The Azores had been on my travel bucket list for a long time, and after spending a week on São Miguel Island, I can say that they not only met my expectations but exceeded them in many ways. Volcanic lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, the ocean, lush green hills, and weather that changes every few minutes. If you’re planning your first visit to the Azores, this 7-day itinerary will show you the island’s most beautiful places, and at the end you’ll also find a detailed budget breakdown.
How We Got to the Azores
Our journey started early in the morning with a bus ride from Bratislava to Vienna. After a short layover in Frankfurt, we boarded a roughly five-hour flight to Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island. The connection was a bit stressful, but in the end, we made it without any problems.
Upon arrival, we realized that our rental car was only available in the afternoon, so we took a short walk through the historic center of Ponta Delgada and enjoyed our first local snack. Afterward, we picked up the car and began exploring the island.
We rented the car through Drive On Holidays for €238 for 7 days. A €1,350 security deposit was required on a credit card, while the insurance was booked through Booking.
Day 1 – Northwest Coast and First Sunsets
On our first day, we headed to our accommodation, O Segredo da Ilha, located between the villages of Bretanha and Pilar on the island’s northwest coast. The cost was €291 for 3 nights for 4 people.
Along the way, we stopped at several beautiful viewpoints:
- Miradouro Mar de Cima
- Ponta do Escalvado
- Ponta da Ferraria
We ended the evening in the fishing village of Mosteiros and later relaxed in our villa, where everyone had their own bedroom. On our very first day, we experienced the Azores’ typical combination of sunshine and strong winds.
Day 2 – Sete Cidades & a Hidden Oceanfront Gem
The second day was dedicated to the island’s most famous attraction – Sete Cidades.
The weather was foggy and damp, but we still completed an approximately 8-kilometer loop around Lagoa Verde. Later, we also visited Lagoa Azul, but due to the dense fog, we decided to skip the viewpoints overlooking the crater.
Instead, we headed toward the coast, where the weather was much better. In the village of Feteiras, we found a local tavern where coffee, hot chocolate, and a beer cost us only €5.50 in total.
The biggest surprise of the day, however, was a place we probably would never have discovered without the Mapy.com app. From the Rocha da Relva parking area, a trail leads down to a small settlement by the ocean, where you’ll find the modest Atlantic Rock Point bar. The friendly owner, Humberto, prepared coffee, tea, and juice for us, and we spent several hours chatting and relaxing while enjoying views of the Atlantic Ocean. Unplanned stops like this often become the best part of traveling.
In the evening, we enjoyed an excellent dinner at Café Canto do Cais restaurant in Capelas. Such a delicious tuna steak.
Day 3 – Furnas, Geysers, and Jungle Adventures
We woke up to heavy rain and strong winds. Thanks to the SpotAzores app, however, we discovered that the weather was much better in the southeast of the island, so we headed to the town of Furnas.
During the day, we visited:
- Caldeiras volcanic geysers
- Tia Silvina hot spring
- Casa Invertida
- Parque da Grená
For €10 per person, we gained access to a stunning rainforest filled with waterfalls, a historic manor house, and numerous walking trails. More than 600 steps lead to the highest waterfall, but the views are absolutely worth the effort. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the sauna and jacuzzi surrounded by lush greenery in Grená Park.
In the evening, we tried the traditional Azorean dish Cozido das Furnas, which is cooked underground using volcanic heat.
Day 4 – The Best Views of Sete Cidades
After a rainy day, the sun finally came out.
In the morning, we stopped at Miradouro da Vista do Rei, offering spectacular views of the famous twin lakes of Sete Cidades. An abandoned hotel dating back to 1989 also stands here, giving the place a unique atmosphere.
Next, we completed one of the most beautiful hikes on the island:
- Lagoa do Canário
- Grota do Inferno
- Nove Janelas aqueducts
- Lagoa Rasa and Lagoa das Éguas
The trail was approximately 7 kilometers long with only moderate elevation gain.
