10 Best Attractions on Sao Miguel Island: 3 day Itinerary
Find the 10 Best Attractions on Sao Miguel Island to create the perfect multi-day itinerary. The Azores is home to some of the most jaw dropping views and secret hidden gems in Portugal.
We recommend adding the following 10 attractions to your visit to Sao Miguel:
- City of Ponta Delgada- spend a full day exploring the city and soaking in the history and architecture
- Parque Terra Nostra- located an hour and half drive from Ponta Delgada
- Salto do Cabrito
- Cascata Do Salto Do Prego
- Ponta de Ferraria
- Miradouro da Boca do Inferno/Setes Cidades
- Miradouro da Vista do Rei/Monte Palace Ruins
- Poca da dona beija
- Furnas Lake and Salto do Rosal
- Pineapple Plantation/Ananas Santo Antonio
Our Favorite Stays in Sao Miguel:
We loved the Coast Flats for its proximity to Ponta Delgada and clean, modern conveniences. The views from the balcony were the highlight of the stay! Easy self check in and quiet neighborhood within walking distance to downtown Ponta Delgada made this the perfect home base at a fair price.
1. Ponta Delgada
Jardim Botanico Antonio Borges: This park is a must see for history buffs AND your botanist. Located in downtown Ponta Delgada, this park offers beautiful gardens and the perfect place to enjoy a picnic lunch!
Ponta Delgada is a small walkable city with delicious restaurants and beautiful architecture. A day exploring (and shopping) through this city is the perfect way to mix urban culture with the natural wonders of Sao Miguel.
2. Parque de Terra Nostra
Spend half a day exploring this incredible garden park… If you are traveling to Sao Miguel in 2025, please be advised that areas of the park are under construction and are not accessible at this time.
Terra Nostra Garden Hotel
If you are not able to stay in this hotel, grab lunch and a few cocktails on the hotel patio before or after exploring the grounds and taking a dip in the thermal pools.
Thermal Pools of Terra Nostra
Although not our favorite thermal pool experience given the crowds and cost, the health benefits of the rich minerals seemed worth spending an hour. Tickets are about $17pp and include changing facilities. We never like to pass up a thermal pool experience and we enjoyed floating around and relaxing. The minerals will color your bath suit so we recommend wearing one that is dark in color.
Gardens of Terra Nostra
We found the gardens to be the highlight of Terra Nostra. The garden complex is BIG and takes a few hours to explore all the hidden paths and secret gardens. During peak season, we recommend purchasing tickets ahead of time as the park can become very crowded.
3. Salto Do Cabrito
We are not going to lie… we came to the Azores for the waterfalls. We chose to hike into Salto Do Cabrito rather than drive, but you can park adjacent to this waterfall. This 2.7 mile hike takes you through forests and fun water aqueducts that make the arrival to Salto Do Cabrito even more dramatic. Stairs and plank walkways lead you through the canyon with staggering cliffs surrounding you!
It was chilly, but Lindsey dove right in!
“If you aren’t living in the moment, you are either looking forward to uncertainty or back to pain and regret.“
Jim Carrey
4. Cascata Do Salto Do Prego
Hiking in and out to this waterfall is well worth the 2.8 mile effort. This hike starts in the small hamlet of Faial da Terra with charming architecture and an old world feel. The Salto do Prego trail meanders along the gorge and then through lush forests where you’ll encounter wild chickens!
After your arrival to the waterfall, you’ll descend down through the Sanguinho village. This charming little village brings you back through time before descending down a dirt path with extraordinary views of the ocean below. This was one of our favorite hikes on Sao Miguel, but a popular one. We recommend heading out early before the tours arrive!
5. Ponta de Ferraria
Ponta de Ferraria was a special treat. Driving down onto the coastline is steep and an adventure all its own as the sweeping ocean views come into view. We headed out for a stunning sunset and the rocky coastline and rock formations offer some of the best views on the island. The unique natural hot spring sits along the coastline and you’ll be treated to warm tides that ebb and flow as the waves crash into the cove. It’s truly a one of a kind experience to watch the sun set while soaking in this tidal pool!
6. Miradouro da Boca do Inferno/Setes Cidades
We watched the weather for days to determine when to head out to this iconic hike. This lookout offers sweeping views and the iconic walkway across the ridge line. We were never able to see Setes Cidades beyond the fog but took the opportunity to grab some photos where we had the place all to ourselves. We actually tried twice, but nature had other plans. Despite clear skies below, we remained socked in on both visits. In our opinion, the fog holds a beauty all its own.
Setes Cidades
Lagoa do Fogo
At the base of Sete Cidades lies a stunning lake adjacent to a small town with charming architecture and a small selection of restaurants. A consolation prize for missing the views at Setes Cidades!
7. Miradouro da Vista do Rei/Monte Palace Ruins
Miradouro Da Vista Do Rei is one of the more popular stops on a Sao Miguel Road trip. Set high above Lagoa do Fogo sits an abandoned hotel (Monte Palace). We tried climbing up inside but the terrain was not safe. The view is unmatched and there are numerous hiking trails to explore.
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts”
Rachel Carson
8. Poca da dona beija
For $8 per person, you can spend a few hours in this incredible hot spring built around a thermal river in Furnas. Open 8:30am-10pm daily, this is the perfect way to spend a rainy or cool afternoon. Offering a changing area and small store, the Boca Da Dona Beija is a secret gem tucked in the jungle. Tours are offered through Get Your Guide/Viator with dinner and a full experience but you can make your own timed reservation online for much less. (please note at the time of this post, Poca Da Dona Peija is temporarily under construction and closed.)
9. Furnas Lake and Salto do Rosal
This little 2 mile hike out and back is a truly secret gem. You will need to pay a small parking fee ($1) and a $4 entrance fee to enter Jardim Jose do Canto along Furnas Lake. We had the trail and waterfall all to ourselves. The trail winds through gardens and a Sequoia forest before ending at the beautiful Salto Do Rosal.
10. Pineapple Plantation/Ananas Santo Antonio
This family run Pineapple farm is a fun stop to taste some of the sweetest pineapple on the Island. They offer a free tour of their greenhouse and explain the meticulous process of cultivating these small but sweet little wonders. Purchase some jams or liquors to bring home to family and friends!
