São Miguel belongs to the eastern group of the  Azores and is the largest island of the archipelago. Probably the most famous natural wonder of São Miguel is Lagoa das Sete Cidades: in a huge volcanic crater lie the twin lakes, from the viewpoint Visto do Rei one gleams in blue, the other in green.

As another unique feature in the Azores, the island offers geysers and hot thermal springs that can be enjoyed for a bath.

The island holds small sandy beaches, caves, impressive cliffs and forts. And in fact, S. Miguel is not inferior to its reputation, but enchants travelers with lakes and landscapes of great beauty, vast plains dotted with flowers, and at the same time you can experience the hustle and bustle of a big city there. With Ponta Delgada airport, the island is the perfect starting point for island hopping.

In São Miguel you will find museums, imposing churches and palaces filled with art and historical treasures. But sports are not to be missed out either: golf, hiking, biking and horse riding are all possible on this beautiful island. The paths of the Natural Park of Ribeira dos Caldeirões or by climbing Pico da Vara, the highest peak of the island, you can experience all the beauty of São Miguel.

Besides Pico, São Miguel is a great place for whale watching, as many different species of whales and dolphins gather here. You can read more about this in our Azores Guide.

The botanical garden in Ponta Delgada is one of the most beautiful in the Azores. You will see a variety of exotic plants and trees here, including some endemic species.

So you can quickly tell that Sao Miguel fascinates nature lovers as well as culture and action fans!

There have been settlements on S. Miguel since 1444, after Henry the Navigator introduced cattle breeding to the island. The first inhabitants came from the Portuguese provinces of Estremadura, Upper Alentejo and the Algarve. Later, settlers from Madeira, Jews, Muslims and possibly French arrived. The export of oranges to England brought great prosperity to São Miguel at the end of the 18th century. The orange plantations were destroyed by the mildew that appeared in 1860, but the cultivation of new products such as tobacco, tea, flax, chicory, sugar beet and pineapple managed to avoid an economic collapse. Gradually, other industries were added, as well as the expansion of fishing and livestock. There have been settlements on S. Miguel since 1444, after Henry the Navigator introduced cattle breeding to the island. The first inhabitants came from the Portuguese provinces of Estremadura, Upper Alentejo and the Algarve. Later, settlers from Madeira, Jews, Muslims and possibly French arrived. The export of oranges to England brought great prosperity to São Miguel at the end of the 18th century. The orange plantations were destroyed by the mildew that appeared in 1860, but the cultivation of new products such as tobacco, tea, flax, chicory, sugar beet and pineapple managed to avoid an economic collapse. Gradually, other industries were added, as well as the expansion of fishing and livestock. Today, São Miguel is one of the centers of politics and administration of the region with economic boom.

Spending your vacation in São Miguel, you will get the chance to taste the most delicious pineapple ever. São Miguel is the only island that grows pineapples in Europe. They are extremely popular because of their sweet taste and special size.

Besides pineapple plantations, the island has the oldest tea production site in Europe: the Gorreana plantation. Taking a breath and drinking local tea should be added to your Azores Bucket List.

The Azores are famous for their cheese and wine. In addition, there is a special dish that exists in its true traditional form only in São Miguel: Cozido das Furnas. A stew that is prepared to the hot springs.