Azores Itinerary: 9 Days on São Miguel (The Complete Guide)

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read our full disclosure for more information.

Best Time to Visit the Azores

The Azores have a temperate subtropical climate due to their location in the Atlantic. This means that even in the winter, temperatures are usually in the mid-50s. This means that you can technically travel there at any time without the threat of winter weather.

The high season is during the summer months between June to August. Temperatures during this time are in the 70-80°F range. It could be sunny, or it could also rain for a few minutes and stop. Wind is an issue, as well as fog, at certain times. You never know what you’ll get, so plan for everything.

During this time, accommodations, flights, and car rental prices tend to be higher. There may be more crowds at certain destinations, but the island never felt overly crowded to us.

We traveled to São Miguel in mid-late June, and the weather was absolute perfection. The temperatures were in the 70s-80s and a little chillier in the higher elevations, but it was overall amazing. A few showers here and there with some higher humidity and fog in some areas, but that is to be expected.

How To Get To São Miguel, Azores

Swim? Take a boat? Just kidding! You’ll be flying, of course. There are a few options to arrive on the island from the United States:

• Fly direct: Selected airports and airlines fly direct to Ponta Delgada, Azores (PDL) from the U.S., and this is really your best bet! It’s a 4-5 hour flight from the East Coast of the United States.
  • Boston (BOS) – fly via Azores Airlines direct to PDL.
  • Newark (EWR) – fly via United Airlines direct to PDL (seasonal).
  • New York (JFK) – fly via Azores Airlines direct to PDL.
  • Additionally, you can fly from Toronto or Montreal, in Canada, via Azores Airlines.
• Fly through another country: If you can’t find a direct flight, you may need to fly into mainland Portugal or another country first, and connect there. Just be aware of any visa requirements if you go this route.

We were able to get a direct flight from Newark on United Airlines to the Azores. Our flight was an overnight flight, which left around 11:00 pm. We arrived in São Miguel at 8:00 am local time. The 1 hour of sleep we got on the plane made for a fun, but tiring first day. It was all worth it!

Arrival at the Ponta Delgada Airport

Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL – Aeroporto João Paulo II) is very small. With only a few gates here, expect your arrival to be somewhat quick and at times chaotic. Depending on how many aircraft arrive at the same time as your flight, be prepared for a short wait at passport control.

After you deplane, you’ll deplane, walk to the arrivals terminal and proceed to passport control. Note that there are limited services before clearing passport control. There is a small restroom here on the right side of the hall, should you need it.

After clearing passport control, proceed to customs as needed. Passage through customs is mandatory for all Portuguese or foreign travelers entering or leaving the country who are transporting money or goods. So where do you go?

• Customs: If you are transporting cash or monetary assets in an amount equal to or above 10,000 euros (or other currency equivalent), and/or if your baggage contains tradable goods (tobacco, alcohol, etc) in quantities greater than those permitted by law that are not exempt from value-added tax (VAT) or excise duty, proceed to customs.
• Nothing to Declare: If you are travelling with no baggage or transporting cash or monetary assets ​​in an amount under 10,000 euros (or other currency equivalent), and/or if you are carrying goods, such as personal items and/or purchases that are not intended for commercial purposes, in the amounts permitted by law, proceed here.

The way we read this was that unless you have over 10,000 euros and/or are planning on selling any goods that you brought, then you are likely okay to pass through the “Nothing to Declare” hall. That being said, always check with the country on what goods are permitted and in what quantities.

After this point, you’ll arrive at the rental car booth section of the airport, where you can pick up your rental if you have booked at the airport location. If not, head outside to ground transportation.

How Much Does A Trip To The Azores Cost?

In our opinion, São Miguel is a great European destination if you are budget-conscious. This cost breakdown for 2 people is based on our trip here in 2025, so costs have probably increased a bit. Just like everything else, right? This section includes most of the major costs except for food and gas.

Flight costs and rental car prices can be variable. Check prices often and rebook for a refund if you can. Make your trip a bit cheaper by only eating out for dinner. Overall, we found that eating out was fairly affordable.

