Ilha de São Miguel Off The Beaten Path Tips by Avieira67 Top 5 Page for this destination

Prego's waterfall and Sanguinho

In the village of Faial da Terra, you will find Sanguinho, a place where the time stopped. In Sanguinho all inhabitants migrated and emigrated some years ago. Nowadays the adandoned houses are being rebuilted and adapted for tourism.

The waterfall and Sanguinho, located 1.8 km and 1.0 Km, respectivelly from Faial da Terra Village, can be seen making a medium difficult trekking. Go up to the river to find signs.

Public transportation is availabe by both CRP line 115, and Varela line 326. Faial da terra is best reached by bus from Povoação village.

Please, download files for complete timetable!

Ferraria

A natural hot swimming pool in the ocean. Also a Thermal centre is available.
Nowadays the route is good, and you can go down to the sea level by car.
This place is located at the southwest side of the island in Ginetes village.
If you want to travel to this location by public transportation, take line buses 205 or 206 in Ponta Delgada at the station located a few metres from the Tourist Post Office (same side), going to Sete Cidades or Mosteiros villages. You must get off at Ginetes village church. From this point, you have a long walk until you reach Ferraria, maybe 2 km.

Please note: the sea water is warm while the tide is low!

Serra devassa

When you are going to Sete Cidade from the village of Covoada, you will find many small lakes before reaching Sete Cidades lakes. All these lakes are inserted in a Protected Landscape.
Just take the trail on your left side in front to the entrance to the park and lake of Canário.

Website: http://www.trails-azores.com/index.php?ilha=saomiguel&id=41

Caloura

This characteristic place, among vineyards protected by stone walls, is located in Água de Pau village. Here one can find a picturesque fishing port on a narrow creek, and a swimming-pool at the end of the breakwater.

Places to visit: Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição. This monument, an interesting example of Baroque architecture, is integrated in the monastery of Recollects (Calouras) and was founded in the 17th century. Façade and interior are covered with glazed tiles Chancel, retable with funny angels with thick moustaches. Glazed tile portraits of Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint Philip Nery. Statues are attributed to a French sculptor who, with his son, lived among the Recollects of Franciscan monks. Altars come with carved woodwork, and tombstones with poetical inscriptions. Interesting gratings carved out of the store of the lateral façade. Churchyard with a bucolic atmosphere and leafy trees Ruins of former fortifications.
Fort Nossa Senhora da Conceição. This fortress was built in the 17th century to defend the harbour.

Take the first route on your right side after passing Água de Pau Square.

Valley of Lombadas

When you are going to Caldeiras in Ribeira Grande, just one foot before Caldeiras (Thermal Centre), there is on your right side a route which goes to this protected conservation area. The whole valley, covered by luxuriant vegetation, is the site of the naturally carbonated spring that provides the mineal water known as Água das Lombadas.

Caldeira Velha

This natural swimming pool, served by hot water going down from a waterfall, is located inside a protected landscape on the middle of the route that goes from Ribeira Grande city to Lagoa do Fogo.

Public transportatin is not available.

More pictures

Lagoa Rasa II

If you follow the route which takes you to Lagoa de Santiago, located on you left side when you are going down to Sete Cidades Village, you will reach, at the end, this lake surrounded by Cryptomera trees.

Lagoa do Congro

The only maar lake in São Miguel Island.
This small lake is located at the centre of the islands, a few kilometres from Vila Franca do Campo.
Take the route crossing the Island from the South to the North.

Rocha da Relva

A vineyard located about 6km from Ponta Delgada.
Following the regional route which goes from Ponta Delgada to Relva village, past the airport, you will reach a viewing tourist point, on your left side, over Relva and the sea. The route begins just here, but cars are allowed until to the entrance, a trail.
When you reach the trail, you have to walk down to the sea level, going staight one.
Some houses are pepperd in this so called village, where the landscape is beautiful. Remember you have to go up!

Whales and Dolphins Watching

Observação de baleias e cetáceos.
Em construção!

Website: http://www.azoreswhales.com/