Things to do in

Ribeira Grande

Your guide, an expert in the history and nature of the Azores, will meet you at your accommodation at 09:00. On this 9-hour excursion you’ll head straight to Sete Cidades, enjoying amazing views of the island along the mountain road. Stop at the famous King's View, and take in the panorama appearing on many postcards of the Azores. You’ll be amazed at the beauty of smaller, little-known lakes of the area. After you visit a small town by the lake, the drive continues to the west coast of the island and the beautiful rocks of Mosteiros. In the afternoon, the itinerary starts off with a visit to Fogo Lake, the highest and most untouched of the large lakes of the Azores. Next is Caldeira Velha, a natural monument featuring lush vegetation and thermal activity. Continue to Ribeira Grande, the largest town on the north coast and see the most beautiful cliffs in São Miguel. Your last stop on the tour is a visit to pineapple greenhouses, where you’ll learn the unique techniques used in growing this fruit that’s important to the Azores. The program is a perfect introduction to the Azores, with a great mix of mountain views, lakes, coastal lookouts and insights into culture and history.

Explore the impressive landscapes and amazing panoramas on a hiking trip to São Miguel. Bathe in the natural pools in the stunning Lagoon of Lagoa do Fogo. Start your trail on a short dirt road, from where you will reach a small stream (about 2 km), reaching another relatively more open area, with several springs and wide declivities, that will lead you to Lagoa do Fogo. Bathe in the Natural Pools of Lagoa / Caloura, in the cozy Thermal Baths of Caldeira Velha, or in the Grandiose Waterfall of Salto do Cabrito. Get stunning panoramic views of Lago do Fogo (on one side) and the north coast of the island of Sao Miguel (on the other) while traveling along “Cumeeira Norte”. Pass through several small streams surrounded by incredibly green and untouched forests, before reaching the characteristic pumice-stone beach of the lagoon. Enjoy a pleasant picnic lunch of regional products. Return to the starting point while enjoying another perspective of the South Coast and the Atlantic Ocean. Visit the Bathing Zone of Caloura, or Agua D’Alto Beach, where you can practice snorkeling.

This tour will allow you to explore the best locations of the island, including lakes sceneries within volcano craters, shore views, and even sceneries from the highest island's grounds including one of the 7 natural wonders of Portugal and an active but dormant volcano of Lagoa do Fogo.  Be picked up at any location in Ponta Delgada. Your tour guide will be pleased to pick you and to do a briefing of your tour. This is a good time to customize your itinerary, if you wish. One of the interesting initial stops are at the Azorean pineapple plantations where your tour guide will explain all the stages and where you can try a free sample of the local pineapple liquor. After this the group will go uphill to the large western volcano Sete Cidades and make a stop on Pico do Carvão viewpoint so you can enjoy one of the best views over the island.  Grota do Inferno viewpoint is just ahead. From there you have some amazing sceneries within the Sete Cidades caldera and you can see the most beautiful lakes (Rasa lake, Santiago lake and the twin blue and green lakes). Following next, your tour guide takes the group to Vista do Rei viewpoint, from where you can admire the most famous perspective over the twin lakes of Sete Cidades and it's population. Next, head down to the Sete Cidades settlement next to the twin lakes and explore the most interesting spots nearby the lake. On the way back, reach the south shore heading to the Fogo volcano. Your tour guide will take you to the highest point of this central volcano, up to 947 meters above sea level at Pico da Barrosa. From there, as you explore the inner crater you can enjoy and stop at Fogo Lake. Right next to the Fogo lake is Caldeira Velha, an outdoor garden with hot thermal pools that you may enjoy. Finally the last stops will be at Ribeira Grande where you can learn the local way of living and stop at Santa Bárbara beach, the most popular site for surfers, to refresh yourself and enjoy the local shore view.

Whether you're an experienced traveler or first-time adventurer, have a once-in-a-lifetime experience with a canyoning adventure in Ribeira da Salga. Visit one of the most astonishing places in the northeast part of the island of Sao Miguel, located between Lomba de S.Pedro and Salga parishes. Start your adventure with a quick security briefing and equipment distribution.  Afterward take a half-hour hike towards the location where you'll be able to jump, slide, and rappel down gorgeous water streams into crystal-clear natural pools. The highest rappel can go up to 16 meters, and the highest jump up to around 8 meters. If you are uncomfortable about jumping other options are available.

Explore the volcanic landscape of the Sete Cidades, and the mountain scenery of the Lagoa do Fogo on a full-day sightseeing tour from Punta Delgada. Following a pick-up from your hotel, drive along a scenic road to the Vista do Rei viewpoint. Enjoy panoramic views of the blue and green waters of the two lakes in the crater of the Sete Cidades. Then, continue to different viewpoints before getting close to the banks of the twin lakes. Go to the Mata do Canário, and marvel at the unique flora of the natural park. Drive along the Pico do Carvão road past numerous small lakes, including the “Empadas Lakes.” Get multiple perspectives of the north and south shores of the island of São Miguel. Break for a lunch of typical Azorean food in a local restaurant in the city of Lagoa. Next, explore the city of Ribeira Grande with its unique historic center that dates from the 17th to 19th centuries. Ascend the Pico da Barrosa mountain at the end of your tour and discover the protected natural landscape of the Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake). Marvel at the thermal pools, waterfalls and different types of endangered plants of the area, before your return transfer to Ponta Delgada and a drop off at your hotel.

