The Azores are basically the love child of Ireland and Hawaii, with a Portuguese accent. This archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic has volcanoes rising from the sea, fishing villages perched on sheer cliffs, calderas nurturing exotic forests, and centuries-old architecture layered with charm. Each of the nine volcanic islands is unique, and while we loved Terceira and are dying to get to the remote isle of Flores\u2026S\u00e3o Miguel, Azores, has it all.<\/p>\n
The largest by size and population in the Azores, \u201cIlha Verde\u201d is a lush fusion of six massive volcanoes and packed with adventures\u2026hot springs, canyoneering, coasteering, big surf (like the ISA World Masters), whale watching, and charming colonial towns tucked in calderas and beach coves. We spent 13 days here, and it quickly became one of our favorite places we\u2019ve explored in the 9 years we\u2019ve been on the road. Discover our favorite destinations in our Sao Miguel Azores Guide.<\/p>\n
Historic Ponta Delgada<\/h2>\n\n![\"Ponta](\"https:\/\/b510894.assetcdn.net\/2.0\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Ponta-Delgada.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1\" "\\"Sao")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nNot just a pretty string of islands, the Azores are rich in world history. The Portuguese first laid eyes on the archipelago in 1427, and it quickly became a hub of their maritime empire. Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus, and countless other New World explorers came through these islands. The UNESCO city of Angra do Hero\u00edsmo was once the main port of call, but today modern-day travelers fly directly into Ponta Delgada.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the Azores\u2019 most cosmopolitan city, yet it retains its 15th-18th century architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and museums to commemorate it all. We loved wandering the central market, climbing the bell tower for panoramic views, and marveling at the Church of the Jesuit College\u2019s magnificent carved wooden altar. Ponta Delgada is a great place to start your visit (2-3 days is perfect) to get your bearings and line up a few adventures, but S\u00e3o Miguel\u2019s real magic lies beyond the city limits.<\/p>\n
A Whale Watching Mecca<\/h2>\n\n![\"whale](\"https:\/\/b510894.assetcdn.net\/2.0\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/whale-watching_Sao-miguel-Azores_HoneyTrek20201023_091056-001.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1\" "\\"Sao")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nSituated along the temperate and nutrient-rich Gulf Stream, the Azores are the go-to pitstop for migrating marine mammals. Twenty-eight different species of whales and dolphins pass through this archipelago every year (prime whale watching season is April-October). Right from the downtown harbor, we hit the water with Picos de Aventura<\/a> and saw sooooo many dolphins!<\/p>\nWe\u2019d never seen the adorable Atlantic spotted dolphin and spied over 50! They are basically mini dolphins, and to level up the cuteness, mamas and babies dashed and dove all around our zodiac. Beyond the action-packed wildlife, the boat ride offered a great overview of the island. Watch this video.<\/a><\/p>\nS\u00e3o Miguel Azores Guide, Land of Delights<\/h2>\n\n![\"Azorean](\"https:\/\/b510894.assetcdn.net\/2.0\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/sm-agriculture1.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1\" "\\"Sao")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe city quickly gives way to a pastoral landscape, with centuries-old stone walls dividing cow pastures and plantations of exotic produce. While most other European islands are stuck growing potatoes and cabbage, the Azores are sprouting oranges, pineapples, passion fruit, bananas, and pekoe tea! In fact, the north coast of S\u00e3o Miguel has the only tea plantations in the Eurozone. We stopped at F\u00e1brica de Ch\u00e1 do Porto Formoso<\/a> for a tour of their traditional tea plantation, a cup of Azorean brew, and a stroll along their seaside fields. On your way there, pop into the century-old Arruda Pineapple Plantation<\/a> to see its gorgeous grounds and one-of-a-kind greenhouses. More photos here<\/a>.