Best of Ponta Delgada

The gateway to the Azores, Ponta Delgada is also the largest city in the archipelago. Architecturally striking buildings line the cobblestone center, alongside flower-filled gardens and whitewashed churches trimmed with black basalt. With outdoor adventures just outside of town, Ponta Delgada makes a great base for exploring the island of São Miguel, and it has a small but vibrant cultural scene thanks in part to the town’s university population. 

Less than a half-hour drive from Ponta Delgada, you can hike along the rim of the blue crater lake of Lagoa de Fogo. Northwest of the city, you can explore the landscapes of Sete Cidades, with blue and green side-by-side lakes ringed by verdant hills. The coastline is also full of unique attractions, including Ponta da Ferraria, a natural pool on the seaside where thermal waters mix with ocean currents. Meanwhile, boat trips off São Miguel offer the chance to see a variety of whales, dolphins and other marine life.