Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
Let me start off by saying that Sao Miquel, Azores completely blew me away. I’ve had this island on my radar for a long time, so when I had the chance to book a flight home from Europe with a layover here, I jumped on it. I knew this would be great, but this island exceeded my expectations in every way and I wish we had more than 3 days to enjoy the island.
Below you can see what we did with 3 days on Sao Miquel as well as a few recomendations for things we wish we had time for.
Book a Layover with SATA (or Azores Airlines). This is a fantastic way to add on a stop in the Azores for no extra cost. We flew home from Madeira and spent days in San Miquel before continuing our flight to the Boston.
See more details on how we booked a layover.
3 Day Itinerary: Quick Look
This itinerary assumes you have 3 full days on the island. We actually arrived at 6:30 am on the first day and had an 8 pm flight on the last day, so had almost 3 fulls days. Ideally you will arrive the night before this itinerary starts.
Day 1
- Take the ferry to Vila Franca do Campo
- Stop at Estrada panorâmica da Lagoa das Furnas for a walk and picnic
- Explore Furnas
- Short Coastal Walk and Scenic Drive
Day 2
- Visit a Pineapple Plantation
- Explore Ponta Delgada
- Hike the Sete Cidades
- Swim at Ponta da Ferraria
- Watch the Sunset at Seaside Vibez
Day 3
- Take a Tour of the Tea Plantation
- Try Surfing of enjoy a beach day
- Take a scenic drive
Where to Stay in the Azores
There are many places to stay in the Azores. We had an pretty good stay on the north of the island at
Solar Do Conde, although the pool wasn’t working and they had a loud wedding on the property right outside our room. It was good to be centrally located but I probably would have prefered to stay in the Santa Barbara area.
I’ve had good luck searching with Booking to find hotels and apartments.
Renting a Car
This itinerary only works if you rent a car – it is possible to search for fares through Discover Cars. You could also stay in Ponta Delgada and take day trips/tours but this will be slightly more expensive.
Another great tour option is to check out Brumas and Secenarios tours – we did not use them, but they came highly recommended (a friend said they are the best tour guide they’ve ever had!) Ask for Pedro!
Details of 3 Days on Sao Miquel, Azores
Day 1
We rolled into the Azores at 6:30 am! After renting our car we drove straight to the ferry for Vila Franca do Campo. We stopped for breakfast along the way, but were at the ferry office by 8:45.
Vila Franca do Campo
To purchase ferry tickets you can book them online in advance or get them on the day of at teh ferry dock. The office opened at 9:45 but they recommend getting in line by 9, especially on nice days (for the record there was no line on the day we were there.
The ferry takes about 10 minutes and operated every hour. It’s also possible to kayak or take a speed boat to the island, but the number of visitors each day is restricted. You don’t need much time on the island. Walk around the island, check out the waves coming through the cracks, watch some birds, have a snack and it’s time to go.
Book your ticket for the ferry directly online
Stop at Estrada panorâmica da Lagoa das Furnas for a walk and picnic
We stopped here on a whim, but it’s the perfect place for a break, a short walk or a picnic. We stopped, walked around, admired the chapel and the wooden statue of Gandalf before contining on our way.
Furnas
Furnas is home to geothermal activity in the center of an ancient volcano. As you explore the village, you’ll see steam rising from vents, bubbling hot springs, and even small geysers. The air smells faintly of sulfur a reminder of the powerful forces below. You can also visit the Furnas area where there are pools of bubbling mud.
One of the main attractions is Parque Terra Nostra, a beautiful botanical garden with a massive thermal pool. The iron-rich waters are a deep orange color and offer a soothing soak, especially after a day of hiking or exploring. Furnas is famous for cooking in the geothermal heat including eggs, stew and baked goods in many of the local restaurants.
Short Coastal Walk and Scenic Drive
Depending on where you are staying, and how much time you have left, consider finding a local walking trail to enjoy for 30 minutes or so before dinner. We stayed near a few trails and enjoyed finishing the days with a short walk.
Day 2
Plantação Ananases A Arruda
Start the morning with a visit to a Pineapple Plantation – we went to Plantação Ananases A Arruda but there are several others near Ponta Delgada. The plantation offers self guided tours, a lovely gifts shop and tasting area and a short video. You can see into the greenhouses where they grow pineapples. The whole visit takes just 30 minutes or so.
Ponta Delgada
Ponta Delgada, the capital of São Miguel in the Azores, is a charming city with cobbled streets, historic architecture, and lively local culture. To visit, stroll along the harborfront promenade, visit the iconic Portas da Cidade (City Gates), and explore the bustling Mercado da Graça for local fruits, cheeses, and Azorean specialties (we bough cheese and bread forour afternoon hike). Don’t miss the beautiful churches like Igreja de São José and the peaceful Jardim António Borges. Ponta Delgada also makes a great base for day trips around the island.
Hike the Sete Cidades
This is the big event of the day. Depending on the weather you can do this hike early in the morning or in the afternoon. We did the hike in the afternoon after it stopped raining. There are many ways to do this hike. We did the hike as a point to point walking about 8 miles from the parking lot down to the city in the crater. From here you can take a taxi back up to the parking lot. You can also hike back to the parking lot but this is about 12.5 miles and a few miles walking along a busy road.
This hike follows the crater rim – it has gorgeous views. The trail itself is actually a dirt road and not all that interesting, but the hike is worth it for the views.
See my post on how to hike the Sete Cidades.
Swim at Ponta da Ferraria
Swimming at Ponta da Ferraria on São Miguel is a truly unique experience. It is a coastal swimming hole with waves AND a hot spring. The geothermal springs beneath the basalt rocks heat the water up to around 35–40 °C (95–104 °F) at low tide, creating a comfortably warm pool surrounded by dramatic black lava cliffs. Note that we were there closer to high tide and is wasn’t nearly that warm but the heat did make it warmer than the ocean.
Despite being rustic, the site includes useful amenities: a large parking lot, restrooms, showers, and changing areas, all free and open 24/7 . For those preferring a more controlled spa environment, a short walk leads to Termas da Ferraria, which offers paid thermal pools, spa treatments, a restaurant, and oceanfront views (typically open during daylight hours)
Watch the Sunset at Seaside Vibez
We finished up this epic day with a quick bike of burgers at Seaside Vibez. This sits on a cliff over the ocean rocks and is the perfect place to watch the sunset.
Day 3
Take a Tour of the Tea Plantation
Start the morning at a tea plantation – Gorreana. This is the oldest tea plantation in Europe and you can take a free tour, walk through the farm and try tea samples. You should plan 30-90 minutes to enjoy the visit.
Try Surfing of enjoy a beach day
Next head to the coastal town of Santa Bárbara. You will find a fun little town and a long dark sand beach where you can enjoy the sun, try surfing or jump in the waves. The waves were quite big when we there there, but we enjoyed trying to surf and you can also take lessons. Make sure to visit the restaraunt on the cliffs at the western edge of the beach.
Take a scenic drive
There are so many scenic drivers and overlooks on the island. Spend the end of the way on a scenic drive or circle back to anything you missed on this itinerary.
More Things to do in Sao Miquel
So with 3 days you are just seeing some of the main highlights of this island. There are plenty more things to do and see including boat tours, snorkeling, scenic drives, and more! Here are a few that are on our list for when we go back.
Lagoa do Fogo (Lake of Fire)
- A stunning crater lake often considered the most beautiful on the island.
- Offers scenic hikes and jaw-dropping viewpoints (e.g., Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo).
Caldeira Velha
- A lush thermal area with natural hot spring pools and a waterfall surrounded by tropical forest.
- A great spot for a relaxing soak, especially after hiking.
Salto do Cabrito Waterfall
- A hidden gem near Ribeira Grande with a short hike through a forest and past an old hydroelectric plant.
- Great for photos, and there’s a pool you can dip into if you’re brave.
Ribeira Grande
- The island’s second-largest town, full of charm, surf shops, historic architecture, and local eateries.
- Nice place to stroll, especially if you’re already nearby for the tea plantation or Caldeira Velha.
Try Local Cheese and Cozido das Furnas
- Cozido is a traditional stew cooked underground using volcanic heat in Furnas—iconic Azorean cuisine.
- You can also stop at Queijadas da Vila for traditional pastries in Vila Franca do Campo.
Kayaking or Paddleboarding on a Crater Lake
- Particularly on Lagoa das Sete Cidades or Lagoa das Furnas.
- A unique way to experience the volcanic lakes from a different perspective.
General Things to Know About Sao Miquel
When to Visit
The best time to visit São Miguel is from May to October, when the weather is warm and ideal for hiking and swimming. June and September offer fewer crowds and great conditions. We were there is July and while it felt like there were tourists, it never felt crazy.
Is 3 Days Enough?
Yes and No. Ideally you would spend 5-7 days on the island, however 3 days is enough to get a feel for the place and visit some of the top sites.
Logistics: Money, Language
The Azores use the Euro (€). Credit cards are widely accepted, but carry cash for small towns. The main language is Portuguese, but English is commonly spoken in tourist areas.
