WHERE?
Sao Miguel, in The Azores, an archipelago in the mid-Atlantic and an autonomous region of Portugal.
WHEN?
It rains A LOT in The Azores, that’s why it is so green and beautiful. The “less rainy” season is June-July-August. We went for 5 weeks in July/August and the weather was great. Raining a little every 2 days but completely ok. Be careful, there are not a lot of hotels/Airbnb and car rentals on the different islands so everything was booked! We looked at it 2 weeks before leaving and we found nothing! We ended up reaching out to contacts of contacts and staying with local people. So book in advance everything you can.
TIPS
ACCESS:
If you are lucky, by boat!
Or by plane. Most of the connections pass by Lisboa but you also have direct flights from the US and from Canada! More flights from Europe during the high season too.
RENT A CAR:
You have official renting companies everywhere. The most famous one is Ilha Verde. We never went through them because we went during high season and everything was just fully booked or insanely expensive. So we rented via a friend, please email me if you want his contact.
Where to stay:
As I wrote above, in June-July-August, many places are fully booked (a bit less in Sao Miguel), so make your reservations in advance.
Everyone says that the best way to explore the Azores is by camping. Indeed, all around the island, you have gorgeous campings that are super well-equipped (we were remote working and had our surfboards so we did not choose this option)
We rented a flat via a particular (please email/text me for his contact) in Rabo do Peixe. Brand new, 2 rooms, 1 bathroom, great kitchen, living room, backward terrasse. You even see the ocean from the bedrooms. 50 euros/night which is a great price!
Other than that you can stay anywhere on the island, depending on what you are looking for and if you have a car. Ponta Delgada is packed but practical. Santa Barbara is the best for surfing. Then mainly places and villages are super quiet. Up to you and there are many Airbnb.
Where to eat:
All around the island you will find local restaurants and “chiringuitos”. Here is just a simple selection:
Louvre Michaelense: my favorite one on the island haha. Great atmosphere, delicious food, and many veggie options
Sunset Poço da Pedra: what a spot for sunset! Surprisingly, great choice of food and cocktails (so cheap) and veggie options! We had the burger and it was really good.
Santo Seitan: it was closed when we wanted to do it but it’s all veggie and friends went and said it was really good.
Solar Branco: seems amazing but we did not have the time or budget haha
What to bring:
Hiking gear
Swimming and Snorkeling gear
Swimsuit and towel for the thermal baths
Sun protection: sunglasses, cap, sun cream etc
Surfing gear is it’s in your plans
A waterproof light jacket (it rains a bit every day)
Something warm for the evening
Cables to charge your phone in the car
ACTIVITIES
Diving: We went diving with Best Spots Azores. They were super nice and professional. They have all kinds of dives for all levels. We did 2 dives around Ilheu de Vila and then we had the chance to join them for a dive with Mobula near Santa Maria (2h + 2h boat back and forth to go to the spot though). The dive with Mobulas was magical and we saw many cetaceans on the way. Highly recommended once in your life at least! Here is Bruno’s phone number: +351963469932. Tell him you come from me ;)
Natural pools:
Beaches:
Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara: the nicest one on the island. Great for surfing!
Explore Ilheu da Vila by kayak. You can rent them here in Vila Franca
Visit the Tea plantations. You have 2 options: Tea Porto Formoso and Gorreana Tea Factory
We visited Gorreana and it was great! It is free, you can explore by yourself or ask for a guide. You can test all the teas for free and there is also a gorgeous terrasse with a cafe. At last, there is a trail in the tea plantations. So beautiful. Highly recommended.
Relax in the thermal waters. So many options in Furnas. We went to Poça da Dona Beija. You have to pay and it was packed but still, it was a great experience and relaxing. It’s sulfate though, so be ready for the smell!
You can do canyoning in different places. One of them is Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões.
Paragliding, ideally in Sete Cidades!
Viewpoints/Hikes: Have a look at the “All-trails” app to see all the hikes on the island!
Sete Cidades: maybe my favorite spot on the island. It is simply gorgeous. Many hikes all around. One of the best viewpoints is from Miradouro da Boca do Inferno. You park here, next to the Lagoa do Canário, and then it’s a 20min easy walk. Here is also another viewpoint, you can access it by car.
Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo: one of the most beautiful places on the island"! you can go down to the lake or hike around. Just the view is worth it too.
Poço Azul + Salto da Farinha: you can do both separately (anyway there is a short walk for both) or together because there is a hike in between (in and out).
Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões: One of my favorite spots on the island. Easy to access and easy walks once there. Beautiful waterfall and vegetation.
Lagoa das Furnas: we just loved this place. It is really impressive and peaceful.
Furnas: All around the village you have thermal water. Here you can walk around the “pools”
Lagoa do Congro: We did not have time to go but it’s one of the hikes I saved.
Salto do Cabrito: a short walk to a nice waterfall
Caldeira Velha: nice walk and you can also go in the thermal pools. You have to pay at the entrance just for the walk and also for going to the pools. You can potentially skip because with Ribeira dos Caldeirões and Furnas you see more impressive spots.
Pequena Rota Circular PRC 37 SMI - Rota da Água - Janela do Inferno
Tromba do Elefante and Miradouro das Pedras Negras: great at sunset
Watch the sunset:
Just explore any spot on the west side of the island or elevated enough ^^ SO many options
Mosteiros is the safest option
For a beautiful viewpoint with sunset lights (you do not see the sun setting in the ocean), go to Miradouro das Pedras Negras so you have a view of the elephant trunk.