Sao Miguel Island longitude 25º 30' W - latitude 37º 50' N

São Miguel's lakes, the inspiration behind many a poem, are what first captivates the heart. Sete Cidades, where emerald green and sapphire blue are the dominant colours is the source of the legend of sorrowful princesses, of lost kingdoms. Fogo lake, a dramatic landscape of lava and sea. Furnas lake, mirroring its surroundings like a fairy tale image overlooked by a chapel's gothic tower. Then there is Vale das Furnas, a vivacious garden at the bottom of a vast crater where hot water springs run free. Within you'll find the romantic Parque Terra Nostra [Park of Our Land], where exotic tropical species blend with varieties from Nordic countries. The fervent vapour of "Caldeiras" is reminiscent of the original volcano of the island. Finally, visit the only tea plantation in Europe whose vantage points allow you to look out across the rolling pastures dotted with lazy Holstein cows, the dense woodlands and the inevitable riot of flowers.The island of Sao Miguel is best-known for an enormous crater called the Caldeira das Sete Cidades, forming two adjacent lakes, one blue and the other green.
The furnas are springs of sulphuric water surrounded by luxuriant vegetation. You can sample the famous cooking done here in the hot springs. This can be arranged through your hotel.

São Miguel, also known as the green island owing to the abundance of pasture and forest covered peaks is the largest and most enchanting islands on the Azores. On São Miguel you can spend as much time as you have.  
The nature is so beautiful, and do encourage to be discovered. There are so much to see and do. If you want to " see it all ", you must stay for a longer period. The island is about 65 x12 km. São Miguel can be a natural start on a holiday on Azores. Here lives about 140.000 people.

It will take far to long to describe everything beautiful and interesting on São Miguel. It might sound easy to say, but it really is overwhelming. A lot of flowers and many different trees. The landscape change all the time. Many crater-lakes and geysers. Cozy villages in the hilly countryside. 

On the island of São Miguel it is a good idea to rent a car to get around.

For political reasons there are three district capitals in the Azores. Ponta Delgada is the district capital for São Miguel and Santa Maria. Angra do Heroísmo for Terceira, Graciosa and São Jorge. Horta for Faial, Pico, Flores and Corvo.

Ponta Delgada is the largest city on São Miguel and in all the Azores Islands. It's an exiting business town with a lot of old houses and museums. It has a great variety of hotels, residencias and restaurants for any wallet. Here you will also find a nice public pool.

All over the island you will find small cozy villages, which is to be visited. Let me just mention two. Furnas and Sete Cidades. There are very few small beaches.

On the other side of the island the mother church in Ribeira Grande boasts the curious "Arcano". Island landmarks include Lagoa, Nordeste, Povoação, all landing spots of the first settlers. Vila Franca do Campo, was the island's very first capital.

In Furnas you will find several geysers. Just below surface it is so hot, that you easily can cook your meal in small wells. There are some older health sanatories and a very nice 18 holes golfcourse.

North-West of Ponta Delgada is another very nice 18 holes golfcourse.

Sete Cidades, is situated on the very bottom of a big crater. You can easily enter the village by car. The church is worth a visit. Take a detour on the small road along the crater edge, and enjoy the excellent view. There is a long drilled tube from the bottom of the crater to the outside. You can walk all the way through. If you dare ! Close to Sete Cidades are several other beautiful lakes worth a visit.

The tourist office in Ponta Delgada will be glad to give you all information you may need.

