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Discover the ‘Green Island’

The Azores – Europe's westernmost frontier
 
With the freedom that a hire car brings, explore verdant São Miguel from a tranquil, high-quality hotel, enjoying scenic, self-guided walks which reveal the island’s unique volcanic landscapes. A whale-watching excursion is included to offer a different perspective of this remarkable island.
Discover the ‘Green Island’. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
Discover the ‘Green Island’. 7 nights
+44 (0)1653 617001 Call now
 

Holiday information

 

A walking holiday on São Miguel

The Azores, some 800 miles west of mainland Portugal, remain one of Europe’s most impressive and least-discovered outposts. This extraordinary archipelago has historically formed a vital link between the Old and New Worlds, with a distinctive history and culture. The fusion of vivid green landscapes (the result of the humid climate) and dramatic volcanic scenery lends them a unique feel, and culturally, too, the mix is fascinating – striking Baroque churches built by the pioneers, bustling ports, great religious festivals.
Walking is the best way to discover São Miguel with its volcanic landscapes and lush vegetation, which includes pockets of ancient laurisilva forest, tropical plants, hydrangeas and cedars. To fully show you the great scenic variety, we suggest walks in different corners of the island, all accessed using your hire car.
 
Gallery

 

Itinerary

The key to Inntravel holidays is flexibility. You can start on the day of your choice, and are free to add extra nights. There’s no fixed itinerary, so take your pick of our suggested walking routes as the mood takes you.
  • The average maximum daytime temperatures and monthly rainfall relate to the nearest weather station and are intended as a guide only.

    The Azores' location in the Atlantic makes for changeable weather, characterised by wet winters and bright, temperate summers. June and July are the best months for flowers.
    Average temperatures and rainfall
      Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    °C 16 16 16 17 19 21 23 25 24 21 18 17
    mm 135 110 106 72 56 39 32 41 84 114 133 124
  • Arrival in Ponte Delgada
    Night 1: at Hotel do Cólegio (where you spend one night).

    As your first night’s accommodation is on the day of travel, the following day – when your hire car will be delivered in the morning, leaving you free to make your way towards Furnas and the Terra Garden Nostra Boutique Hotel at a time of your choosing – is your first day of exploration.
  • 3km to 4.5km

    Around Maia: 3km, 1hr; ascent/descent 60m
    This short circular route from the coastal village of Maia is the perfect introduction to São Miguel’s scenic north. Take time to explore the village and tobacco factory museum (one of the oldest on the island and well worth a visit) before joining a footpath that runs along the headland and back into Maia. (Driving time from hotel: 25 minutes)

    Chá Gorreana: 3km, 1.5hrs; ascent/descent 170m
    Also on the north coast is Chá Gorreana – Europe’s oldest remaining tea plantation. Wander through the neatly manicured terraces where the tea is grown, and afterwards pay a visit to the 19th-century factory to witness the Victorian machinery in action! (Driving time from hotel: 20 minutes)

    The Serra Devassa: 4.5km, 1.5hrs; ascent/descent 165m
    This gentle route makes an excellent extension to the Sete Cidades circuit (see Grade 2 walking routes) but is also a pleasant option in its own right. It winds across open moorland and offers great views down to the west coast, before leading you to two small crater lakes where there is the chance to swim; you can also explore a number of other smaller lakes nearby. (Driving time from hotel: 1 hour 15 minutes)
    Explore the tea plantation of Chá Gorreana
    Around Maia: 3km
    Chá Gorreana: 3km
    The Serra Devassa: 4.5km
  • 4km to 11.5km

    Praia do Viola: 6km, 2.5hrs; ascent 240m/descent 420m; longer option: 11.5km, 5hrs
    Starting from Maia in the north, this route heads east along a delightful coastal path, passing a series of ruined watermills before reaching the black-sand beach of Viola. Test out the waters before retracing your steps. For a more challenging day, there is the option to continue farther along the coast. (Driving time from hotel: 25 minutes)

    Fenais de Ajuda: 5.5km, 2.5hrs; ascent/descent 300m
    This short but demanding circular route begins in the north coast hamlet of Fenais de Ajuda. After initially following a quiet country lane, the undulating route descends to the coast to reach a lovely waterfall and pool. You return to Fenais through peaceful woodland, ascending steeply at times. (Driving time from hotel: 25 minutes)

    Furnas Lake: 9.5km, 3hrs; ascent/descent 270m
    Starting from the door of your hotel, this easy walk winds through open meadows and mixed woodland, passing steaming bubbling hot springs to reach a low-level crater lake. Make your way around the volcanic shores of the lake before returning to Furnas.

