Where to Stay in Sao Miguel, Azores

Located in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean, only a 2-hour flight from mainland Portugal, São Miguel is the right place to spend a calming vacation exploring pure wonders… It’s not by probability that it’s nicknamed the “Green Island”!

Being the most important of the 9 Azores Islands, selecting a great location to remain in Sao Miguel, will utterly make a distinction within the sights you should have entry to. I’ve been there not too long ago, so I made a decision to jot down this put up with all of the TOP areas and greatest lodges in Sao Miguel.

The greatest place to remain in Sao Miguel is Ponta Delgada if it’s your first time on the island. Alternatively, Lagoa is ideal for historical past lovers, Ribeira Grande is nice for surfers, Sete Cidade has unimaginable landscapes, Furnas caters to households and Caloura is ideal should you’re searching for native and laid again vibes.

NOTE: If you spend just some nights or lower than 1 week in Sao Miguel, I counsel you keep in one of many central areas (Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande or Caloura), from the place you possibly can take day journeys to the totally different components of Sao Miguel. Otherwise, you probably have a bit longer I like to recommend you spend half of your trip on the west aspect and half on the east aspect of São Miguel Island.

As you possibly can see, on this put up I’ll inform you every part it’s essential learn about the place to remain in Sao Miguel, all it’s essential do is begin studying! But don’t neglect to guide your favourite resort some months prematurely… They get booked tremendous quick right here!

So let’s begin!

If you might be in a rush

If you don’t have time to learn the entire put up, listed here are the TOP Sao Miguel lodges positioned within the central and principal metropolis of Ponta Delgada:

Here’s a map so you possibly can visualize the place all the perfect lodges and areas the place to remain in São Miguel, Azores are positioned:

1. Ponta Delgada – the place to remain in Sao Miguel for first-timers

Ponta Delgada is the principal metropolis the place to remain in Sao Miguel, providing a handy location proper within the middle of the island. So you possibly can simply take day journeys to just about in all places inside simply an hour drive or much less.

This can be the place all of the excursions to the perfect sights on the island begin… The good place if it’s your first time on the island and also you don’t need to hire a automotive!

The metropolis itself is tremendous good to go to, in downtown Ponta Delgada you possibly can wander round its cobblestone streets, try some historic church buildings, calm down within the Jose do Canto Botanical Gardens, or attempt the everyday meals on the Mercado da Graça (the native market). By the best way, I speak about it in far more element in my put up on issues to do in Sao Miguel, test it out!

And since there isn’t any Uber or Bolt on São Miguel (solely pay as you go taxis), Punta Delgada is a good choice as a result of it lies solely 10 minutes from the airport, so that you received’t need to lay our a fortune to achieve it (a journey will value you solely €10)!

If as a substitute, you need to discover the island by automotive, Ponta Delgada provides many automotive leases, simply be certain your resort has parking obtainable on website or close by!

And in fact, being some of the widespread cities in São Miguel, Ponta Delgada provides nice lodging choices for any funds, verify them out beneath:

Other lodging choices in Ponta Delgada

As I stated earlier than, Ponta Delgada is without doubt one of the most touristic locations the place I stayed myself and likelihood is, you’ll keep too, so I made a decision to present you some further choices among the many numerous lodges you will discover within the metropolis:

• Luxury (€200 and up): Octant Ponta Delgada (Azor Hotel) – Check out this vibrant and cosmopolitan resort that includes rooms with gorgeous views of the ocean, an outside swimming pool and wellness middle the place you possibly can calm down, plus free parking!
• Mid Range (€70 – €200): Azoris Royal Garden – This 4-star Azoris Royal Garden is a contemporary resort providing nice worth for cash and superb services, amongst which 2 outside swimming swimming pools, parking and a spa middle providing massages and coverings
• Budget (as much as €70): Casa Barão das Laranjeiras – This is the place I stayed throughout my vacation in Sao Miguel, and I undoubtedly advocate it. The resort is tremendous good, cozy, and has nice services like a shared kitchen (there’s a large grocery store proper close by) and an outside pool!

Things to do in Ponta Delgada

• Visit the Caldeira Velha Thermal swimming pools on this half-day guided journey 
• Explore São Miguel east on a tour!
• Try scrumptious meals on the Mercado da Graça
• Relax in Jose do Canto Botanical Gardens
• Join this tour to Sao Miguel West
• Visit Ponta Delgada on this 4-hours strolling tour

2. Lagoa – the perfect metropolis in Sao Miguel for historical past

Just a 10-15 minutes drive from Ponta Delgada to the East, you can see the gorgeous small city of Lagoa. This is the place colonists settled after they found the island, so it is rather wealthy in tradition and historical past.

