On the island of São Miguel there are several incredible beaches for some amazing sea and sun baths, with family, as a couple or with friends. All beaches have good pedestrian access, car parks, bars and changing rooms and are made of black sand due to its volcanic origin. Don't miss these:
Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara
Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara, located in the parish of Ribeira Seca, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, is one of the most famous beaches on the island. It is one of the most extensive beaches in the Azores, as it has approximately one kilometer. This beach presents its natural beauty with steep cliffs and black volcanic sand, as is typical of the beaches of the Azores.
Areal de Santa Bárbara is known nationally and internationally for its favorable conditions for water sports, such as surfing and bodyboarding. The beach has good infrastructure for visitors. In the area you will find bars, changing rooms and car parks. From this beach, you can enjoy a wonderful and vibrant sunset at any time of the year, directly from the north coast of São Miguel.
Praia dos Moinhos
Praia dos Moinhos is also one of the beaches in São Miguel that you cannot miss. This one is also known as Praia de Porto Formoso and is located in the parish of the same name, Porto Formoso, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande. Its sand is greyish in color, due to its volcanic origin. Its fresh waters are distinguished by their amazing emerald green color. The beach has excellent support infrastructure for visitors, such as changing rooms and a beach bar.
Praia dos Mosteiros
Praia dos Mosteiros is located in the parish of Mosteiros, in the municipality of Ponta Delgada. It is a relatively small beach, but it has a unique beauty. As typical of volcanic beaches, it has black sand, into which one riverside flows from the ridges, that is, from mountains located to the east and which are part of the Caldera of the Sete Cidades volcano.
From the beach it is possible to see the Ilhéus dos Mosteiros, a set of four rocks right in front of the beach. Praia dos Mosteiros is known for being one of the best spots to watch the sunset on the island of São Miguel. You can enjoy a wonderful landscape with the sun hiding behind these islets. A divine view! The beach has changing rooms and parking.
Praia do Fogo
Praia do Fogo, also known as Praia da Ribeira Quente, is located in the parish of Ribeira Quente, in the municipality of Povoação. This is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island of São Miguel. Its name is due to the temperature of the sea water, which is warm, as the beach is located in a place where there are several underwater hydrothermal springs. The beach has a large sandy area and is located between the sea and the mountains, making it a very beautiful natural landscape.
Praia das Milícias
Praia das Milícias is one of the most frequented and best known beaches on the island of São Miguel. It is located four kilometers from the city of Ponta Delgada. Like all other beaches in the Azores, it has dark sand, due to its volcanic origins. The beach has good access and good support infrastructure for those who visit it. It has parking lots, changing rooms and bars. In addition, it has access for people with reduced mobility.
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