Ponta Delgada, on São Miguel, is the regional capital of the Azores archipelago, a string of nine islands in the Atlantic Ocean, about 800 miles west of mainland Portugal and about a two-hour flight from Lisbon. Located on the southern coast of São Miguel, the largest island, the town is a rewarding introduction to this beautiful and remote Portuguese territory – one of the world’s leading adventure tourism destinations.
The distinctive architecture of whitewash and black basalt gives Ponta Delgada a monochrome complexion, but this is a city with a colorful character. Spend time exploring the historic center and discover the cobbled squares, museums, well-kept gardens and beautiful monuments built when Ponta Delgada was an important trading port in the 18th and 19th centuries.
In summer the waters of the Azores offer fantastic whale watching opportunities. And there is also plenty to see and do inland. São Miguel is blessed with a dramatic volcanic landscape, such as gigantic crater lakes and bubbling hot springs.
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1 Harbor front and historic district
For a pleasant overview of Ponta Delgada walkAvenida Infante Dom Henrique, the city’s harborside promenade. Start at the western end, which overlooks the16th-century Forte de São Brás, a Renaissance fortress used today by the Portuguese Navy and housing the /span>. Opposite it is Praça 5 de Outubro where the Convento e Capela de Nossa Senhora da Esperança is located, and the scene of much celebration during the annual stands beautifully on Praça Gonçalo Velho Cabral and has been captured countless times by cameras. 39;s and smartphones. Cross the square to visit the handsome Igreja São Sebastião before returning to the avenue and heading towards the marina. This is the place to book a whale watching cruise – one of the things not to be missed in Ponta Delgada. Enjoy a coffee on the esplanade before heading back to retrace your own footsteps, or wander around the center for some shopping and a bite to eat.18th century city gates. Further on, on your left you will see the familiar three arches of the original. Festa do Senhor Santo Cristo dos MilagresMilitary Museum of the Azores
Location: Portas do Mar, Marina Pêro de Teive, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azoren
2 Convent and Chapel of Our Lady of Hope
Convent and Chapel of Our Lady of Hope
Probably the most visited of Ponta Delgada’s cultural attractions, theConvent and Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Esperança (Our Lady of Hope) was completed in 1541 and is still occupied by nuns of the order ofSt. Francis. A true treasure trove of religious art, the chapel is embellished with a fantastic 18th century canvas tiles made by António de Oliveira Bernardes, the greatest master of the genre. The altar, meanwhile, is a riot of gilded woodwork. The chapel is associated with the worship of theChrist of Miraclesand it is the image ofEcce Homo a>Festa do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres< /span> celebration. During the festival, the monastery is spectacularly illuminated at night by thousands of glowing orbs attached to the facade. which is revered by the locals. Brought to the island in the 16th century, the statue is hidden in the lower church and can only be viewed at certain hours when a nun opens the internal gates for visitors to see. Hold your breath as this is also a chance to admire the intricately embroidered robes, polished reliquaries and sparkling jewels surrounding the statue. If you are in Ponta Delgada on the fifth Sunday after Easter, you will witness the statue that worshipers hoisted aloft for a procession to mark the opulent
Locations: Praça 5 de Outubro, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azoren
3 Coal Cave
Deep underground, on the northwestern edge of the city, this fascinating geosite—anancient lava tube is 1650 meters long and the longest in its kind on São Miguel. About 250 meters is open to the public, making the underground spectacle one of the most unusual visitor attractions on the island. Tours take place on a seasonal basis and offer a fascinating geological tour through thousands of years of volcanic activity.
Decorating the cave walls are speleological structures of bizarre and compelling beauty, including lava bridges and thousands of cone-shaped stalactites. The walls and ceilings appear spattered with rust, actually the result of basalt oxidation that gives the darkened interior a copper glow when illuminated. Adding texture are secondary mineral deposits of silica and glaze and tree fungi. Warm and humid even in winter, this hidden natural wonder lures the adventure tourist, as well as those who appreciate the beautiful ecological diversity of the Azores.
