S. Miguel (Sao Miguel), known as "The Green Island", is the largest and most populated island of the Azores as well as the home to the Presidency of the Autonomous Region of the Azores. S. Miguel island has a surface area of approximately 293 square miles (759 km2). S. Miguel's population is around 150.000 inhabitants.
Furnas Lake
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S. Miguel's diverse scenery is a pleasant awakening to visitors. Its beautiful lakes, sandy beaches, rolling hills, high mountains, green plains, and blue ocean exults a sense that sometime somewhere Switzerland and Hawaii had a child.
S. Miguel is also the island in the Azores with the most offer. Its cosmopolitan town of Ponta Delgada (50 thousand habitants) offers the visitor a blend of contemporary amenities with a historic flavor. Its monuments, turn of the century architecture, parks and cobble stone streets are interlaced with a modern marina, nice restaurants, shopping, bars, night-clubs, and ocean-front cafes.
S. Miguel is known for is award winning Terra Nostra Park, wonderful golf courses, lakes, beaches, land, century-old architecture, majestic scenery, and most of all, its people. S. Miguel is unlike any other destination in the world. Once you come you will want to come back.
Activities in S. Miguel include whale watching, swimming with dolphins, walking and trekking, diving, fishing, jeep safaris, bird watching, sailing, snorkeling, swimming, golf and many other outdoor and indoor activities.
The weather is best between June and October with the hottest months being July, August and September. November to January is also pleasant but temperatures dip a bit. February through May tend to be on the rainy side.
The Convent and Chapel of Our Lady of Hope, known as Convento de Esperança or simply Saint Christ's Church Igreja do Senhor Santo Cristo, is home to the magnificent statue of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres (Christ of Miracles), the patron of the largest religious festival in the Azores.
The Sant'Ana" Palace, a 19th century construction surrounded by beautiful gardens is actually the residence of the President of the Regional Government of the Azores (it is not open daily).
The museum Carlos Machado in Ponta Delgada, an excellent institution with permanent exhibitions.
The Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake). The hiker may reach the lake along well travelled paths.
The Ermida da Senhora da Paz (Our Lady of Peace Chapel), an authentic Marian sanctuary constructed on a mount provides an excellent view of the village and of the islet. The Ilheu (Islet) of Vila Franca do Campo, protected as a Natural Reserve, is approximately 1 km from the coastline. The Ilheu is also a great swimming hole.
The Furnas lake, surrounded by a beautiful flowered shore.
The area of the Caldeiras ( Hot Springs ) at the lake, serve as a natural kitchen. Cooking by burying pots of food in the earth is a tradition that provides a fantastic meal of mixed meats and vegetables.
In the town of Furnas the Caldeiras are even more spectacular. Many openings in the earth sprout geysers of boiling hot water.
The "Terra Nostra" Park, behind the hotel of the same name, is one of the most beautiful parks in São Miguel . This 18th century park consists of small lakes, and streams, bushes of colourful and exotic flowers and century old trees of great botanical value. A lake that works like a pool of thermal iron water where you can relax in hot water.
Nordeste (Northeast), is one of the most attractive municipalities in Sao Miguel . The look-out points, Ponta da Madrugada, Ponta do Sossego, Salto da Farinha, and the Ponta do Estorninho, among others are worth stopping at to admire the flowers and the amazing landscape.
Pico da Vara, the highest point on the island, with an altitude of 1105m, is a challenging one and a half to two hour walk along a path which offers magnificent scenery of nature in the most primitive form. Pico da Vara is considered Natural Reserve, and a previous authorisation by the Regional Forestry Ministry may be required.
Sete Cidades twin lakes, the biggest extinct volcano crater in the Azores with 12 km perimeter.
Several beaches all over the island where you can swim, including Melicias (just outside Ponta Delgada, Agua D'Alto (Agua de Pau), Vinha d'Areia (Vila Franca do Campo), Moinhos (Porto Formoso), Mosteiros and Ribeira Quente.
Some of the local Festivals:
Festa Sr dos Enfermos (Furnas-the streets are covered with azaleas and other flowers for the procession - first Sunday after Easter Sunday.
Festa Sr Santo Cristo dos Milagres (Ponta Delgada) - fifth Sunday after Easter Sunday.
Festas de S. Joao da Vila (Vila Franca) - 23th of June
Cavalhadas de S. Pedro (Ribeira Grande) - 28th of June
Semana do Chicharro (Ribeira Quente) - middle of July
Directions
The airport is about 1.2 miles (2 km) from downtown Ponta Delgada and provides daily flights to Europe via Lisbon as well as regular inter-island flights. Weekly flights from and to the United States and Canada as well as European cities such as London, Frankfurt and Zurick also available.
The Convent and Chapel of Our Lady of Hope, known as Convento de Esperança or simply Saint Christ's Church Igreja do Senhor Santo Cristo, is home to the magnificent statue of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres (Christ of Miracles), the patron of the largest religious festival in the Azores.
