We landed on São Miguel, the biggest of all the islands in the Azores and immediately headed for Plantação Ananases A Arruda, a pineapple plantation. One of the things São Miguel is known for are its adorable small pineapples—we enjoyed them fresh, in a piña colada, and in a pineapple pastry. We then checked the other touristy spot off of our list, the Gorreana Tea Plantation. As the oldest (and currently the only) tea plantation in Europe, it was fascinating to walk through the fields and see the tea-making process firsthand. Of course, we couldn’t resist buying some to bring home, it was delicious! Afterwards, we headed to TukáTulá Beach Bar in Ribeira Grande, a laid-back surf town, for dinner and a sunset walk along the beach.
Day 1 – Fog, Lakes, and Lava Arches
Our first full day in São Miguel took us into the mountains to see some of the island’s famous lakes, but the weather had other plans—it was incredibly foggy. The weather in São Miguel can be unpredictable, though this day’s forecast looked like the best of our trip. Pro tip: check the Azores Weather Cameras before heading out, they’re a lifesaver! Even though the fog blocked the sweeping views, it was mesmerizing to watch it roll in and out. We managed a short hike up to the Boca do Inferno Viewpoint, but it wasn’t until we descended below the clouds that we finally got a glimpse of the stunning Twin Lakes in Sete Cidades. The blue and green lakes flow into each other, creating a striking contrast that feels almost unreal.
Afterward, we stopped in the town of Sete Cidades for lunch at a cozy tea house, Casa de Chá O Poejo, and enjoyed a relaxing lakeside walk to admire the two-toned waters up close. From there, we drove to the northwestern coast to visit the black sand beach in Mosteiros before heading to Termas da Ferraria, a natural hot spring in the ocean. Since it wasn’t safe to swim at high tide, we explored the area on foot and even spotted some dramatic lava arches. We ended the day back at our hotel pool before heading out for dinner at A Tasca in Ponta Delgada—a perfect way to wrap up a full day of exploring.
Day 2 – Hot Springs, Coastlines, and a Volcano View
We kicked off the morning with a soak at Caldeira Velha, one of São Miguel’s many naturally occurring hot springs. We’d been craving a warm dip, and it turned out to be the perfect, relaxing start to the day. On the drive, we spotted a sign for a distillery offering tastings and decided to check it out—A Mulher de Capote. In addition to sampling some delicious local liqueurs, we learned about the traditional Azorean capote cloak.
For lunch, we stopped at a casual beach shack in Ribeira Grande called Bifanas a Ferreirinha, where my wife happily tucked into a bifana sandwich that was bigger than her head. In the afternoon, we hiked to the stunning Salto do Cabrito waterfall before driving through foggy mountain roads to reach the other side of the island. The views were hidden, but the misty, moody atmosphere gave everything an almost spooky beauty.
On our way back to the hotel, we made a stop in Vila Franca do Campo, a coastal town with breathtaking views of the sunken volcano just offshore. We wrapped up the day with some downtime at the hotel—a relaxing Turkish bath at the spa followed by a laid-back dinner.
Day 3 – Canyoneering & Gin Collection Dreams
The next morning was our most adventurous day of the trip—we went canyoneering with Azorean Blueberry! We spent three exhilarating hours sliding down rocks, zip-lining, wading through rivers, and rappelling down waterfalls. It was equal parts thrilling and terrifying, but I’m so glad we decided to try something new.
Afterwards, we ventured to the far eastern end of the island, an area few tourists usually explore. We spent the afternoon in Nordeste, one of the most oldest regions on São Miguel. Highlights included lunch at Elias Snack Bar (yes, another bifana!), visiting the island’s first lighthouse, Farol do Arnel, driving down to a dramatic ocean pool Piscina Natural Da Boca De Ribeira, where waves crash into the rocks, and a stroll through the serene cliffside garden – Jardim do Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego.
We wrapped up the day at The Gin Library, a bar that boasts the world’s largest gin collection—with over 2,000 bottles! In addition to their extensive selection, they even distill their own gin. I couldn’t snag one of the coveted Omakase reservations there, so after a drink we headed into downtown Ponta Delgada for some excellent pizza at Nonna’s Teeth.
Day 4 – Volcanic Wonders & a Fancy Farewell
Our day began with a boat ride around Vila Franca do Campo Islet, a sunken volcano just off the southern coast of São Miguel. We’d glimpsed it earlier in the trip but wanted a closer look. We ended up being the only two people on the tour, so our guides shared tons of local insights, answered all our questions, and even sped us across the waves for a little extra fun. Afterwards, we stopped at Santuário Diocesano de Nossa Senhora da Paz, a hilltop church overlooking the islet and town before continuing on to Lagoa do Fogo, a volcanic freshwater lake surrounded by lush mountains and misty skies.
Someone we’d met at The Gin Library had recommended stopping for lunch at Restaurante Associação Agrícola de São Miguel —and it didn’t disappoint. In the afternoon, we headed to Furnas, one of the island’s most geothermally active areas, to visit Parque Terra Nostra. The large thermal pool, rich in iron, was a deep orange-brown color and said to have healing properties. After a relaxing soak, we strolled through the peaceful botanical gardens surrounding the baths.
Furnas is also known for its bolo lêvedo, a sweet Azorean muffin, so we stopped by Glória Moniz Bakery to grab a few to bring home. We then visited the caldeiras, where steam rises from volcanic vents across the ground. The faint sulfur scent was worth it for the chance to see how locals still use the natural heat to cook their traditional cozido das Furnas stew.
For our last night, we treated ourselves to a tasting menu at Otaka—the perfect finale to our unforgettable Azorean adventure.
Day 5 – Ponta Delgada & Goodbye Azores
On our final morning, we woke to see a cruise ship docked in the harbor. After checking out of the hotel, we spent some time exploring Ponta Delgada, the island’s largest town. We visited the historic city gates, browsed local shops, and picked up some plane snacks from a charming chocolatier.
Before heading to the airport, we made a few last scenic stops: a 1930s whale-watching perch, fields dotted with cows more volcanic steam vents, and a miradouro with a rock formation shaped like an elephant. It was the perfect, scenic farewell to such a magical island.
Final Thoughts
São Miguel is the perfect blend of adventure, natural beauty, and laid-back island charm. From volcanic lakes and steaming hot springs to black sand beaches and rugged coastlines, every corner of the island offers something unique to explore. Whether you’re seeking thrilling activities like canyoneering or quiet moments strolling through gardens and sipping local liqueurs, the island delivers an unforgettable experience. São Miguel isn’t just a destination—it’s a place that stays with you long after you leave.
Our full itinerary including where we stayed is linked here.
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Interested in visiting other islands in the Azores? I also explored Pico, Faial, and Terceiera.
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