All the Azorean islands have something special to share and São Miguel is no exception. Western São Miguel is shrouded in mystery, and sometimes clouds. Lots of clouds.
Hiking
If you get a nice day to see western São Miguel, do it. Heading to Sete Cidades (Seven Cities) there are lots of hiking options with some incredible views.
Mata do Canário
For the best views into the Seven Cities, walk the rim around the Caldeira. An easy hike but a long one at 12km, make sure to bring water and maybe some snacks. There are so many photo opportunities that it can take you all day to get through this hike, just for that.
Drive past the Monte Palace Hotel area and just past the views of Sete Cidades is a small parking area on your left where you will begin your hike. Once you have hiked down into the heart of the town, you can grab lunch and then have a cab bring you back to your car.
Monte Palace Abandoned Hotel
When you look at images online of the area around the Seven Cities a constant image of an abandoned hotel comes up. This hotel was a luxury hotel at one time that went out of business. Now you can wander around this crumbling building, though you should definitely watch your step. This hotel is slated to have a face lift and reopen in the future.
Next to this hotel is a parking area where you can hike the Vista do Rei hike to get another vantage point on the side opposite the Mata do Canário hike.
Miradouro da Boca do Inferno
Surprisingly we never came across this hike. I am not sure why, most likely because we had other plans but this is the famous viewpoint you see everywhere. The most Instagrammable spot on the island and the view everyone comes to the Seven Cities to see. For more information check out “The Ultimate Guide to Sete Cidades.”
Serra Devassa
We did this hike in the fog, making the whole thing kind of eerie. Following along the path you circle a pond that has a small building. It’s a pretty hike but mostly gravel walking and less trail, where you follow mainly work vehicle roads.
We couldn’t see anything during this hike, so I couldn’t tell you if the views are beautiful but it was kind of cool to walk through the fog.
Ponta Delgata Eats
The main city of Ponta Delgata, with it’s narrow, cobblestone streets and iconic churches has grown recently thanks to tourism. Restaurants have popped up all around the city. In most cases you would crinkle your nose and politely say, “no thank-you,” but I assure you they have maintained quality and care. The restaurants are second to none.
From perfectly cooked steaks, to seafood, to the most amazing pineapple cake you really cannot go wrong, no matter where you choose. So, I am not going to list any restaurants in particular, because they really are that good. The photos explain it all.
Pineapple plantation
Just outside Ponta Delgata is the islands only pineapple plantation. You can tour the area for free, walking among the various greenhouses to see the pineapples in their different stages of growth.
Go inside the little gift shop to taste their homemade pineapple liqueur. This is a bit of a novelty and they don’t produce it in mass quantities for shipment it just makes a nice gift for that person watching your dog.
Thermal pools
Western São Miguel has several options for a warm soak in a beautiful setting. On the far shores is a small alcove where heated rocks warm the saltwater flowing in from the ocean.
This place is likely to be packed with people during low tide. Of course, you don’t want to go at any other time because it just doesn’t have the same effect. Nestled next to a spa, we didn’t pay a thing to bask in this little oasis but there were signs and info in our guidebook that said they did begin charging a fee.
There are showers and changerooms and a small convenience shop for snacks for creature comforts right next to the alcove. With ropes strung across the alcove you can float in the warm waters for hours, or at least until the tide comes in.
In search of more thermal pools? Check out this post.
For more information on São Miguel and the island of Flores, check out some of my other posts:
https://wanderingwithadromomaniac.com/ultimate-guide-to-eastern-sao-miguel/
https://wanderingwithadromomaniac.com/a-guide-to-hiking-in-flores/
https://wanderingwithadromomaniac.com/hiking-to-new-heights-sao-miguel/
