Sete Cidades Guide: Lakes, Viewpoints & Hiking

The Twin Lakes

Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde are two sections of the same volcanic lake, divided by a narrow causeway with a bridge that carries the road through the caldera. The blue and green colours are a function of depth, the surrounding vegetation reflected in the water, and the angle of light — the colour contrast is most visible from the viewpoints above rather than from the shoreline.

The legend behind the name Sete Cidades (Seven Cities) holds that a princess with green eyes and a shepherd with blue eyes were forbidden to be together; their tears filled the caldera and became the two lakes. The story appears on every postcard sold in the Azores and is not contemporary mythology — it has been in circulation for at least two centuries.

Beyond Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde, the caldera contains several smaller lakes: Lagoa do Santiago, Lagoa Rasa, Caldeira do Alferes, and Caldeira Seca, all visible from Boca do Inferno but not from Vista do Rei.

Boca do Inferno

The more complete of the two main viewpoints. Boca do Inferno sits on the western rim of the caldera and looks east across the full complex: Lagoa Azul, Lagoa Verde, and all the smaller crater lakes. The view captures the scale of the volcanic system in a single frame in a way that Vista do Rei — which focuses on the twin lakes — does not.

Getting there requires a 20-minute uphill walk from the road. The path is well-marked and starts from a parking area on the caldera rim road. Wear comfortable walking shoes rather than sandals — the path has some uneven sections.

Temperature at Boca do Inferno runs 8 to 10°C below the coast at the same time of day. Bring a layer regardless of conditions in Ponta Delgada.

From Boca do Inferno, follow the signs to Lagoa do Canário — a smaller crater lake about 20 minutes further on foot, quieter than the main viewpoints and rarely crowded. The combination of Boca do Inferno and Lagoa do Canário makes a satisfying 2-hour morning in the western caldera.

Vista do Rei

The most photographed viewpoint in the Azores. Vista do Rei sits at 544 metres on the eastern rim and looks directly down into the caldera at the classic twin-lake angle — the image that appears on most São Miguel photography. It is easily accessible by car with a large parking area on site and no walking required.

The viewpoint was named after King D. Carlos and Queen D. Amélia, who visited in 1901. Adjacent to the viewpoint is the abandoned Monte Palace Hotel — a large concrete building started in the 1980s and never finished, which was subsequently looted and left open to the elements. The hotel is accessible and has become a notable ruin in its own right: vivid murals cover the interior walls, the pool has collapsed, and the structure slowly returns to the caldera rim.

Vista do Rei is the more visited of the two main viewpoints and tends to have tour buses arriving by 9:30 to 10 a.m. in summer. It is worth seeing regardless of crowds, but arriving before 9 a.m. makes a significant difference.

Inside the Caldera

Once you have seen the viewpoints from the rim, drive down into the caldera itself. The road descends steeply from the rim to the floor, where the village of Sete Cidades sits on flat ground between the lakes.

The village is small — a church, a handful of houses, a café or two. The Igreja de São Nicolau, a white church at the water's edge between the two lakes, is the most photographed structure inside the caldera. The bridge connecting Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde runs just north of the village.

Walking along the lakes: A dirt path follows the southern shore of Lagoa Azul for several kilometres, flat and easy, with the caldera walls rising steeply on one side and the lake on the other. No traffic, no crowds. This is a different experience from the viewpoints — quieter and more intimate.

Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are available on the lakes in season from rental points near the village. On a clear morning, being on the water with the caldera walls surrounding you is worth doing.

The Caldera Rim Trail (PR4)

The full circuit of the Sete Cidades caldera rim is a demanding trail — roughly 12 km, 5 to 7 hours, with significant elevation change. It traces the outer edge of the caldera and visits Boca do Inferno, Vista do Rei, and several other elevated points along the way. Not suitable as a casual walk, but one of the most rewarding day hikes on the island for those with the fitness and the right footwear.

Full guide to São Miguel hiking trails

Getting There

Sete Cidades is 30 to 40 minutes west of Ponta Delgada by car. The most direct route follows the EN3 north from the city and then turns west toward the caldera. Signs for Sete Cidades are clear from the Ponta Delgada ring road.

There are two approaches to the caldera:

From the north (Mosteiros road): This road reaches Vista do Rei first, then continues around the rim to Boca do Inferno. Better if you want to stop at Vista do Rei early, before the tour buses, and then move west to Boca do Inferno.

From the south (Lagoa das Furnas road): Approaches the caldera from the south and drops into the village on the caldera floor. More useful if you plan to spend time on the lake shores first and hike up to the viewpoints afterward.

There is no shuttle restriction at Sete Cidades, unlike Lagoa do Fogo.

What to Combine with Sete Cidades

Mosteiros on the northwest coast is 20 minutes north of the caldera. The natural rock pools and Ilhéus das Mosteiros sea stacks are a good afternoon addition after the caldera viewpoints in the morning. Ferraria's geothermal pools are a further 10 minutes south of Mosteiros.

Ponta do Escalvado, near Várzea, is on the return road toward Ponta Delgada and gives a west-coast view of the Atlantic and the Mosteiros islets. A worthwhile 10-minute stop on the drive back.

A full Sete Cidades day from Ponta Delgada can comfortably include: Boca do Inferno and Vista do Rei early morning, the caldera floor and lake walk mid-morning, Mosteiros for lunch and the rock pools in the afternoon, and Ferraria if you want a thermal pool to finish.

FAQ

What are the twin lakes of Sete Cidades?

Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) and Lagoa Verde (Green Lake) — two sections of the same volcanic crater lake, divided by a causeway and bridge at the village of Sete Cidades. The colour difference is most visible from the caldera rim viewpoints and is caused by the depth of the water, the angle of light, and the surrounding vegetation reflected in each section.

What is the best viewpoint for Sete Cidades?

Boca do Inferno gives the most complete panorama, including all the smaller crater lakes as well as Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde. Vista do Rei gives the classic twin-lake angle at 544 metres with no walking required from the car park. If you have time for only one, Boca do Inferno shows more of the caldera; Vista do Rei is the image most people recognise.

What time should I arrive at Sete Cidades?

Before 9 a.m., without exception. The caldera clouds over quickly after mid-morning and the viewpoints can be completely obscured by 11 a.m. in summer. An early start also avoids the first tour buses at Vista do Rei. The early morning light on the lakes is the best for photography.

Can you walk around the lakes in Sete Cidades?

Yes. A path follows the southern shore of Lagoa Azul from the village, flat and easy, suitable for most fitness levels. The full caldera rim circuit (PR4) is a demanding 12 km, 5 to 7-hour hike for those wanting a more serious day.

What is the abandoned hotel near Sete Cidades?

The Monte Palace Hotel, adjacent to Vista do Rei on the caldera rim. A large concrete structure built in the 1980s, left unfinished, and subsequently left open. The interior has been covered in murals over the years. It is accessible and frequently visited as an unusual addition to the viewpoint stop.

Is there a vehicle restriction at Sete Cidades like at Lagoa do Fogo?

No. There is no vehicle restriction at Sete Cidades. You can drive to both Boca do Inferno and Vista do Rei at any time of day, year-round. The summer shuttle restriction applies only to the Lagoa do Fogo road.

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