If you’ve ever heard of the Azores, you may be wondering where is the Azores? The Azores are an archipelago of nine volcanic islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean, about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) west of Lisbon, Portugal. The islands are divided into three groups: the Eastern Group (São Miguel and Santa Maria), the Central Group (Terceira, Graciosa, São Jorge, Pico, and Faial), and the Western Group (Flores and Corvo). The Azores are
In the Furnas it is mandatory to have lunch or dinner the famous and typical Furnas Cozido – Stew. It has the same ingredients as the Portuguese stew, but with a characteristic and pleasant flavor, cooked slowly with the steam from the volcanic activity of the soil. Hotel Terra Nostra Restaurant One of the best restaurants to enjoy the Furnas stew is at Hotel Terra Nostra. It is the most expensive option, but as the price of the meal
Lagoa do Canário & Boca do Inferno Viewpoint I invite you to start your tour at one of the most beautiful places on the island, the Boca do Inferno viewpoint. This viewpoint offers a splendid view over Lagoa das Sete Cidades, with blue and green waters, Lagoa de Santiago and Lagoa Rasa.Information: to enjoy this place, visit it on a day without fog. Click on this link to see the weather live (webcam) – choose the webcam “Sete Cidades”.Tip:
The Azores have an enviable beauty, which is why they fascinate and motivate many people to choose this archipelago to spend their holidays. These 9 beautiful islands have many activities that attract tourists, but also their culture and nature attract attention and arouse curiosity. In this article we will give you some precious tips on what to do and what to visit while in the Azores, more specifically on the island of São Miguel. Lagoa
Known for its exuberant beauty, the island of São Miguel hides many natural secrets that have not yet been altered by man, so on your visit, you cannot miss exploring this beautiful island through its trails, which almost always have a “surprise” at the end – a magnificent landscape that will certainly leave a mark. Salto do Cabrito Located in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, Salto do Cabrito is one of those places that offers a
The island of São Miguel enables great photographs worthy of a unique postcard, but being in the presence of such beauty is really another thing. In this article, we will focus exclusively on the best beaches in São Miguel, which will certainly delight not only sun and beach lovers, but also those who like tranquility and nature. Praia da Viola Viola beach is located in Lomba da Maia, in Ribeira Grande. This beach is well known for
The island of São Miguel has immense activities for all tastes and ages due to its diverse cultural offer, but also to its immaculate nature that gives these experiences a different flavor, which will provide unforgettable moments, breathtaking panoramic views and transmit the tranquility so characteristic of these magical places. The purpose of this article is to show you the best activities to do while visiting the island. We invite you
Are you planning to visit São Miguel but still haven’t found the ideal accommodation? In order to enjoy all that the island has to offer, we have two options located in Ponta Delgada and another one further north (in Capelas) so everything is always near by. Find below three houses that will make your stay in São Miguel quite a pleasant and memorable one. T3 Downtown Located in a quiet area, a 10-minute walk from the historic
If you plan to visit the city of Ponta Delgada and get to know its rich heritage and landscape, as well as enjoying the best bars, we present some precious tips that will surely enable a better experience. Culture Portas da Cidade (City Gates) Portas da Cidade is an architectural landmark of Ponta Delgada and something you cannot miss on your visit to the city. This basaltic stone construction consists of three arches: the largest
When we go on vacation, one of the big questions is which restaurants to choose because nobody likes to make bad choices when it comes to choosing a place to have lunch or dinner. Whether they´re more traditional or refined, urban or overlooking the ocean or the mountains, all the restaurants recommended in this article have a common denominator; all of them enhance the flavors and genuine products of the Azores in general and the island of São
The island of São Miguel is well known for its dormant volcanic activity, and its thermal pools in the middle of nature are a little paradise that offers much more than tranquility. Located at great depths, these waters have a natural chemical composition, enriched by the minerals of the rocks and, in addition to being a true comfort for the soul, they also relieve stress and muscle pain among many other benefits to the skin. It is
The local market of Ponta Delgada is called “Mercado da Graça” and is located near the center of the city. If you are touring in Ponta Delgada, you can go by foot or by car and park in the car park at Travessa da Graça. It is worth to visit this Market and thus get to know a wide variety of regional products, fresh fish, fresh vegetables, seasonal fruit such as pineapples and a wide variety of cheeses, including the famous Saint