<\/p>\nVolcanic Fun in Furnas<\/h2>\n\n![\"Furnas](\"https:\/\/b510894.assetcdn.net\/2.0\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Furnas-Sao-Miguel-Azores.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1\" "\\"Sao")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nOn the east side of the island, set deep in a caldera, lies the 16th-century town of Furnas. Steaming with fumaroles, bubbling with hot springs, and dripping with tropical plants, this place feels truly magical. Walking the Lagoa das Furnas boardwalk, we could see and feel the volcanic activity beneath our feet. Cast iron pots, loaded with meat and veggies, were curiously being buried in the hot earth. Locals use geothermal energy to slow-cook their signature dish: Cozido das Furnas.<\/p>\n
We went to the famed Restaurante Tony\u2019s, where we had placed an advance order (it takes 4-6 hours for proper volcano cooking) to try it vegetarian style: carrots, sweet potatoes, cabbage, and taro root steamed in their own juices. The veggies melted under the weight of our fork, and the rich, smoky flavor was unlike anything we\u2019d tasted; paired with an island-cultivated red wine and a view over town, it couldn\u2019t have been better.<\/p>\n
To round out our volcanic experience, we strolled through the\u00a0Terra Nostra Gardens,\u00a0cultivated by master gardeners and botanists for over 200 years. We spent 2 hours getting lost among the exotic trees and flowers from around the world, then took a blissful soak in their hot springs. See the full photo gallery from our Furnas adventures.<\/a><\/p>\nCanyoneering Ribeira Grande<\/h2>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nNot just a pretty string of islands, the Azores are rich in world history. The Portuguese first laid eyes on the archipelago in 1427, and it quickly became a hub of their maritime empire. Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus, and countless other New World explorers came through these islands. The UNESCO city of Angra do Hero\u00edsmo was once the main port of call, but today modern-day travelers fly directly into Ponta Delgada.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the Azores\u2019 most cosmopolitan city, yet it retains its 15th-18th century architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and museums to commemorate it all. We loved wandering the central market, climbing the bell tower for panoramic views, and marveling at the Church of the Jesuit College\u2019s magnificent carved wooden altar. Ponta Delgada is a great place to start your visit (2-3 days is perfect) to get your bearings and line up a few adventures, but S\u00e3o Miguel\u2019s real magic lies beyond the city limits.<\/p>\n
A Whale Watching Mecca<\/h2>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nSituated along the temperate and nutrient-rich Gulf Stream, the Azores are the go-to pitstop for migrating marine mammals. Twenty-eight different species of whales and dolphins pass through this archipelago every year (prime whale watching season is April-October). Right from the downtown harbor, we hit the water with Picos de Aventura<\/a> and saw sooooo many dolphins!<\/p>\nWe\u2019d never seen the adorable Atlantic spotted dolphin and spied over 50! They are basically mini dolphins, and to level up the cuteness, mamas and babies dashed and dove all around our zodiac. Beyond the action-packed wildlife, the boat ride offered a great overview of the island. Watch this video.<\/a><\/p>\nS\u00e3o Miguel Azores Guide, Land of Delights<\/h2>\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe city quickly gives way to a pastoral landscape, with centuries-old stone walls dividing cow pastures and plantations of exotic produce. While most other European islands are stuck growing potatoes and cabbage, the Azores are sprouting oranges, pineapples, passion fruit, bananas, and pekoe tea! In fact, the north coast of S\u00e3o Miguel has the only tea plantations in the Eurozone. We stopped at F\u00e1brica de Ch\u00e1 do Porto Formoso<\/a> for a tour of their traditional tea plantation, a cup of Azorean brew, and a stroll along their seaside fields. On your way there, pop into the century-old Arruda Pineapple Plantation<\/a> to see its gorgeous grounds and one-of-a-kind greenhouses. More photos here<\/a>.<\/p>\nVolcanic Fun in Furnas<\/h2>\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nOn the east side of the island, set deep in a caldera, lies the 16th-century town of Furnas. Steaming with fumaroles, bubbling with hot springs, and dripping with tropical plants, this place feels truly magical. Walking the Lagoa das Furnas boardwalk, we could see and feel the volcanic activity beneath our feet. Cast iron pots, loaded with meat and veggies, were curiously being buried in the hot earth. Locals use geothermal energy to slow-cook their signature dish: Cozido das Furnas.<\/p>\n
