How long is the Azores Island Loop: Eight Days Around São Miguel route?

This route takes 8 days taking in 6 stops.

Where does this route start and end?

The route runs from Ponta Delgada to Ponta Delgada in Azores, Portugal.

When is the best time to travel this route?

The best time to travel this route is May to September.

How active is this route?

Activity level: Active. Moderately active — expect some walking and light physical activity.

What transport do I need for this route?

This route works best with a car.

What budget do I need for this route?

Mid-range spending — expect comfortable accommodation and a mix of dining options.

What type of accommodation suits this route?

Mixed accommodation works well along this route.

What is the pace of this trip?

Balanced — a good mix of sightseeing and downtime.

What type of trip is this?

This route is well-suited to: Scenic, Nature, Coastal, Adventure, Classic road trip.

Azores Island Loop: Eight Days Around São Miguel

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The route · 6 stops

5 overnight bases · 1 stop on the way

Ponta Delgada

2 nights

The departure point for the circuit. Two nights gives time to walk the historic Portas do Mar waterfront, visit the Jardim António Borges botanical garden and pick up supplies before setting out. Excellent restaurants and the best hotel range on the island.The departure point for the circuit. Two nights gives time to walk the historic Portas do Mar waterfront, visit the Jardim António Borges botanical garden and pick up supplies before setting out. Excellent restaurants and the best hotel range on the island.

Recommendations

18m · 21 km drive to Sete Cidades

Sete Cidades

1 night

The island's most dramatic landscape: two lakes (one green, one blue) sitting in a vast 5 km volcanic caldera. From Vista do Rei viewpoint you see the full crater at once. Spend the afternoon hiking the Mata do Canário trail around the rim and stay overnight to catch dusk and dawn on the water.The island's most dramatic landscape: two lakes (one green, one blue) sitting in a vast 5 km volcanic caldera. From Vista do Rei viewpoint you see the full crater at once. Spend the afternoon hiking the Mata do Canário trail around the rim and stay overnight to catch dusk and dawn on the water.

Recommendations

26m · 31 km drive to Ribeira Grande

Ribeira Grande

1 night

The Gorreana tea plantation, 8 km outside Ribeira Grande, is the only commercial tea estate still operating in Europe. The self-guided factory tour is free and the walk through terraced hillside rows is one of the island's most unexpected pleasures. The north coast beach at Santa Bárbara is a short detour west.The Gorreana tea plantation, 8 km outside Ribeira Grande, is the only commercial tea estate still operating in Europe. The self-guided factory tour is free and the walk through terraced hillside rows is one of the island's most unexpected pleasures. The north coast beach at Santa Bárbara is a short detour west.

Recommendations

21m · 25 km drive to Furnas

Furnas

2 nights

The most otherworldly stop on the circuit. Geothermal vents bubble and steam on the lake shore, and a row of pots cooks the famous cozido das Furnas stew underground for six hours. Parque Terra Nostra has a warm 35°C thermal pool surrounded by Victorian plantings of tree ferns and camellias.The most otherworldly stop on the circuit. Geothermal vents bubble and steam on the lake shore, and a row of pots cooks the famous cozido das Furnas stew underground for six hours. Parque Terra Nostra has a warm 35°C thermal pool surrounded by Victorian plantings of tree ferns and camellias.

Recommendations

18m · 21 km drive to Nordeste

Nordeste

1 night

The wild northeast corner of São Miguel: tall sea cliffs, dense fern forests and a coastline that sees far fewer visitors than the west. Walk the Ribeira dos Caldeirões park with its waterfalls and old watermills, then drive the cliff road to Ponta do Sossego viewpoint. Stop at Salto do Prego waterfall in the valley on the way.The wild northeast corner of São Miguel: tall sea cliffs, dense fern forests and a coastline that sees far fewer visitors than the west. Walk the Ribeira dos Caldeirões park with its waterfalls and old watermills, then drive the cliff road to Ponta do Sossego viewpoint. Stop at Salto do Prego waterfall in the valley on the way.

Recommendations

On the way

Ponta Delgada
52m · 62 km
Return via the south coast road, stopping at Lagoa do Fogo on the central ridge. The lake sits in a pristine 2 km caldera at 590 m and is one of the island's quietest spots. The south coast also passes Caldeira Velha, a warm waterfall pool fed by geothermal springs, for a final swim before the airport.Return via the south coast road, stopping at Lagoa do Fogo on the central ridge. The lake sits in a pristine 2 km caldera at 590 m and is one of the island's quietest spots. The south coast also passes Caldeira Velha, a warm waterfall pool fed by geothermal springs, for a final swim before the airport.
Recommendations

Azores Island Loop: Eight Days Around São Miguel