A Home To Europe’s Only Tea Plantations, A Well-Kept Secret Waiting To Be Uncovered
Do you want to know where the real adventure is brewing? Just keep on reading!
A place where time slows down and where you get spoiled for life! Sure, it’s home to Europe’s only tea plantation. But don’t be fooled into thinking this island is all about tea.
Sao Miguel is an explorer’s playground, with crater lakes so vivid they look Photoshopped!
So, whether you’re sipping world-class tea or soaking in steaming mineral pools, Sao Miguel is a place that defies expectations!
1. Sete Cidades
Staring down at Sete Cidades, the Vista do Rei viewpoint is like stepping into a fairytale. Legend has it they were formed from the tears of a lovesick princess and her forbidden shepherd, a tale as dramatic as the mist that sometimes rolls over the landscape.
The tiny village of Sete Cidades sits peacefully along the lake’s edge. Its church and quiet streets make it a perfect stop for a lakeside picnic or a quick espresso with a view.
For the best experience, visit in the morning before the clouds decide to crash the party. And if the weather does turn moody, embrace it! It can be quite beautiful. Plus, it’s an excuse to warm up afterward with a steaming cup of Azorean tea.
2. Furnas
Furnas bubbles, steams, and hisses like a cauldron that never stops brewing. The moment you arrive, the scent of sulfur wraps around you like an unexpected hug.
Locals have turned this geothermal wonder into a culinary masterpiece with Cozido das Furnas, a slow-cooked stew buried underground and left to simmer in volcanic heat. When it finally emerges, steaming and rich with flavor, it’s a taste of São Miguel’s raw energy, literally.
Beyond its bubbling heart, Furnas is also home to the dreamy Terra Nostra Park. This is a thermal pool that invites you to soak in the warmth. The surrounding botanical gardens, planted over two centuries ago, feel like nature’s version of a grand ballroom. So, step up and explore!
3. Tea Plantations
In the rolling hills of São Miguel, tea grows where you’d least expect it! Right here, on Europe’s only tea plantations. Gorreana and Porto Formoso have been producing black and green tea since the 19th century, thanks to a perfect mix of volcanic soil and misty Atlantic air.
Walking through the rows of trimmed tea bushes, you half expect to see a samurai or a British aristocrat strolling by, but instead, it’s just the hum of history and the occasional tea picker expertly plucking the leaves.
Inside the factories, time seems to have paused. The old machines still whir and clatter, sorting and drying the tea in a process that feels more like an art than an industry. The aroma alone is enough to make you crave a cup. Luckily, free tasting is part of the experience!
4. Lagoa do Fogo
Lagoa do Fogo is a lake, but more than that is an untouched masterpiece cradled in the arms of a long-sleeping volcano. No villages, no cafes, no distractions! Just raw, unspoiled beauty!
The best way to see it? Hike down the trail that snakes through thick greenery, leading to the lake’s secluded shores where the water shimmers in shades of sapphire and silver, reflecting the ever-changing sky.
The winds whisper through the valleys, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant ocean spray. Birds circle overhead, and very often you can find the entire shoreline to yourself! Just you and the cliffs standing like silent guardians over the crater!
5. Whale Watching
The waters around São Miguel are like an underwater highway for some of the ocean’s biggest celebrities! Local tours take you out on speedboats or traditional wooden vessels, where expert guides scan the horizon. The moment someone shouts “Whale at two o’clock!” the energy on board skyrockets.
The sheer size, the slow, graceful movements, the final flick of a tail before it disappears into the deep; it’s the kind of thing that makes you realize how small you are in the grand scheme of things.
Heart racing, you scramble for your camera, realizing nature doesn’t wait for perfect selfies. And if you don’t spot a whale? The dramatic ocean views and salty sea breeze make the trip worthwhile anyway.
6. Caldeira Velha
Caldeira Velha is the kind of place you’d expect to find in a lost civilization movie. Fern-covered cliffs, tropical greenery, and mineral-rich pools create a setting that’s part spa, part nature reserve.
Soaking here feels like pressing pause on the world. The water is warm enough to melt away any stress. Isn’t that what we all need? Tiny birds flit between branches, the distant gurgle of hot springs fills the air, and time? It seems to dissolve into the mist.
I have one useful tip for you: bring an old swimsuit! The iron in the water tends to stain fabric with an orange tint, a small souvenir you might not have planned on taking home!
7. Ponta da Ferraria
Now, this is not your typical beach day. Ponta da Ferraria is where the Atlantic Ocean and volcanic fire go head-to-head, creating a natural hot spring in the middle of the sea. At low tide, warm geothermal waters mix with crashing waves, turning the rocky inlet into an ocean spa.
At high tide? Let’s just say the Atlantic wins, and you’ll want to hold on tight.
The water temperature can range from bath-like to “Who turned off the heater?!” depending on the tide, so timing is everything! Locals swear by this place for its therapeutic benefits, but honestly, just floating in a pocket of warm water is an experience all on its own.
8. Nordeste
Nordeste is where São Miguel lets loose and shows off! It’s the kind of place that makes you want to roll down the windows, blast some music, and just drive, with the ocean on one side and emerald mountains on the other.
The highlight? Farol do Arnel! It’s the island’s oldest lighthouse and it’s quietly seeking deserved attention. Getting there is an adventure in itself. The road down is so steep it feels like São Miguel’s version of a rollercoaster.
Just be warned! Nordeste has a way of making you wonder why you don’t just move here for good.
9. Pineapple Plantations
Forget everything you know about pineapples! São Miguel does them differently. These aren’t the giant, golden ones you find in tropical supermarkets. No, these are smaller, sharper, and so sweet they taste like sunshine bottled up.
The plantations in Fajã de Baixo look more like secret gardens than farms. The whole process is a mix of science and old-school patience, with farmers still using traditional methods that have been passed down for generations.
The best part? Tasting. Whether it’s a fresh slice, pineapple jam, or the dangerously addictive pineapple liqueur. It’s a flavor you won’t forget! And yes, after visiting, you’ll probably turn into a pineapple snob, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
10. Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Picture this: a valley filled with cascading waterfalls, stone bridges, and old water mills straight out of a storybook. That ‘s Ribeira dos Caldeirões, a nature park hidden in São Miguel’s northeastern corner.
Once upon a time, these mills powered the local economy, grinding corn into flour for the villages nearby. Today, they stand as quiet reminders of a simpler time.The best part? Unlike some of the island’s wilder spots, this one is super accessible. No epic hikes required!
Honestly, this place feels like São Miguel showing off one last time before you leave!