Address: Rua do Paim, 2e circulaire, Ponta Delgada
4 Carlos Machado Museum-Sacred Art Center
The idiosyncratic collection of regional ethnography on display at the Carlos Machado Museum offers a fascinating insight into the customs and traditions of island life. Founded in 1876 and named after its founder, the museum is housed in the former 16th-century monastery ofSanto André, and it is a good hour from you worth your time, especially if you visit with children – young people will appreciate the variety of beautiful antique toys and trinkets from the early 20th century. In addition to showcasing Sao Miguel’s fishing and agricultural industries, the museum has a permanent collection of historical and contemporary paintings and sculpture, important works featuring paintings by local artists. Domingos Rebelo (1891-1975).
The museum is separateNúcleo de Arte Sacra houses sacred art treasures, while Machado’s own natural history collection is kept in a special wing .
Adres: Rua Machado dos Santos Núcleo de Santa Bárbara, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azoren
Official site: https://museucarlosmachado.azores.gov.pt
5 São Sebastião Church
Built from the black basalt stone that characterizes all public buildings in the Azores, São Sebastião is the parish church of Ponta Delgada. Founded in 1533 originally as a small chapel, the exterior is distinguished by an ornate manueline portal carved from limestone. During the 18th century, additions in the Baroque style saw a bell tower built and the interior decorated with beautiful azulejo panels. Lavish gilt woodwork decorated the sacristy and most of the furniture was carved from jacaranda and other exotic woods imported from Brazil. The best time of day to admire the facade is at dusk, when it is bathed in a soft, bright spotlight. TheCafé Mascote opposite the church offers a suitable vantage point – and a cheap snacks menu.
Locations: Largo da Matriz, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azoren
6 Micaelense Theater
TheMicaelense Theater is the vibrant cultural center of Ponta Delgada and proud of the city with an eclectic program of performing arts available all year round is performed. Very much at the forefront of contemporary artistic expression, the theater presents some of Portugal’s best-known experimental dance exponents. But this is a place full of surprises. For a month, an audience can be treated to a light-hearted musical, the next, classical ballet. Concerts range from toe-tapping jazz to melancholic fado. Sometimes a little rock is thrown in for good measure. Theater productions are almost always in Portuguese, so visitors without a good command of the language should instead watch the cinema, where films are shown in their original language. Micaelense also serves as an art gallery; again, it is modern and abstract that tends to enjoy the greatest exposure. Pre-booked one-hourguided tours of the theatre, which dates back to 1951, raising the curtain on areas of the property normally closed to the public, including the outside balconies that offer a beautiful view over the historic center of the city.
Location: Largo de São João, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azoren
Official site: https://www.tearomicaelense.pt
7 Arruda Azores Ananasplantage
One of the more unusual sights on São Miguel is this well-known pineapple plantation, located on the outskirts of Ponta Delgada. You can see the greenhouses (the Azores are not warm enough to grow the fruits outside) and guided tours of the plantation take place daily. Please note that the guides are not tourism professionals and some have limited knowledge of foreign languages, not that you need to be told how juicy and delicious this exotic fruit is. The fruits are for sale. Request to have your order packed in a special presentation box. And for a treat, why not buy a bag of their delectable pineapple boiled sweets to go?
Addresses: Rua Dr Augusto Arruda, Fajã de Baixo, São Miguel, Azoren
8 Feast of the Lord Santo Cristo dos Milagres
One of the most highly anticipated events in the city is the annualFestival of Santo Cristo dos Milagres. Held on the fifth Sunday after Easter, this is one of São Miguel’s most important religious festivals and attracts pilgrims from all over the world. The celebrations begin the previous week when theConvent and Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Esperançais illuminated and the surrounding streets are lined with fresh flowers arranged in geometric patterns. On the day, the statue ofEcce Homo, wrapped in a scarlet and gold robe decorated with woven flowers, is brought out of the monastery to participate take part in a slow-moving procession of townspeople and children. Members of the church lead the procession with large, heavy candles. The scene is poignant and quiet, and you can’t help being moved by the air of solemnity that descends over the city. Later, the mood changes significantly when Ponta Delgada celebrates the occasion with an evening of music, dancing and other festivities.