Planning Your Azores Itinerary

Things to Know

• In addition to your passport, starting in the last quarter of 2026, you will need to obtain a visa to travel from the United States and other selected countries outside the European Union to travel to the Azores Islands. This must be obtained through the European Travel and Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). More information is located here.
  • ETIAS strongly advises obtaining the ETIAS travel authorization before you buy your tickets and book your hotels. Most applications will be processed within minutes, or at the latest within 96 hours.
• The Azores Islands are an archipelago and autonomous region of Portugal located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, consisting of 9 islands in total. When visiting, you’ll likely fly into Ponta Delgada (PDL) Airport on São Miguel, where smaller flights are also offered to the other islands.
• Euros are accepted in the Azores. It’s best to obtain some euros prior to arriving in the Azores. Most U.S. banking locations can order international currency for you, which is usually a better rate than the currency exchange kiosks at the airport! This is what we did, and it worked out great!
  • Speaking of euros – get some euro coins as well. For most parking areas, coins are the preferred method of payment, and you may need coins to use the restroom (WC) as well. That being said, we really did not have to pay to use the restroom in the Azores, but it’s always good to be prepared.
• English is spoken by most residents on the island in the populated areas, but we recommend learning some simple Portuguese phrases to help you get around.
• Don’t forget charging adapters for all of your electronic devices. For travel to the Azores, you’ll need a Type F plug.
• Miradouro = viewpoint. You’ll see lots of these while you drive through the Azores, so be sure to stop. We’ll highlight some that you can’t miss in our São Miguel Azores itinerary as well.

⛰️ If you can extend your trip, Madeira is just over an hour away by plane and pairs perfectly with São Miguel. Think of it as the dramatic, mountainous cousin. We went straight from São Miguel to Madeira, and it was one of the best travel decisions we’ve ever made.

Rental Car

We booked our rental car through DiscoverCars and recommend you do too! It was a seamless experience. We opted for extra insurance, and we usually don’t, but you’ll find out why below.

It may cost extra to get an automatic vs a standard (manual) car, but it was worth it for the hills! Make sure to book early for an automatic, as they are in short supply. On DiscoverCars, you can compare prices and ratings to find exactly what you are looking for.

Pictures and videos: Now this is VERY important – Be sure to record a video of both the exterior and interior of the car before leaving the rental lot. This simple step can protect you from unexpected damage claims after you return the vehicle. We learned this the hard way from a very unpleasant experience in Maui! Check out our post for our story.

Extra insurance: While visiting the Azores, the roads are narrow and winding, especially in Ponta Delgada. This is one place we absolutely DO RECOMMEND opting into the extra insurance offered through DiscoverCars. We did this for peace of mind.

Some visitors have noted that the rental car companies will try to ding you for each and every scratch on the vehicle, which is why extra insurance or photos and videos are extra important when visiting the Azores.

We did not have any issues on this, but we also didn’t hit anything! However, the car was fairly banged up and scratched from prior renters, and we could have totally been taken advantage of by the rental company.

Booking: We usually book our rental car well ahead of time using the pay-later option. This gives us the flexibility to monitor prices before our trip. If we notice a price drop, we just cancel the original reservation for free and rebook at the lower rate.

Most major rental companies allow free cancellations with pay-later bookings, though it’s always wise to double-check the terms and conditions. Book your car below and remember – the smaller, the better!

Driving In The Azores

Driving side: Drive on the right side of the road, just like you would in the United States. While driving on the highways, please stay in the right lane unless you are passing. Unless, of course, you like being beeped at!

Roundabouts/Traffic Circles: The traffic circles are a little bit different than those in the United States. If you are exiting at the first exit, stay in the right lane. If you are exiting at the second or third exit, proceed to the inside lane, and ONLY to the outside lane when you are exiting.

Bottom line here, you don’t want to be in the outside lane unless you are exiting. Furthermore, be sure to use your turn signals!

International License: If you are traveling from the United States, you don’t need an international driver’s permit (IDP). However, it may be wise to have one just in case you get stopped by the police. If you want to get one, head to your local AAA location.

Road signs: It’s wise to familiarize yourself with some local road signs before you go. Check them out here!

Azores Webcams

We recommend checking the weather forecast (which can change by the minute) and the webcams to determine the best activities for the day. Check them out here and here! The first link is our favorite as it’s overlaid on a map of the islands!

The weather here changes fast, and this itinerary does not need to be followed in order. Plan to be flexible just in case the weather isn’t ideal where you want to go for the day.

São Miguel Azores Itinerary At A Glance

Okay, enough things to know before you go. Here is a quick table with an overview of what your Azores itinerary could look like. You can also pick and choose what you want to do each day based on the weather, as these activities don’t have to be in order.

The map above includes recommended hikes and activities for each day, which are color-coded. Sometimes it helps to see a visual overview of where you’re headed to help plan your adventures!

Day 1 – Travel Day & Arrive In Ponta Delgada

This is a travel day to the Azores. Depending on where you live, your day of travel may be long or fairly short. If you can score a flight from the East Coast of the United States, direct to São Miguel, that is your best bet.

