Things to do in Sao Miguel, The Azores

For working holidays, picking a location that won’t have you wishing you were out exploring every second of the day is an important consideration. But whether you're vacationing or working abroad, there is a lot to keep you busy in Sao Miguel. Not to mention travelling to see different islands in the Azores (which we sadly didn’t have space in our schedule for). 

Places to go in Sao Miguel

by @tomokas

Due to the season and the weather, we didn’t spend any time at the beach in Sao Miguel in November. However, the coastline is dotted with stunning beaches including Vila Franco do Campo, which I would have loved to visit in nicer weather. We were able to run along the sea and the marina, including Praia do Sao Roque, from our Ponta Delgada villa though.

Parque Terra Nostra

Parque Terra Nostra is a beautiful botanical garden with a naturally heated pool and smaller baths. Don’t be put off by the brown water and sulphuric smell – it’s definitely worth a dip. We parked just outside the park and spent about an hour walking around the gardens and an hour or so in the pools. There are changing rooms and cold showers on site.

Botanical Gardens

If you like plants and botanicals, Sao Miguel is a great place for you. There are a number of botanical gardens all around the island including two in the capital city of Ponta Delgada. Some are free to enter, others have a small entry fee. Some of the most impressive gardens boast plants from every country in the world that have been gifted to the Azores.

by @tomokas

Plantação de Ananás dos Açores

Though small and quick to visit (we were here for less than an hour), the pineapple plantation in Ponta Delgada was one of my favourite activities in Sao Miguel. We were able to wander the green houses where pineapples grow across the floor, and ate some of the pineapple-based foods in the on-site cafe.

We parked for free on the street outside and there weren’t many other visitors so we could wander the greenhouses at our leisure. There is also an educational centre for children and groups.

Furnas

An old town with natural volcanic springs, Furnas is one of the most impressive places in Sao Miguel. Right in the middle of the town, the water in the Caldeiras bubbles at close to boiling point. You can park for free in the town and spend a few hours wandering around and even drinking from Caldeira springs and eating corn cooked over their heat. 

The drive into the town takes you around the beautiful Lagoa de Furnas which has a gothic church on the shore and makes for an easy, hour-long round hike.

Poca da Dona Beija

Also in Furnas is the hot springs Poca da Dona Beija. We paid around €8 per person for entry and spent over an hour here. The naturally heated water surrounded by plants and trees is very relaxing and fun to explore.

The car park and pools were quite busy with locals even on a Sunday evening. But we were able to park for free and used the on-site changing rooms and showers.

Caldeira Velha

Similar to Poca da Dona Beija, Caldeira Velha is a natural area of hot springs with a number of pools for visitors to bathe in. We went here twice – it feels like you’re swimming in the middle of the jungle and was so peaceful despite being quite busy. 

We were lucky to be here in November when it was a little quieter than usual and the heat of the pools felt especially good against the cooler air. One pool has boiling water bubbling at its entrance, and another has a beautiful waterfall flowing into it. 

There are changing rooms, cold showers, and free parking on site. Entry is every two hours, so check times before you visit.

Swim in the natural pools

Around the coast of Sao Miguel, you’ll find a number of natural pools. Some of the sites, like Piscina Natural da Boca de Ribeira and Piscina de Caloura, have man-made pools filled with sea water. While others are natural hot springs in the ocean, where the warmth from under the water mixes with the colder sea water. 

We went to one of these springs at Ponta da Ferraria. It’s free to enter – though you’ll need to drive up and down a very steep hill to get in and out! The sea can be rough at times, but there are ropes to keep hold of while you’re in the water if you don’t feel up for swimming around. 

There are also changing rooms and showers. However most people get changed on the rocks. Be careful here, as it can get very slippery and larger waves can shoot blasts of water through the holes in the rocks! But don’t let that put you off. The natural springs in Sao Miguel are an amazing experience.

by @tomokas

Hike to a viewpoint

One of the main reasons people visit the Azores is for its stunning scenery. Somewhere between tropical paradise and rolling hills reminiscent of England, everywhere you look there’s a beautiful view.

So find hikes and views in our blog: The best hikes and views in Sao Miguel, The Azores.

Enjoy the local cuisine

Though not exactly a foodie hotspot, we were pleasantly surprised by the food and drink in the Azores. Between the local cuisine and restaurants from around the world, we found plenty of great spots.

To find out our favourites, read my blog: The best places to eat and drink in Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel.