The green island · Eastern group
São Miguel
São Miguel is the biggest island and the one most people start with. The crater lakes of Sete Cidades, the hot springs of Furnas and the lake of Lagoa do Fogo are all here, and the airport takes flights from Lisbon, Porto and a few cities abroad.
São Miguel facts
- Island group
- Eastern, with Santa Maria
- Airport
- Ponta Delgada (PDL)
- Length
- 62 km
- Width
- 16 km
- Highest point
- Pico da Vara, 1,105 m
- Population
- about 138,000
São Miguel weather now
Observed 6 October 2026 at 16:00, Azores timePonta Delgada the south coast
21.7° · 70% hum.
Sete Cidades the west craters
19.6° · 80% hum.
Furnas the east craters
20.9° · 72% hum.
Pico Santos the uplands, 800 m
15.5° · 30% hum.
Weather differs between the coast and the uplands. 6.2 °C between the warmest and the coolest station right now. Four IPMA stations on São Miguel.
Places on São Miguel
Sete Cidades
Two crater lakes in the west of the island, one blue and one green. The Vista do Rei walk, PR03SMI, is 7.5 km and easy.
Furnas
A village inside a crater, with hot springs and fumaroles that cook the local stew in the ground.
Lagoa do Fogo
A crater lake in the middle of the island, with no building in sight. The walk down to it, PR02SMI, is 10.2 km.
Ponta Delgada
The island’s main town and the point most trips leave from, with the harbour and the airport.
Vila Franca Islet
A round crater that fills with sea, off the south coast. You reach it by boat in summer.
Gorreana tea
The oldest tea plantation in Europe, on the north coast, open to walk through for free.
Tours from São Miguel
Walks on São Miguel
26 of 32 marked routes open right now, read from the regional trail network on 6 October 2026.
- open
Rota da Água - Entre Túneis e Condutas PR42SMI
Linear, medium, 5 h · 15.1 km
- open
Mata do Canário PR04SMI
Linear, medium, 3 h · 11.7 km
- open
Lagoa do Fogo PR02SMI
Circular, medium, 4 h · 10.2 km
- open
Lagoa das Furnas PRC06SMI
Circular, easy, 3 h · 9.4 km
- open
Serra Devassa PRC05SMI
Circular, medium, 3 h 30 min · 9.1 km
How to get to São Miguel
By air
Ponta Delgada (João Paulo II, PDL) is the island’s airport. Flights come from Lisbon and Porto, and from a few cities in Europe and North America in season.
Between the islands
SATA Azores Airlines flies to the other islands. Ferries run between the islands in summer; there is no regular ferry from the mainland.
Plan your visit
Getting around
The island is about 90 minutes end to end by car, so most people rent one and base in Ponta Delgada. Buses run between the main towns but not to the trailheads.
How long to stay
Three to four days cover the craters, the coast and a whale trip. A week leaves room for the walks and the east of the island.
Best time
Whales and dolphins pass April to October. Hydrangeas flower June to August. The sea is warmest in late summer; the uplands are cooler and cloudier all year.
Roman Antonov, editor
I live in Portugal and I love these islands. The weather here is read live from IPMA stations; prices and tour details come from Viator, dated on each page.