São Miguel Island
The island of São Miguel is made up of 6 municipalities spread over a surface area of 747 km².
São Miguel is the largest island of the archipelago and is one of the principal lines of communication with the exterior.
The airport, about 2 kilometres from the centre of Ponta Delgada, provides daily service to Europe via Lisbon as well as regular interisland flights. The flight between Ponta Delgada and Lisbon lasts about 2 hours. Weekly flights to the United States and Canada are available through the various charter companies operating on the island. From whichever location you arrive, you will find São Miguel full of a natural beauty that will satisfy the most demanding traveller.
After leaving the airport, the tourist is welcomed by the city of Ponta Delgada which is the largest and most populous city of the Azores. A network of high quality hotels and restaurants are readily available. During your stay in the city it is imperative to observe the many magnificent buildings of tremendous architectural value. The majority of these are presently used to accommodate the various political, administrative, religious and cultural offices of São Miguel and the Azores.
The City Gates, Portas da Cidade, constructed in the form of three arches during the 18th century, deserve special mention and launch your cultural tour through the city to observe other sites. There are many other buildings throughout the city which portray the urban architecture from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Wandering through the streets to discovering both the curious and the beautiful is a favourite pastime of all visitors. One of the important business centres is located on the Avenida Marginal, the avenue which follows the coastline of Ponta Delgada. The entrance to the Port where all the maritime traffic docks on the island is located at the extreme west end of the avenue. During the day traffic along the avenue is constant and on hot summer nights it becomes a popular meeting place.
The Marina complex is located at the east end of the avenue and it is also a place where you can find rest and relaxation. Included in the Marinas facilities are:
- the yacht club now has a new clubhouse with modern facilities to accommodate the members and special guests. During the summer of 2001 the club celebrated its 100 year anniversary, making it the oldest sports club in the Azores.
- the municipal pool that offers excellent conditions for you to spend the day within the city limits;
- a marina which harbours many Azorean recreational boats (which belong to the local yacht club) and many foreign yachts which stop to replenish supplies and for the crew members to rest during their transatlantic runs.
The stone benches and outdoor cafes along the avenue make for a perfect place to meet with friends and to make new ones.
Leaving Ponta Delgada in the direction of the city of Ribeira Grande you will traverse eighteen kilometres and cross from the southern side of the island to the northern coast.
On this beautiful drive you will see the base of the Serra of Água de Pau mountain range majestically crowned by the Pico da Barrosa. Ribeira Grande received its name from the large river flowing from Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake) that crosses the city on its path to the Atlantic Ocean.
A short distance from Ribeira Grande is the Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande, an area where bubbling hot springs are found encompassed by a lush grove of trees. A little further along is the valley of Lombadas, which is the site of the naturally carbonated spring that provides the famous and refreshing mineral water known as Água das Lombadas. The whole valley is covered by luxuriant vegetation.
The next required stop is a visit to the incredible Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake). The lake filling this ancient crater contrasts with the breathtaking mountain range. The hiker may reach the lake along well travelled paths. This the principal crater of Serra de Água de Pau, Lagoa do Fogo and the surrounding area contain vegetation of great botanical value and have therefore received the designation of Natural Reserve in 1974.
The descent from the Pico da Barrosa, the highest point of the Serra de Àgua de Pau, to the town of Remédios, Lagoa, takes you through scenes of extraordinary and untouched beauty along the west half of the island and offer a spectacular view of Sete Cidades (Seven Cities).
Arriving in the town of Lagoa, seat of the smallest municipality in São Miguel, you can visit the ceramics factory, where the typical louça da Lagoa (pottery) is made.
The next stop on route to Vila Franca do Campo is Caloura, with a picturesque artisan fishing port. The town was protected by the Forte de Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Fort of Our Lady of the Conception) which also served to protect the convent of the same name. The Fort and Convent are presently private property filled with vineyards and surrounded by a stone wall. It is an inviting and tranquil place to stop for a rest.
The magnificent viewpoint of the Pisão, is a compulsory stop offering a panoramic view over Caloura.
The beaches of Prainha and Água dAlto provide an excellent spot to refresh and relax before arriving in Vila Franca do Campo.
Vila Franca do Campo was the first capital of São Miguel and is currently one of the principal tourist centres of the Azorean Archipelago.
Arriving in the valley of Furnas, a true paradise, you will find many interesting and beautiful places to make your stay a truly memorable one. Ribeira Quente (hot stream), a small fishing village approximately 6 km from Furnas, offers an excellent beach. Praia do Fogo or Fire Beach, received its name as water in some areas is warmer due to the underwater volcanic activity.
Leaving the Furnas valley towards the southeast, the town of Povoação, can be seen from the lookout point of Lomba do Cavaleiro with its seven plains fanning out like a star.
The municipality of Nordeste (Northeast), is one of the most attractive in São Miguel. It is characterised by an irregular surface area almost totally covered with trees. Many of the exotic sylvan species used for the production of wood and for the protection of properties along with a great variety of other lush vegetation are in abundance here.