Here you possibly can go to the traditional Santa Cruz church or the various museums, just like the Expolab Science Museum, devoted to pure sciences and know-how, or the Azores Volcanological and Geothermal Observatory, the place you possibly can be taught all about volcanoes and seismology.

And should you’re questioning about nature, no worries, Lagoa received’t allow you to down! Here you’ll have quick access to magical waterfalls, volcanic lakes, lovely seashores, and pure swimming swimming pools!

So, in different phrases, Lagoa provides you the right mixture between nature, tradition, and concrete life, does it sound just like the place for you? Then try the perfect lodges within the space right here beneath (I included 2 luxurious choices):

Other lodging choices in Lagoa

White Exclusive Suites & Villas – The luxurious White Exclusive Suites & Villas is an ideal choice for {couples} searching for some privateness and tranquility. Here you’ll keep in spacious rooms with a balcony and room service obtainable, and also you’ll calm down within the outside swimming pool or within the backyard. But top-of-the-line issues concerning the resort is unquestionably its gorgeous view simply in entrance of the Atlantic ocean… Check out the images!

Things to do in Lagoa

3. Ribeira Grande (and environment) – greatest browsing

On the north coast of São Miguel you’ll discover Ribeira Grande, a quiet city with an ideal place to discover the west and the japanese areas of the island, however at decrease costs in comparison with those of Ponta Delgada.

Here you’ll additionally discover the Praia Ribeira Grande: my favourite seaside on the entire island. It’s large, so it by no means will get too crowded, and is a paradise for newbie surfers!

The waves within the Praia Ribeira Grande space are mellow and tremendous straightforward to catch, and the water is low till faar away from the shore, that is the rationale why there are numerous surf colleges giving classes right here!

Another motive why I like this seaside is that it’s absolutely geared up with any services you would possibly want: showers, altering rooms, bathrooms, and lifeguards… But it is a attribute you can see nearly in all places on the island (isn’t it cool?).

If you possibly can’t discover something in Ribeira Grande, verify just a bit bit extra west in Capelas and Calhetas – they’re about 10 min driving from Ribeira and have first rate infrastructure (eating places and many others.) too. I used to be truly contemplating staying in Capelas myself as we discovered one thing very reasonably priced and with nice there (however then modified our thoughts to Ponta Delgada nonetheless).

Other lodging choices in Ribeira Grande

I couldn’t resist supplying you with a pair extra unimaginable luxurious resort choices within the Ribeira Grande space:

• Resort Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa: The unique Resort Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa is positioned at simply 20 minutes from Ribeira Grande and provides lovely rooms and suites, all providing balconies with sea or mountain views, air con and an en suite toilet!
• Santa Barbara Eco Beach Resort: This unimaginable eco seaside resort options cozy and stylish villas product of sustainable supplies, with trendy and unique decorations. And the resort’s location is ideal for becoming a member of actions like mountain climbing, whale watching, or browsing!

Things to do in Ribeira Grande

• Take a surf lesson with one of many many surf colleges
• Stroll round Ribeira Grande metropolis middle
• Spend a calming day on Ribeira Grande seaside
• Gaze at superb water views from Miradouro do Palheiro
• Learn about São Miguel’s historic and non secular heritage at Casa do Arcano!
• Watch the sundown whereas having fun with a drink at Beach Club
• Attend some scientific exhibitions on the Astronomical Observatory of Santana

4. Sete Cidade – greatest pure attraction in São Miguel

The Lagoa das Sete Cidades (the seven cities’ lakes), positioned on the west aspect of Sao Miguel, is without doubt one of the hottest pure sights on the island and undoubtedly top-of-the-line issues to do in Sao Miguel. But what’s it precisely?

The Sete Cidades are seven craters coming from the volcanic eruptions of many, a few years in the past that these days host lovely lakes: the Lagoa Azul, Verde, Caldeiras Secas, Santiago, Rasa, and Alferes.

Above all of them, essentially the most visited ones are the Green and Blue lakes (additionally referred to as the dual lakes). They appear to be 2 totally different lakes, however they’re truly only one lake divided by a bridge. What makes it so superb is the truth that the lake displays the sky and the hills, making a half-blue and half-green visible impact within the water… It is magical!

The Green and Blue lakes are thought-about 2 of the 7 wonders of Portugal, so it’s a must-visit in São Miguel whether or not you might be staying in Sete Cidade or not, however the space is ideal for additionally exploring different sights of Sao Miguel west.

