5 days on Sao Miguel in the Azores

Getting There

The Azores are a group of nine Portuguese islands located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Because of their remote location, direct flights can be somewhat limited depending on where you’re traveling from. São Miguel is the largest and most visited island, and its main city, Ponta Delgada, serves as one of the primary gateways to the Azores.

There are direct flights to the Azores from cities including Boston and New York, although routes and frequencies can vary depending on the season. From Europe, direct flights are also available from select cities, including London, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt, but they may not operate every day or year-round. Because of this, many travelers connect through Lisbon or Porto before continuing on to the islands.

If you plan to visit more than one island, you may need to take an additional inter-island flight or ferry. Flights are generally the most practical option between islands that are farther apart, while ferries are particularly useful for traveling between islands located close to one another.

Ponta Delgada Airport on São Miguel is relatively small and easy to navigate, so arrivals and departures are generally straightforward. São Miguel itself is also manageable to explore by car. You can drive from one end of the island to the other in roughly two hours, while driving around much of the island would take approximately four to five hours without stops. In reality, you’ll want to allow much longer, as there are plenty of viewpoints, towns, hikes, hot springs, and other stops worth exploring along the way.

Getting Around

When visiting the Azores, renting a car is by far the easiest way to get around and gives you the flexibility to explore at your own pace. The roads are generally well maintained and easy to navigate, and driving is on the right-hand side of the road. While some of the smaller roads can be narrow and winding, particularly in more rural or mountainous areas, driving around the islands is relatively straightforward.

Taxis are available, and Bolt operates on some of the islands, but availability can be limited, especially once you get outside the main towns. If you plan to rely on taxis or Bolt, it’s best to book ahead when possible and have a backup option for getting back. For most visitors looking to explore beyond the main towns, having a rental car will make your trip significantly easier.

Day 1

Day 1 | Morning

ARRIVAL AND TRANSFER TO THE WEST

Fly into Ponta Delgada Airport and pick up your rental car. You’ll want one for the full trip. From the airport, it’s about a 45-minute drive west to Sensi Azores Resort, your base for the first two nights. Its western location puts you close to Sete Cidades without a long drive, so take the rest of the morning to settle in.

Day 1 | Afternoon

EASE INTO THE ISLAND

Keep the afternoon low-key after travel. Wander the grounds of Sensi, take advantage of the spa, or drive out toward Mosteiros to scope out the coastline before coming back for sunset.

Day 1 | Evening

SUNSET IN MOSTEIROS AND DINNER AT SENSI

Head to Mosteiros, a tiny coastal village on the western side of São Miguel, for sunset. The dramatic rock formations just offshore make it one of the best spots on the island to watch the sky change color. Afterward, drive back to Sensi for dinner at Mômô, the resort’s restaurant. It’s worth booking even beyond your first night as the food is excellent and the setting is relaxed after a long travel day.

Day 2

Day 2 | Morning

Sete cidades

Start the day at Sete Cidades, one of the most iconic areas of São Miguel, known for its twin lakes ringed by the lush walls of a volcanic crater. Stop first at the Vista do Rei Viewpoint for the classic view from above, then explore the area either on foot via one of the hiking trails or book a horseback tour.

Day 2 | Afternoon

THE LAKESHORE AND LUNCH IN PONTA DELGADA

Later, head down to the lakeshore and drive the road that cuts between the two lakes as it’s a nice way to experience the crater up close after seeing it from above. From there, head to Ponta Delgada for a late lunch. It’s the island’s city, and while you don’t need to dedicate much time to it, it’s an easy stop for an afternoon meal.

Day 2 | Evening

PINEAPPLE PLANTATION

Before heading back to Sensi, visit a local pineapple plantation, such as Ananas dos Açores, in Ponta Delgada. São Miguel is famous for pineapples grown in greenhouses using cultivation methods unique to the island, and you can sample everything from fresh fruit to pineapple liqueurs. If you’re in the mood for a drink before dinner, Ta Gente in Ponta Delgada is a fun stop for cocktails on your way back west.

Day 3

Day 3 | Morning

WHALE WATCHING FROM VILA FRANCA DO CAMPO

Check out of Sensi and start making your way east. Your first stop is Vila Franca do Campo for a whale watching tour. The Azores are one of Europe’s best destinations for spotting whales, dolphins, and other marine life. Terra Azul runs several speedboat tours a day from here and uses land-based spotters to help guides locate wildlife before and during the trip.

Day 3 | Afternoon

LUNCH IN FURNAS

From Vila Franca do Campo, continue on to Furnas, one of São Miguel’s most fascinating areas thanks to its geothermal activity. There are hot springs, fumaroles, and steaming vents all scattered throughout the valley. Have lunch at Queijaria Furnense, or somehwere in the area, which serves the local specialty, cozido: a traditional Portuguese stew which is cooked in large pots underground for 6–8 hours using the area’s natural geothermal heat.

Day 3 | Evening

ON TO RIBEIRA GRANDE AND DINNER AT QUINTA DOS SABORES

After lunch, drive north to the Ribeira Grande / Santa Bárbara area and check into Santa Bárbara Eco-Beach Resort, your base for the next two nights. Its central location on the north-central coast makes it an easy jumping-off point for exploring the rest of the island without too much driving. Tonight, head to Quinta dos Sabores, a farm-to-table restaurant near Santa Bárbara offering set menus with optional wine pairings. Your table is yours for the evening, so there’s no rush. Be sure to wander the property and see some of the animals at some point during your visit.

Day 4

Day 4 | Morning

CHÁ GORREANA TEA PLANTATION

This morning, drive the northern coast, starting with Chá Gorreana, one of São Miguel’s historic tea plantations. Take the free guided tour of the factory, learn how the tea is produced, and sample a few varieties, then walk through the surrounding fields. The rows of bright green tea plants feel more reminiscent of Asia than Portugal.

Day 4 | Afternoon

VIEWPOINTS, WATERFALLS, AND NORDESTE

Continue east to Miradouro de Santa Iria for sweeping views over dramatic cliffs, green hills, and the Atlantic. This is a quick and easy stop along the northern route. From there, head to Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park, a lush park filled with waterfalls, greenery, and historic watermills (and one of the island’s most popular spots for canyoning, if you want to add it to the day). Finish the loop in Nordeste, which covers the quieter northeastern corner of the island. It’s less developed than other parts of São Miguel and a great place to experience a more peaceful side of it before heading back.

Day 4 | Evening

BEACH AND DRINKS AT TUKATULÁ

Head back toward Santa Bárbara for a beach evening. Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara is a long black-sand beach and one of the island’s best-known surfing spots. It’s a great place to relax and watch the surfers if the weather’s on your side. Grab drinks and a bite at TukaTulá Beach Bar, right on the beach, where the menu puts a nice twist on some of the more traditional dishes found around the island.

Day 5

Day 5 | Morning

HOT SPRINGS

Use your last full day as a buffer to slow down. Spend the morning bathing in the naturally heated thermal pools at Caldeira Velha, a geothermal area surrounded by dense vegetation, if that sounds enjoyable.

Day 5 | Afternoon

Chill

Take the afternoon to relax or add something in you were not able to do from the prior days due to time or weather!

Day 5 | Evening

HEAD TO YOUR NEXT ISLAND

If you’re continuing on to another Azorean island, this is a good time to catch an inter-island flight or ferry, depending on where you’re headed next and how far apart the islands are. If São Miguel is your only stop, spend a final relaxed evening back at the resort.