Azores Travel Guide: 3 Perfect Days on São Miguel Island
The Azores are often called the Hawaii of Europe, but for East Coast travelers, they’re significantly closer and cheaper to reach than most people realize. This volcanic Portuguese archipelago sits in the middle of the Atlantic, and the main island – São Miguel – packs an extraordinary amount of scenery into a small area. We explored crater lakes, hot springs, black sand beaches, fishing villages, and some of the best wine we’ve had in Europe. Here’s our perfect 3-day itinerary, including the easiest way to get there, the best options for exploring the island, and where to stay for jaw-dropping views.
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How to Get to São Miguel
SATA Azores Airlines operates direct flights to Ponta Delgada from Toronto, Montreal, Boston, and JFK. You’ll find a few other direct flights, but they are much more expensive, and many airlines will route you through Lisbon, which is well out of the way.
We flew out of Toronto because it was a fraction of the price of departing from US airports. We used American Airlines miles for the short positioning flight up and built two days in the city into the trip before heading to São Miguel.
We have a full review of the Azores Airlines Comfort Class experience – including what we paid, what the seat and service are like, and everything you need to know before you book.
Pro Tips: A taxi from the airport runs about €25. You’ll almost certainly arrive in Ponta Delgada very early in the morning. The flight is short enough – and the time difference significant enough – that you’ll land exhausted. Have a plan for the first few hours. We decided to nap by the pool before check-in.
Where to Stay in São Miguel
We stayed at Sul Villas & Spa in Lagoa, just outside Ponta Delgada, and it was one of the most beautiful properties we’ve ever booked. We highly recommend it. Note that it was just closed for renovations but is opening again in May 2026. The location is quieter than the city center and a little off the beaten path, so you’ll need a taxi or rental car if you want to explore the town or restaurants in the evening. But we had all our meals at the hotel itself, and they were wonderful.
🛏️ The room was super spacious, with a mini kitchen, a stocked fridge, and a private patio with a plunge pool. Wine and snacks in the room aren’t included, but they’re surprisingly affordable and worth having when you’re in for the night.
🍳 The included breakfast was impressive with cold and cook-to-order options like eggs, meats, cheeses, pastries, bread, fruit, and yogurt. We looked forward to it every morning before a day of exploring.
🍽️ An optional dinner was served each night for an added fee, and after long days of driving across the island, it was really nice to have an elevated meal without going anywhere. All the food was fantastic, and the local wine kept flowing. Despite being a bit isolated at the hotel’s location, we never needed more.
🌞 The pool was small but lovely, with poolside food and drink service, a hot tub, and the most stunning views you’ve ever seen. There’s also a small spa behind the pool with massage services available.
Note: The hotel asks you to reserve your dining times in advance because it’s a small boutique and fills quickly. We missed our slot one night because our tour ran late, but we ordered a cheese and charcuterie plate to enjoy on our patio instead, which turned out to be perfect.
Points tip: Sul Villas is bookable through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, which makes it a great option if you’re looking to stretch your travel budget further.
The Best 3-Day Itinerary for São Miguel
This was a mother-daughter trip for me, and we decided to skip the rental car in favor of two full-day small-group tours. They were run by local guides, capped at eight people, and well worth it. If Theo and I go together one day, we’d probably rent a car to have more flexibility – but honestly, the tours covered more ground than we would have on our own and came with included lunches that were way better than we expected. Here’s how we structured three days:
Day 1: West Side of the Island
The São Miguel West Full Day Tour is the more visually dramatic of the two. The landscape shifts from volcanic craters, tea plantations, and dramatic coastal viewpoints, all while driving on the famous hydrangea-lined roads.
Our guide, João, was funny, knowledgeable, and an outstanding photographer. Lunch was included and came with wine and local liquor. We had low expectations for a group tour meal and were pleasantly surprised.
This tour is best for crater views, dramatic coastline, and the surreal deeply green scenery the Azores are famous for. True story: I woke up from my jet-lagged nap at our hotel’s pool and thought I was in another dimension. The colors were so vibrant and the historic church on the hill with the ocean backdrop just didn’t seem real.
Day 2: Rest Day in Lagoa
The tours are absolutely worth it but they are long and involve a lot of in-and-out of a nine-person van. So, build a rest day into the middle of the trip if you can. Walk around the town of Lagoa, use the hotel spa, order something poolside, and relax for a day.
We stumbled into a local celebration for São João that evening, which turned into one of the more memorable moments of the trip with a parade and fireworks and lots of fun.
Day 3: East Side of the Island
The São Miguel East Tour is completely different from the west, and we’d argue it’s the one you shouldn’t skip. The calderas are astonishing. Sete Cidades is the most famous, but the Furnas area with its hot springs and geothermally cooked food is just as interesting. Our guide on this leg was also fantastic and booked through the same company with a max of 8 guests.
We read a lot of reviews saying the west was more scenic and to go that route if you can only choose one. We enjoyed them both, but the volcanic activity in the east is what made São Miguel feel like nowhere else we’ve been. If you only have time for one full-day tour, it’s all about personal preference, so do your research. We would go with the east.
Lunch on this tour was also excellent. We tried the local blood sausage stew expecting to just give it a taste and ended up finishing the bowl.
What to Eat and Drink on São Miguel
The food in the Azores is fantastic. We enjoyed fresh seafood, slow-cooked meats, local dairy, and volcanic-cooked dishes in Furnas. The Azorean wine selection is also a bonus that doesn’t get nearly enough attention outside Portugal. The Verdelho grape grows well here, and the local producers take real pride in it. We were served local wine on our tours, flights, and at the hotel. It’s also super affordable.
Here are a few dishes and drinks worth seeking out:
- Cozido das Furnas: A slow-cooked meat and vegetable stew cooked underground in volcanic heat. It sounds gimmicky but tastes amazing.
- Local cheese: The dairy in the Azores is exceptional. There’s a reason Portuguese cheese boards often include Azorean queijo.
- Ginjinha and local liquors: Both tours included a tasting of local spirits.
Practical Tips for Planning Your Trip
Getting Around: A rental car gives you maximum flexibility and isn’t expensive. But if you’d rather let someone else navigate the winding coastal roads, the small-group tour option works extremely well. We wouldn’t recommend a large bus tour because the island’s best viewpoints require stops that big operators can’t access.
When to Go: The Azores have a mild, maritime climate, which means it can rain at any time of year. Late spring through early fall is the most reliable window. The green season (late winter to spring) is beautiful but wetter. If you’re going for hiking or whale watching, May through September is your best bet.
How Long to Stay: Four nights is the perfect stay in São Miguel but three is totally doable. If you add a few more nights or want a full itinerary, you can take a ferry or short flight to a neighboring island like Faial or Flores.
Currency: The Azores use the euro. Cards are widely accepted in restaurants and hotels, but carry some cash for smaller stops, markets, and tips.
Is a Trip to the Azores Worth It?
Without question. São Miguel’s scenery is similar to Hawaii but it’s also uniquely beautiful and set in a completely different climate and culture. And thanks to the direct flight option from the East Coast, this trip is realistic for a long weekend or even a week without needing to stop in mainland Portugal (which is also fantastic if you can).
I can’t wait to explore it again with Theo, and the crazy part is that I wouldn’t change anything, except we’d rent a car. The tours were fantastic and absolutely worth it, but we may want a little more flexibility next time. I’d stay in the same hotel, take the same flights, and explore the same spots. Maybe we’ll go a little longer and add another island or two.
Have you been to the Azores? Planning a trip? Let us know in the comments.