    Sanguinho Valley: 4km, 1.5hrs; ascent/descent 250m
    One of our favourite routes, this short but adventurous ‘jungle’ walk traverses the densely forested Sanguinho Valley, crossing streams and rivers to reach a secluded waterfall. In summer, the displays of flowers are fantastic, with acacias, banksias and yellow ginger lilies lining the trail. To return to your car, head back down the valley on a different path. (Driving time from hotel: 40 minutes)

    Janela do Inferno: 7.5km, 3hrs; ascent/descent 275m
    This varied circular route explores the southern slopes of the island, passing through farmland and entering a secret valley of tunnels, aqueducts, waterways and the ominously named Janela do Inferno (‘window to hell’), a small waterfall bursting from the rockface. (Driving time from hotel: 1 hour 10 minutes)
    Walk from Fenais de Ajuda to the coast
    On the circular walk in the Sanguinho Valley
    En route to Janela do Inferno
    Praia do Viola, longer option: 11.5km
    Fenais de Ajuda: 5.5km
    Furnas Lake: 9.5km
    Sanguinho Valley: 4km
    Janela do Inferno: 7.5km
  • 11km or 12km

    Fire Lake: 11km, 4.5hrs; ascent/descent 390m
    The target of this circular walk is the 'fire lake' of Fogo, so named as the 1563 eruption that formed the crater it occupies caused a bright glow visible for miles around. You approach the lake via the island’s southern slopes, walking alongside a levada and through ancient forested landscapes to reach its shores. Enjoy wonderful views of the lake’s azure-green waters, before descending to your car along the same route. (Driving time from hotel: 40 minutes)

    Sete Cidades: 12km, 4hrs; ascent/descent 440m
    Beginning at the Vista do Rei viewpoint, this unmissable circuit reveals the twin crater lakes of Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde, the iconic images of the Azores. As you follow a cinder track around the edge of the vast crater rim, you are treated to spectacular views across the lakes and to the sea beyond. From the ridge, descend to the village of Sete Cidades and the clear blue waters of these famous lakes. (Driving time from hotel: 1 hour 10 minutes)
    The 'fire lake' of Fogo
    Sete Cidades
    Fire Lake: 11km
    Sete Cidades: 12km
  • Follow our driving tours
    There are numerous options for exploring by car. We provide notes for two driving tours which take in some of the island’s best sights, such as the crater lakes, bubbling springs and steaming fumaroles of the south, and the more remote far eastern end of the island.
  • Half-day excursion included
    The Azores are set in one of the world’s most important areas for marine mammals. Your half-day excursion with Terra Azul explores the waters off the south coast in search of sperm whales, pilot whales, dolphins and turtles. We normally book this for your third day so as to give you the opportunity to repeat the boat trip free of charge if no cetaceans are spotted first time around.
    Whale-watching tour
 

Accommodation

Your accommodation on the island is full of character.
 

Extend your stay

 
Prices & travel options
All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.
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  • 7 nights: 01 May 2024 - 30 September 2024 & 01 May 2025 - 30 September 2025

    Start any day (via Lisbon) | End by latest date(s) shown above

    Starting Price Single room
    1 - 16 May 2024 £1845 £660
    17 May - 30 Jun 2024 £1910 £660
    1 Jul - 23 Sep 2024 £2020 £710
    1 - 16 May 2025 £1920 £690
    17 May - 30 Jun 2025 £1990 £690
    1 Jul - 23 Sep 2025 £2105 £740
    3rd & 4th person discount -£190 to -£195
    Single traveller supplement £190 to £200

    Includes accommodation, meals and services integral to the holiday as described, plus walking notes and maps, but no travel from the UK, nor any connecting travel from the airport unless stated below.

