São Miguel

Ribeira Grande

Ribeira Grande is a city on São Miguel's north coast.

Ribeira Grande facts

Location: São Miguel, north coast
Type: Coastal city
Known for: Surfing and hot springs
Santa Bárbara beach: About 1 km long

Getting there: About 22 minutes by car from Ponta Delgada.

Santana · weather now

18.8°C

Observed 25 October 2026 at 01:00, Azores time · IPMA

Ribeira Grande walk

Map of the Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande to Salto do Cabrito walk (PRC29SMI)

Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande to Salto do Cabrito PRC29SMI

open

8.6 km, about 3 hours. PRC29SMI loops from Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande past Salto do Cabrito waterfall. The route includes a metal walkway and steep steps.

Distance: 8.6 km
Difficulty: Medium
Duration: 3 hours
Route type: Circular

See the full route and live status →

Tours that visit Ribeira Grande

8 best São Miguel tours

Azorean Active Blueberry runs canyoning trips. Pure Azores' west van tour passes through Ribeira Grande's centre.

from €65 per adult for these two tours. Prices checked 13 October 2026.

4.9 across 8 tours · 5,372 reviews

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Visiting Ribeira Grande on your own

Choose a full ticket for Caldeira Velha's thermal pools.

Caldeira Velha

thermal pools and an exhibition on the islands' volcanic origins

Hours: 1 November to 31 March: daily 09:00 to 17:00; 1 April to 30 April and 1 October to 31 October: daily 09:00 to 18:30; 1 May to 30 September: daily 09:00 to 20:30. Closed 1 January and 25 December. Ticket office closes 30 minutes before closing
Tickets: full ticket with pools: adult (15 to 64) €10; junior (7 to 14) and over 65 €5. Visit only: adult (15 to 64) €3; junior (7 to 14) and over 65 €1; family (two adults and their children up to 14) €5. Under 7 free. Azores residents: first daily entry free with Citizen Card
Booking: Book online by 23:59 the day before your visit. Tickets are valid for 90 minutes.

Checked 12 October 2026 on Azores Nature Parks.

Arquipélago Contemporary Arts Centre

contemporary art exhibitions and the architecture of the arts centre

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 to 18:00. Exhibitions close from 12:30 to 13:30. Last admission 17:30.
Tickets: Building and exhibitions: €3. Ages 15 to 25 and over 65s pay €1.50. Retirees, teachers and Youth Card holders also pay €1.50. Sundays and children aged 14 and under are free.

Checked 12 October 2026 on Arquipélago Contemporary Arts Centre.

Ribeira Grande sights

Ponte dos Oito Arcos spans the river. Santa Bárbara beach is known for surfing. Caldeira Velha has hot pools in the hills above town.

Town hall: Clock tower and arched gateway
Ponte dos Oito Arcos: Stone bridge across the town's river
Areal de Santa Bárbara: Sandy beach known for surfing
Salto do Cabrito: Waterfall on the marked circular walk
Caldeira Velha: Thermal pools and a waterfall

The iron-stained waterfall at Caldeira Velha above Ribeira Grande

Questions about Ribeira Grande

How do you get to Ribeira Grande?

Take AzoresBus 102 from Ponta Delgada via Rabo de Peixe. Board at Alfândega. Choose a departure with an arrival time at Ribeira Grande terminal. Some services finish before Ribeira Grande. Check the timetable for your travel day.

What is the main city in São Miguel?

Ponta Delgada is São Miguel's main city. Its harbour lies on the island's south coast. Portas do Mar cruise terminal is 200 m from the centre. The commercial port is 2 km from the centre. Check where your ship will dock.

Places near Ribeira Grande

All places on São Miguel →

The Gorreana tea factory and its surrounding fields

Roman Antonov, editor

I live in Portugal and I love these islands. Weather and walk status update automatically. I reread tour prices when updating the collection. I check visiting hours and tickets by hand.