As discussed, doing so led to our arrival in Ponta Delgada around 8:00 am from a flight the prior evening from Newark. After clearing passport control at the airport, we picked up our rental car, and away we went to do some leisurely exploring, as we had gotten little to no sleep. We felt like walking zombies, but it was totally worth it!

Plan Day 1 as a recovery day. Grocery shopping, gentle exploring, and an early bedtime are the right call. Don’t try to cram a hike in on Day 1!

Day 2 – Sete Cidades, Hydrangea Highway & Mosteiros

First up, we explored the small town of Sete Cidades via Estrada Hortensia and visited some viewpoints overlooking Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul. Then, we headed north to Mosteiros to visit the beach. Finally, we took a rest at Pico Vermelho, a cute red windmill.

What is the Estrada Hortensia, you ask? Well, part of EN9-1A that travels from Ponta Delgada to Sete Cidades is lined with the most beautiful hydrangeas against a mountainous backdrop. The “Hydrangea Highway” is a great way to start off the trip!

Lastly, check out the grocery stores in Ponta Delgada before checking into your hotel or accommodations.

Day 3 – Chá Gorreana Tea Plantation & Salto do Cabrito

Now your São Miguel, Azores itinerary really begins! It’s time to check out an amazing tea factory called Chá Gorreana. Be sure to get here early to beat the rush. When you arrive, we recommend taking a tour inside and then heading straight to the hiking trails nearby. The first one leads you right up into the tea fields. It’s steep, but amazing, so get ready.

🫖 Check out our full guide on the Chá Gorreana Tea Factory right here.

Then, check out the other hike nearby that walks along a small levada to a few small waterfalls while exploring the tea factory’s water supply. Lastly, be sure to head inside to get a bite to eat and some souvenirs if you haven’t already.

Finally, it’s time for another hike. The 5-mile Salto do Cabrito loop hike is a great afternoon trek that starts and ends at a great spot with food trucks and restaurants, with waterfall views and more!

💦 Get all the details you need for an epic hike to a gorgeous waterfall on the Salto do Cabrito hike.

Day 4 – Lagoa do Fogo Hike & Viewpoints

Spend a day at Lagoa do Fogo, the “Lake of Fire”. The hikes and miradouros around the lake are absolutely stunning. Start the day with a nice, steep hike up to the shores of Lagoa do Fogo.

🏞️ Get all the details on hiking to Lagoa do Fogo right here.

Then, after you finish the hike to the shores of this amazing lake, it’s time to get some views of it from above. During peak season, the roads to the viewpoints are closed, and you must use the shuttle system that has been put in place to ease congestion.

🚌 Find out more about how to use the shuttle system to see Lagoa do Fogo.

The shuttles operate from June 15th to September 30th, between 09:00 am and 07:00 pm from two departure points. One on the south side of the island, and one on the north. This is a must-do activity in the Azores, so don’t skip this!

Day 5 – Ribeira dos Caldeirões, Nordeste & East Coast Miradouros

🌄 Get all the details you need for a visit to the East Coast & Nordeste.

After a fairly intense day yesterday, it’s time to take it easy with a drive to the eastern side of São Miguel. Start your morning off with a visit to Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park. View the gorgeous waterfalls, the old buildings, and take some short hikes around the park.

Then, drive farther east to Nordeste. This is such a cool spot! With great views, a quaint town with Azores architecture, along with the Bridge of Seven Arches, you can’t go wrong here. Plus, this is a great starting point for some of the miradouros nearby.

Speaking of, the top miradouros you have to visit on the east side of São Miguel are Miradouro da Ponta do Arnel, Miradouro da Vista Dos Barcos, Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego, and Miradouro da Ponta da Madrugada. Be sure to add these to your São Miguel Azores itinerary!

🛌🏽 Looking for a place to stay on the northeast side of São Miguel? Check out these great options on VRBO!

Day 6 – Furnas Lake, Terra Nostra Hot Springs & Mountain Views

A day in the hot springs! Pick the coolest, cloudiest day in the weather forecast, and head to Furnas. Start with a long stroll around Furnas Lake. Visit the amazing Capela de Nossa Senhora das Vitórias, the bamboo trails, and the Fumarolas Lagoa das Furnas, which are holes in the ground used for cooking.

🏞️ Get all the details on the easy 4-mile loop hike around Furnas Lake.

Next up is a stop at the stunning Parque Terra Nostra. Soak in the hot springs, explore the gardens, and just relax. This is the perfect spot. That being said, it does get busy, so don’t expect to have the entire place to yourselves!

To round out your São Miguel, Azores itinerary on day 6, drive up into the mountains and visit the friendly cats and cows! Stop at Miradouro do Pico do Ferro first and get a birds-eye view of Furnas Lake. Finally, along your drive to Miradouro do Salto do Cavalo, stop and see the friendly cows before the epic panorama at this viewpoint.

