11 Best Things to Do on São Miguel, Azores (Guide for First-Timers)

Last Updated March 30, 2026||

São Miguel is the largest island in the Azores and arguably one of the most unique places we’ve visited in Europe! Between volcanic lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, and coastal viewpoints, there’s no shortage of incredible things to do here.

After visiting the Azores recently (spending the majority of our time on São Miguel Island), we’ve put together this guide with a mix of must-do activities as well as a few unique things you might’ve missed without proper planning.

A woman standing by a wooden railing with a rainbow visible over a lush green valley in the Azores.
We spotted this beautiful rainbow at one of the miraduoros! 🌈

This guide is created with first-time visitors in mind – so if that’s you, you’re in the right place. But even if you’ve been to the Azores before, keep reading because you might find a few spots you missed during your first visit!

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11 things not to miss in São Miguel

A couple sitting on a stone wall overlooking a misty crater lake surrounded by green hills in São Miguel, Azores.
The Sete Cidades area was one of our favourites

With beautiful nature and awesome hiking trails, São Miguel is a paradise for outdoor lovers – but it’s so much more than that…

This island has an incredible culinary scene, rich culture & history, and some spectacular marine life. Which leads us to one of our favourite activities to do here in São Miguel: dolphin & whale watching!

#1 Dolphin & Whale Watching Tour

Dolphins glide through rolling ocean waves as they travel in a group near the boat. The textured surface of the sea highlights their movement and speed.

Going on a dolphin & whale watching tour in São Miguel is an absolute must. The Azores are known for one of the best places to see whales in the world, so if you only do one of the activities on this list, make it this one.

Josie saw multiple pods of dolphins and there were easily 100+ dolphins swimming and jumping right next to the boat while I was in the back being sea sick (yep, sadly, I get very sea sick and the waves were big).

Seeing all of the dolphins swimming by the boat, playing in the waves, and jumping out of the water was incredible and unlike anything we’ve ever experienced before. And while we didn’t spot any whales, this was still Josie’s favourite thing we did on São Miguel!

This was actually the first tour we did here on the island, and we’re really glad we booked it for the first day. Since we visited during winter, the water was a bit more rough than during the summer and it caused for a few cancellations the days prior to our boat trip.

For that reason, we suggest you book the whale watching tour for one of your first days. By chance, the tour gets cancelled, (or you don’t see any wildlife), you’ll have a chance to go again!

#2 Enjoy a delicious meal at A Tasca

A smiling man sits at a restaurant table holding the “O Jornal da Tasca” newspaper menu. Other diners and hanging lights are visible inside the busy restaurant behind him.
A table is set with a plate of grilled chicken, fries, and beans, along with salad, bread, and glasses of water. Multiple dishes and cutlery are visible, suggesting a shared meal.
Two small plates hold slices of cake while hands with spoons reach toward one of the desserts. The plates rest on a wooden table with napkins and cutlery nearby.
We had one of our favourite dinners at A Tasca

There’s a reason why A Tasca is at the top of our list of restaurants we recommend in Ponta Delgada. Our dinner at A Tasca was actually another highlight during our time on São Miguel (and we did a lot of fun things) because of how unique the experience was at the restaurant.

We don’t want to spoil too much so you can also have that authentic experience which we loved because we didn’t know what to expect.

But we’ll tell you this: the staff is super friendly and more than happy to give you their suggestions, the menu was awesome (see the newspaper in the photo above?), and the food was great with a wide variety of local cuisine!

It is a very well-known restaurant, also amongst locals, which means it’s usually quite busy! You can’t make a reservation here, so make sure you go here before you start getting hangry as you might have to wait a bit for a table.

Our best suggestion is to aim for an early dinner since Portuguese people usually eat a bit later (around 8pm).