In the afternoon, we visited the Ananases A Arruda pineapple plantation, where admission is free. Azorean pineapples are unique because they take between 18 and 24 months to grow. We sampled pineapple cake, juice, and ice cream while exploring the greenhouses.
Before heading to the island’s northeast coast, we also stopped at the Santa Iria and Miradouro do Cintrão viewpoints.
Day 5 – Lagoa do Fogo & Salto do Prego Waterfall
This day featured one of the most beautiful hikes of the entire trip.
We completed the approximately 11-kilometer PRC02 loop around Lagoa do Fogo, with an elevation gain of 570 meters.
The weather finally cooperated, and we enjoyed a picnic by the lake with tuna sandwiches. After the hike, we headed to Caloura, home to a natural swimming pool filled with water from the Atlantic Ocean. Over coffee and cake, we enjoyed one of the most peaceful afternoons of the trip.
We finished the day with another shorter hike to Salto do Prego waterfall. The trail is around 4 kilometers long, and the reward is the opportunity to swim beneath the waterfall.
On the way back, we stopped at the viewpoints Ponta do Sossego and Ponta da Madrugada. Both are among the most beautiful viewpoints on São Miguel’s eastern coast.
Day 6 – Waterfalls, Tea Plantations & Hot Springs
After leaving the northeast coast, we started the day at the fairy-tale-like Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park, one of the most photogenic places on the island.
We then made brief stops at Cascata do Risco and Poço Azul.
Next, we visited the Gorreana Tea Plantation, the oldest continuously operating tea plantation in Europe. We walked among the tea fields, enjoyed free tea tastings, and bought a few souvenirs.
In the afternoon came one of the highlights of the entire trip – Caldeira Velha. Admission costs €10 per person, and I highly recommend booking at least a day in advance. The thermal pools surrounded by lush vegetation feel like something from another world.
Before sunset, we also visited Salto do Cabrito waterfall and the viewpoints overlooking Lagoa do Fogo.
Our final accommodation in Vila Franca do Campo was also the best of the entire trip – a spacious house in an excellent location by the ocean. The price was €216 for 2 nights for 4 people.
Day 7 – Terra Nostra & Our Last Evening
Our last full day was rainy, but the Azores are beautiful even in this kind of weather.
First, we visited:
- Ribeira Quente
- The waterfall between the tunnels
- The town of Povoação
We then returned to Furnas, this time to visit the famous Terra Nostra Park. Admission was €17 and was absolutely worth it. We first wandered through the botanical gardens filled with exotic plants and later enjoyed bathing in the iconic yellow thermal pools.
In the evening, we said goodbye to the Azores at Restaurante Associação Agrícola de São Miguel, famous for serving some of the best steaks on the island.
Day 8 – Journey Home
Before our flight, we treated ourselves to one last pastel de nata in Ponta Delgada, bought a few souvenirs, and returned the rental car without any issues.
The flight home went smoothly, although a delay in Frankfurt caused us to miss our original bus back to Vienna.
Azores Budget (8 Days / 7 Nights)
| Item | Cost per Person |
| Flights | €324 |
| Accommodation | €174 |
| Car Rental | €60 |
| Fuel | €22 |
| Food & Drinks | €225 |
| Entrance Fees | €38 |
| Other (taxi, parking, transport) | €23 |
| Total excluding flights | €542 |
| Total including flights | €866 |
Are the Azores Worth Visiting?
Absolutely YES!
São Miguel offers a combination of the best aspects of Iceland, Madeira, and Hawaii, but at significantly lower prices and with far fewer tourists. You’ll find hot springs, volcanic lakes, green hills, waterfalls, and fantastic food.
If I were to return, I would definitely rent a car again. The freedom to stop at a random viewpoint, discover a hidden oceanfront café, or adjust your plans according to the weather is what makes the Azores such an unforgettable destination.
That said, next time I would probably explore some of the other Azorean islands—after all, there are nine of them.
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