Things to do in

Sete Cidades

Begin your tour of Sete Cidades and the lakes of São Miguel with a visit to some pineapple greenhouses. See the plantation and production process of the Azores famous crop from start to end. Continue towards the village of Sete Cidades ("Seven Cities") stopping en route for some panoramic views of the west of the island of São Miguel. Marvel at a stunning scenery of small hills and green pastures, and see the peak of Carvão, from where both the north and south coasts of the island can be seen. Discover some of the island's smaller lakes such as the Lagoa das Empadadas, Lagoa do Canario and Lagoa de Santiago. Experience the island's most famous observation point, considered one of the "7 Natural Wonders of Portugal." Then, continue into the peaceful village of Sete Cidades, dramatically located at the bottom of a volcanic crater. Acclimatize to the serene way of life in this extraordinary place, and visit the harmonious church. Get stunning views of the fishing village of Mosteiros from the Escalvado viewpoint, from where you can admire the local summer houses, exquisite beach and natural pools created by lava formations.

This tour will allow you to explore the best locations of the island, including lakes sceneries within volcano craters, shore views, and even sceneries from the highest island's grounds including one of the 7 natural wonders of Portugal and an active but dormant volcano of Lagoa do Fogo.  Be picked up at any location in Ponta Delgada. Your tour guide will be pleased to pick you and to do a briefing of your tour. This is a good time to customize your itinerary, if you wish. One of the interesting initial stops are at the Azorean pineapple plantations where your tour guide will explain all the stages and where you can try a free sample of the local pineapple liquor. After this the group will go uphill to the large western volcano Sete Cidades and make a stop on Pico do Carvão viewpoint so you can enjoy one of the best views over the island.  Grota do Inferno viewpoint is just ahead. From there you have some amazing sceneries within the Sete Cidades caldera and you can see the most beautiful lakes (Rasa lake, Santiago lake and the twin blue and green lakes). Following next, your tour guide takes the group to Vista do Rei viewpoint, from where you can admire the most famous perspective over the twin lakes of Sete Cidades and it's population. Next, head down to the Sete Cidades settlement next to the twin lakes and explore the most interesting spots nearby the lake. On the way back, reach the south shore heading to the Fogo volcano. Your tour guide will take you to the highest point of this central volcano, up to 947 meters above sea level at Pico da Barrosa. From there, as you explore the inner crater you can enjoy and stop at Fogo Lake. Right next to the Fogo lake is Caldeira Velha, an outdoor garden with hot thermal pools that you may enjoy. Finally the last stops will be at Ribeira Grande where you can learn the local way of living and stop at Santa Bárbara beach, the most popular site for surfers, to refresh yourself and enjoy the local shore view.

The tour starts at our meeting point on the North Cost of São Miguel Island, where you will set off on your adventure. See breathtaking views of both the lakes and the sea. Drive along roads that offer great excitement and adrenaline. Visit Lagoa das Sete Cidades, the north ridge of the Sete Cidades crater, Miradouro e Lagoa do Canário, Vista do Rei, and the south ridge of the Sete Cidades crater. 

Set off on a full-day adventure to discover the island of Sao Miguel in a 4x4 vehicle. With private tour that can be fully customized, you decide what to do and when. Explore the craters of Sete Cidades, visit the romantic town of Furnas, or discover Lagoa do Fogo. Get picked up from your hotel by your driver/guide to start this incredible experience. A number of itineraries are available that you can discuss with the driver on the day of your tour. Choose to visit the parishes around Sete Cidades, to discover the lakes, craters, and hot springs around the area.  Alternatively, head in the direction of Furnas and take a tour of the most beautiful town on the island. See fumaroles and hot springs as you admire the lush vegetation around Furnas lake. Take a short hike if you wish, and see how traditional pottery is made locally.   If you love nature then choose to discover the two biggest lakes on Sao Miguel, Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo. Admire the blue waters and stop at Caldeira Velha to enjoy a swim in a naturally-heated waterfall. Explore a 4x4 trail to another waterfall, and take a short hike if you like. Witness volcanic activity at Ribeira Grande, a small town in Caldeiras.

