What are the Best Things to Do on Sao Miguel?

Sao Miguel is the largest of the islands of the Azores, located in the mid-Atlantic over 800 miles off the coast of Portugal. The island is a dream destination for many, with its breathtaking landscapes, incredible cuisine, and hospitable locals. Often called the “green island” for its lush pastures, quaint villages, and idyllic farmland, Sao Miguel can easily occupy tourists for days with its endless list of stunning sites, activities, and attractions. Here are some of the best things to do when visiting this beautiful volcanic island.

1. Explore the Sete Cidades Crater Lake

The gorgeous views from the Sete Cidades Crater Lake are like nothing else in the world. The two spectacular natural turquoise lakes that fill the dormant volcano’s caldera offer exceptional views no matter when you visit—each lake has a different color depending on the time of day, and many visitors claim the best views can be seen during sunrise and sunset. For visitors who don’t mind heights, a climb up the old cone of the volcano shapes pays off with some spectacular views!

2. Kayak Lake Fogo

Take some time to explore the stunning islands of Lake Fogo by kayak! This mountain lake is tucked in among lush pine forests close to Furnas and it’s one of Sao Miguel’s most beautiful spots. Explore idyllic channels between calcareous rocks, paddling past small waterfalls that pour into the lake, and have lunch on one of the islets in the middle of the lake. You’ll also spot numerous species of Azorean birds!

3. Shop At Ladeira da Fonte

Go back in time while perusing vintage items like old porcelain figures and copper kitchenware at Ladeira da Fonte in Vila Franca do Campo. This small bazaar originally served as a street market where locals would shop for their daily items in the local area, however it has since expanded to include various souvenirs for visitors as well. It’s recommended to bargain—it’s a local culture and doing so is seen as friendly haggling!

4. Relax in hot thermal springs

The thermal springs scattered around Sao Miguel are among its best-loved features. For example, Furnas is home to a series of outdoor spa pools that use dark copper hues from centuries worth of deposits from the volcano. For a more surreal experience, visitors can also enjoy a bath in an abandoned hotel pool filled by hot thermal springs (known as Banho Maria dos Caldeiros) in Ponta da Ferraria.

5. Try local Azorean cuisine

The Azores islands have their own unique cuisine that visitors should definitely try while on Sao Miguel. Specialty dishes such as cozido das furnas—a boiling stew-like mix cooked underground in natural springs—can be found almost anywhere on the island. There are also dishes like carne de vinha d’alhos, made with tender pork marinated in garlic and white wine, or ‘bolo levedo’, a sweet wheat and yeast cake usually served warm with butter and honey. Local restaurants serve some of these Azorean specialties, making it easy for visitors to sample local tastes!

6. Enjoy breathtaking coastal hikes

Sao Miguel offers many stunning coastal hikes for visitors to explore and admire its diverse geography. One popular route is along the Ponta Delgada coastline, with its spectacular views of wild ocean terrain below the famous rocky cliffs of Ponta Delgada—known as Rocha dos Bordões— all the way to Anjico, home to volcanic hot springs. Other scenic hikes include an ascent up to the viewpoint at Pico Alto (Another of Sao Miguel’s volcanic mounds) and along the trails surrounding the stunning Nordeste lookout points.

7. Visit some charming villages

Sao Miguel’s quaint villages provide small glimpses into local life and culture, allowing explorerers to soak up some of its heritage and charm. Tourists can stop by Nordeste, a medieval village with unique religious monuments like Ermida Senhor dos Remedios Church or Boca do Inferno (Hell’s Mouth) viewpoint. Other historic villages worth visiting include Caloura – a fishing village that tourists can take boat trips from – or Achada, where you can admire some breathtaking preserved wood mansions built during colonial times and still inhabited by local settlers today. Sao Miguel offers something for every kind of traveller, whatever their budget or tastes may be; from outdoor activities and volcanic wonders to culinary specialties, beautiful hikes, history and culture sites. From the natural highlights to shopping markets and charming villages – make sure you don’t miss out on any of these amazing experiences when visiting this stunning Azorean island! For more information about Things to do in Sao Miguel, make sure to check out GoAzores’ guide before your trip!