We went to the famed Restaurante Tony\u2019s, where we had placed an advance order (it takes 4-6 hours for proper volcano cooking) to try it vegetarian style: carrots, sweet potatoes, cabbage, and taro root steamed in their own juices. The veggies melted under the weight of our fork, and the rich, smoky flavor was unlike anything we\u2019d tasted; paired with an island-cultivated red wine and a view over town, it couldn\u2019t have been better.<\/p>\n
To round out our volcanic experience, we strolled through the\u00a0Terra Nostra Gardens,\u00a0cultivated by master gardeners and botanists for over 200 years. We spent 2 hours getting lost among the exotic trees and flowers from around the world, then took a blissful soak in their hot springs. See the full photo gallery from our Furnas adventures.<\/a><\/p>\nCanyoneering Ribeira Grande<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nSituated along the temperate and nutrient-rich Gulf Stream, the Azores are the go-to pitstop for migrating marine mammals. Twenty-eight different species of whales and dolphins pass through this archipelago every year (prime whale watching season is April-October). Right from the downtown harbor, we hit the water with Picos de Aventura<\/a> and saw sooooo many dolphins!<\/p>\n We\u2019d never seen the adorable Atlantic spotted dolphin and spied over 50! They are basically mini dolphins, and to level up the cuteness, mamas and babies dashed and dove all around our zodiac. Beyond the action-packed wildlife, the boat ride offered a great overview of the island. Watch this video.<\/a><\/p>\n The city quickly gives way to a pastoral landscape, with centuries-old stone walls dividing cow pastures and plantations of exotic produce. While most other European islands are stuck growing potatoes and cabbage, the Azores are sprouting oranges, pineapples, passion fruit, bananas, and pekoe tea! In fact, the north coast of S\u00e3o Miguel has the only tea plantations in the Eurozone. We stopped at F\u00e1brica de Ch\u00e1 do Porto Formoso<\/a> for a tour of their traditional tea plantation, a cup of Azorean brew, and a stroll along their seaside fields. On your way there, pop into the century-old Arruda Pineapple Plantation<\/a> to see its gorgeous grounds and one-of-a-kind greenhouses. More photos here<\/a>.<\/p>\n On the east side of the island, set deep in a caldera, lies the 16th-century town of Furnas. Steaming with fumaroles, bubbling with hot springs, and dripping with tropical plants, this place feels truly magical. Walking the Lagoa das Furnas boardwalk, we could see and feel the volcanic activity beneath our feet. Cast iron pots, loaded with meat and veggies, were curiously being buried in the hot earth. Locals use geothermal energy to slow-cook their signature dish: Cozido das Furnas.<\/p>\n We went to the famed Restaurante Tony\u2019s, where we had placed an advance order (it takes 4-6 hours for proper volcano cooking) to try it vegetarian style: carrots, sweet potatoes, cabbage, and taro root steamed in their own juices. The veggies melted under the weight of our fork, and the rich, smoky flavor was unlike anything we\u2019d tasted; paired with an island-cultivated red wine and a view over town, it couldn\u2019t have been better.<\/p>\n To round out our volcanic experience, we strolled through the\u00a0Terra Nostra Gardens,\u00a0cultivated by master gardeners and botanists for over 200 years. We spent 2 hours getting lost among the exotic trees and flowers from around the world, then took a blissful soak in their hot springs. See the full photo gallery from our Furnas adventures.<\/a><\/p>\nS\u00e3o Miguel Azores Guide, Land of Delights<\/h2>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nVolcanic Fun in Furnas<\/h2>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nCanyoneering Ribeira Grande<\/h2>\n