The Azores: Santa Maria & São Miguel

Day By Day Itinerary

1. Day 1Arrival in Santa Maria Island

   Welcome to Santa Maria! Enjoy hassle-free airport transfers upon your arrival and departure, and for a seamless start to your journey, we recommend booking an early check-in.

   Suggestion for the day:

   • Take the afternoon to stroll around Vila do Porto and discover all its charm.

   Not to miss:

   • Forte de São Brás
   • Misericórdia Church
2. Day 2Free Day for Personal Activities

   Suggestion for the day:

   • Full-Day Tour Around the Island: Santa Maria Island is the closest island to São Miguel, and it is also considered to be the ‘’mother island’’ of the Azores because it is the oldest of the nine islands! As the saying goes: Great things come with age, and this is the case in Santa Maria! The island is quite different from any other island in the Azores. Around 5,000 inhabitants call this Azores island home, and they’re proud to live in the only Azores island with white sand beaches. Imagine that! The Azores have a secret Caribbean look-alike island in Santa Maria. 

   Key Highlights:

   • Anjos Bathing Area: Relax in a natural pool with a Christopher Columbus statue.
   • S. Lourenço: Traverse picturesque parishes, enjoy stunning viewpoints.
   • St. Espirito: Visit a 17th-century church, island museum, and handicraft cooperative.
   • Baía de Maia: Explore a summer and vineyard haven with a top-tier waterfall.
   • Praia Formosa: Conclude your day at the pristine beach for a refreshing swim or rest.
3. Day 3Flight to São Miguel Island

   Welcome to São Miguel! Enjoy hassle-free airport transfers upon your arrival and departure, and for a seamless start to your journey, we recommend booking an early hotel check-in.

   Suggestion for the day:

   • Take the day to stroll around Ponta Delgada’s city streets. Ponta Delgada, the main city, is not only the hub of the island but the capital of the Azores. Ponta Delgada evokes all the charms of Europe with cobbled streets, sidewalk cafes, and a thriving culinary scene.
     • Portas da Cidade
     • Louvre Michaelense
     • Pineapple Plantations
     • Matriz Church
4. Day 4Free Day for Personal Activities

   Suggestion for the day:

   • Explore the wonders of Sete Cidades, including Lagoa das Sete Cidades, Lagoa de Santiago, Lagoa do Canário, and the captivating Boca do Inferno Viewpoint. Don't miss the chance to venture to the neighboring village of Mosteiros, a perfect spot for a picturesque sunset. While in the western part of the island, treat yourself to the rejuvenating experience of an ocean thermal bath at Ferraria.
5. Day 5Free Day for Personal Activities

   Suggestion for the day:

   • Visit Lagoa do Fogo & Furnas: Venture to the island's northern expanse, where you'll encounter the untouched charm of the Protected Natural Reserve of Lagoa do Fogo. Relax in the rejuvenating thermal pools of Caldeira Velha, then marvel at the Salto do Cabrito waterfall. Journey to Furnas and immerse yourself in its myriad attractions, from the serene lake and Pico do Ferro Viewpoint to the unique caldeiras and Terra Nostra Park. Relish local flavors like cozido das Furnas and bolos lêvedos, and experience a fusion of nature and culture that's truly Azorean.
6. Day 6Free Day for Personal Activities

   Suggestion for the day:

   • Visit charming Nordeste: Discover the enchanting scenery of cascading waterfalls, lush greenery, and coastal cliffs. Traverse the iconic viewpoints like Ponta do Sossego and Ponta da Madrugada, offering breathtaking panoramas of lush green hills and the vast Atlantic Ocean. Wander through the charming town center, surrounded by traditional Azorean architecture, and delight in the serene atmosphere of the Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park.
   • Say Goodbye to the Azores with a Fado Dinner: A captivating and deeply emotional experience that combines the soulful melodies of Fado music with delicious Azorean cuisine. As you enter a cozy, dimly lit restaurant, you'll be enveloped in an atmosphere of nostalgia and tradition. The hauntingly beautiful strains of Fado, performed by local musicians, fill the air, evoking a profound sense of saudade—the Portuguese longing for something lost.
7. Day 7Free Day for Personal Activities

     Suggestion for the day:

   • Embark on a Whale and Dolphin-watching Experience: The Azores Islands are known for their unparalleled beauty and biodiversity, adored by outdoor adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. But what people may not know is that the Azores is also one of the fastest-growing whale-watching destinations in the world. Located in the Atlantic Ocean between Portugal and North America, the Azores are a permanent home and natural point of passage to more than 20 different types of whale and dolphin species, making the islands one of the world’s largest whale sanctuaries.
8. Day 8Return Flight Home

   Thank you for choosing us! We hope you had a fantastic time in the Azores and look forward to traveling with you again in the future.