On the west of São Miguel Island, you’ll discover the Ponta da Ferraria pure swimming swimming pools, the dark-sand Mosteiros seaside, identified for its volcanic rocks and black sand, or the panoramic viewpoint Miradouro da Vista do Rei, providing the perfect views of the seven lakes!

Other lodging choices in Sete Cidade

Things to do in Sete Cidade

• Surf or watch the sundown on the lovely Mosteiros Beach!
• Swim within the heat thermal pool of Ponta da Ferraria
• Gaze on the Green and Blue lakes of Sete Cidade
• Have the perfect views of the seven lakes at Miradouro da Vista do Rei viewpoint

5. Furnas – the perfect space in São Miguel, Azores, for households

Furnas is a small city positioned on the east a part of São Miguel Island, providing entry to many family-friendly actions to get pleasure from in nature and a peaceable setting while you come again to the resort after an intense day of visiting!

In reality, at a really quick drive from Furnas, on the southern coast of São Miguel Island, there’s the tranquil Furnas Lake, the place you possibly can stroll round its borders, have a picnic whereas having fun with the water views, or simply chill.

And should you hold going north of Furnas lake, you possibly can go to a park with a really conventional attraction: the underground cooking pits (Fumarolas). Basically, the eating places in São Miguel Island use the warmth of the geothermal spring for cooking the standard stew Cozido das Furnas!

Last however not least, a should within the space is Terra Nostra Park, a part of the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, an oasis of peace the place you possibly can soak within the sizzling springs, lose your self in its charming gardens, or have essentially the most scrumptious Cozido on the Terra Nostra resort restaurant!

Contrary to Siete Cidade, staying in Furnas will even mean you can discover all the perfect sights of São Miguel’s east coast, just like the Poça da Dona Beija sizzling springs, the various miradouros (viewpoints), and pure parks!

Other lodging choices in Furnas

Things to do in Furnas

6. Caloura (South Coast) – most native space to remain in Sao Miguel

Located in the midst of Sao Miguel’s South coast, Caloura is an previous, charming, fishing village identified for its laid-back vibes, scrumptious meals, and actually good climate.

In reality, because of its flat floor and low altitude, the city has one of many greatest microclimates on the island: sunny (the clouds are targeting the interiors of the island) and fewer humid, the right place to calm down and benefit from the sea.

Its nice place will mean you can simply discover any a part of São Miguel, Azores, in addition to the gorgeous pure spots close by: lovely waterfalls and lakes, thermal water swimming pools, and nice seashores such because the small sandy seaside Praia da Baixa D’Areia in Água de Pau.

Right above the seaside, there is without doubt one of the greatest picnic areas on the entire island, providing barbecues, tables, an amazing ocean view, and even some altering rooms… The good place to spend a leisure day for households and pals!

Otherwise, Caloura itself provides a washing space with a small salt water swimming pool for teenagers and a direct entrance to the ocean, the place you possibly can chill earlier than having a scrumptious fish dinner in one of many conventional eating places on the town, undoubtedly a MUST-do in a fishing village!

Other lodging choices in Caloura

Things to do in Caloura

• Spend a calming seaside day at Praia da Baixa D’Areia in Água de Pau
• Dine on the perfect grilled fish on the island at Caloura Restaurant
• If you might be on the town in July, attend the Caloura Blues pageant
• Enjoy the views and contemporary air from Ponta da Galera viewpoint
• Have a cocktail with sundown views at Baixa d’Areia Lounge Bar

FAQs about lodges in São Miguel Island, Azores 

Conclusion

Congrats! You made it to the tip of this in depth information about all the perfect areas and cities the place to remain in Sao Miguel, Azores. As every one provides you entry to totally different sights on the island, it’s necessary you select properly!

If you need to simply attain each the east and west components of São Miguel Island, I counsel you keep in one of many central areas: Ponta Delgada and Caloura within the south, or Ribeira Grande on the north coast.

We additionally noticed all São Miguel’s greatest lodges, they usually have been rather a lot, so if you’re nonetheless undecided about which one to guide, right here beneath there are my 2 absolute favorites, positioned in Ponta Delgada:

• Azor Hotel – This is one greatest resort in Ponta Delgada if you’re searching for luxurious, that includes elegant rooms with gorgeous views of the ocean
• Hotel Talisman – If you might be searching for nice worth for cash, this resort is for you, providing a tremendous rooftop outside pool

If you want them, be sure to guide one thing instantly so that you reserve your self a spot and possibly additionally discover some good offers!

And should you nonetheless have questions, please be happy to share them within the feedback beneath, I’ll reply you as quickly as I can.

I hope you will have an awesome keep!

Yulia

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