📍 Want to know all the best spots in São Miguel?
We’re currently putting together a map with +75 locations around the island we know you’re gonna love. Join the waitlist and be the first to know when it’s ready for purchase! 🗺️

#3 Day trip to the town of Furnas

A person standing on a wooden platform above steaming geothermal pools, surrounded by dense green forest in the Azores.
Steaming geothermal vents and muddy ground surrounded by lush green forest and shrubs in Furnas on São Miguel Island, Azores.

Furnas is one of those towns you have to visit while on the island! This town is know for its geothermal activity, hot springs, and the Azorean stew, Cozido das Furnas, which is a meal cooked in the ground.

We suggest going here for a full day, starting with a visit to Fumarolas Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas Lake) just 4 km from Furnas Town.

There’s a small entrance fee but it’s well worth it because this is where you can see the geothermal activity like in the images above, and if you’re there between 11:30am and 12:30pm, you can also see the Cozido das Furnas meals being taken out of the ground.

White church with twin towers and red roofs in a small town in the Azores, with a car parked on the street and mountains in the background.
View of a church in Furnas from Restaurante Tony’s

Afterwards, head into Furnas town and go to Restaurante Tony’s where you can try the meal yourself. We suggest making a reservation as this is a very popular spot! Alternatively, you can join a cooking class and try to make it yourself!

After lunch, you can go to the Terra Nostra Park for a soak in the natural hot springs and full-on relax for a few hours.

Unfortunately, this was something we missed because they closed early the day we were there, so make sure you check their opening hours before going.

Alternatively, if you want to experience Furnas by night, you can enjoy this night-time experience in Furnas with a soak in the Poça da Dona Beija hot springs and dinner.

The guides are amazing and the tour has incredible reviews. It also includes pick up and drop off in Ponta Delgada, so you don’t have to drive yourself!

Please note: If you go to the hot springs, know that the water is yellow and sulphury. It can stain your clothes, so wear a dark bathing suit and bring a darker towel to avoid ruining your favourite swim suit!

#4 Explore the oldest tea factory in Europe (Gorreana Tea Factory)

Neatly trimmed green tea fields forming rows across rolling hills on São Miguel Island, Azores.
You can visit both the factory and café as well as the tea plantation

A fun fact about São Miguel is that it’s home to the oldest tea factory in Europe! The Gorreana Tea Factory has been around since 1883 and it’s a great spot to visit as a part of your trip to Furnas.

One thing I loved about Gorreana is that there’s a nice little walking path you can do around the tea plantation before actually going inside the factory.

If you want to walk around the tea plantation, you can follow the signs outside and check the PRC28 SMI on Alltrails, too. We did it around golden hour (in the evening), and it was absolutely stunning.

From there, you can go on a self-guided tour through the tea factory where you can learn about the history of Gorreana as well as the production of tea. There are also a few options to sample the tea (which is amazing).

It finishes off at a little café and souvenir shop where you can buy the tea and other local knick-knacks. We sat down on the patio and enjoyed some local tea before driving back to Ponta Delgada.

#5 Epic Canyoning Experience

Two canyoning participants stand together in a shallow pool wearing helmets and harnesses. A small waterfall cascades behind them inside a narrow, green canyon.
A woman in canyoning gear smiles and gestures while laying on wet rocks beside flowing water. The lush forest and steep canyon walls create a dramatic natural setting.
A woman wearing a helmet with an action camera rappels through a narrow canyon gap. Other canyoning participants wait below in the rocky stream.
The canyon was so lush and green and we had a great time!

We love to try out new things, and we actually went canyoning in Madeira together for the first time, and absolutely loved it. So once we figured out that The Azores are well known for canyoning, we had to go!

We went on this tour with a local company and did a beginner-intermediate tour, and it was so much fun.

There are so many little pockets of absolute beauty on this island, and exploring a canyon was such a cool way to not only be adventurous but also see a part of the island that not everyone gets to see and experience.

One of the coolest things about it was how there was a pocket with hot geothermal water which our guides showed us – that was so cool and completely unexpected!

