You can choose from three tour options, each with its own destination: Sete Cidades, Furnas or Lagoa do Fogo. Half-day tour to Sete Cidades After exploring several lakes around the area, hop on an all-terrain ride for travel along the craters of Sete Cidades. Visit the small local parish. Half-day tour to Furnas Meet the most romantic town in Portugal. In Furnas, hot spring water is neighbor to the fresh spring water inside a volcano. See vegetation and fumaroles competing. Enjoy Furnas lake shore (a small trail hike can be included if wanted) and see how a traditional Portuguese plate is done in Furnas. Half-day tour to Lagoa do Fogo Enjoy the natural blue hue of the natural reserve, Fogo Lake. Visit the Caldeira Velha with its hot waterfall and natural pool for swimming. Explore a 4WD trail to a fresh water waterfall (a small trail hike can be included if wanted). Witness evidence of volcano activity at Ribeira Grande, a small town in Caldeiras.

The day begins with a pick up from your hotel or accommodation to visit a traditional pineapple plantation. See biological culture developed in greenhouses where it is possible to taste the pineapple's liquor. The journey continues on the west coast of the island, where you will enjoy the view over the newest and narrowest part of São Miguel and both coasts from the Pico de Carvão‘s viewpoint. Surrounded by the greenest vegetation, you will find in Vista do Rei's viewpoint the Sete Cidades volcanic complex. From here, you will see the famous blue and green twin lakes, as well as Santiago's lake, as viewed from the crater. A stop will be made in the picturesque Sete Cidades town where lunch will be served in a regional restaurant. In the afternoon, the tour goes along the coast enjoying the western landscape to arrive at Capelas, an ancient whaling village. Another stop at Pedras Negras‘s viewpoint to see the northern coast of the island. Continuing on the north coast, you will stop to visit the Ribeira Grande city and its historic center. As well, you will go to the Regional Liquor’s Factory and taste a variety of liquors. After that, visit Caldeira Velha, a natural reserve, to take an optional bath and enjoy the warm water from a waterfall. The last stop will be to take a look over the fantastic Lagoa do Fogo. Returning to Ponta Delgada going down by Pico da Barrosa, you will once more have the stunning view over the newest and narrowest part of the island.

This tour gives you the unique opportunity to get to know São Miguel island as much as possible during a short stay. The tour will start early going in direction to Vista do Rei where you can enjoy the view over the Sete Cidades Lakes. From there the tour will take you up into the mountains to enjoy the view over the gorgeous Lagoa do Fogo. Then you will venture back down the mountains for a visit to Caldeira Velha, a protected nature reserve, where you will have the option to enjoy a bath in the warm water from a waterfall. The journey will then take you to the viewpoint of Santa Iria where you can see the gorgeous northern coast. Following the coastal views, you will visit the Gorreana tea plantation and its factory, where you can taste two different kinds of tea: black and green. The tour will continue on where you will be able to enjoy the amazing view over Furnas’ valley, and a stop will be made at Pico de Ferro’s viewpoint. Arriving in Furnas Village you will see some volcanic phenomena, known as fumaroles. You will then be able to have some lunch and eat the delicious famous Cozido das Furnas (or Furnas Stew), a gastronomic dish of Azores. After lunch, a stop in the Furnas Lake to see how the famous stew is cooked, then take a walk near the beautiful lake. Returning to Ponta Delgada and passing by Vila Franca do Campo, the first capital of São Miguel, located in the south coast, a last stop will be made at Ermida da Nossa Senhora Paz to enjoy the view to the famous Ilheú da Vila Franca. The tour will finish at your hotel or at the harbor.

Enjoy a half-day quad tour around Sete Cidades, the largest freshwater lake in the Azores, situated in the western part of the island of São Miguel. Starting from Ponta Delgada, discover the stunning landscapes of the island.   Experience the amazing view over the island at the Pico do Carvão viewpoint, with Ponta Delgada on one side, and Ribeira Grande on the other. Climb up into the mountains to see the Lagoas Empadadas, and the Serra Devassa. The mountains and lakes in this region play a very important role supplying water to the villages. Stop at Canário Lake for one of the best views of the Boca do Inferno trail.   On the way back to the city, you will see the majestic view at Vista do Rei, providing you with spectacular views of the magical blue and green colors that characterize the waters of these lakes.

Explore the northern part of São Miguel, the biggest island in the Azores archipelago. Ride a buggy, with the option to drive if you have a driving license or the guide can drive the buggy for you. This is a fun activity to do by yourself or with someone else.  Travel on thrilling off-road tracks to the most spectacular viewpoints in the region including Miradouro dos Aflitos, Ribeira Grande, Coroa da Mata, Gramas, Ribeiras, and more. Experience the adrenaline as you discover off-the-beaten-path locations and incredible panoramas of the coastline and countryside.