São Miguel's Riviera: A Bensaude Experience

Suggestion for the day: Sete Cidades and Ponta da Ferraria

The west side of the island holds two of São Miguel's most distinctive sights, worth combining into one longer day given the drive from Caloura.

• Vista do Rei: A panoramic viewpoint over the Green and Blue twin lakes of Sete Cidades, tied to a local legend of forbidden love.
• Boca do Inferno: A 360-degree viewpoint over Lagoa do Canário and the Sete Cidades village and lakes, best on a clear day.
• Mata do Canário Trail: For those who want to walk it rather than just view it, a linear trail (11.8 km/7.3 mi, medium difficulty, about 3 hours) leading through forest to views over the lakes.
• Ponta da Ferraria: A natural thermal ocean pool in Ginetes, where hot volcanic springs mix directly with the cool Atlantic, a genuinely unusual swimming experience found nowhere else on the island.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Lagoa do Fogo and Caldeira Velha

Two central highlights, close enough together to pair on one day out from Caloura.

• Lagoa do Fogo: A crater lake at the heart of the island, protected since the 1970s. Drive to a viewpoint for the view, or hike the full circular loop (11 km/6.83 mi, medium difficulty, about 4 hours) if you'd rather earn it.
• Caldeira Velha: Hot spring pools set in dense, fern-covered rainforest halfway between Lagoa do Fogo and Ribeira Grande, complete with a small waterfall to bathe under.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Furnas Valley

Furnas is the center of the island's geothermal activity, and a full day here barely covers it.

• Caldeiras das Furnas: Close to 30 bubbling volcanic vents right in the town center, where the strong smell of sulfur is part of the experience.
• Cozido das Furnas: Visit around lunchtime to see restaurants pulling stockpots out of the ground, where the traditional stew has been slow-cooking since dawn, then eat the result in town.
• Terra Nostra Garden and Thermal Pool: A botanical garden with a large iron-rich thermal pool at its center, warm year-round.
• Poça da Dona Beija: Five thermal pools at different temperatures, a quieter alternative to Terra Nostra.
• Lagoa das Furnas: An easy walk around the crater lake, past the Neo-Gothic chapel, if there's energy left at the end of the day.

All suggestions are optional.

Suggestion for the day: Nordeste

The farthest point covered in this itinerary, worth the drive precisely because so few visitors make it this far.

• Miradouro da Ponta da Madrugada: Known for sunrise views, but worth the stop at any time of day for the coastline alone.
• Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park: Waterfalls and old watermills tucked into a ravine, with a short circular hike ideal for photos.
• Salto do Cabrito: If you have energy left, a trail along old hydroelectric pipelines to a waterfall (8.5 km/5.28 mi, medium difficulty, about 2.5 hours).

On the way back toward Caloura, consider a stop at the Gorreana Tea Factory near Ribeira Grande, Europe's oldest working tea plantation, open since 1883, or the smaller Porto Formoso Tea Factory on the north coast.

All suggestions are optional.