    Price includes: 6 days' category C car hire (eg Ford Fiesta or similar with manual transmission), delivered to your accommodation on day 1

    Book your flights through us and we'll find the best route and times to suit you. Please contact us to find out more about our flight booking service. We can also book connecting travel - see below.

  • Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

    Hotel do Cólegio, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel
    Superior: 01 May - 30 Sep 2024 £8
    Superior: 01 May - 30 Sep 2025 £8
    Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, Furnas
    Superior with garden view: 01 May - 30 Sep 2024 £55
    Superior with garden view: 01 May - 30 Sep 2025 £57

    Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

    Solar do Lalém prices include an additional day's car hire
    Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, Furnas (B&B) Double room Single room
    01 May - 30 Sep 2024 £235 £360
    01 May - 30 Sep 2025 £245 £375
  • RECOMMENDED AIRPORT(S):
    São Miguel (latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure times are flexible)

    Travelling from the UK

    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Lisbon. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    Travelling from outside the UK
    We have many years' experience catering for customers who live outside the UK, and will be happy to make tailored arrangements to fit with your plans.

    You have two options:

    1) Book your own flights to London, from where we can book flights and onward connecting travel to your hotel.

    2) Book your own flights direct to an airport appropriate to your chosen holiday. You can either make your own way from the airport to the hotel, or we'll be happy to book onward connecting travel for you. Please consult with us before booking your flights, so that we can advise you on the suitability of your proposed route and timings.
    Outward route Airline
    Gatwick - Ponta Delgada (via Lisbon) Azores Airlines (SATA),  TAP Air Portugal 
    Gatwick - Ponta Delgada (via Porto) TAP Air Portugal 
    Outward route Airline
    Heathrow - Ponta Delgada British Airways 
    Heathrow - Ponta Delgada (via Lisbon) Azores Airlines (SATA),  TAP Air Portugal 
    Outward route Airline
    Stansted - Ponta Delgada Azores Airlines (SATA),  Ryanair 
    Outward route Airline
    Manchester - Ponta Delgada (via Lisbon) TAP Air Portugal 
    Travelling from outside the UK

    If you are flying from outside Europe,  we recommend flying via Lisbon. To discuss onward connecting travel to the start of your holiday, please contact us.

    This list of flight options should be used as a guide only, and you should check each airline’s website for current routes, frequency and schedules. Not all flights operate daily, and may not run for the entire season. You should also heed the latest flight arrival time and earliest flight departure time stated in the connecting travel section, as it may not be possible to arrange connecting travel outside these times. Please do not book your flights until we have confirmed your accommodation to you. Alternatively, our expert reservations team will be happy to offer advice and to make flight bookings for you for any of the options listed above. We charge £35 per person for our flight booking service. Your flights are then covered by our package-booking conditions, which give you greater protection in the event of delay or cancellation, as well as providing ATOL cover.

What is included
  • 7 nights
  • 7 breakfasts
  • route notes and maps
  • GPS navigation
  • 6 days' category C car hire
  • whale-watching excursion
 
Reviews

If you've experienced this holiday first hand, why not write a review?

We are keen for as many customers as possible to review their holiday. To make it easier to do so, we include a specific review section on our post-holiday questionnaire, and this is what we publish here, unedited. Read our full review policy >

 

FAQs

If you have any questions relating to this or any other Inntravel holiday, our friendly travel experts will be happy to help. You might also find our General FAQs section helpful.
  • We’ll send you route notes and maps 2-3 weeks before your holiday. The route notes not only contain directions to get from A to B, but also include practical information about places of interest and eateries along each route, plus cultural information about the area. If/when you are moving between hotels, you leave your luggage in reception as you leave, and it will be transferred ahead to your next accommodation, meaning that all you need to take with you are a camera, sun cream, drinks, food and waterproofs.