Explore the volcanic landscape of the Sete Cidades, and the mountain scenery of the Lagoa do Fogo on a full-day sightseeing tour from Punta Delgada. Following a pick-up from your hotel, drive along a scenic road to the Vista do Rei viewpoint. Enjoy panoramic views of the blue and green waters of the two lakes in the crater of the Sete Cidades. Then, continue to different viewpoints before getting close to the banks of the twin lakes. Go to the Mata do Canário, and marvel at the unique flora of the natural park. Drive along the Pico do Carvão road past numerous small lakes, including the “Empadas Lakes.” Get multiple perspectives of the north and south shores of the island of São Miguel. Break for a lunch of typical Azorean food in a local restaurant in the city of Lagoa. Next, explore the city of Ribeira Grande with its unique historic center that dates from the 17th to 19th centuries. Ascend the Pico da Barrosa mountain at the end of your tour and discover the protected natural landscape of the Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake). Marvel at the thermal pools, waterfalls and different types of endangered plants of the area, before your return transfer to Ponta Delgada and a drop off at your hotel.

Start with pickup from your accommodation on São Miguel. First, visit two of the most spectacular viewpoints on the island at Grota do Inferno and Vista do Rei. Then, hike to Miradouro das Cumeeiras and admire fantastic views of the ridge and crater lakes below. After the first portion of the hike, rest and have a picnic lunch in the small village of Sete Cidades. After lunch, walk by the stunning Lagoa Verde (Green Lagoon), up towards the viewpoint of Vista do Rei. Enjoy more time to admire the beautiful crater lakes and surrounding landscape from this perfect vantage point. Continue towards the Natural Thermal Pools of Ferraria or Mosteiros Beach. Enjoy some time to rest in the pools or swim in the Atlantic, depending on weather conditions. Finally, be returned to your accommodation on the island.

Get off the usual tourist trail on a 3-hour 4WD tour of the Sete Cidades (Seven Cities) region of the Azores island of São Miguel, departing from Ponta Delgada. Traveling by 4WD vehicle, you will experience the dramatic scenery of the volcanic crater and its flora and fauna in a more immersive fashion. Drive to the mountain top to look down on the 2 impressive lakes of the caldera (basin), one with blue water (Lagoa Azul) and the other of green water (Lagoa Verde). Along the way, take in many other picturesque spots of São Miguel, including the peaceful lakes of Lagoa das Empadadas, Lagoa de Santiago, and Lagoa do Carvão. Enjoy stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, volcanic cones, and stretches of green, and go to villages that have played a vital role in the story of the island.

On this full-day tour, visit the Sete Cidades Massif, a field of alkali-basalt cinder cones and lava flows, and an area very popular for its lakes and surrounding hills. Departing from Ponta Delgada, travel up the mountain top that forms the caldera of a volcano where the lakes are located. Additionally, you will visit Empadadas and Carvão lakes, which will give you the opportunity to admire the beauty of untouched nature. Learn more about how volcanic activity formed the landscape. At lunchtime, stop off at a typical restaurant in the village of Sete CIdades, where you will eat a traditional meal. Then continue on, passing Vista do Rei, one of the island's top tourist destinations. Next, head to the Mosteiros, famous for its natural swimming pools, fishing harbor, and sandy beach of black basalt. On the way back to Ponta Delgada, you will also see the hot bathing spots caused by fumaroles on the coast.

Once you are picked up at your hotel, get ready for a half-day of exploring. You can choose from three tour options, each with its own destination: Sete Cidades, Furnas or Lagoa do Fogo. Half-day tour to Sete Cidades After exploring several lakes around the area, hop on an all-terrain ride for travel along the craters of Sete Cidades. Visit the small local parish. Half-day tour to Furnas Meet the most romantic town in Portugal. In Furnas, hot spring water is neighbor to the fresh spring water inside a volcano. See vegetation and fumaroles competing. Enjoy Furnas lake shore (a small trail hike can be included if wanted) and see how a traditional Portuguese plate is done in Furnas. Half-day tour to Lagoa do Fogo Enjoy the natural blue hue of the natural reserve, Fogo Lake. Visit the Caldeira Velha with its hot waterfall and natural pool for swimming. Explore a 4WD trail to a fresh water waterfall (a small trail hike can be included if wanted). Witness evidence of volcano activity at Ribeira Grande, a small town in Caldeiras.

Your tour starts at Ponta Delgada with a briefing about the vehicles and how to manage them. Then, set off to the lakes. During the climb there are amazing viewpoints from both sides of the island. Stop at Lagoa das Empadadas, for views over the volcanic cones to Ribeira Grande.  The adventure really begins at the off-road trail in Cumeeira, with amazing views over the volcano, the mountains, and the ocean. For lunch, enjoy a regional buffet and take some time to explore the village. The tour continues around the green and the blue lakes, with some explanations from the guide about area. Then it's time to go up to the mountains to enjoy views over Lagoa do Santiago, Cerrado das Freiras, and Vista do Rei. For those who just want to drive an all-terrain quad, and for those who want to explore the natural beauty of this region, you will certainly find the adventure you are looking for.