Relax and disconnect in a beautiful setting in this morning canyoning adventure in Salto do Cabrito. Explore the natural side of São Miguel Island hiking and canyoning through lush forests and cool streams.  Meet the guide in central Ponta Delgada or arrange pick up from your accommodation and travel in an air-conditioned van 20 minutes to Salto do Cabrito. Hike 30 minutes to the stream where an experienced guide will give a security briefing and distribute all the equipment needed for the activity. Once suited and ready to go, spend a few hours exploring the pools and waterfalls. For those who dare, there will be an opportunity to finish the tour with a 4-meter jump. A zipline is also available for those who'd prefer flying to jumping.

This tour gives you the unique opportunity to get to know São Miguel island as much as possible during a short stay. The tour will start early going in direction to Vista do Rei where you can enjoy the view over the Sete Cidades Lakes. From there the tour will take you up into the mountains to enjoy the view over the gorgeous Lagoa do Fogo. Then you will venture back down the mountains for a visit to Caldeira Velha, a protected nature reserve, where you will have the option to enjoy a bath in the warm water from a waterfall. The journey will then take you to the viewpoint of Santa Iria where you can see the gorgeous northern coast. Following the coastal views, you will visit the Gorreana tea plantation and its factory, where you can taste two different kinds of tea: black and green. The tour will continue on where you will be able to enjoy the amazing view over Furnas’ valley, and a stop will be made at Pico de Ferro’s viewpoint. Arriving in Furnas Village you will see some volcanic phenomena, known as fumaroles. You will then be able to have some lunch and eat the delicious famous Cozido das Furnas (or Furnas Stew), a gastronomic dish of Azores. After lunch, a stop in the Furnas Lake to see how the famous stew is cooked, then take a walk near the beautiful lake. Returning to Ponta Delgada and passing by Vila Franca do Campo, the first capital of São Miguel, located in the south coast, a last stop will be made at Ermida da Nossa Senhora Paz to enjoy the view to the famous Ilheú da Vila Franca. The tour will finish at your hotel or at the harbor.

On reaching the town of Ribeira Grande, the architecture of the city will be highlighted, its Ribeira and municipal gardens, pass by the haystack (Viewpoint), location which overlooks part of the north coast of the island of Sao Miguel, the start rises to observe the Lagoa do Fogo, we will stop in the natural park of the Old Boiler, which offers visitors a relaxing stroll, having direct contact with nature, having at its disposal two eras of train waters, whose temperatures vary between 35 ° at the new epoch and 25 ° in the older era and along the cascade, followed by Lagoa do Fogo, a pond of very blue waters, surrounded by a dense and lush vegetation endemic, and the lagoon highest of the island of Sao Miguel (Situated in the Pico da Barrosa). Furnas, known for its beautiful Valley, due to its paradisiacal scenery, and a City that has a lot to offer, namely its Lagoon, Terra Nostra, the Poca da Dona Beija, Beatriz owner of the Garden, the fumaroles, springs hot and not only, as well as their delicacies cooked on volcanic soil that appears at high temperatures, allowing cooking in the same soil. When moving to the Furnas, have the opportunity to visit also the Vila Franca do Campo, highlights of Ilheu and Chapel of Our Lady of Peace, on the way from the town center of Furnas. Furnas Lagoon is a mandatory stop, due to its surroundings and natural beauty and there, the ritual removal of cooked Furnas. Follow a path to the town center, where an Inn offers numerous flavors, sensations, from its sources, its gastronomy and all its natural beauty, that mother nature offers. Furnas, through the Iron Peak Lookout is the next stop, the route where a local manufacture processes tea in the factory, and the cha Black and cha Green are a delight for lovers. The Sta Iria viewpoint, point of interesting landscape and history, which provide a nice view of the northern coast and on the three main mountains of the island of Sao Miguel, being your last stop before returning to Ponta Delgada.

Once you are picked up at your hotel, get ready for a half-day of exploring. You can choose from three tour options, each with its own destination: Sete Cidades, Furnas or Lagoa do Fogo. Half-day tour to Sete Cidades After exploring several lakes around the area, hop on an all-terrain ride for travel along the craters of Sete Cidades. Visit the small local parish. Half-day tour to Furnas Meet the most romantic town in Portugal. In Furnas, hot spring water is neighbor to the fresh spring water inside a volcano. See vegetation and fumaroles competing. Enjoy Furnas lake shore (a small trail hike can be included if wanted) and see how a traditional Portuguese plate is done in Furnas. Half-day tour to Lagoa do Fogo Enjoy the natural blue hue of the natural reserve, Fogo Lake. Visit the Caldeira Velha with its hot waterfall and natural pool for swimming. Explore a 4WD trail to a fresh water waterfall (a small trail hike can be included if wanted). Witness evidence of volcano activity at Ribeira Grande, a small town in Caldeiras.

In Seven Cities have as a highlight, the King View, which offers a panoramic view of the Seven Cities Lake, where you can see the Green and the Blue Lagoon and around the crater of the volcano of the Seven cities, and this place one of the 7 Wonders of Portugal. Had been, also to know other places of great interest Tourist such as the Lagoa do Canario, Lagoa Santiago and Mosteiros. The Fire Lake, it is a Lake of very blue waters, surrounded by a dense and lush vegetation endemic, being the highest lagoon of the island of Sao Miguel (Situated in the Pico da Barrosa placed on 937m) On reaching the town of Ribeira Grande, we have to highlight the architecture of the Island Sao Miguel and the city of  Ribeira Grande, pass by Viewpoint to overlooks part of the north coast of the island of Sao Miguel and we have the opportunity to taste some traditional liquors. After you will stop in the natural park of the Caldeira Velha, which offers visitors a relaxing stroll, having a direct contact with nature, having at its disposal two eras of train waters, whose temperatures vary between 35 ° at the new epoch and 25 ° in the older era and along the waterfall. At the end of this tour, you have the opportunity to visit the pinneapple plantation in a parish village Faja de baixo (Local unique in Europe, with the cultivation of pineapple).