VISIT THE ISLAND OF SÃO MIGUEL
The Azores Archipelago is one of the most fabulous nature destinations, not only in Portugal but in the entire world. One of the greatest treasures of this little slice of heaven lost in the middle of the ocean is the magnificent Island of São Miguel, the largest in the entire Azores archipelago. To give you a hand, here’s an idea for an itinerary to visit the island of São Miguel over 3 to 7 days, allowing you to fully enjoy your journey through São Miguel.
REASONS TO VISIT THE ISLAND OF SÃO MIGUEL
It’s so easy to find reasons to visit São Miguel, especially for those who love nature and outdoor activities. While the Island of São Miguel is only 65 km long and 15 km wide, don’t let its size fool you. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in world-class natural beauty.
Waiting for you are towering volcanoes whose craters have been transformed into idyllic lagoons; magical forests hiding untamed streams with dreamy waterfalls; bubbling fumaroles and mystical hot spring sites; stunning black sand beaches and natural volcanic pools filled with warm water…
And a myriad of breathtaking natural landscapes that will make you pinch yourself to be sure you’re still on Planet Earth. Best of all, the island boasts numerous viewpoints offering spectacular panoramas of São Miguel’s stunning scenery.
Add to this the thrilling boat tours for dolphin, whale, and other cetacean watching, the delicious local cuisine (like the famous Cozido das Furnas and Bife à Regional!), the rich historical heritage, the unique culture, and the warm hospitality of its people that make you feel right at home, and you’ll have a good idea of what awaits you on your trip to São Miguel. In fact, there’s so much to see and do that it’s hard to believe the island is so small. And since everything is relatively close, you won’t waste much time traveling around.
WHEN TO VISIT THE ISLAND OF SÃO MIGUEL
The best time to visit São Miguel is as variable as its weather. The saying “four seasons in one day” is not an exaggeration but a well-established fact. The weather in São Miguel is unpredictable (a statement that applies to all the islands of the Azores) throughout the year. The sun can shine brightly one moment and rain the next. In between, you might catch a rainbow that will captivate your gaze. When packing, the best advice we can give is: a raincoat is indispensable!
That said, meteorologists seem to have identified a pattern: winters with average temperatures around 13°C and plenty of rain; summers with average temperatures around 23°C and high humidity.
With that in mind, although there’s a high chance of rain year-round, the months between June and September typically have the least rainfall and the most sunshine. These months also feature the most inviting temperatures for enjoying São Miguel’s beaches and natural pools.
The downside is that these are also the most popular months. This means you’re likely to encounter larger crowds at key attractions and pay more for accommodations and car rentals. If swimming isn’t a priority, and you’d like to avoid the crowds and save some money, May and October are also excellent times to visit São Miguel.
HOW MANY DAYS ARE NEEDED TO VISIT SÃO MIGUEL
The area of São Miguel Island is relatively small, but it has an abundance of sights and activities to offer. The island’s 748.82 km² hide a wealth of treasures that take much more than 3 or 4 days to fully explore.
In our opinion, 7 days is the ideal duration for a first visit to São Miguel. In a week, you can visit the island’s most iconic spots, take a boat tour to watch dolphins and whales, hike a handful of trails that lead to paradisiacal waterfalls, enjoy relaxing thermal baths in Furnas or Caldeira Velha, swim in one of São Miguel’s many beaches or volcanic natural pools, and even experience the heart of the island with activities like canyoning.
Only have 3 to 5 days to visit São Miguel? Don’t hesitate to go! You’ll still return home amazed by the island, though you’ll certainly feel the need to come back.
Soon, we’ll create a new blog featuring a 7-day itinerary for visiting São Miguel. Stay tuned!
TOURS, EXCURSIONS AND ACTIVITIES ON THE ISLAND OF SÃO MIGUEL
There are countless tours and activities you can enjoy in São Miguel. Among them, we highly recommend boat trips along the coast for whale and dolphin watching—an experience we consider a must in any itinerary for visiting São Miguel.
If you enjoy hiking but don’t feel comfortable exploring São Miguel’s trails on your own, you can also join a small group accompanied by an experienced guide throughout the hike. Click here to find some suggestions…
If you don’t plan to rent a car in São Miguel, we strongly recommend joining a local tour to explore the island’s natural beauty and more remote points of interest.
Below, we list the best tours and activities in São Miguel, categorized by type. Click on the respective links to check out the programs:
