3 - 6 Day Itinerary: São Miguel,

São Miguel is the largest of the islands in the Azores archipelago. You must have a rental car to see everything here; I recommend Discover Car Hire to take care of your needs.

Day One

Explore the areas around , the of the Azores archipelago.

 Go on a whale watch with Futurismo, an eco-friendly adventure tourism company.  Have lunch at Anfiteatro in the marina. Spacious on the top floor of the modern building, the restaurant offers a unique view over the bay of Ponta Delgada.  Visit the Arruda Pineapple Plantation, a working farm with over 100 years of history.  Explore Ponta Delgada: Avenida Infante Dom Henrique, Forte de São Brás, Convento e Capela de Nossa Senhora da Esperança, Praça Gonçalo Velho Cabral, Igreja São Sebastião.  Stay at the de Santos - Exclusive Guest House Açores in Ponta Delgada

Day Two

This day is mainly about the stunning overlooks and views in the western part of the island. There are lots of hikes in these areas and can easily turn this day into two or three days, if desired.

 Miradouro do Pico Carvao (Coal Peak) – views of and the Atlantic beyond  Lagoa das Empadadas – a small, calm surrounded by tall pines and framed with flowers  Miradouro da Boca do Inferno – one of the most photographed sites in San Miguel. You can see three crater from one jaw-dropping 360° viewpoint  Miradouro do Cerrado das Freiras – scenic overlook  Lagoa de Santiago – gorgeous emerald lake surrounded by a forest in its own crater  – twin lakes (one blue, one green) situated in the crater of a dormant volcano; views from Vista do Rei  Ponta da Ferraria –crashing waves, volcanic rocks and high cliffs. Cold oceanic waves are mixing with hot thermal waters. Party atmosphere.  Mosteiros – coastal fishing village and black sand beach with unique volcanic rock formations  Lookout for Whales – north coast  Stay at the Praia de Santos - Exclusive Guest House Açores in Ponta Delgada

Day Three

This day is on the south coast and revolves around what is considered the best hike on São Miguel.

 Miradouro do Pisão – scenic overlook  Praia - Lagoa do Fogo – starting point for the hike to Lagoa de Fogo (Lake of Fire)  Lagoa do Fogo hike.  Caloura – charming fishing village, walk down the steps to the beach, and grab a bite on the outdoor terrace at Bar Caloura  – quintessential fishing port with a beach and craggy coast (state of Red Bull Cliff Diving Series)  Stay at the Convento de São Francisco, a 16th century convent transformed into an elegant boutique hotel

Day Four

This day is a road trip along the southeastern coast of the island.

 Cascata da – optional hike to the waterfall and thermal pool  Nossa Sra. dos Remedios –small , charming village with a Portuguese Christian temple located in the village of Remédio  Agua Retorta – village on the southern coast  Viewpoint of Ponta do Sossego – stunning lookout point offering sweeping ocean views from lush mountainside gardens  Lighthouse Arnel – lighthouse on a promontory accessed by a steep walking path, with sweeping views of the cliffs & sea  Stay at the Lince Nordeste Country and Nature Hotel

Day Five

Journey to the interior of the island and activities revolving around the natural hot springs.

 Miradouro do Salto da Farinha – view of the waterfalls  Miradouro da Pedra das Estorninhos – lookout point on northeast coast  Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park  Miradouro do Pico do Ferro – views of the lagoon  Furnas Village – stroll around the village’s hot springs and pretty gothic church  Cozide das Furnas – witness the pots of stew stews buried and cooked in the underground hot springs (note, the sulfur smell here can be overpowering)  Lunch at Terra Nostra Garden Restaurant – upscale restaurant serving the cozied das furnas after removed from the ground. Not the best food, but worth the experience.  Parque Terra Nostra – go for a walk in the beautiful formal gardens, then bathe in the hot springs  Dona Beija – smaller but popular hot spring pools  Stay at the Furnas Boutique Hotel Thermal & Spa

Day Six

Passage through the middle of the island, with optional hiking, hot springs, caving and/or paragliding.

 Gorreana – tour of the factory and grounds of the oldest tea plantation in Europe. Optional hiking trail that winds around tea plantations with gorgeous views over the northern coast of the island.  Miradouro De Santa Iria – scenic overlook of the north coast  Caldeira Velha – take a dip in the secluded waterfall of warm, iron water surrounded by lush jungle (showers available)  Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara – optional beach fix on the rougher north coast  Lagoa – try paragliding with Asas de São Miguel  Gruta do Carvão – explore the caves in Ponta Delgada  Stay at Hotel Marina Atlantico