Azores: 5 Day Itinerary for Sao Miguel, One of 9 Islands off of Portugal #visitazores #getoutside
The Azores 5 Day Itunerary:
Here are things to do for 5 days in Sao Miguel.
Where We Stayed was in Ponta Delgado – centrally located in Sao Miguel Island
6 min walk from sidewalk cafes / boardwalk type area
Continental breakfast included
Parking lot is 6 euros per day
Booked the Suite-large room, large living room and large, shaded patio
Hotel: MS Vila Nova
This hotel is in the middle of the island. We loved being in this Ponte Delgado area but anywhere there is most likely within walking distance of everything.
We felt very safe!
The airport is a 7 minute drive from Ponte Delgado.
DAY 1:
We rented a car with Europcar. Travel Tip: you do NOT need an international drivers license. They drive on the highway, directionally, the same as in the US.
4 wheel tour of the Sete Cidades in the Azores with @GetYourGuide
See the Abandoned Hotel. Travel tip: just type it into Google maps. It is located across the street from the Sete Cidades overlook. Entrance is around the back toward the right.
No toilets at the hotel or Sete Cidades.
Very quaint towns below if you can drive there.
Dining:
Travel Tip: Lots of places are closed on Monday so always check times.
Fancy dinner: Quinta dos Sabores address
9600-151 Rabo de Peixe, Portugal
Not open monday
The BEST wine pairing with a 6-8 course dinner
By Sete Cidades: Lagoa Azul Restaurant (close at 3 open back at 7)
On coast: Seaside Vibez open 12-8
Near coast: Restaurante O Chico open 8am until 3
There are 3 locations of Tony’s. Have their cozido! And get dessert!!
Pizza Nonna’s Teeth and Tomato’s Pizza-family from Italy wanted to join the Azorean local toppings with their San Marzano tomato sauce. Brick oven and delicious!
Otaka 4 courses tasting menu
@restaurant_otaka
Day 2: did not start until 9:30 (much needed)
This full day tour of Furnace was one of our favorites with Natasha from @seazorestours
They even do sport fishing and very active excursions.
In this type of tour you will see tons of volcanic steam vents, take a dip in thermal heated pools, taste stew that was cooked underground in naturally-heated-by-a-volcano pot! Delish!
We love booking private or small group tours because you learn so many local tips and cultural background that you can actually remember.
Travel Tip for Visiting the Azores:
You can have all 4 seasons in one day so have a water-resistant top layer and water-resistant hiking shoes/sandals.
Travel tip: do NOT wear white and if you dye your hair blonde, do not get your hair wet because of the brownish orange color from the iron, fountains you can drink with iron in it (we had a taste test between a few),
We love taking food tours, and our 20 year old enjoyed this one too with Hungry Whales.
You sample foods with drinks from restaurants and then they cook local foods for you with drinks.
Day 3
Our FAVORITE excursion with @azores_epic_adventures
Canyoning half day – so much fun. Do not miss this! They are a 2 person outfitter company, taking you down a creek in a fun and warm and safe way.
Eat a late dinner!
Day 4
Fire Lake – Travel Tip: if it is totally cloudy, keep driving to the next or the next or the next lookout because you may have good luck!
Then drive down to city center of Riberia Grande for a snack at 1:30. It has a cute town square piazza.
Our tour agency KimKim said this is the best little village to visit.
We ate at A Merrenda Grelhados-grill house (an outdoor cafe).
Day 5:
Whale Watching half day. If raining they will still go. They provide wet rainy gear except for shoes. Beautiful! They have different whales year round.
They have the sweet cobbled streets and alleyways with outdoor cafes-very European!