🪷 Get all the details on how to visit Parque Terra Nostra and the mountain viewpoints.

Day 7 – Salto do Prego Waterfalls & Boca do Inferno

Who doesn’t love a good waterfall adventure? Drive back toward the east side of São Miguel and hike to two of the most gorgeous waterfalls on the island, Salto do Prego and Salto do Cagarrão.

Be prepared for humidity here if the weather is anything like it was when we hiked. It was HOT, so take plenty of water.

🚶🏽‍♀️‍➡️ Find out more about this awesome waterfall hike on our post here!

We won’t lie, this hike and the humidity took it out of us. It was absolutely amazing, but we crossed off everything else on our list that day and headed back to Ponta Delgada for some pizza.

🌄 We ended the day at the Miradouro Grota do Inferno, also known as Boca do Inferno. AMAZING!

Day 8 – Boca do Inferno, Serra Devassa Hike & Ponta Delgada

Woah Woah Woah! That seems like a lot to do, huh? Well, it is, but we like to get it done! We visited Miradouro Grota do Inferno (Boca do Inferno) again in the morning. This is a super popular spot, but the weather doesn’t always cooperate. Clouds come and go, so wait for the views to open up.

🏞️ Get all the details on how to hike to Boca do Inferno and Pico da Cruz.

After visiting this spot, hike to Pico da Cruz, which is another short (but steep!) hike to an amazing viewpoint overlooking the lakes. Then, head back to the parking lot to the Serra Devassa trailhead. This is a fairly short hike, but it is very unique, visiting smaller lakes with epic scenery.

🥾 Don’t skip the details on the Serra Devassa Trail & Miradouro da Vista do Rei. Find out more here!

Before heading to Ponta Delgada, make a quick stop at the Miradouro da Vista do Rei. With epic views of Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde, you can’t miss this spot. Just please try to stay out of the abandoned Monte Palace Hotel. The signs to stay out are up for a reason.

🚶🏽‍♀️‍➡️ Get the map for our self-guided walk around Ponta Delgada right here.

Last up, head down to the amazing city of Ponta Delgada. Stroll around the narrow streets to visit old churches, parks, and the city center. Wrap it up with a bite to eat at one of the great restaurants nearby.

🚗 Looking for someone else to take care of the logistics? Check out the epic tours from Viator!

Day 9 – Travel Home or Continue to Madeira

That’s it! Your epic São Miguel, Azores itinerary has come to an end, and it’s time to head back home. Wait a minute….you’ve heard of Madeira, right? You’re only a little over an hour away by plane to another amazingly epic Portuguese island. You flew all the way to São Miguel, right, so why not spend a little more money and have some more fun! YOLO!

Where to Stay in São Miguel, Azores

There are plenty of great places to stay across São Miguel. We chose to stay in Ponta Delgada for the duration of our stay because it’s only about 1-1.5 hours from any location on the island. Ponta Delgada has plenty of restaurants, grocery stores, and more. Here are some great places to stay.

• Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico – The 5-star Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico is one of Ponta Delgada’s most iconic hotels, renowned for its prime location near the historic center and its stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Book here on Expedia or Booking.com
• Octant Hotel Ponta Delgada – Located waterfront at the edge of Ponta Delgada’s marina, this hotel is a sleek, modern boutique retreat offering 123 elegantly designed rooms and suites. Reserve your room on Expedia or Booking.com now.
• Hotel Talisman – A charming 4‑star boutique hotel nestled in Ponta Delgada’s historic center, housed in an elegantly renovated 17th‑/18th‑century property overlooking a delightful park. Check out the prices and amenities at Expedia or Booking.com
• A VRBO! Check out some of the homes for rent and have your own place for your trip.

🧭 Loving this itinerary and looking for more? Check out our other itineraries here!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 9-Day Azores Itinerary Worth It?

That settles it. What an epic São Miguel, Azores itinerary. A week in literal paradise surrounded by amazing scenery, hydrangeas, friendly locals, cows, cats, and…do I need to continue? We had an absolutely amazing time during our week here. We could have totally spent another week on the island, as there is so much to see and do.

Some of our favorite activities were the Lagoa do Fogo hikes and shuttle, enjoying the views from the “miradouros” all through the island, and visiting with the friendly cows and cats. The scenery here is unmatched, and we just couldn’t stop saying “Whoa, look at that!”, among other phrases.

We realize that your itinerary may look a bit different, and that’s okay. We hope this gives you a great starting point for some epic hikes and activities to do while visiting São Miguel.