Sao Miguel Travel Guide

São Miguel is a breathtakingly beautiful destination that's known for its lush green fields and volcanic peaks draped in dense forests. While it holds the title of the biggest island in the Azores, it remains compact, measuring just 40 miles (64 km) in length and 7.5 miles (12 km) in width.

Ponta Delgada, the archipelago's largest town, boasts a charming historic centre filled with whitewashed buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. Visitors can enjoy a variety of relaxed accommodations and excellent dining options; the area is particularly renowned for its sweet pineapples and intricate local embroidery.

Shopping

São Miguel has a three-level shopping mall, Sol Mar, which has several movie theatres in addition to shops. Popular São Miguel souvenirs include edibles such as local cheese and tea.

Restaurants

There are a number of good restaurants, centred mostly in the towns of Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande. The local cuisine is beautifully prepared by most of the restaurants in this region.

Nightlife

The nightlife in São Miguel is low-key and café-based, but there are a few lively bars in Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande that stay open quite late. Most of the night hangouts are low key establishment, often serving up live music and a few pool tables to keep guests entertained.

Holiday activities

São Miguel's most alluring attraction is Sete Cidades, a 15 square mile (40 sq-km) volcanic crater containing two lakes, one deep blue, and the other emerald green. The island also features a tropical garden at Terra Nostra Park, where it's possible to bathe in therapeutic spring water, as well as the only tea plantation in Europe, sited at Gorreana. There are a number of marked hiking trails around the island, and dolphin- and whale-watching trips are popular activities.

Any negatives?

Avid partiers will find São Miguel's nightlife lacking.