São Miguel 2-Day Tour Volcanoes, Lakes and Hot Springs Azores
- Duration2 days
- Daily
- Group
- Pickup available
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Overview
This two-day small-group tour covers the whole of São Miguel at a relaxed pace. With a certified local guide and no more than 8 guests, you visit Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo, Furnas and Nordeste, stopping at viewpoints, villages and natural attractions with time for photographs. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included across Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande, Lagoa and Vila Franca, plus bottled water and insurance. The second day is booked automatically for the next day.
Highlights
- Two full days of guided touring around São Miguel
- Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo, Furnas and Nordeste in one trip
- Small group of up to 8 participants with a certified local guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in the Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande, Lagoa and Vila Franca area
- Air-conditioned vehicle and bottled water
- Free time at key places for photographs and walks
Full Description
Sete Cidades crater and its twin lakes
Sete Cidades is a huge volcanic caldera on the western end of São Miguel, holding the twin lakes Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde side by side. Travellers who search for "Sete Cidades tour" or "Sete Cidades viewpoints" want the sweeping view from the rim, and the guide stops at the best lookouts, then takes you down to the small village at the lake edge.
Allow time for photographs and a walk, because the light and clouds change quickly. On a two-day tour the schedule is relaxed, so if the lakes are covered in mist the guide can move on and return later in the day.
Lagoa do Fogo, the lake in the middle of the island
Lagoa do Fogo, the Fire Lake, lies high in the centre of São Miguel inside a protected nature reserve, surrounded by steep green crater walls. Its water looks deep blue, and on a clear day the view from the lookout is among the most beautiful on the island. Many travellers ask "is Lagoa do Fogo worth it" and the answer is yes, if the weather lets you see it.
It sits at altitude, so it is cooler and often cloudy; the guide watches the forecast and chooses the best moment. Walking down to the shore is possible on some trails, but this tour concentrates on the viewpoints and on explaining how the volcano formed.
Furnas valley, hot springs and traditions
Furnas is the most volcanically active valley on the island, with steaming fumaroles, mineral springs and Furnas Lake. Visitors often search for "hot springs in Furnas São Miguel" and "Terra Nostra Park", and the tour gives you time to see the valley, with an optional soak in the thermal pools if you bring swimwear and a towel.
The village is famous for cozido, a stew cooked slowly in the hot ground. Meals, entrance fees and optional activities such as the hot springs are not included, but your guide can advise what is worth doing and how much time to allow.
Nordeste, the green northeast coast
Nordeste is the quiet northeast corner of São Miguel, with steep valleys, terraced fields, small villages and dramatic cliffs falling into the Atlantic. Lookouts on the coast, such as Ponta do Sossego, are among the most photographed spots on the island.
People often ask how many days to spend on São Miguel. Two days of guided touring means you reach both ends of the island without rushing, and the order of the days may change according to the weather or the operating schedule. Many guests find that the second morning feels easier, because the guide already knows what everyone enjoys most.
Itinerary
- Day 1 pickupHotel pickup starts at nine in the morning and can continue until about a quarter to ten.
- Guided touring, first dayA full day of viewpoints, villages and natural attractions with free time for photographs.
- Lunch breakA break for lunch, which is not included in the option.
- Return to your hotel, day 1Drop-off at your accommodation in the late afternoon.
- Day 2 pickupThe second day is confirmed automatically for the following day, with the same pickup.
- Guided touring, second dayThe remaining highlights among Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo, Furnas and Nordeste; the order can change.
- Return to your hotel, day 2Drop-off at your accommodation at the end of the second day.
What's included
- Certified local guide
- Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in the Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande, Lagoa and Vila Franca area
- Small group of up to 8 participants
- Two full days of guided touring around São Miguel
- Visits to Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo, Furnas and Nordeste
- Bottled water
- Insurance
Not included
- Meals
- Entrance fees
- Optional activities such as the hot springs
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Travellers without a car — hotel pickup is included
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.7/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You prefer short outings — this takes 2 days
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Cruise ship guests, because the tour takes two consecutive days
- Guests with reduced mobility
- Non-folding wheelchairs and strollers
Meeting point
Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande, Lagoa and Vila Franca area, with many pickup points. Pickups start at nine in the morning and can run until about a quarter to ten when several hotels are visited. Your exact time is confirmed after booking.
Important information
- Select one date; the second day is booked automatically for the following day, so you must be free on both consecutive days.
- Meals, entrance fees and optional activities such as the hot springs are not included.
- Bring comfortable walking shoes, a light jacket, swimwear and a towel if you want to visit the hot springs.
- The order of the daily itineraries may change depending on weather or operations.
- Pickups begin at nine in the morning and can run until about a quarter to ten.
- Please tell us about any dietary needs or mobility limitations before booking.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the 2-day São Miguel tour cost?
The price depends on the option and the number of travellers. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for adults and children for the two days.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included in the Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande, Lagoa and Vila Franca area on both days.
How long is the tour?
It is two full consecutive days, each starting in the morning and finishing in the late afternoon.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, there is a child rate. Two long days can be tiring for small children, so plan snacks and rest.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable shoes, layers, a light jacket, swimwear and a towel for the hot springs if you want to bathe.
Are meals and entrance fees included?
No. Meals, entrance fees and optional activities such as the hot springs are not included. Bottled water is provided.
How does booking two days work?
You choose one date in the booking panel, and the second day is confirmed automatically for the next day. Please make sure you are available on both.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
You can choose any available date in the booking panel. Since two days are needed, check the availability for both.
How many days do I need to see São Miguel?
Two days let you see the crater lakes, Furnas and the northeast comfortably without rushing.
Is it suitable for cruise passengers?
No. Cruise ship guests cannot use this tour because it takes two consecutive days. See our half-day and day tours instead.
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