    For more detailed information, see our walking holidays in Europe page.
  • Yes, prior to going on holiday you will be able to download GPX tracks so that you can follow your route on your smartphone or dedicated GPS device if you wish. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you use them – our detailed, step-by-step route notes remain the principal means of guiding you from A to B – but we provide them as a secondary means of navigation for additional reassurance when walking.
  • We can book a wide range of routes from the UK with a variety of airlines. As well as being more convenient for you to book all elements of your holiday together, it also means that we’ll accept liability for your travel arrangements, so if things go wrong, such as the airline going bust, we’ll make suitable alternative arrangements for you. The fee for this service is £35 per person (£15 for children aged 2-11). More information on flights >
  • We can’t book flights that originate outside the UK, but if you wanted to book your own flights to London (or elsewhere in the UK), we can make all onward travel arrangements (including flights) from there. Alternatively, if you are booking your own flights to an airport in continental Europe that’s appropriate for your holiday, we can book onward rail travel and/or taxis. More information about how we can tailor holidays for customers outside the UK >
  • Since our holidays are self-guided, we recommend calling us for a chat about your plans before making a booking, especially if it’s the first time you’ve booked with us.
    The price panel shows the supplement for a single room and also the single traveller charge (this covers (luggage) transfers and other costs which are usually shared between two people).
  • Once you’ve decided on your exact itinerary (our travel experts will be happy to offer advice), you need to provide us with your party’s details, either by phone or via our booking form. At this point we also ask you to pay a deposit so that we can secure a room for you immediately on confirming availability with the hotel(s). If it turns out that we can’t secure the accommodation for the holiday you’ve requested, or offer an acceptable alternative, we’ll refund your deposit promptly and in full. After booking your accommodation and other key elements, we'll then book your travel (or you can do so if you’re making your own arrangements) and send you a Booking Confirmation and Invoice.

    More information about the booking process >
    Information about accommodation, general practicalities and more >
    Booking conditions >
  • Yes, it’s something we insist on, even for holidays in the UK. The vast majority of holidays go smoothly, but when things go wrong, it can be expensive to put them right. Buying a new pair of walking boots after your suitcase is stolen mightn’t seem so bad, but the bill for being airlifted down from a mountain with a broken leg or flown home while still recovering from an illness or accident can incur a five or six-figure bill.

    Many insurers offer travel insurance (you can find details on our insurance page of a policy that you may like to consider if you are a UK resident), but you do need to make sure that you’re covered for medical emergencies – including falling ill with Covid-19 while on holiday – and repatriation. We also recommend that you are covered for other eventualities, such as cancellation and loss of luggage and passports.

    When you purchase a policy, be sure to check that it covers the activities you'll be doing on holiday and that it is adequate for your own individual needs.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure you are in possession of the correct travel documents, with the correct validity. If you’re a UK citizen, you need a full British passport to travel to Portugal, Madeira and the Azores, but not a visa (please note, however, that a new travel authorisation system is being introduced). If you are a citizen of another country, you’ll need to check requirements with the national embassy or your own consulate.

    Current information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice for UK citizens can be found through the Travel Health Pro website. You must make sure you have adequate insurance cover for illness, accidents and repatriation (see the insurance question). You should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your EHIC has expired (if you have a still-valid EHIC, you can use this until it expires).
  • The official language is Portuguese. The currency is the Euro. Portuguese time is the same as GMT/UTC. It uses Daylight Saving Time, so in summer is on the same time as BST.
  • For information on the practicalities of travel now that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, visit www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein.
  • The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides up-to-date, country-by-country travel advice, as well as information on security, local laws, passports and visas for UK citizens.

    If you live outside the UK, see our essential travel information page for a list of relevant websites.
  • You are the best judge of your child’s/children’s capabilities. We are happy to take bookings for families of older children/teenagers if they walk regularly, love the outdoors and are comfortable with the distances and ascent/descent involved. Please note that the bedrooms at most of the accommodation we use will normally only sleep a maximum of 3 people, and sometimes only 2.
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