How Many Days in São Miguel, Azores?

Are you wondering how many days to spend in São Miguel Azores? Whether you have a full week or only a long weekend, the lush volcanic island of São Miguel provides a blend of stunning natural beauty, adventure, and culture. If you’re short on time, get a quick taste of São Miguel’s geothermal wonders, crater lakes, and coast in 3 days. If you can spend 7 days in São Miguel, you’ll have time to go deeper. Soak in hot springs, hike to waterfalls, take a whale watching tour, and connect with locals (and even rescued donkeys!). Here’s our guide to how many days you should spend in São Miguel, Azores, with suggested 3-day and 7-day itineraries for first-timers.

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How Many Days Do You Need in São Miguel, Azores?

Many visitors spend just a few days on São Miguel, before island hopping to Terceira, Pico, and other islands in the Azores. Consider slowing down and spending 3-7+ days on this beautiful island.

• 3 Day Highlight Visit: hot springs in Furnas, a visit to Sete Cidades, and enjoying time on the water, seeing a coastal town or two.
• 7 Days Full Experience Visit: You’ll have time to get off the beaten path, enjoy more hikes, wildlife tours, and visit the more remote corners of the island.

Personally, we spent 10+ days exploring the many things to do on São Miguel and would recommend this to those who enjoy hiking and a more relaxed pace. This gave us time to relax after our day’s activities, enjoying the stunning view of the Islet of Vila Franca from our terrace, or swimming at the beach.

Planning Your Visit to São Miguel, Azores

• Getting There: Fly into Ponta Delgada (PDL) from Lisbon, Porto, or international cities like Boston, Toronto, or Frankfurt.
• Best Time to Visit: Late spring and early fall offer the best hiking, swimming, and whale watching conditions, with fewer crowds than you’ll find in summer. For those looking for the warmest weather, July and August are your best bet, though you’ll need to contend with crowds. Late fall to early Spring has few tourists, but there is a much higher probability of rain.
• Getting Around: Rent a car—public transport is quite limited, and the best sights are very spread out. For those who prefer to leave the driving to others, we’ve included recommended tours to the top attractions.

We use and recommend DiscoverCars.com for our car rentals. Search for your Ponta Delgada car rental below.

3-Day São Miguel Highlights Itinerary

Day 1: Furnas & Thermal Springs

Start your trip to São Miguel by visiting the lake and town of Furnas, a perfect introduction to the island. Explore the bubbling fumaroles, gentle hikes, iron hot springs, and botanical gardens.

Morning: Lagoa das Furnas

Our recommended itinerary starts with a walk around Lagoa das Furnas, stopping to see the steaming caldeiras where locals cook Cozido das Furnas underground. This easy trail is 4.0 miles (6.4 km) long. You can easily extend this walk by starting in the town of Furnas, walking up to the viewpoint above the lake, or hiking to Salto do Rosal Waterfall.

Pro tip: access to the Salto do Rosal Waterfall is via the Mata Jardim José do Canto, which is closed on Monday’s and holidays.

Afternoon: the Town of Furnas

Head into Furnas for lunch. We’d suggest trying Cozido das Furnas, which you may have seen cooking next to the lake. Tony’s and Caldeiras & Vulcões are great options for trying this local speciality.

Pro tip: reserve Cozido das Furnas 24 hours in advance, as it’s cooked to order.

Relax after lunch in the hot springs at Terra Nostra Park or Poça da Dona Beija. They’re known for their warm, iron-rich waters. We personally prefer Poça da Dona Beija, as it’s quieter and in a more natural setting.

Pro tip: the iron-rich waters can stain your bathing suit and possibly your hair. We didn’t have any issues, but suggest to follow the guidance of bringing an older (and dark colored) bathing suit for this soak.

Wrap up the day exploring the Terra Nostra botanical gardens or strolling the quiet streets of Furnas.

Check availability of the top Furnas guided tour below:

Day 2: Sete Cidades & Ponta da Ferraria

Today’s itinerary includes visits to a natural pool and incredible views and walks near Sete Cidades.

