São Miguel Island

SÃO MIGUEL

São Miguel (green island – because of the pastures and forests): São Miguel is the largest island in the Azores Archipelago. The main tourist points of interest are the Lagoa das Sete Cidades, the Greeen and Blue lagoons are one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal. You can enjoy its panoramic view from the viewpoint of Vista do Rei. You can also visit the parish of Sete Cidades where you can enjoy more closely the surrounding beauty of Lagoa. The Grota do Inferno Viewpoint, at an altitude of 730 meters, is one of the best places on the island, from here it is possible to enjoy the view of the Lagoa das Sete Cidades, Lagoa Rasa, Lagoa do Canário, Lagoa de Santiago and even an area from the parish of Sete Cidades. At Ponta da Ferraria, a bathing area with unique characteristics where thermal springs are found, you can enjoy a bath in warm waters in full sea water, given the area where the springs are located. Like Lagoa das Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo is also one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal. This is the second largest lagoon on the island. In this place is a dormant volcano, formed about 15,000 years ago. In this area you can also choose to take a Pedestrian Trail and get to know the lagoon more closely. At Caldeira Velha, you can enjoy a hot bath, where the hot water flows through the volcanic rocks towards a small lagoon. Close to Caldeira Velha, you can take a small trail where you will find the beautiful Salto do Cabrito waterfall. The Vila Franca do Campo islet is one of the biggest attractions. The islet is a crater of an old submarine volcano classified as a natural reserve. Its natural pool, inside it and in a circular shape – in connection with the sea through a narrow passage – make this place an excellent choice to enjoy moments of relaxation. Vale das Furnas is one of the places in São Miguel where you can closely appreciate the volcanic activity that still exists on the island. A must visit to the Caldeiras das Furnas area, where the characteristic smell of sulfur is always present in the air. Here you can also get to know Lagoa das Furnas up close, through a pedestrian trail or simply enjoy all its beauty during the car journey. It is in this area that you can find the famous Caldeiras das Furnas, where Cozido das Furnas is made – typical Portuguese stew cooked in holes underground. In Furnas, you can also visit Grená Park and you will find unique scenarios full of flora and fauna, waterfalls and streams. It is in Terra Nostra Park that you can enjoy and find flora endemic to the Azores in a single place, as well as from other countries. In this place you will find the biggest hot water pool, built in 1780, present on the island. You can enjoy a unique experience in a relaxing bath with thermal features. Similar to Parque Terra Nostra, in Poça da Dona Beija you will find several swimming pools with warm water. You can enjoy relaxing thermal baths in pools of different sizes and temperatures. In Ribeira Quente, you can enjoy one of its biggest attractions: Praia da Ribeira Quente or Praia do Fogo, a unique beach in a very quiet area. The Salto do Prego (Sanguinho) waterfall in Faial da Terra can be visited via a 4.5km walking trail that lasts 2 hours. Upon reaching the waterfall you will feel a unique sensation of beauty and nature in a unique and magical place. Located in the municipality of Nordeste, Ribeira dos Caldeirões is a place with history. This is one of the most visited places in this county due to its great natural beauty, waterfall and windmills. Water mills that were part of the history of the Northeast and that – even today – it is possible to visualize how corn was ground. For a stay of sun and beach, in addition to Praia da Ribeira Quente, you can also visit Praia da Caloura, Praia de Água D’Alto, Praia dos Moinhos, Praia dos Mosteiros, Praia de Santa Bárbara, Praia da Milícias and Pópulo , Vinha D’Areia Beach. It is on this island that you can also find the only tea plantation in Europe, the Gorreana tea. Restaurants: Otaka; Tony’s; Green Island Routes; Agricultural Association; Quinta dos Sabores; Suplex; Pier 20; The House of Abel; Bar Caloura.