Discover Sao Miguel: An Action-Packed 3-Day Journey through Azores, Portugal
Curated By
Alexandra Duhl
Curator’s statement
If you haven't visited these islands off the coast of Portugal, RUN! We had the best time exploring Sao Miguel & can't wait to go back for more! This is the perfect mix of adventure, culture & relaxation!
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Day 1
Hit the ground running! After your flight in, rent a car & start hitting all the beautiful areas on the island!
Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake) - If you're up for a hike, you can check out this lake with incredible views. It takes about 30 minutes each way to go down by the water & climb back up!
Calderia Velha Hot Springs - Want to relax after your hike & travel day in a "Jurrassic Park" like setting? This is the perfect spot for enjoying nature & grabbing a great waterfall picture.
After a long day, we had a casual dinner at Acores Grill. We got a plate of meat that we could grill ourselves, drinks, plenty of sides and an incredible Caramel Tart! We also had a few tastes of the Azorean Liquors!
Day 2
On your first full day, discover the iconic Azores locations:
Lagoa do Canario Miradouro-Boca do Inforno — This is THE place to see and is incredibly beautiful. It is a quick, short hike to the lookout, but you can add on more walking if you'd like!
Sete Cidades Lake & Village — We just drove around & took so many pictures from all the lookout points. There were hydrangeas in bloom everywhere & it was a beautiful day. We would have loved to kayak or bike around the lake!
Ferraria - After sightseeing, take some time to relax in the geothermal warm ocean!
Dinner at Taberna Acor — We loved this place & got some local fish, cheeses, honey & bread. They offer tapas to share and loved the casual atmosphere!
Day 3
On our third day, we packed in everything we could!
Ilheau de Vila Franco do Campo — We took the first ferry out to the island to check out a little islet that is leftover from a volcano! People were snorkeling & relaxing on the beach!
Overlooking the island: A must-do after visiting, you can take a five minute drive up the hill to a church (you can see it from the ferry). The lookout was amazing!
Furnas Area — Stop at the Chapel of Nossa Senhora for some pictures & then stop in town to try out Cozido das Furnas, a stew slow-cooked by volcanic heat underground!
Bar Caloura — This is a great stop to swim & have lunch on your way back to town!
Dinner at Sao Pedro - another amazing restaurant with nice wine, tapas, dessert and seafood dishes. Would recommend the cod pastry over fettuccini with fish sauce! There were local photos all over, which was a great way to reminisce about our time on the island.
Day 4
We had a late flight so spent the morning exploring even more:
Salto do Cabrito - Take an easy hike to the waterfall swim! It was beautiful & refreshing!
Miradouro da Santa Iria - An absolutely breathtaking overlook that is a must see!
Moinhos Beach - A great spot to have lunch on the beach & custard tarts!
Gorreana Tea Factory - Great tea and you can take a free factory tour or a guided one! It is really cool to see the process for how tea is made in the Azores
Need to know
There are so many things to see & do on Sao Miguel Island! We could have spent a week or more here! If you like hiking, the water, adventure & a great laid-back vibe-The Azores is the place for you!
Travel Advisor
Alexandra Duhl
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This itinerary is part of our ongoing series on travel to Azores. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my itinerary, Texas Hill Country Adventures: A Kid-Friendly Travel Guide.