If you are visiting the Mercado da Graça or if you wish to buy souvenirs of regional products, the King of Cheeses is a mandatory stop. You can enter through the Graça Market or Market Street. As its name indicates, its specialty are the Azorean Cheeses, but also it finds a great variety of regional products at competitive prices, for example, Tea of Gorreana and Cakes Lêvedos. It is thus a good place to buy souvenirs of regional products at the
At breakfast or at snack, make sure you taste the “Bolo Levedo”. It is a slightly sweet and very soft bread, and the fresher the better. Although their revenue does not have many secrets, they are made almost exclusively in Furnas, or by people from Furnas. According to tradition, they are cooked in a wood oven in a fryer. In Furnas there are many good quality options, but if you are in Ponta Delgada I recommend the pasty cakes from
The Furnas Stew is the most characteristic meal of the gastronomy of the island of São Miguel. Visiting São Miguel and not eating the stew of Furnas is like going to Rome and not seeing the Pope. The main ingredients are basically the same as the Portuguese Stew, with local meats and sausages, but its slow cooking (about 5 to 7 hours) buried in the Furnas boilers gives it a unique and characteristic flavor. In addition to the meats and local
In Furnas it is worth visiting the Terra Nostra Park of the Hotel of the same name, but if you have enough time to spend a few hours there, such as a morning or an afternoon. I recommend eating the stew in the hotel restaurant, and after lunch, stroll through the botanical garden while digesting the stew, and at the end of the afternoon relax and bathe in the park’s hot pool. The price of the stew meal includes entrance to the park, € 8
The restaurant called “Bar Caloura” is an authentic 2 in 1, an excellent restaurant of fresh fish, which offers a beautiful landscape in front of the sea, in the summer resort of Caloura. If it’s dinner, you should go early so you can enjoy the scenery while you dine. The specialty of the restaurant is grilled fresh fish, where you can see the fish before ordering, and the seafood, which includes grilled limpets and barnacles
In summer, it is obligatory to go and take a bath in the islet of Vila Franca. The islet has an excellent inner bay for bathing. Bathing in the middle of the ocean, and enjoying the landscape of the islet and Vila Franca coast, is a unique experience. It is advisable to take a diving mask, to enjoy the sea floor, both in the bay and outside near the islet. Do not forget to take sunscreen, as there are no shadows on the islet. For those with
After a good swim in the excellent Ribeira Quente beach, the Garajau restaurant is a good option for dining fresh fish, or a regional meal.
The decor is very pleasant, creating a rustic atmosphere very relaxed.
There are children’s menus, and the salad bar is at a glance. The sangria, in a jar, accompanies most of the dishes well.
The restaurant is only open from April to October, but in this period it is open every day
The Furnas have many charms, but one of them is to take a hot bath in the Pool of Dona Beija or in the pool of Terra Nostra Park. When the weather is bizarre, overcast or even raining, it is very pleasant to bathe in the hot water and enjoy the scenery, the verdant nature that surrounds the pool area. In high season, the best time to go to the hot springs is in the late afternoon or even in the evening. The Pools of Dona Beija have a very wide
If you’re on vacations in São Miguel, book a table at the restaurant “A Tasca”, located in the center of Ponta Delgada. As it is always full, it is necessary to book for dinner. At lunch, they don’t accept reservations, so if you want to have lunch you must go early to find a spot. For dinner, book on 296 288 880. The best time to call is in the late morning. Specialties are starters and a varied menu, including the typical regional dishes, but
Immediately after the Furnas stew, comes the Associação Agrícola’s steak, located in the Santana area in Ribeira Grande. In addition to the quality of the steak, it is worth visiting Associação Agrícola, due to their new and modern facilities, the service, the variety of steaks and other dishes and the craft beer. In high season, it’s advisable to book. If the room is full, you may have to wait to order and to be served. Despite the high
If you are in Ponta Delgada and craving for a good steak, O Galego is the best option, located on the marginal avenue, towards São Roque, about 100 meters before Cais 20. It’s not as famous as the Associação Agrícola steak, but in terms of quality and flavor, it’s not far behind, plus the price is lower. But this doesn’t exempt a visit to the Associação Agrícola, due to their new and modern facilities, the great variety and the craft beer
At the end of the marginal avenue, in front of São Roque’s islet, there’s Cais 20 Restaurant, a must-go place for dining in Ponta Delgada. It’s a great choice for dining with friends, as it has plenty of space and long tables. The specialties are snacks and seafood, including grilled limpets and barnacles (exclusive Azorian seafood). To accompany the snacks, don’t forget to order the garlic bread. And as desert, cinnamon ice cream is mandatory
