Sao Miguel Tours: Amazing Things to See in the Azores

Planning Sao Miguel tours can feel overwhelming. The island is small, but the number of viewpoints, crater lakes, villages, and routes quickly adds up. This guide focuses on the tours that actually make sense, whether you are driving yourself or booking a private experience, and shows you how to see the highlights without spending your entire trip in the car.

Being one of the nine islands that make up the archipelago, Sao Miguel has some incredible things to see!

These are the places I personally visited while exploring Sao Miguel from west to east, grouped in a way that works in real life, not just on a map.

Essentials for Your Tours to Sao Miguel, Azores

São Miguel is the largest of the Azores islands, where volcanic landscapes, crater lakes, lush tea plantations, and dramatic coastal cliffs make every corner picture-perfect.

Some spots are easily reached on a guided day tour, while others require a car or private guide. Booking a private tour is the easiest way to explore at your own pace without worrying about logistics, timing, or parking.

How to Get to Sao Miguel

Most travelers fly into Ponta Delgada, the island’s gateway, with direct flights from Lisbon and a few international cities. Flights with TAP Portugal from Lisbon can run as low as 45 Euros return.

How to Get into Ponta Delgada

The airport is just a 10-minute drive from the city center. You can take a shuttle (approx. €8 one way, €15 return, but if you want a smooth, stress-free arrival, reserve a private airport transfer and enjoy door-to-door service straight to your hotel – perfect after a long flight.

How to Get Around São Miguel

There is a local bus network available that connects the bigger cities. However, the reality looks like it’s unreliable and also very weather-dependent. For this reason, I’ve been told the best way is to rent your own car or motorbike.

Sao Miguel Travel Map & Best Things to See on Tours

Where to Stay in São Miguel to Make Tours Easier

Where you stay on São Miguel can make or break your trip. The island is bigger than it looks. Staying in Ponta Delgada makes it easier to reach the west coast’s crater lakes, the eastern viewpoints, or the north coast beaches. Picking a well-located base saves hours of driving, gives you flexibility for early-morning tours, and ensures you can make the most of unpredictable weather.

Casa Portuguesa – Charming House is a cozy, traditional house in the heart of Ponta Delgada, perfect if you want character and convenience. From here, the west coast tours are easy to reach, and local restaurants are just a short walk away.

Stylish and modern, Alto do Forte sits in a quieter part of Ponta Delgada, ideal if you want a relaxing base after a full day of tours. The hotel offers great views and quick access to both east and west Sao Miguel adventures.

Comercial Boutique Guest House combines a central location with homey comfort, putting you within walking distance of Ponta Delgada’s cafes and ferry terminals. Its small size makes it intimate, while still convenient for starting any of the island’s guided tours.

Check available hotels in Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel Azores

Best Things to Easily See in São Miguel

The western side of São Miguel is where dramatic volcanic craters, emerald lakes, and coastal vistas come together in some of the island’s most iconic scenery. It’s ideal for travelers who want to see the highlights in one day while enjoying breathtaking views and photo opportunities at every turn.

Weather and timing however, matter more here than anywhere else.

This is why many travelers choose to experience the west in one well-planned day rather than piecing it together stop by stop.

If you prefer a personalized pace, consider reserving the Sao Miguel Private Tour. With a dedicated guide, you can choose which sights to visit – Furnas, Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo, or hidden gems – and enjoy a stress-free, tailored day.

West Island Highlights – Standard Tour-Friendly

Sete Cidade

Sete Cidades is famous for its stunning emerald Twin Lakes and beautiful surroundings. It is one of those places where timing makes or breaks the experience. Clouds often roll in without warning, and many visitors leave without ever seeing both lakes clearly. Booking a guided Sao Miguel West with Sete Cidades tour increases your chances significantly, as local guides adjust timing and viewpoints based on real-time conditions.

Seeing this sight without the clouds is as spectacular as it gets and is definitely the highlight of tours through São Miguel.

Miradouro do Boca de Infierno

Particularly, the Miradouro do Boca de Infierno must be the most famous thing to see in the Azores. On a clear day, it doesn’t get better than this. The Blue and Green Lagoon beneath you, the Atlantic Ocean in the back, and calderas of green everywhere, it’s a gem!

For the most perfect-looking crater lake, put this at the top of your tours through São Miguel in the Azores!

Miradouro da Lagoa de Santiago

Right after you admire the view from Miradouro do Boca de Infierno, you will see the most emerald-looking crater lake.

Lagoa Verde

There is a short 5km walk you can do to stretch your legs and explore the stunning Green Lake. As it’s on your way to the O Poejo village, it makes a convenient photo stop on your Sao Miguel tour.

Mosteiros

Mosteiros is a cute little civil parish that is famous for its uniquely shaped islets and black beaches. I found it to be perfect for spotting some of the most colorful houses. Furthermore, I heard it’s one of the best places to watch the sunsets since it’s facing west.

Lookout Viewpoint Whale of Feteiras

You cannot spend time on an island without watching at least one sunset. If you are lucky to experience a sunset, make sure to head to this point! It’s near the Miradouro Escalvado and provides excellent views of the sun setting in the ocean.

During the day its also a nice spot to admire the local fauna, the pink flowers were the prettiest!