Lodgings
HOTEL TERRA NOSTRA		Rua Padre José Jacinto Botelho, 5 9675 Furnas	Hotel
CASA DOMUS ADEPTA		R. Augusto Arruda, 12 9675-038 Furnas	Private guesthouse
TERMAS DAS FURNAS		Sítio Quenturas 9675 Furnas	Spa
HOTEL AÇORES ATLÂNTICO		Av. Infante Dom Henrique 9500 Ponta Delgada	Hotel
HOTEL AVENIDA		Rua Dr. Bruno T. Carreiro 9500 Ponta Delgada	Hotel
HOTEL SÃO PEDRO		Largo Almirante Dunn 9500 Ponta Delgada	Hotel
HOTEL CANADIANO RESIDENCIAL		Rua do Contador, 24-A 9500-050 Ponta Delgada	Hotel
HOTEL PONTA DELGADA		R. João Francisco Cabral, 49 9500-208 Ponta Delgada	Hotel
HOTEL TALISMAN		R. Marquês da Praia e Monforte, 40 9500-089 Ponta Delgada	Hotel
CASA NOSSA SENHORA DO CARMO		Rua Pópulo de Cima, 220- Livramento 9500-614 Ponta Delgada	Private guesthouse
QUINTA DA NOSSA SENHORA DE LURDES		R. Igreja, 132-São Vicente Ferreira 9545 Ponta Delgada	Private guesthouse
QUINTA DA TERÇA		Rua Padre Domingos - Livramento 9500-617 Ponta Delgada	Private guesthouse
QUINTA DE SANTA TERESA		Estrada da Ribeira Grande, 3 9500-702 Ponta Delgada	Private guesthouse
QUINTA DO PICO DA ABELHEIRA		Fajã de Baixo 9500 Ponta Delgada	Private guesthouse
SOLAR DE NOSSA SENHORA DA GLÓRIA AO CARMO		Rua da Glória ao Carmo, 5 - Livramento 9500-618 Ponta Delgada	Private guesthouse
HOTEL APARTAMENTO GAIVOTA		Av. Infante Dom Henrique, 103 9500-088 Ponta Delgada	Apartment hotel
HOTEL APARTAMENTO BARRACUDA		Praia das Melícias- São Roque 9500 Ponta Delgada	Apartment hotel
HOTEL APARTAMENTO AÇORSOL		Rua do Laureano, 2 9500 Ponta Delgada	Apartment hotel
ESTALAGEM SENHORA DA ROSA		R. Senhora da Rosa, 3 Fajã de Baixo 9500-450 Ponta Delgada	Quality inn
APARTAMENTOS SENHORA DA ROSA		R. Senhora da Rosa, 3 Fajã de Baixo 9500-450 Ponta Delgada	Tourist apartment
PENSÃO RESIDENCIAL ALCIDES (1 st. categ.)		Rua Hintze Ribeiro, 67-77 9500 Ponta Delgada	Boarding house
CASA DAS CALHETAS		Travessa do Morgado- Calhetas 9600 Ribeira Grande	Private guesthouse
HERDADE DE NOSSA SENHORA DAS GRAÇAS		Estaleiro-Burgete-Lomba da Maia 9625 Ribeira Grande	Private guesthouse
QUINTA DAS AREIAS		Canada dos Mingachos-Rabo de Peixe 9600-003 Ribeira Grande	Private guesthouse
QUINTA DE SANTANA		Canada da Meca - Rabo de Peixe 9600-003 Ribeira Grande	Private guesthouse
SOLAR DE LALÉM		Estrada de São Pedro- São Miguel 9625 Ribeira Grande	Private guesthouse
HOTEL CALOURA		Água de Pau - Jubileu 9560 Lagoa	Hotel
CASA DO TERMO		Estrada Regional 1-1ª-Santa Cruz 9560 Lagoa	Private guesthouse
CASA GRANDE		Caminho do Porto da Caloura-Água de Pau 9560 Lagoa	Private guesthouse
HOTEL APARTAMENTO ROSÁRIO		Rua 25 de Abril, 9 9560 Lagoa	Apartment hotel
CASAS DO FRADE		Rua do Triatro, nºs 11, 13 e 15 Nº 11 - Casa dos Barcos Nº 13 - Casa do Mirante Nº 15 - Casa da Pedra Lomba da Fazenda 9630 Nordeste	Private guesthouse
HOTEL BAHIA PALACE		Água d`Alto 9680 Vila Franca do Campo	Hotel
HOTEL VINHA D`AREIA		Vinha da Areia São Miguel 9680 Vila Franca do Campo	Hotel
CONVENTO DE SÃO FRANCISCO		Carreira de São Francisco 9680 Vila Franca do Campo	Private guesthouse

 

Eating
Restaurante O Corisco		Ponta Delgada São Miguel	a nice atmosphere for a pleasant staying
Restaurante Solar do Conde Capelas		S. Miguel