São Miguel: What you can’t miss in 2023

The island of São Miguel is a green paradise with breathtaking landscapes and a holiday destination with unique characteristics. Get to know it!

In spring, it’s whale season

The Azores are known to be a true sanctuary for cetaceans! It is true that the archipelago is one of the best places in the world to observe these magnificent marine beings. There are animals that can be seen throughout the year, such as sperm whales, bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. We call these resident species.

During the spring and summer, coming from the south, the great baleen whales, such as the Fin Whale, the Sei Whale and the Blue Whale, arrive in the Azores.

These large cetaceans use the Azores as a “service station”, to feed and replenish energy, before continuing their migration northwards.

Book your Whale Watching activity with us here.

The biggest religious festival in the Azores

On the island of São Miguel, the biggest religious festivity of the archipelago takes place, the feast of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres. Senhor Santo Cristo is a piece of sacred art, which is worshiped at the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Esperança, located in Campo de São Francisco, in the city of Ponta Delgada. It takes place in the month of May, in the fifth week after Easter. This is a tribute to the Image of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres.

This festivity has a vast program of Eucharistic celebrations, with emphasis on the Procession on the Sunday of the feast, the Outdoor Mass and the changing of the Image of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres.

It attracts thousands of visitors, both residents of the island and the Azores, as well as tourists and emigrants, mostly from the United States of America and Canada, who return to their origins at this time of the year, and who pay their homage and their faith to the Senhor Santo Cristo. Others keep their promises to the Lord.

The cuisine to eat and cry for more!

São Miguel cuisine is rich in the best flavors from the sea and land. A simple gastronomy, but with refined flavors, from meat, fish, seafood and delicious desserts.

On the island of São Miguel, one of the most emblematic dishes is the famous Cozido das Caldeiras das Furnas. One of the most interesting aspects of this dish is its cooking method. The ingredients, such as beef, pork and chicken, chorizo, black pudding, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, kale, among others, are placed in a pot that is buried in the volcanic soil of Caldeiras Furnas. Its cooking time is approximately 6 hours. This way of cooking gives the dish a unique and differentiating flavor.

A very famous dish is also the Bife à Regional. Ideal for true meat lovers. This typical dish is made with beef from the Azores, which is tender and tasty. It is seasoned with ground pepper, a regional product, and lots of garlic. Normally, the steak is accompanied by french fries or rice. and a fried egg.

Another delicacy not to be missed are the fried chicharros with molho de vilão. A simple dish, but a true delight. The chicharros are fried in oil and served with a molho de vilão made with regional products, which attribute the special flavor to this sauce. They are accompanied by boiled potatoes, ground pepper and corn bread.

On the island of São Miguel, you can also try stewed octopus in the Azorean style. This traditional dish has as its main attraction the octopus from the Azores stewed with potatoes, involved in a delicious sauce made with red wine and ground pepper.

Other delicacies that you cannot miss are grilled limpets, pineapple from the Azores – simple or served with regional black pudding, pineapple liqueur or jam; bolo lêvedo, Gorreana or Porto Formoso tea.

Unique hot springs in tropical settings

São Miguel Island is a true thermal paradise of outdoor spas. The island can be your vacation retreat, to relax your body and mind. There are several spas that you cannot miss on your visit.

In the civil parish of Furnas we have Poça da Dona Beija and Terra Nostra Park. Two incredible thermal spaces, well prepared to welcome you. Poça da Dona Beija has several thermal pools for adults and children. You can visit with your family and with the little ones at ease. Its thermal waters are around 39ºC. Undoubtedly, in these spas you feel like you are in a SPA, but in the open air and surrounded by a magical natural setting. The space has several infrastructures that promote your comfort, such as changing rooms, bathrooms and locker rental. There is also a souvenir shop and water and soft drinks sale on site. Entry is not free.

Terra Nostra Park is also an open-air thermal space. However, it is distinguished by being a large bicentennial park. This is a botanical garden, dating back to the time when oranges were exported to the Azores, where you can find several endemic species from the Archipelago and from other parts of the world. The Park has a large thermal pool and two Jacuzzis. The temperature of its waters varies between 35ºC and 40ºC. The space has a changing area. Entry is not free.

In the municipality of Ribeira Grande, you will find the Natural Monument of Caldeira Velha. The space has several thermal pools involved in a tropical setting, as if you were in the middle of a forest. The water temperature is around 25ºC and 30ºC. Entrance is not free for tourists, but only for residents of the Island. If you want to visit the place, we recommend that you make your reservation in advance.

If we go southwest of São Miguel, we find Termas da Ferraria. In the so-called Ponta da Ferraria you can bathe in natural thermal pools, formed by the contact between lava and sea water. The sea water temperature can reach 30°C. The ideal time is when the tide is medium or low. Under these conditions, the water temperature will be pleasant to enjoy relaxing baths. It is free.

In the Termas da Ferraria complex there is also a thermal SPA. This consists of a set of thermal water pools. In this space you can perform various treatments, such as a treatment with thermal salt water together with sulfur, which helps in the treatment of some diseases. You can relax and at the same time take care of your health. In this space you will find a restaurant and spas. Entrance to these pools and the associated treatments are not free.