Morning: Ponta da Ferraria

Start your day at Ponta da Ferraria, where you can swim in a natural ocean pool warmed by geothermal vents. Some important notes when planning this visit:

• The natural ocean pool is unsupervised and it can be quite rough. Visit at your own risk.
• Be sure to time your visit with low tide, as this is typically the safest time to visit.
• For a safer and supervised experience, visit the manmade pool next to the parking lot and café.
• There are free restrooms, changing rooms, and showers available on the path towards the natural ocean pool.
• Warm up with a coffee at the cafe on site after your swim.

If time allows, stop for a walk along the coast of Mosteiros, for beautiful views.

Afternoon: Sete Cidades

After enjoying the coast, head inland to the Sete Cidades region for one of the most iconic views in the Azores. The Vista do Rei lookout is just off the road (no hike needed), and provides views of the twin crater lakes. The blue and the green lake are surrounded by dense forest, which is dotted with hiking trails. Take a kayak and e-bike tour and enjoy exploring the lakes area.

Pro Tip: We recommend visiting Sete Cidades on a clear day, when the viewpoints are free of clouds. Check the Sete Cidades webcams before heading out.

Hike or drive around the caldera rim for more photo-worthy spots like Miradouro da Boca do Inferno. This viewpoint requires a 20-30 minute hike from the parking lot. For those looking for beautiful views and a challenging hike, try the 12.5 mile (20.1 km) Lagoon of the Seven Cities Loop.

Day 3: Vila Franca do Campo + Água de Alto

For the 3rd day of our São Miguel itinerary, we’ll start in Vila Franca do Campo, the island’s original capital. This charming seaside town. made an ideal base for us to explore the island. It is a quiet town, with little to no nightlife. That said, it’s a very authentic town, with few tourists except at the marina (for boat tours).

Morning: Explore the Islet of Vila Franca

Take a kayak or boat tour to the Islet of Vila Franca, a dramatic circular islet that was once a volcanic crater. It’s now a protected natural reserve with clear, swimmable waters. We loved taking a private kayak tour. This is ocean kayaking, so we strongly recommend venturing out with a knowledgeable guide.

Pro Tip: There are seasonal closures of the islet to protect the natural environment (at times, snorkeling within the islet is prohibited; at others, walking around the island is prohibited).

Lunch and Vila Franca Do Campo

Back on shore, enjoy lunch overlooking the harbor at or near the marina. Enjoy seafood at the Atlântico Azorean Restaurant or a sweet treat at Queijadas do Morgado.

After lunch, don’t miss a visit to the Nossa Senhora da Paz Chapel, perched on a hill with panoramic views of the town and coastline below. Most people drive to the chapel, though we chose to walk. The walk isn’t too memorable, as it is right along the main road (it does have nice views over the coast).

Finish the day with a drive up to Lagoa do Fogo viewpoint for sweeping views of this crater lake. If you’d like to hike the 0.9 mile (1.4 km) out and back hike to the lake, park at the Lagoa do Fogo viewpoint and look for the trail down to the lake. It is fairly steep in points, but the views make it worthwhile.

Pro Tip: If you have an extra day or half day, there is a challenging but beautiful trail from Água de Alto to Lagoa do Fogo which we’d recommend. Alternatively, the Janela do Inferno is a more moderate hike on the hillside of Fogo, with numerous tunnels, a small waterfall at the Janela (window).

Optional Add-On: Walk with Rescued Donkeys in Água de Alto

In nearby Água de Alto, take part in a a gentle walk through town alongside rescued donkeys. Organized by the local donkey sanctuary, these walks provide rescued animals with their daily exercise and human interaction. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with the donkeys! Stroll the picturesque streets with your donkey companion and learn about the sanctuary’s mission to protect these beloved animals.

One thing we struggled with while on the island was seeing so many animals chained up. Our time at the donkey sanctuary was a slow-paced, feel-good way to help counter the mistreatment of animals.

7-Day São Miguel Itinerary (For the Full Experience)

Days 1-3: follow the 3-Day Itinerary

Day 4: Tea Plantations, Waterfall Hikes, and Surf

Head northeast today for a mix of culture, nature, and either a waterfall hike or a surf session.

