São Miguel: Sete Cidades & Furnas Road Trip

The Azores Getaways São Miguel Road Trip includes round-trip flights, 7 nights of hotel accommodation across 3 areas (3 nights in Furnas, 2 nights near Sete Cidades, 2 nights in Ponta Delgada), a rental car for the full duration, a self-drive guide with local tips and route recommendations, and all taxes and fees related to the booking. Breakfast, meals, guided tours, and city taxes are not included.

Yes, round-trip flights are included. The package price varies depending on your departure airport. Other departure cities are available on request. Contact the Azores Getaways team before booking to discuss departure options. Checked luggage is not always included and depends on the airline and fare type. Confirm what is included and add luggage during the booking process. Seat selection and cabin class upgrades can be arranged as paid add-ons, subject to availability.

Checked luggage is not always included and depends on the airline and fare type in your package. You can confirm what is included and add luggage during the booking process. The Azores Getaways team is always available to help if you prefer to arrange it with us directly.

A rental car is included for all 7 nights. The standard vehicle is a compact manual car. Automatic transmission is available on request, sometimes at a small additional cost. You will need a valid Canadian or US passport and driver's license at pickup. The car is collected at Ponta Delgada Airport on arrival and returned there on departure day.

The rental includes basic third-party liability insurance, and depending on the car rental company, a collision damage waiver (CDW) may already be included. Even with CDW, most rentals have a mandatory excess. We always recommend upgrading to the highest insurance level available. This can be arranged through the Azores Getaways team when booking with our team.

You drive on the right in the Azores, the same as mainland Portugal. Roads are generally well maintained. The drive from Ponta Delgada to Furnas takes approximately 45 minutes (40 km). The drive from Furnas to the Sete Cidades area takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes (80 km). Mountain routes can be narrow and winding, particularly around the crater rim at Sete Cidades. Fog can appear quickly at higher elevations. 

Ride-sharing apps operate in some areas but coverage is limited. Taxis are available in Ponta Delgada but harder to find in Furnas and Sete Cidades, which is why the rental car is essential for this itinerary.

The package includes hotels ranging from 3 to 5 stars across the three stops. The package price varies depending on the hotel selected. 

• In Furnas, options include the 5-star Octant Furnas, the 4-star Terra Nostra Garden Hotel directly beside Terra Nostra Park, and the boutique Landescape Furnas. 
• Near Sete Cidades, the base is Sensi Nature & Spa, approximately 20 minutes from the Sete Cidades village.
• In Ponta Delgada, all properties are centrally located and range from our 3-star of choice to 4-star. Upgrades to 5-star are available. 

Exact options are shown when you click a date in the booking calendar and proceed to the next step. Upgrade options are available on request. Contact the Azores Getaways team to discuss preferences before booking.

The package price depends on the accommodation selected.

Most São Miguel packages put you in Ponta Delgada and send you on day trips. This itinerary does the opposite. Furnas and Sete Cidades are not day trip destinations. They are places that reward time. Waking up in Furnas means walking to the caldeiras before the tour groups arrive and having cozido cooked underground ready for lunch. Staying near Sete Cidades means being at the crater rim at sunrise and having the lakes to yourself. Ponta Delgada closes the week with whale watching, the old town, and the best of the island's food scene. Three bases, one car, seven nights. It is the difference between seeing São Miguel and actually being there.

Parking is free at the Furnas hotels and at the Sensi Nature & Spa, your base to explore Sete Cidades (approx. a 20-min drive from the village). In Ponta Delgada, parking is available at the hotel but may incur additional charges depending on the property selected. Parking costs are not included in the package price. 

Breakfast is not included by default but can be added during the booking process. Complimentary breakfast can be prioritized on request. Contact the Azores Getaways team when booking and we will do our best to arrange it.

No. City taxes are not included and are paid directly at each hotel.

There are no toll roads in the Azores. All roads, expressways, and tunnels on São Miguel are free to use.

This is an independent self-drive package. The day-by-day itinerary is a set of local suggestions, not a fixed programme. Activities including whale watching, thermal pool entry, and the cozido das Furnas lunch experience are not included and should be booked in advance. Poça da Dona Beija thermal pools and whale watching tours sell out quickly in peak season. The Azores Getaways team can help you book key experiences before you arrive.

São Miguel is accessible year-round. Spring (April to May) is mild at around 17°C (63°F), with lush green landscapes, hydrangeas beginning to bloom, and fewer visitors. Summer (June to August) reaches 25°C (77°F), the best conditions for whale watching, swimming, and outdoor activities, and the busiest period. Autumn (September to October) is warm at around 22°C (72°F), quieter roads, and excellent visibility at the crater lakes. Winter is mild at around 14°C (57°F), good for thermal pools and a more local experience of the island with significantly lower prices.

Yes to all three. The Azores Getaways team can add nights on São Miguel, include a second island such as Terceira or Faial, or build a wider multi-island itinerary. 

Additional costs apply. If you are travelling solo, the package price is based on two travelers sharing a room and a single supplement applies. Contact the team directly and we will make it easy. You can also check solo pricing by changing the number of guests from 2 to 1 in the booking calendar before clicking See Dates and Prices.

The Azores are part of Portugal, consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in Europe for travelers, with no active conflicts and not affected by the current conflicts in Europe or elsewhere. Canadian and US passport holders do not currently need a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your return date. Entry requirements are the traveler's responsibility and can change. 

The land portion of your package is refundable if cancelled at least 14 days before your travel date. Airfare is non-refundable from the moment it is issued, but the Azores Getaways team will always check with the airline to explore options. Travel insurance with cancellation cover is strongly recommended. This summary does not replace the full terms and conditions of your booking, which we encourage you to read before confirming.

For general support during office hours, contact the Azores Getaways team at our regular number. Support is available every day from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM Azores Time. Outside office hours, an emergency number is provided in your trip documents. For local emergencies in the Azores, dial 112.