Location: in the Campo de São Francisco en Praça 5 de Outubro, São Miguel, Azoren
9 Dolphin and whale watching tours
The Azores archipelago is known as a destination for outdoor activities, where you can enjoy all kinds of exciting adventure tourism programs, from hiking, canyoning and horse riding to kayaking, surfing and big game fishing. But there is one activity synonymous with this remote group of islands: whale watching. About 25 species of cetaceans can be found in the nutrient-rich waters of the Azores, with the sperm whale being the most commonly sighted. The best time to see these majestic mammals is between April and September. In high summer the species of short-finned pilot whale and Sowerby’s beaked whale migrate. The graceful humpback whale is often sighted and if you are very lucky, the mightiest animal on earth may come into view – the blue whale. Dolphins regularly seen include Risso’s, Bottlenose Dolphins, Atlantic Spotted and Striped, among others. A two- to three-hour whale and dolphin watching tour is a quick and easy way to get out on the water and see some wildlife.
Other top fish in the Azores are the waters around Faial Island and Pico Island. Faial Island is home to an important whale monitoring center in the town of Horta.
Day trips from Ponta Delgada
Lagoa das Sete Cidades
The spectacular volcanic caldera (crater) lake of Lagoa das Sete Cidades< a i=4> is one of the great natural wonders of the Azores archipelago. At the northwestern tip of São Miguel and reached by vehicle, is the “Lake of Seven Cities” absolutely fascinating in its beauty. Nearly five kilometers long, two kilometers wide and about twelve kilometers in circumference, this is the largest freshwater lake in the Azores and is actually made up of two lagoons – theGreen Lagoon and theBlue Lagoon. An emerald mantle of rolling hills and lush vegetation frames both, and in some places the cliffs drop 500 meters into the mirror-like water. The pretty village of Sete Cidades lies at the bottom of the crater and can be reached by crossing the road bridge that separates the two lakes.
You can easily spend a day here. The water’s edge is a perfect place to pack a picnic, and the more adventurous can follow one of the hiking trails that run along the edge of the crater. A breathtaking panorama reveals itself from the Vista do Rei viewpoint, named after the visit of King Carlos in 1901, where both lakes can be admired. Keep in mind that a fickle mother nature can sometimes spoil the scene with unpredictable fog and rain, but even in these conditions the place is very atmospheric, if a bit chilly.
Location: About 26 kilometers west of Ponta Delgada on the EN1-1A and EN9-1A roads.
Lagoa do Fogo
The “Lake of Fire” is another breathtaking caldera with a lake at the bottom. Its remote location, more or less in the middle of São Miguel Island, makes this impressive volcanic crater particularly attractive to outdoor enthusiasts – there is a fairly difficult 14 kilometer mountain hike fromRibeira da PraiaRibeira da Praia a>. Here you’ll find a pool fed by a warm waterfall, where you can enjoy an invigorating mineral-rich bath – an idyllic way to soothe stiff joints and niggling aches and pains. It is a popular beauty spot and you must try this natural “jacuzzi” share with the locals.Caldeira Grande, you can turn off the main road in advance and exploreRibeira Grande on the south coast ending with a view of the crater rim. A steep, narrow path takes hikers to the edge of the lake and – believe it or not – a sandy beach. There are no settlements here. Instead, the entire area is a protected nature reserve and the walls of the crater are dotted with a number of endemic plant species. If you go to the lake by vehicle from the northern coastal town
Location: About 25 kilometers east of Ponta Delgada after the EN1-1A and EN5-2A roads out of the city.
Furnas in Caldeiras das Furnas
With its gushing geysers, belching mud and hot bubbling springs, the spa town ofFurnas positively vibrates with geothermal activity. A historically active volcanic complex, Furnas embraces a small village, a renowned spa facility, the green Parque Terra Nostra, and the impressive Lagoa das Furnas, the second largest lake in São Miguel. There has been a functioning spa here since the 19th century, and patients still come to their doors in search of remedies for skin complaints or hoping to relieve tired and sore muscles. Sightseers, on the other hand, come here to cure their wanderlust.
There are dozens of hot springs, or fumaroles, dotting the landscape, gaping holes of boiling mineral water that emerge from the ground, gasping and hissing and emitting a sulphurous, iron-rammed vapor. The northern shores of Lagoa das Furnas, about two kilometers south of the village, are so hot that islanders come here for the famousCozido nas Caldeiras – a rich meat and vegetable stew. The ingredients are placed in a sealed jar and lowered into a hole in the ground and then slowly cooked for up to seven hours. Don’t forget to sample these unique island specialties at one of the traditional village restaurants, but leave time afterwards to savor the rich brew in town. Terra Nostra Botanical Garden. In spring, this well-maintained oasis blooms with hydrangeas, camellias, hibiscus and magnolias. The garden, which is embellished with water features and planted with more than 2,000 different trees, is located within the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, and non-residents pay a modest entrance fee.
