Lagoa do Fogo viewpoint
If you did, you would make the serious mistake of losing yourself volcanic islands with an exceptional natural landscape , a mild climate with pleasant temperatures in winter and summer and the satisfaction of feeling in the middle of nowhere, almost halfway between Lisbon and New York, on the Atlantic Ocean. I'm not saying that this feeling is pleasant forever, but it is for a few days.
The largest island is São Miguel and its capital, Ponta Delgada , the perfect place to take up residence, with a not inconsiderable nightlife and, from there, rent a car to do your particular road trip through the roads and the hiding places that you should not miss.
We are going to make a proposal for a three-day tour, which, if you have more time, you can do in a more relaxed way or extend it to places not indicated. At the end of each day, you will have a choice of a restaurant where you can replenish the energies spent during the excursion with an excellent meal.
Ponta Delgada
DAY 1: HEADING TO SETE CITIES AND MOSTEIROS
If there is something to be highlighted in São Miguel de las Azores, which they call Isla Verde for its extraordinary vegetation, wave Hydrangea Island because these flowers will accompany you along the way on most roads to the lakes. In fact, if you have ever seen the representative photos of the Azores, that is the Blue Lake and the Green Lake located in Sete Cidades.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. on the way to seven cities Along winding mountain roads, you will come across evocative lakes that you will have to finish reaching on foot, surrounded by lush green forests. Ah, we had not said it and we do not contemplate it here, but on this island it is a excellent option to explore it on foot practicing hiking . If you like the subject, you know, put on your boots and walk. Worth visiting are the Lake Empadadas (two twin lagoons located one in front of the other) and the Lake Rassa.
Lago Azul and Lago Verde, bordering Sete Cidades
Continuing along the road, to the right, you will find the Canary Lake and, very close to it, also walking, you can reach a viewpoint from which you can see with a spectacular view the entire environment of the Sete Cidades , with the Santiago Lake in the foreground and, in the background, the Blue and Green Lakes.
According to legend, the two lakes, formed in the ancient mouths of a volcano, were created by the tears shed by two lovers, a blue-eyed princess and a green-eyed shepherd, who were forced to give up their love. If there is something that you will not miss in this environment and, of course, in all the island, are the viewpoints , that you will find them everywhere, reaching them on foot or by car.
From Sete Cidades you can go to the section Mosteiros village, called like that we do not know why since there is no evidence that there was any monastery there. It is worth bathing in natural pools of this fishing village formed by lava and, above all, contemplate the islets from the coast, which form a ghostly landscape.
For dinner on the first day we suggest the Reserve Bar , (Travessa do Aterro, No 1, Ponta Delgada), a place where you can taste quality wines, sausages, cheeses and canned food. Almost everything you can find there comes from the Portuguese region of Serra do Estrela . The service is friendly and attentive and will be able to recommend the appropriate wine for what you are going to eat and the price you want to spend.
seven cities
DAY 2: FROM RIBEIRA GRANDE TO CALDEIRA VELHA AND LAGOA DO FOGO
Heading north along the highway you will arrive at the second largest town on the island, Ribeira Grande , and, surely, the most beautiful town for its manor houses, its gardens, its typical churches and its promenade . Here, apart from some museums, you can surf on one of its black volcanic sand beaches or, if you prefer a more secluded place, drive east along the coast. You will find, once again, viewpoints and, also, a small hidden cove almost reaching Porto Formoso.
It is a special place for tranquility, where rocks and flowers almost reach the sea. There, full of peace, you can drink something in a beach bar surrounded by ducks , sunbathe on your towel on the black sand or bathe in the waters that are not as cold as you might think since it is the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
The famous pools of Ribeira Grande
Back in the car you can head up the mountain to Caldera Velha. This place is recognized as a regional monument of the Azores Islands and you can find varied and exotic vegetation, many laurel forests, lichens on the banks of the streams and, most importantly, a waterfall that falls through the rocks to a lagoon of warm emerald waters.
On the way back to Ponta Delgada, in the center of the island, you should make a stop, if the usual fog permits, to observe the fire lake, a great expanse of blue water two kilometers long by one wide. It occupies the crater of an extinct volcano that erupted in 1563 . Here, without a doubt, you will forget everything to breathe peace and serenity surrounded by mountains and vegetation. In addition, you can find white sand beaches. What more could you want?
Caldeira Velha
If you have time, don't hesitate to use this afternoon to walk around the historic center of Ponta Delgada, with narrow streets, churches and palaces that will take you back a few centuries in history.
We recommend that you dine in the akorean house (Rua Hintz Ribeiro, 55/59, Ponta Delgada), where you shouldn't go in a hurry and you can taste good fish from the Azores, grilled octopus or limpets, which are offered in all restaurants in Ponta Delgada.
Lagoa do Fogo
DAY 3: FURNAS AND THE NORTHEAST
Every day at six in the morning, men and women come to the edge of the Lake Furnas , near the town of Furnas, to put vegetables, chicken and pork in a pot and bury it in the ground heated by volcanic lava. They are simply preparing the dish that you will eat at noon: ‘The stew of Furnas’, a specialty that you can not leave without tasting and you will do that just because it has been cooked underground for more than three hours. They serve it in most of the restaurants in this town or at the foot of the lake, next to the fumaroles.
The Lake Furnas has a certain spooky atmosphere , sometimes covered in mist and with a small church on its west bank surrounded by vegetation. Without a doubt, the perfect setting for a horror movie, paradise for others. Next to it you can see the fumaroles with the mixture of gases, heat and stench that the earth gives off. There are more fumaroles in the town, a curious place between mountains that you will enjoy walking through its streets. And, if you want to relax, you have the option of going to natural pools of iron waters in which you will bathe at temperatures of up to 30 degrees with medicinal mud. Don't let the tremendous smell of sulfur they give off put you off.
The Furnas stew is a specialty that you cannot leave without tasting
Also in Furnas is the most famous hotel in the Azores, Terra Nostra, whose garden is open to the public even if you are not staying at the hotel. It was started in the 17th century by Thomas Hickling. There is a lake-swimming pool with thermal water where you can also take a relaxing bath. As you can see, what is not lacking in São Miguel are natural hot water pools.
And, after eating, you have to continue on the road that connects Provoaçao with Nordeste running along the east coast of the island. The views from the viewpoints, the cliffs, some hidden silver that must be discovered on foot and the vegetation are well worth a walk. Of course, be careful with the fog that usually falls after four in the afternoon, so if you really prioritize this route to the lake and the fumaroles, you could reverse the order of the factors.
When you arrive in Nordeste, you will find yourself at the furthest point from Ponta Delgada. If you have time left, on the return trip you can stop by the various towns on the north coast.
To say goodbye to your road trip, what better than doing it with a good dinner overlooking the port of Ponta Delgada after touring the town's seafront promenade. We recommend Amphitheater , the restaurant of the Ponta Delgada School of Hospitality, right next to the place where the ocean liners arrive. They will treat you exquisitely and at good prices.
After having been in São Miguel you will listen to the weather forecast with other ears, paying special attention to that small place that for three days was part of your life.
*** You may also be interested in...**
- Ile de Ré: where the Parisians hide
- Rent your own private island
- The island(s) of the famous
- The Mediterranean in 50 islands
- The Caribbean in 50 islands
- The Pacific in 50 islands
Do not miss the views of the port of Ponta Delgada