{"id":20004,"date":"2025-09-04T11:02:37","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T11:02:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thetjoy.com\/?post_type=trip&#038;p=20004"},"modified":"2026-05-11T11:35:41","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T11:35:41","slug":"sao-miguel-island-azores","status":"publish","type":"trip","link":"https:\/\/thetjoy.com\/fr\/trip\/sao-miguel-island-azores\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00cele de S\u00e3o Miguel, A\u00e7ores"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Portuguese Azores archipelago which includes 9 islands is located 1,643 km west off the west coast of Portugal, with Sao Miguel Island being the largest, most populous, and most popular by far upon travelers from Europe and the US.<br \/>\nIt is highly recommended by TheTjoy.com for a first visit, to concentrate in traveling Sao Miguel and if time allows to add a visit of 1-3 days to one or two islands such as <a href=\"https:\/\/thetjoy.com\/fr\/trip\/pico-island-azores\/\"><strong>Pico<\/strong><\/a> et <strong>Faial <\/strong>Islands.<br \/>\nNote that the Azores Archipelago, due to its volcanic nature, does not have great golden sand beaches and beach resorts, nor developed nightlife, as frequently imagined.<br \/>\nThe relatively small Sao Miguel, 65X13 km, which was first settled by Portuguese colonists in the 15<sup>e<\/sup> century, is known as &#8220;The Green Island&#8221;, with its capital <a href=\"https:\/\/thetjoy.com\/fr\/attraction\/ponta-delgada\/\"><strong>Ponta Delgada<\/strong><\/a> serving also as the capital of the archipelago. The island is highly accessible by direct flights from major cities in the US and Europe, or indirectly through Lisbon, Portugal. The islands small size enables quick access to all its attractions using one travel base, usually Ponta Delgada and its surroundings.<\/p>\n<p>Sao Miguel is for nature lovers!<br \/>\nTraveling the island, you will enjoy volcanic massifs separated by a central low-lying ridge and rolling hills with remarkable geodiversity.<br \/>\nYou will admire and enjoy Volcanoes, calderas, magnificent crater lakes, thermal hot springs and fumaroles, lush green valleys and forests, waterfalls, rivers and streams, and above all breathtaking land, coast and sea scenery.<br \/>\nThe Atlantic Ocean surrounding the island is rich with marine life and especially with numerous species of Dolphins and whales to be watched and admire while boat cruising the surrounding ocean. For sunbathing, swimming, and surfing there are a few nice black sand <a href=\"https:\/\/thetjoy.com\/fr\/destination\/sao-miguel-beaches\/\"><strong>plages <\/strong><\/a>on the island\u2019s coastline.<\/p>\n                <div class=\"owl-carousel description-pics owl-theme\" id=\"description-gallery\">\n                                            <div class=\"item\">\n                                <div class=\"gal-cvr min-h\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thetjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sao-Miguel-Island-Seven-Cities-Lake-LONG-03.jpg\" alt=\"Seven Cities Lake View, Azores Portugal | Travel with Joy\" \/>\n                                <\/div>\n                                <p class=\"gallery-img-caption\">Seven Cities Lake<\/p>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                        <div class=\"item\">\n                                <div class=\"gal-cvr min-h\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thetjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sao-Miguel-Island-Ribeira-Grande-LONG-06.jpg\" alt=\"Ribeira Grande in Sao Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal\" \/>\n                                <\/div>\n                                <p class=\"gallery-img-caption\">Ribeira Grande<\/p>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                        <div class=\"item\">\n                                <div class=\"gal-cvr min-h\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thetjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sao-Miguel-Island-Islet-Lagoa-da-Fogo-LONG-02.jpg\" alt=\"Lagoa do Fogo in Sao Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal\" \/>\n                                <\/div>\n                                <p class=\"gallery-img-caption\">Lagoa do Fogo<\/p>\n                            <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                \n<p>The major attractions and destinations recommended by TheTjoy.com.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Traveling the island spend few hours strolling <strong>Ponta Delgada\u2019s<\/strong> old center and the coastal promenade, visit charming coast towns and tranquil villages, and enjoy the great local cuisine including the famous cozido, a traditional stew cooked in the ground using geothermal heat, to be found in <strong>Furnas <\/strong>for example.<\/li>\n<li>Visit the magnificent <strong>Lagoa das<\/strong> <strong>Sete Cidades<\/strong> et <strong>Ponta da Ferraria<\/strong> Thermal Spring in the west<\/li>\n<li>La belle <strong>La vall\u00e9e et le lac de Furnas<\/strong> with their steam vents, and the impressive <strong>Lac Fogo<\/strong>, <strong>Caldeira Velha<\/strong>, and their lush green surrounding attractions, all in the central region.