Morning: Exploring Tea Plantations

Visit the Gorreana and Porto Formoso Tea Plantations, the only tea fields in Europe. Tour the factories and sip fresh green or black tea with ocean views. Gorreana offers not just free tours and a café, but also opportunities for stunning hiking trails. Most visitors walk all or part of PRC28, the circular route around the tea fields.

Pro Tip: Leave time to explore the short Caminho da Água da Gorreana trail (water path trail) to get away from the tour buses, cross streams, and visit waterfalls and quiet pools.

Stop at scenic viewpoints like Miradouro de Santa Iria and Miradouro do Pico do Ferro for sweeping coastal vistas.

Afternoon: Choose your own Adventure

Hike Salto do Cabrito, a moderate trail leading to a stunning, multi-tiered waterfall hidden in the woods.

Or, head to Santa Bárbara Beach near Ribeira Grande for a surf session. It’s a local favorite with surf schools and has great waves for beginners. We enjoyed and recommend having a casual lunch at the TukáTulá Beach Bar, right next to the beach parking lot.

Day 5: Nordeste, Poço Azul or Canyoneering

Today is about venturing into the wild, untouched east of São Miguel island.

Morning: Nordeste

Drive to Nordeste, one of the island’s most scenic and least developed regions. You can expect to find dramatic cliffs, winding roads, flower-lined viewpoints, and a peaceful, unspoiled vibe. Spend time wandering around the town of Nordeste. We were amazed by just how quiet the town was.

Pro Tip: Try Nor Coffee in Noreste for a coffee break with a view.

Afternoon: Hiking or Canyoneering

Along the way there or back, stop at Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park, where you can hike, picnic, or go canyoneering down waterfalls with a local guide. Entry to the park is free, with the main areas of the park open from 9 am – 5 pm.

Alternatively, opt for a tranquil hike to Poço Azul, a beautiful, lesser-known blue pool in the island’s interior—a hidden gem for nature lovers. We enjoyed a swim in the pool, though it was quite chilly (in April).

Park in Acadinha and either take the direct route to the pool or the longer loop past a number of waterfalls. The longer loop passes a number of waterfalls and has stunning ocean views.

Day 6: Whale Watching & Coastal Relaxation

Time to head out to sea for the 6th day of our São Miguel itinerary! The Azores are one of the world’s best spots for whale and dolphin watching.

• Book a half-day tour from Ponta Delgada or Vila Franca do Campo. You might see sperm whales, dolphins, and even blue whales depending on the season.

• Spend the afternoon relaxing by the coast—great options include Caloura and Praia dos Moinhos. We also enjoyed wandering the Vila Franca do Campo coastal walk. Cap off the day with fresh seafood and a glass of Azorean wine with an ocean view.

Day 7: Discover Ponta Delgada

Spend your last day exploring the capital city, Ponta Delgada. Start your day with a peaceful stroll through the Jardim António Borges. We were pleasantly surprised by this beautiful botanic garden, filled with exotic trees, caves, and tropical birds. There’s a small café in the park to get a coffee and sit in the shade.

Wander the historic center of Ponta Delgada, checking out the following sites:

• Portas da Cidade, the 18th century city gates leading onto the square,
• Igreja de São José, the 1700’s church in the main square,
• Mercado da Graça, the local market selling local produce, cheeses, and baked goods,
• Plantação Ananases A Arruda, one of São Miguel’s unique pineapple plantations (free entry and pineapple tasting).

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Final Thoughts: So, How Many Days in São Miguel, Azores, is Enough for You?

How many days in São Miguel Azores depends on what you enjoy doing on your holiday and how well you’d like to get to know the island. If you’re short on time, 3 days will give you a taste of São Miguel’s unique landscape, hot springs, and volcanic beauty. But for nature lovers and adventure seekers, 7-10 days lets you fully immerse yourself in the island’s hidden waterfalls, crater hikes, charming villages, and unforgettable wildlife.

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