Exploring Azores: An Insider Island Guide

Imagine a place where volcanic mountains meet emerald lakes, where you can bathe in natural hot springs under the stars, and where cows outnumber people (and live better than most of us). Welcome to São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores, a little speck of paradise floating in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

I spent time exploring this magical island, and honestly? It’s hard to put into words. But I’ll try. Here’s your full guide to getting the best out of São Miguel: whether you're staying for a weekend or falling in love and never leaving.

Nature That'll Leave You Speechless

Let’s start with the obvious: São Miguel is absolutely beautiful. Everywhere you look, it’s green, wild, and alive.

Sete Cidades

This one’s a postcard classic. Two lakes (one blue, one green), snuggled in a massive volcanic crater. The view from Miradouro da Boca do Inferno? Unreal. Hike it early before the clouds roll in and I promise: it’s pure magic.

Lagoa do Fogo

More remote, more dramatic, and way quieter than Sete Cidades. The trail down to the water’s edge is steep but worth every step.

Furnas

This village is basically a living volcano. You’ll smell sulfur, see bubbling mud, and watch people dig their lunch out of the ground (more on that in the food section). Plus, the hot springs here are life-changing. Go soak in Poça da Dona Beija or the orange pool at Parque Terra Nostra (yes, it 's orange, and yes, it' s amazing).

Walk, Climb, Wander, Repeat

Hiking in São Miguel isn’t just about getting from A to B. It is about stumbling across waterfalls, secret lakes, old villages, and views that make you stop and say, “No way is this real.”

Some favorites:

• Salto do Prego – Lush, green, and ends in a perfect little waterfall. You'll pass by an old village called Sanguinho (part ghost town, part fairy tale).
  
• Janela do Inferno – A moody, forested trail with tunnels, caves, and dripping moss. It’s like walking through a fantasy film set.
  
• Lagoa do Congro – Super hidden. Short trail, slippery in spots, but the lake at the end is quiet and mystical (a real “main character moment” kind of place).

Views You’ll Never Forget

Miradouros (viewpoints) are a big deal here. The island is full of them, and they’re all worth stopping for.

• Ponta da Madrugada – Come for sunrise if you can. Bring coffee, leave your phone in your pocket and just be there.
  
• Santa Iria – Sweeping ocean views from up high. Wild, rugged coastline for days.
  
• Ponta do Sossego – A little garden with picnic tables and epic views, the perfect stop during a road trip. 

Things Will Hit You Different Here

Whale Watching

São Miguel is one of the best spots in the world for seeing whales and dolphins in the wild. Book a tour with a responsible operator and keep your eyes peeled. Even if you don't spot anything, just being out on the ocean here is special.

Floating in a Hot Ocean

At Ferraria, you can literally swim in the Atlantic, but it’s warm. Volcanic hot springs bubble up under the waves. Depending on the tide, it can feel like a giant natural jacuzzi.

Tea Time

Did you know Europe has tea plantations? Just one, actually and it's here. Visit Gorreana or Porto Formoso, wander the tea fields, sip some freshly brewed green or black tea, and maybe grab a bag to take home. Or three.

What to Eat (And Eat Again)

Cozido das Furnas

This is the island’s most famous dish. It's a massive stew with meats, sausages, veggies all cooked underground using volcanic steam. It’s hearty, rich, and tastes like the earth (in the best way).

Pineapple Everything

Azorean pineapples are grown in greenhouses and are tiny, sweet, and ridiculously good. Have it fresh, in juice, in cakes, in liqueur. Just try it all.

Fish, Cheese, and Cake

• Grilled fish straight from the sea? Yes please.
  
• Local cheese? Creamy and perfect with a drizzle of honey.
  
• Sweets? Look for queijadas, massa sovada, and bolo lêvedo or just walk into any bakery and point at what looks good. You won’t be disappointed.

Island Life

Ponta Delgada

The capital is small, walkable, and full of charm. Black and white cobblestone streets, little cafés, markets, art galleries, and ocean views. A great home base.

Ribeira Grande & Vila Franca

Ribeira Grande has surf vibes, street art, and solid places to eat. Vila Franca is quieter, with a sweet coastal feel and a tiny island offshore that’s perfect for a boat trip and a swim.

Local Culture & Celebrations

The Azoreans are warm, genuine, and proud of their traditions. If you’re lucky enough to visit during Festas do Espírito Santo, you’ll see how deeply community and faith run here throughout processions, shared meals, music, and old traditions kept alive.

Summer also brings music festivals, village parties, and food fairs often with zero tourists, and 100% local love.

A Few Tips Before You Go

Pack layers. The weather is a rollercoaster. Sun, rain, mist, and wind — often all in one hour.

Be kind to nature. Stick to marked paths, don’t litter, and support local businesses. The island gives a lot — give back by being a mindful traveler.

Best times to visit? April–June and September–October. Fewer crowds, perfect weather, and everything’s green and blooming.

Final Thoughts

São Miguel isn’t a place you just visit, it’s one that stays with you.

It’s the kind of island where you end up pulling over every five minutes just to say “Wow.”
Where time slows down, your shoulders relax, and you breathe a little deeper.
Where every sunrise feels like a gift, and every local smile makes you feel at home.

Whether you come for the landscapes, the food, the hot springs or just to feel something real, São Miguel delivers.