Highlights
- Enjoy a culinary trail around Ponta Delgada's trendy downtown eateries
- Get off-road and hike the spectacular Cumeeiras Trail
- Hop on a whale watching trip to spot sperm whales, beaked whales, and dolphins
- Sip tea at Gorreana Tea Factory, Europe's only tea plantation
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive on São Miguel Island | São Miguel Island |
| Day 2 | Take a Thrill-Seeking Off-Road Drive & Hike | São Miguel Island |
| Day 3 | See More of the Island on Horseback, Free Afternoon | São Miguel Island |
| Day 4 | Day at Leisure to Explore São Miguel | São Miguel Island |
| Day 5 | Epic Canyoning Adventure | São Miguel Island |
| Day 6 | Discover the Geothermal Wonders of the Furnas Valley | São Miguel Island |
| Day 7 | Depart São Miguel Island |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive on São Miguel Island
Welcome to the Azores! Upon arrival at Ponta Delgada Airport on the archipelago's largest island of São Miguel, a private driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the city center. After check-in, you'll have the rest of the day to relax and explore Ponta Delgada and its surroundings at your leisure. Stroll through town and stop at the striking Convento de Nossa Senhora da Esperança, a 16th-century convent with an opulent Baroque altar.
In the afternoon, wander the port and explore the Forte de São Bras, an imposing fortress erected in 1552 to guard the city, then stop for a bite and sink your teeth into the island's famous pineapples. If natural history's your thing, consider a self-guided tour of Museu Carlos Machado. It's the oldest museum in the Azores, dedicated to the 19th-century naturalist Carlos Machado and offers exhibits on geology, mineralogy, and an array of local flora and fauna.
This evening you're in for a culinary delight as you discover some of the best food and wine in the Azores with a guided walk through Ponta Delgada's trendiest eateries and neighborhood bars. Wind through the downtown of this vibrant town as you sample fruit, honey, bread, pastries, seafood, artisanal meats, and homemade desserts— paired with a series of delicious, locally-produced wines. Along this flavorful experience, you'll soak up some of the city's best sights, discover off-the-beaten-path highlights, and pick up some great local recommendations for your time in the Azores.
Day 2: Take a Thrill-Seeking Off-Road Drive & Hike
Today you're in for a day of off-road adventure with a 4WD excursion to Sete Cidades. Located on the west side of São Miguel Island, this remarkable area of natural beauty is considered one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal. Lush hillsides and volcanic craters rise between numerous tranquil lakes, each with its own distinctive character.
During today's trip, you'll stop at several viewpoints and take in spectacular views of Carvão and Vista da Princesa. Weather permitting, you'll also stop for a hike along the iconic Cumeeiras Trail, which follows the volcano's rim and offers panoramic vistas from both sides. In the afternoon, continue to the charming local church and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the village inside the crater. On the way back to Ponta Delgada, a trail around the lake's edge passes through a small peninsula shrouded in trees and flowers—giving you one last chance to capture the wilderness of this pristine landscape with your camera.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: See More of the Island on Horseback, Free Afternoon
Today you'll see some of the island's most remote and hidden corners from a different vantage point—on horseback! Join your guide for a gentle two-hour ride along secondary paths flanked by old dry stone walls. You'll get to see another side to São Miguel as you ride through verdant landscapes of eucalyptus, acacia, and laurel, and enjoy the tranquil nature of the island away from the buzz of town.
The afternoon is yours to spend as you please, but you'll probably want to head straight for some of the island's best beaches. Head to Praia de Santa Bárbara for over half a mile of soft sand and a great lunch spot at nearby Tuka Tulá Bar. During the summer you can also attend nighttime concerts here. At Praia de Água D'Alto, you'll find a wide stretch of volcanic sand, clear water, and dramatic cliffs—a combination that makes it one of the most popular beaches on the island.
Day 4: Day at Leisure to Explore São Miguel
As the largest island of the Azores archipelago, São Miguel has an enviable landscape of forest-wrapped volcanic peaks, azure lakes, and impressive calderas. Today is yours to explore more of the island at your leisure. For more hiking, head back to the lakes at Sete Cidades and choose one of the area's many walking trails. The finest lookout is the Vista do Rei (King's View); from here, you can hike down to the village of Sete Cidades next to the lakes; it's an easy 5-mile (8 km) stroll that takes a couple of hours.
A perfect way to spend your afternoon is on a whale watching trip. The waters of the Azores are home to around 25 species of cetaceans, with the islands located slap-bang in the middle of a migratory route between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Since there is no continental shelf around the islands, several deep-sea species swim next to the coastline, including sperm whales, beaked whales, and dolphins. To discover the underwater world of the Azores even closer, opt for a snorkeling excursion.
Day 5: Epic Canyoning Adventure
Get ready for an epic canyoning adventure in nature's own playground as you venture into the heart of the island. Jump into crystal-clear pools, slide between rocks shaped by the stream's flow, and rappel down waterfalls accompanied by a qualified guide. Safety gear will be provided, and you can pick from a half or full-day experience. With an easy to medium level, this is the perfect opportunity or beginners to try canyoning for the first time amid spectacular scenery.
If you still have energy left after canyoning, take the opportunity to discover more of the island's beaches. If you're looking to swim, the sheltered Vila Franca do Campo Islet is a perfect paddling and snorkeling spot, while the oceans around Praia do Fogo remain naturally warmer due to nearby hot springs. For peace and quiet, Praia dos Moinhos is a perfect choice, while Praia dos Mosteiros—with its dark volcanic sand and towering sea rocks—remains one of the best photo-ops on the island.
Day 6: Discover the Geothermal Wonders of the Furnas Valley
Today's guided tour takes you into the Furnas Valley, a volcanic caldera that has lain dormant since 1630. It's one of São Miguel's most intriguing and otherworldly geothermal spots, where mud pots bubble and fumaroles steam amid the verdant landscape. Your first stop will be a walking trail of Pico do Ferro, which offers some of the best views of nearby Furnas Lake. The route is circular in muddy flat terrain and takes around 1.5 hours to complete.
From there, it's on to the Terra Nostra Botanical Garden―the oldest botanical garden in the Azores―where you can enjoy a dip in the thermal pools and natural Jacuzzis surrounded by the greenest scenery. Your experience at Furnas won't be complete until you sit down to lunch to try the traditional dish of cozido, a stew famous for being cooked underground using geothermal heat, and the ananás (pineapple) for dessert.
After lunch, you'll get to explore more of the valley's volcanic activity, like the steam vents, the fumaroles, and the mineral waters fountains that gush from the lava walls, making this place one of the richest hydrological regions in Europe. On the way back to Ponta Delgada, make a final stop at the Gorreana Tea Factory to enjoy a cup of delicious tea at the only tea plantation in Europe.
Day 7: Depart São Miguel Island
More Great Azores Itineraries
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