<\/li>\n<li>Take a 1-2 days <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/thetjoy.com\/fr\/destination\/sao-miguel-road-trip\/\">Voyage en voiture<\/a><\/strong> along the island\u2019s coastline enjoying and admiring <strong>Vila Franca Islet, the eastern coastline <\/strong>avec ses magnifiques points de vue,<strong> Ribeira dos Caldeiroes Park, <\/strong>et <strong>Gorreana Tea Plantation, <\/strong>among many other attractions.<\/li>\n<li>Traveling the island exploit some of the numerous outdoor activities\u2019 opportunities including bathing in hot springs\u2019 pools, and hiking scenic trails of all levels and length, which are officially marked with PR designations and are well maintained and safe.<\/li>\n<li>Other activities available are Cycling and Mountain Biking, Paragliding above breathtaking landscapes, Surfing, and Diving. Explore the Island part of a 4X4 trip tour, or on the back of a horse from one of the Horse Riding Centers, watch the numerous bird species including the endemic Azores Bullfinch.<\/li>\n<li>Play Golf in one of the world class Golf Courses.<\/li>\n<li>Sail out of the Ponta Delgada or the Vila Franca do Campo Marinas for deep sea fishing, swimming with Dolphins and for Whales watching.<\/li>\n<li>After Easter, enjoy and experience the beautiful local festival of Festa do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, and the Procissao do Senhor dos Enfermos festival. Other interesting and beautiful festivals and events are held in the spring, the Feasts of the Divine Holy Spirit, and summer local festivals such as in Vila Franca do Campo and in Ribeira Grande.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n                <div class=\"owl-carousel description-pics owl-theme\" id=\"description-gallery\">\n                                            <div class=\"item\">\n                                <div class=\"gal-cvr min-h\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thetjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sao-Miguel-Island-Islet-of-Vila-Franca-do-Campo-LONG-01.jpg\" alt=\"Vila Franca do Campo in Sao Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal\" \/>\n                                <\/div>\n                                <p class=\"gallery-img-caption\">Vila Franca do Campo<\/p>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                        <div class=\"item\">\n                                <div class=\"gal-cvr min-h\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thetjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sao-Miguel-Island-Ponta-Delgada-LONG-04.jpg\" alt=\"Ponta Delgada in Sao Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal\" \/>\n                                <\/div>\n                                <p class=\"gallery-img-caption\">Ponta Delgada<\/p>\n                            <\/div>\n                                                        <div class=\"item\">\n                                <div class=\"gal-cvr min-h\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thetjoy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sao-Miguel-Island-Santa-Barbara-Beach-LONG-05.jpg\" alt=\"Santa Barbara Beach in Sao Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal\" \/>\n                                <\/div>\n                                <p class=\"gallery-img-caption\">Santa Barbara Beach<\/p>\n                            <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                \n<p>Access the island using direct flights from the US or Europe or indirectly through Lisbon, Portugal.\u00a0 To visit other islands in the archipelago, fly or use a ferry service. Traveling in the island, the best options will be renting a car or taking guided tours, as the local public transportation is not highly efficient.<br \/>\nTheTjoy.com recommends spending 3-4 days in the island visiting and enjoying its attractions. To better experience the island including hiking and participating in other outdoor activities, 6-7 days will be required. If time allows, consider visiting the nearby <a href=\"https:\/\/thetjoy.com\/fr\/trip\/pico-island-azores\/\"><strong>Pico Island<\/strong><\/a> for 1-2 days, and an additional 1 day for <a href=\"https:\/\/thetjoy.com\/fr\/trip\/pico-island-azores\/\"><strong>Faial Island<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n    <div class=\"xs_social_share_widget xs_share_url after_content \t\tmain_content  wslu-style-1 wslu-share-box-shaped wslu-fill-colored wslu-none wslu-share-horizontal wslu-theme-font-no wslu-main_content\">\n\n\t\t\n        <ul>\n\t\t\t        <\/ul>\n    <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sao Miguel Island is the largest, most populous, and most popular of the Azores Islands. The island is known as &#8220;The Green Island&#8221;, and while traveling you will admire and enjoy Volcanoes, calderas, magnificent crater lakes, thermal hot springs and fumaroles, lush green valleys and forests, waterfalls, rivers and streams, and above all breathtaking land, coast and sea scenery. The Atlantic Ocean surrounding the island is rich with marine life and especially with numerous species of Dolphins and whales to be watched and admire while boat cruising the surrounding ocean.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":20017,"template":"","class_list":["post-20004","trip","type-trip","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Sao Miguel Travel Guide: Azores Highlights | Travel with Joy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore Sao Miguel Island\u2019s volcanoes, crater lakes &amp; hot springs. 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