The beautiful island, nicknamed ‘The Green Island’ due to its miles of untouched rainforests, is the largest and most populous island in the Azores.
Unlike the UK, temperatures remain fairly mild on São Miguel Island in the winter months, with highs of 18C in December and night-time temperatures of 15C, making it the perfect option for a winter holiday.
Being the largest of the Portuguese Azores, São Miguel offers plenty to do for couples and families. One of the island’s highlights is dolphin and whale watching. In fact, the Azores are Europe’s number one destination for whale and dolphin watching.
There are a plethora of dolphin and whale-watching boat tours available in São Miguel, which vary in price from around £30 per person to £60.
There is also the option to go on a three-hour private marine wildlife boat tour, which costs around £500 for a small group.
GƋëlle D, who took the Private Marine Wildlife Boat Tour, claimed it was a “wonderful experience” on Tripadvisor.
They said: “We saw a colony of around a hundred Atlantic spotted dolphins, including a baby who gave us several somersaults above the water. Through perseverance we were able to observe a mother sperm whale and her calf who when diving allowed us to see her magnificent caudal fin out of the water.”
Other activities on São Miguel include visiting some of the island’s magical natural sites.
Caldeira das Sete Cidades is a vast caldera formed by massive volcanic eruptions and collapses. Travellers can hike along the rim, or down by the lakes.
The caldera holds two lakes, one green and one blue, surrounded by lush vegetation, green meadows, and magical woodland.
One visitor to the site claimed it was “unbelievably beautiful” on Tripadvisor, while another said it was “very scenic”.
Another must-see attraction in São Miguel is Lagoa do Fogo, a crater lake within the Água de Pau Massif stratovolcano in the middle of São Miguel.
The stunning blue lake is surrounded by bright green cliffs and vegetation and offers visitors plenty of viewpoints for photo opportunities and picnics.
Nature lovers can also visit Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões, a beautiful park in Achada that is popular with both tourists and locals.
The park is known for its waterfall and 16th-century watermills. The park is located along the Guilherme River and is the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful stroll.
For those who aren’t keen on exploring nature or hiking, Ponta Delgada, the largest municipality in the Azores, offers plenty to do.
The city, located on the coast, is home to the Gothic-style Church of St Sebastian, which was built between 1531 and 1547, and the Convent and Chapel of Our Lady of Hope, which is renowned for its chapel dedicated to Holy Christ of Miracles.
The Carlos Machado Museum offers visitors the opportunity to learn all about the rich Azorean culture.