#6 Drive around Sao Miguel

A winding mountain road cuts through lush green hills with farmland and the coastline visible in the distance. The elevated viewpoint highlights São Miguel’s dramatic landscape.
A curved mountain road on São Miguel Island sits beneath a soft blue sky with a faint rainbow visible above the bend. Green hills and guardrails frame the scenic drive.
You never know what you find around the next bend!

One of the best things you can do in São Miguel is simply rent a car and explore the island at your own pace.

While there are tours available, having your own car makes a huge difference since many of the best viewpoints, waterfalls, and hot springs are spread out across the island.

After having visited São Miguel, we both agree that driving in itself is an experience here. Everywhere here is so beautiful and we pulled over so many times at all the different ‘miraduoros’ (viewpoints) just to take in the view!

There’s everything from volcanic lakes to coastal cliffs, and the famous hydrangea-lined roads (Estrada Hortênsia being the most famous one), which are 100% worth driving on.

A narrow paved road descends into a misty green valley surrounded by dense forest on São Miguel Island. Low clouds hang over the hills, creating a moody atmosphere.
We went in December, so the hydrangeas weren’t in bloom (May to September is the best time to see this)

I do think a lot of people feel this way, but some of the best adventures and moments are the ones that weren’t planned at all. They happen by randomly stopping by a viewpoint you see on the road or accidentally getting lost and ending up somewhere cool.

We highly recommend renting a car for at least a few days if you want to see the island properly. São Miguel isn’t huge, but there’s a lot to explore, and driving is by far the easiest way to do it.

#7 Sunset at Praia dos Mosteiros

Silhouette of a person looking out at the ocean during sunset, with the sun low on the horizon.
Two large sea stacks rising from the ocean off a rocky coastline, with waves breaking around them at sunset.
The sunset colours were amazing! During the summer months, the sun will set between the two rocks.

If you’re after a good sunset on the island, there’s a small town on the west coast of São Miguel called Mosteiros, which is famous for its incredible sunsets.

After our day-trip to Sete Cidades, we finished the day in Mosteiros with an awesome sunset. It’s extra magical because of the famous islets of Mosteiros.

If you visit during the spring or summer, you can witness one of the most spectacular sunsets here where the sun sets between the two rocks out in the ocean. It looks amazing!

We sadly didn’t get to see this since we visited in December, but it was still equally magical. We needed some caffeine for the drive home, so we went to Steve’s Sunset Bar and ordered a coffee and enjoyed the sunset from there!

🌅 PS: This is great to combine with a day trip to Sete Cidades since it’s in the area and you can easily spend a full day on the north-west side of the island!

#8 Roam the streets of Ponta Delgada

A tall clock tower with white walls and dark stone trim rises above nearby buildings and trees. The clock face and bell openings are visible against a partly cloudy sky.
A man sits on a concrete bench overlooking a small harbour with sailboats and a rocky breakwater. Rolling green hills rise in the background under a cloudy sky.
A narrow cobblestone street lined with shops and restaurants in Ponta Delgada, with people walking along the patterned pavement. Outdoor seating and signage line the buildings on either side.
I love the calçada portuguesa in Ponta Delgada (the iconic Portuguese cobblestone streets)

Ponta Delgada is the main city on São Miguel, and while it’s not a big city, it’s a great place to wander around for an afternoon.

The historic centre is small enough to explore on foot (there’s a bunch of great free walking tours you can do), with cobblestone streets, little squares, local cafés, and plenty of restaurants tucked away down side streets.

That’s how we ended up at A Tasca, which turned out to be one of the best meals we had in the Azores, and we also stumbled across a few great local coffee shops where we chatted with locals and learnt a bit about the people and life on the island.

Even if you’re spending most of your time exploring nature around the island, we think it’s worth setting aside an hour or two to roam around Ponta Delgada, grab a coffee, and enjoy the slower pace of life.

