Ponte Delgada, São Miguel Island
Sao Miguel is filled to the brim with breathtaking sights and amazing experiences. From abundant Sealife including whale and dolphin watching to various water and land activities like coasteering, sailing, hiking and road cycling, this Island is filled with plenty of adventure, culture, volcanic activity and geothermal activity.
Furnas
On the Eastern part of São Miguel, you will find Furnas, the island’s oldest calderas. This town is alive with volcanic activity, and located throughout is an abundance of green mountains and vegetation, various hot springs and fumaroles, bubbling mud pools and even multicoloured geothermal fields.
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Pico do Ferro
If you want to see some of the most amazing views of the Island, Pico do Ferro is the place to go. To the left, you will be able to see the whole Furnas valley with its’ hot springs and tiny houses, whilst to the right, you’ll see the majestic Furnas Lake, which is one of the few spots where Lagoa do Fogo (or, crater lake) can be viewed from above!
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Terra Nostra Botanical Garden
Terra Nostra is a famous landmark in Furnas, showcasing a lovely hotel, restaurant, outdoor thermal pool and a beautiful botanical garden. Dating back to 1775, the garden has an exquisite collection of plants from all over the world, including the large Camelia Collection. Here you will be able to lose yourself in the magic of the garden oasis which is surrounded by extraordinary architectural treasures.
Vila Franca do Campo Islet – The Princess Ring
Located on the South coast of São Miguel is the Vila Franca do Campo Islet, also known as “The Princess Ring”. With volcanic origins, this small crater-shaped island is a very popular tourist attraction, with plenty of activities to do, including whale and dolphin watching tours, cliff diving and snorkelling. This Islet is also classified as a Natural Reserve and is known for its’ endemic vegetation, crystal clear lagoon and sunny beach for people to enjoy.
Gruta do Carvão – Coal Cave
This Regional Natural Monument is the largest lava tunnel on the Island of São Miguel, extending about 1912 meters. The cave is divided into 4 sections – Paim which extends 880.2 meters, Secadores de Tabaco, which extends 701.8 meters, João do Rego, which extends 287.4 meters and José Bensaude which extends 42.7 meters. The cave is also known for its’ wide variety of geological structures, aspects and phenomena, including gas bubbles, stalactites and basalt rocks that have a red and orange hue.
Caldeira Velha
Located on the perimeter of the Fogo Volcano is where you will find Caldeira Velha, also known as the Caldeira Velha Environmental Interpretation Centre. This National Monument is a beautiful place to visit, showcasing 3 manmade thermal pools and 1 natural waterfall pool. The Interpretation Centre also offers an interpretive trail, which allows visitors to learn about the background of the volcanic origins and the great biodiversity that the area has to offer.
Lagoa Do Fogo – Crater Lake
This national treasure is a stratovolcano which has formed over the last 15,000 years. As a result of eruptive activity in 1563, the lake has an irregular elliptical-shaped basin and is the highest elevated lake on São Miguel Island. Spanning nearly 3.2 kilometres in length, and 2.4 kilometres wide. To fully experience the beauty of Lagoa Do Fogo, you can access the Miradouro da Barossa and Lagoa do Fogo viewpoints, where you can enjoy the pristine views from all different angles!
Lagoa das Sete Cidades – Seven Cities Lake
Located in the volcanic craters that form the island is where you will find Lagoa das Sete Cidates, the largest freshwater lake in the Azores. It consists of two lagoons, Lagoa Verdes and Azul, reaching 33 metres deep and 4.2 kilometres in length. The lake showcases some of the most beautiful sights on the Island, surrounded by green fields of cultivation, and the wonderous and symbolic landscape of the Archipelago, which is classed as a Protected Landscape.
Not far from Lagoa das Sete Cidades, you’ll find one of the most well-known viewpoints in the area, Vista do Rei Belvedere. Also known as the King’s Viewpoint, Vista do Rei Belvedere is one of the most magnificent panoramic spots you’ll find in the Azores.
Why Choose IzzyTours?
- We have been leading bespoke school tours for Geography and Geology for over 15 years.
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Our tours are tailor-made to meet the needs of your group. Each trip can be easily amended to meet the curriculum or any other requirements such as budget. We work with local guides to go beyond what is normally possible on a trip.
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