East Island Highlights – Private/Custom Tour Recommended

The eastern side of São Miguel is where lush landscapes meet authentic Azorean life. Rolling hills, steaming volcanic craters, and fragrant tea plantations create a peaceful, picturesque setting that’s perfect for travelers who want a mix of nature, culture, and local flavors.

Everything that side is a bit more spaced out, so a car or private tour is recommended to experience it fully.

East Sao Miguel Island Tour

To make the most of this area without worrying about logistics, reserve this Furnas Volcano & Tea Plantation With Traditional Lunch tour. Booking ahead lets you focus on the scenery and the memories you’ll take home.

Furnas Lake (Lagoa do Furnas)

Furnas is one of São Miguel’s most atmospheric spots, with steaming volcanic vents, lush greenery, and the serene Furnas Lake. From above, the lake often sits shrouded in a gentle fog, giving it a mystical, almost otherworldly feel – especially in the early morning. It’s the kind of place that makes you slow down, take a deep breath, and soak in the quiet beauty of the Azores.

Vila Franca do Campo

The village is not only famous for its Miradouro da Nossa Senhora da Paz but also for its adrenaline activities. Just off the coast of Vila Franca do Campo lies a remote and unique islet. Every year, it attracts hundreds of cliff jumpers and spectators for the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. It’s a special place not to be missed!

Ribeira Grande

The biggest city in the North of São Miguel is Ribeira Grande. It greets you with a cool statue depicting a surfer on a wave. The city has a gorgeous black-sandy beach – Praia de Santa Barbara, the Frade Natural Pools and a nearby waterfall, Salto do Cabrito.

Azores Tea Factory

This is a major must-see, Europe’s only tea factories are located in the Azores. It’s a lovely place and definitely a must-do on any Sao Miguel tour. The two tea factories are the family-run Gorreana and Porto Formoso Tea Factory.

Gorreana runs free tours every so often over the day. The staff will lead you through the processing part and explain the different leaves and the drying process. At Porto Formoso you will find a fantastic restaurant area with a view of the ocean and tea plantation.

Also, the best part comes last – trying the tea! At Gorreana, they produce Black Tea and Green Tea and you can try both. For Porto Formoso, you can try Black Tea.

Miradouro do Pico dos Bodes

On your journey to the East of São Miguel, you likely will come by this one. Miradouro do Pico dos Bodes is an observation deck that offers fantastic 360-degree views of the surrounding landscapes and ocean.

Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego

This mirador has the most looked-after garden. It’s full of beautiful flowers with lots of friendly cats and a fantastic view. There might be many lookouts, but this one straightaway caught my eye with its cliffside by the ocean. Definitely worth a stop in your tours through the East of Sao Miguel. It was the nicest one I’ve seen on the northeast side of the island.

Arnel Light House

São Miguel, being an island in the Atlantic, undoubtedly has its fair share of lighthouses. In the extreme northeast of Sao Miguel, you can find Arnel Light House. It was the first lighthouse that opened in 1876 in the Azores and has undergone all kinds of improvements.

This one is a fun adventure that takes you down a steep hill, with the ocean in plain sight. I wouldn’t dare go down and up with a scooter, but with a car, it was amazing.

Lagoa do Fogo

Lagoa do Fogo is a magnificent crater lake in the center of São Miguel. It’s the highest-elevation lake on São Miguel and just drop-dead stunning. Therefore, on your drive up might actually drive through a bed of clouds, super special!

Pineapple Plantations

São Miguel in the Azores is the only place in the world where pineapples grow in greenhouses. How exotic? The island is home to over 6000 pineapple plantations, of which only a few are open to the public.

This place deserves a spot on any of your Sao Miguel tours. The pineapples themselves are smaller than I thought, and it takes 2-3 years to grow one single fruit. Definitely, something to appreciate next time you eat one.

At the end of the tour, you can try (and buy) homemade pineapple marmalade or beer. This one makes one of the most unique things to see in the Azores for sure!

Miradouro and Cascata da Ribeira dos Caldeirões

The Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões lies in the northeast of São Miguel and is an Azores’ highlight. The powerful waterfall sits right next to the street, surrounded by lush ferns and greenery. It really makes the perfect photo spot and a chance for a quick 1 km hike.

Miradouro do Salto da Farinha

Miradouro do Salto da Farinha is a lookout at the North of São Miguel, in da Salga. Once you get to the parking, you’ll see a nice picnic area with toilets. To the right, there is the viewpoint of the impressive 40-metre waterfall. This is also where you would begin a 6 km out-and-back trail to the popular waterfall.

Many of these east-side sights are easier to see with a private tour, giving you flexibility, transport, and a guide who knows the best times to visit. Reserve your private Sao Miguel tours today!

Exploring São Miguel is the perfect way to experience Europe’s wild, volcanic side while enjoying peaceful landscapes, local flavors, and unforgettable photo opportunities. Whether you stick to the West Island highlights or book a private tour of the East, the island rewards curiosity and adventure at every turn.

Best Time To Go to Sao Miguel, Azores

The weather in the Azores can change at any minute. Just as it keeps changing depending on where on the island you are. However, the best months to go on any Sao Miguel tours with a higher chance of sunny days are July and August.

If you loved discovering São Miguel, you might also enjoy my guides to Georgia and Istanbul, Turkey – both full of culture, stunning scenery, and unique experiences that show another side of Europe.

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