Visit Lagoa das Sete Cidades, Mosteiros & More: How To Spend Your First Day In The Azores
You have made it to the Azores! It’s 8:00 am local time, and you got 1 hour of sleep on the flight over from the United States. 😴 You can’t check into your hotel until 4:00 pm, so what do you do? Explore, of course! Head toward Lagoa das Sete Cidades first to explore the quaint town and blue and green lakes.
Then, drive up toward the coast to visit Mosteiros to relax on the beach. Continue your journey around the north end of the island before making your way back to Ponta Delgada. Power through the lack of sleep. We promise, it’s worth it.
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Things to Know
You’ll definitely need a car to get around the island during your week in paradise, so be sure to book your rental car early. Check the prices and options at DiscoverCars! We rented through them with AutAtlantis, and it was seamless!
This post is part of our week-long itinerary in São Miguel, Azores. To check out the full itinerary along with a map of what we did each day, visit the post here!
Visit Lagoa das Sete Cidades
First up on the list is a visit to Lagoa das Sete Cidades. This is a gorgeous area of São Miguel that’s located inside the crater of an old volcano. Here, the two lakes are known as Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde. One is blue, and one is green. Let’s go.
Estrada Hortensia – Hydrangea Highway
First up, it’s time for a scenic drive. Hop on EN1-1A, which is right near the airport. Follow the road until the turn off for EN9-1A and make a right. Enjoy the amazing scenery and farmland in this area of São Miguel as you travel toward Estrada Hortensia, also known as the Hydrangea Highway!
The Azores are known for their Hydrangeas, and they really are EVERYWHERE. The volcanic soil is perfect for them, and they usually start flowering in late June, with the peak season from July through August.
Wondering where to see them? Some of the best spots are along EN9-1A as you head to Sete Cidades, but really, you’ll see them along the roads of São Miguel all over the island. Along this stretch of road, they really are amazing with the mountain backdrop!
That being said, there really isn’t a place to pull over along the busy road here, so please use caution when visiting this area. We wouldn’t really recommend getting out of your car unless it’s early in the morning or late in the evening, when there tends to be less traffic here.
🏞️ Looking for a super short hike with epic views in the area? Boca do Inferno is where it’s at!
Miradouro do Cerrado das Freiras
Don’t forget! Miradouro = viewpoint, and this is one you can’t miss. Right after the hydrangea highway, you’ll reach the Miradouro do Cerrado das Freiras on your right. Park in the parking lot and walk a short trail to an amazing overlook of Lagoa das Sete Cidades!
Miradouro da Lagoa de Santiago
Just past the first miradouro is another one that overlooks Lake Santiago. Parking here is on the side of the road, and it might be difficult when it’s busy.
Visit Sete Cidades
Head down the mountain and visit Sete Cidades. We recommend parking here and walking to see the lakes. You’ll also find restrooms here, which are located right near a nice snack bar if you are looking for a bite to eat or a refreshing drink.
Another option is to back track a bit to the bridge that spans the two lakes to see them both up close. We parked and walked down to visit the bridge. It was great to stretch our legs after our overnight flight.
🌴 Looking for some hiking instead? Visit 2 waterfalls on this epic trail!
Igreja de São Nicolau
The last stop during your visit to the Sete Cidades area is the Igreja de São Nicolau. This is a beautiful historic church at the end of rows of towering trees. It really is a great, picturesque spot. You can find parking along the street around the church. If you are lucky, you can take a peek inside as well.
Now, continue your mini road trip to Mosteiros! This is a great spot to relax and enjoy the beach.
💤 Book your stay here at the top-rated Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico, right near the heart of Ponta Delgada!
Relax in Mosteiros
Head past Igreja de São Nicolau and link up with EN1-1A and turn left at the junction. If time allows, make a quick stop at Miradouro da Ponta do Escalvado before heading to Mosteiros. When you arrive in Mosteiros, we recommend parking here.
Walk down toward the black sand beach and relax! There are restrooms and changing rooms here, right by the small snack bar. This is a perfect spot to take a nap, read, or just enjoy the scenery. If you ask us, you can’t miss the Kima Maracuja – a fizzy sweet passionfruit drink, which is a favorite on the Azores! Hope you brought some cash!
From the beach here, you can also see the Ilhéu dos Mosteiros, 4 rocky islets off the coast. Before you leave, check out Miradouro Pico de Mafra for a bird’s eye view of this cute town.
🏞️ Want to take it easy with a shuttle ride up to gorgeous Lagoa do Fogo? Check it out here!
Explore the Island’s North Side
After your visit to Mosteiros, we recommend driving the EN1-1A east to explore more of the island’s northwest side. First, stop at Miradouro do Pico Vermelho. This is one of the many picnic spots across São Miguel, but it has some great views of the surrounding coast and houses.
Take a break on the wall and enjoy the fresh air. You’ll probably spot some lizards here, too.
🚶🏽♀️➡️ Want to explore closer to Ponta Delgada for the day? Check out our self-guided walking tour and map!
Finally, head down to visit Moinho do Pico Vermelho. This is a very cool old red windmill. This is just a quick stop if you can find parking. Hop out, explore the windmill and grounds.
Finally, it’s time to head back to Ponta Delgada and hit up the local grocery stores to stock up on supplies for your stay. Visiting the grocery stores here is an adventure in itself! You never know what interesting foods or delicious desserts and treats you might find.
We recommend Pingo Doce – São Gonçalo or Continente Modelo Ponta Delgada
🏠 Looking for your own private retreat on São Miguel, Azores? Booking a VRBO is your best bet!
Relax And Take A Tour
That jet lag can really get ya. Let someone else do the driving! Check out some of the great tours on the island with Viator. From all-day tours, whale watching, and off-roading, there is something here for everyone if you’d rather really relax on your first day in the Azores.
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!
Final Thoughts
Even with very little sleep, we really enjoyed our first day exploring São Miguel. Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde were absolutely breathtaking on the shores of Sete Cidades. The viewpoints around the rim of the crater are stunning, with little effort required.
We enjoyed some time on the black sand beach and then hung out with the lizards at Miradouro do Pico Vermelho. The views overlooking the houses and ocean below were so awesome!
Finally, we headed back into Ponta Delgada and shopped around the grocery store like zombies. At least that’s what we felt like while walking around! PS, you won’t find milk and creamer in the refrigerated section – these are shelf-stable boxed!
🛌🏽 Don’t forget to check out Expedia and book your hotel!
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