Other fun things to do in Ponta Delgada include:

#9 Go swimming at Ponta da Ferraria

A coastal viewpoint in São Miguel, Azores overlooking dark volcanic rocks and waves crashing along the shoreline. A small white building with a red roof sits near the water, surrounded by green vegetation on the hillside.
Ponta da Ferraria as seen from above

One of the most unique things to do in São Miguel is visiting the natural hot springs at Ponta da Ferraria. If you’ve never swum in a natural hot pool before, this is a must!

Ponta da Ferraria is a spot where warm geothermal water mixes with the ocean to create a natural thermal swimming spot (our guide showed us something similar when we were canyoning, and it was so cool! Not literally, haha).

It’s a pretty wild experience and definitely different from the typical hot springs you find on the island – or anywhere else for that matter – since this is connected to the ocean!

🌊 Fun fact: The water temperature actually depends on the tide, so the best time to go is around low tide when the warm water is easier to feel. This is also the safest time to visit.

#10 Go chasing waterfalls – Cascata da Ribeira dos Caldeirões

Beautiful Cascata da Ribeira dos Caldeirões | Source: Benoit Henocq

Cascata da Ribeira dos Caldeirões is one of the waterfalls we really wanted to see while visiting São Miguel, but unfortunately, didn’t make it there on this trip.

It’s located inside Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões, a lush park in the Nordeste part of the island that’s known for its waterfalls, walking paths, and really green scenery.

You use this trail map for the Cascata da Ribeira dos Caldeiros, along with the trail markings you’ll find once you’re there.

From everything we’ve seen and heard, this is one of the easiest waterfalls to visit on the island since it’s just a short walk from the parking area, which makes it a great stop if you’re exploring the northeast coast. When we go back to São Miguel, this is definitely one of the places we’ll go explore!

#11 Day trip to Sete Cidades

View over Sete Cidades in São Miguel, Azores, showing twin crater lakes separated by a narrow bridge and surrounded by steep green hills. The deep blue water contrasts with lush forest and a small village along the shoreline.
The iconic view of Lagoa Verde & Lagoa Azul from Miradouro da Vista do Rei

Visiting the Blue and Green Lagoons (also known as the twin lakes) is another must here on São Miguel! This can easily be done as a full-day trip, where you stop by the famous Boca do Inferno viewpoint, Miradouro da Vista do Rei, and other beautiful viewpoints.

We also recommend stopping by Casa de Cha for a nice lunch. It’s a nice little authentic cafe by the lagoons that serves typical Azorean dishes (their soup and cheeses were amazing!).

This is a very active day, so if you feel like hiking, exploring, and kayaking, then this is the perfect day trip for you – and as the cherry on top, you can head to the west coast after to watch the sunset from Praia dos Mosteiros!

You can follow our day trip to Sete Cidades guide, where we highlight the best things to do around the lagoons. Or if you prefer not to plan it yourself, you can go on a guided tour from Ponta Delgada or Lagoa (pickup included).

Try to visit this part of the island on a nice sunny day as you’ll miss out on lots of views if it’s rainy and foggy. You can check the web cams before going to make sure the conditions are good.

📍 Want to know all the best spots in São Miguel?
We’re currently putting together a map with +75 locations around the island we know you’re gonna love. Join the waitlist and be the first to know when it’s ready for purchase! 🗺️

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Recap of the best things to do in São Miguel

A woman in a black dress standing in tea fields and turning back toward the camera, with rolling green hills behind her.
Josie at Cha Gorrera tea plantation

We hope you found this guide helpful in planning your trip to São Miguel! There are so many cool things to do here, from whale watching and canyoning to hiking and soaking up in the hot springs.

No matter what you decide to do, we hope you have an amazing time here on the island and in the Azores.

If you have questions about this guide or need suggestions for where to stay or where to eat, please reach out!

We love helping other travellers, so feel free to DM us on Instagram @redwhiteadventures or leave a comment on this post.

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