Location: About 45 kilometers west of Ponta Delgada on the EN1-1A road.
Official site: https://www.parqueterranostra.com
Gorreana Tea Plantations
Gorreana Tea Plantations
TheGorreana Tea Estate is the only tea plantation in Europe and provides a very interesting variety. Family owned and situated on gently rolling slopes near Ribeira Grande, the 50 hectare estate produces around 30 tonnes of tea per year. Four different leaf varieties are organically grown here and harvested between April and September – green tea, black tea, orange pekoe tea and broken leaf. You can walk the neat terraces where the shrubs are grown before touring the factory to see the leaves are processed. The most traditional aspect of the production line is the sorting area where teams of ladies dressed in blue smocks and hair nets carry, sort and hand pack the tea. A smallmuseum displays some of the original machinery used when production began in 1883, and an adjacent shop stocks individual packets of tea, as well as special presentation boxes with all four varieties. You can also enjoy a cup or two on the terrace while admiring the beautiful sea views.
Locations: Estrada Regional, Ribeira Grande, São Miguel, Azoren
Official site: https://www.gorreanatea.com
Where to stay in Ponta Delgada for sightseeing
Ponta Delgada, on San Miguel Island, stretches along the waterfront and the city’s tourist attractions are fairly close together. So most hotels in the central area are within walking distance of the churches and museums, as well as the marina, where boats leave for whale watching tours. Here are somehighly rated hotels in Ponta Delgada:
- Luxury Hotels: Ponta Delgada’s most luxurious accommodation is the Azor Hotel, with large rooms, many of which have balconies overlooking the marina. Guests can enjoy the rooftop pool and enjoy a complimentary breakfast. The hotel is a short walk from the sights of the historic center. Hotel Marina Atlantico also overlooks the marina and the spacious rooms on the upper floors offer good views. The included breakfast buffet offers a wide range of dishes to choose from.
- Mid-range hotels: Sao Miguel Park Hotel is located in the center of the city, close to restaurants and shops. It has a health club with a sauna, hot tub, indoor and outdoor pools and a Turkish bath. Lince Azores Great Hotel is about a 10-minute walk from the center and has a swimming pool and free underground parking. This, plus the hotel’s easy access to major roads, makes it a good choice for visitors renting a car to explore the island. It’s a short walk from the marina and centre, or a cheap mini bus ride. Hotel Acores Atlantico’s balconies overlook the marina and ocean, near the city center. The hotel has a swimming pool, sauna and fitness room.
- Budget Hotels: The Art Deco Hotel Talisman overlooks a tranquil garden in the heart of the old town, close to restaurants and attractions. Rooms are large and the included breakfast is plentiful. The modern Hotel Canadiano’s balconies surround a quiet courtyard and free parking is available. It is a 10-minute walk from the historic center and the seaside restaurants and attractions. Hotel do Colegio is housed in a historic building in an excellent city location, with an adjacent restaurant. The staff is extremely friendly and can arrange transportation from the airport.
Tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to Ponta Delgada
- Half Day City Walking Tour: With so many things to do and places to see, it’s worth considering joining a Ponta Delgada Walking Tour. This way you are assured of an entertaining and highly educational introduction to this historic destination. This four-hour tour of the historic center takes you to the city’s traditional market, as well as its beautiful churches, gardens and museums.
- Full-Day Island Tours: The largest of the archipelago’s nine islands, São Miguel, is best explored over a few days. Spend a day on the São Miguel West Tour, which takesLagoa das Sete Cidades and other fantastic natural attractions such as Lagoa do Fogo. The next day, travel the opposite direction on the São Miguel East Tour, where places likeFurnas are the headliners.
More Must-see sights in Portugal: islands and mainland
If you’ve fallen for the charm and beauty of the Azores, your next visit to Portugal should include the Madeira Archipelago, the country’s other volcanically charged destination. Funchal is the gate of entry for all visitors. Back on the mainland, tick off the best places to visit and follow our great itineraries to make the most of your time exploring this small but hugely diverse nation.
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