The Azores Island of Sao Miguel, Portugal

*By Erin Nicole Davis*

If you have Portugal on your mind, you may want to check the Azores islands off your travel bucket list in the near future, while they are still relatively free of masses of tourists. An autonomous group of Portuguese Islands located in the mid-Atlantic, The Azores have become an increasingly buzzed-about destination in recent years for lovers of food, the outdoors, and authentic experiences…

If you can swing it, a trip to the Azores should definitely include more than one island, and Azores Airlines offers short and affordable daily flights between the islands. Whatever you decide, a must-hit is Sao Miguel Island, the largest and most populous of the Azores islands – and probably the most fun for the curious, young, photo-snapping traveller.

What To Expect In Sao Miguel

While Terceira Island offered a laidback, slow-paced idyllic vibe, Sao Miguel – a quick 28-minute plane ride away – is busy and bustling, with a colourful culinary scene and a vibrant(ish) nightlife. Here, the landscape is more dramatic (and incredibly photogenic) than the peaceful, pasture-filled Terceira. In Sao Miguel, you’ll find breathtaking mountains that will make you stop and stare, incredible volcanic scenery, lush winding roads, natural lakes, and no shortage of views. As in other parts of the Azores, it’s not uncommon to experience all four seasons in one day in Sao Miguel – a fact that the local tour guides and business owners will readily remind you. If you’re seeking a balmy European beach vacation, you should probably head elsewhere.

What To Do In Sao Miguel

The Azores is known for its abundance of outdoor activities, from all levels of hiking (complete with stunning views) and biking, to kayaking, surfing, and canyoning. There are a variety of tour companies to help your outdoor adventure cause, so that you can take full advantage of the island’s crisp, fresh air. If you’re looking to unwind, Sao Miguel’s multiple hot springs are the perfect places to do so. In Furnas, for example, you’ll find them at Poca Da Dona Beija. If you’d prefer a traditional, all-frills-attached spa experience, you can indulge in a variety of wellness options at the oceanfront Termas da Ferraria. Here, you can bathe in one of the multiple geothermal pools, relax with a spa service, or enjoy a meal at the restaurant. If tea is your thing, it may come as a surprise to some is that Sao Miguel is home to the oldest and only tea plantation in Europe, Gorreana. Here, tea is harvested April though September and visiting tea lovers can enjoy both information-filled tours and a tasty tea break. Then, there are all of the views…

The Photo Ops In Sao Miguel

Whether you have a soft spot for history-rich architecture or sweeping landscapes, the island of Sao Miguel offers no shortage of photo ops. A magical must-hit spot is Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeiroes, a lush, peaceful, flower and waterfall-filled oasis where you can take a tranquil moment to yourself, capture stunning photos, or even opt for an adrenaline-pumping (and chilly) canyoning experience. Word of advice: to get the full tranquil experience, arrive early before any potential tour buses do. Throughout the island, the looming mountains, crystal-blue lakes, and larger-than-life volcanic cones and craters offer all like-worthy photo ops your social media accounts didn’t know they were missing. Check out the views overlooking Fogo Lake crater lake or the Lagoa das Sete Cidades twin lakes for mind-blowing scenery and amazing photo ops. If capturing the sunrise is a travel must, you’ll find great sunrise snap ops at the lookouts at Ponta da Madrugada and Ponta Do Sossego, located in the municipality of Nordeste.

Where To Stay In Sao Miguel

Sitting across the street from a sailboat-filled marina, the sleek, cosmopolitan Azor Hotel is a solid option if you’d like to stay in Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores islands. In addition to beds that will result in later than anticipated wake-up times and clean, spacious rooms – all with views of the sea – the star of the show at the Azor Hotel is its rooftop bar and panoramic infinity pool. At the bar, your glass of wine or (stiff) mojito comes with a view of the colourful house-dotted hills below. If you’d rather not stay in Ponta Delgada and you have a soft spot for the spa, the Furnas Boutique Hotel and Thermal Spa in Furnas, Sao Miguel is a great spot to rejuvenate your body and lay your head. The airy hotel features the largest concentration of thermal waters in all of Europe in addition to fresh, local farm-to-table culinary offerings at its airy indoor/outdoor restaurant, A Terra Fornoria.

Where To Eat In Sao Miguel

The travelling foodie will appreciate the quality of the restaurants throughout Sao Miguel. One of the most coveted and talking point-filled spots is A Tasca, former jailhouse that is typically booked months in advance. Here, you can expect a traditional tapas-filled Portuguese fare that includes highlights like flavourful fish, octopus, and sausage. You shouldn’t leave the island without indulging in the traditional meal, Cozido das Furnas – that is, if you consider yourself an avid carnivore (if not, sit this one out). The assortment of meat and vegetables in this stew-like dish is cooked in a pot in a hot spring for five hours, marinated only in natural juices. This can be enjoyed at places like the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, followed by a walk through the lush and completely photogenic – and hopelessly romantic – Terra Nostra Garden (as I discovered, Sao Miguel is all about the romantic, storybook-like gardens). Another quality meal was enjoyed on the northern part of the island in Ribeira Grande at Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort, where you can expect quality sushi (just not on Mondays), fish, chicken, and octopus.

Where To Play In Sao Miguel

If you’re looking to party well into the evening and into the morning hours, the places to do so are Ponta Delgada or Portas Do Mar, where you’ll find jazz bars, bistros, clubs, and cafes. It’s not uncommon for your evening to end at 6 am, just hours before your day begins – so you may want to prepare yourself ahead of time if you want to party like a true local.

A huge thanks to Azores Airlines for hosting us on this press trip. As always, reviews and opinions are our own.