The Azores are nine green volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic, and they belong to Portugal. You’ll find crater lakes, hot springs, tea plantations and whale watching here, and the weather can change several times in a single day. That’s why working out where to stay in the Azores really matters.
Your choice of base makes a big difference. Most people fly to São Miguel, where it’s just under an hour’s drive from Ponta Delgada to Furnas, and if you also want to see Terceira or Pico, you’ll need to carry on by plane or ferry. Here are my recommendations for seven areas and hotels across a range of price points.
Contents
Where to Stay in the Azores: The Best Areas
- Ponta Delgada - best area for first-time visitors
- Furnas - best area for hot springs
- Sete Cidades and Mosteiros - best area for crater lakes and sunsets
- Ribeira Grande - best area for surfing and the north coast
- Vila Franca do Campo - best area for families
- Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira - best area for history
- Madalena on Pico - best area for hiking and wine
Below, I go through the seven areas one by one, five on São Miguel and two on the neighbouring islands, with maps, practical facts and three hotels in each area, so you can find the base that suits your trip.
1. Ponta Delgada - best area for first-time visitors 🏙️
- 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re staying in the largest town in the Azores, with the waterfront, restaurants and car hire right on your doorstep.
- 🚗 Transport: You can walk around the centre, but to see the rest of the island you’ll need a hire car or guided tours.
- ✈️ Time from Ponta Delgada Airport: About 10 minutes by taxi, as the airport is less than 3 kilometres from the centre.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £90 to £400 per night when I searched for a weekend in July.
- 👮 Safety: Ponta Delgada is a very quiet town. The main thing to watch out for is the traffic along the harbour road, and keep an eye on your bag when it’s busy around the harbour.
Ponta Delgada is the obvious choice if it’s your first trip to the Azores, or if you only have a couple of days. It’s the main town on São Miguel, and it’s where most flights from Lisbon and Porto land. You have restaurants, bars and shops within walking distance, and many of the island’s whale-watching trips and guided tours leave from the marina.
The town’s landmark is Portas da Cidade, the three white arches on the waterfront. Behind them lies the historic centre with black-and-white cobbles, churches and little cafés, and a long promenade runs along the water past the marina. In the evening the terraces come alive, and it’s the only place on the island where you have plenty of restaurants to choose from.
See hotels in Ponta Delgada here.
Ponta Delgada Airport is just west of the town, so you’ll arrive quickly after landing. If you’re flying via Lisbon, you can read my guide to getting from Lisbon Airport to the city centre, and if you’d like a night or two in the capital on the way, I’ve also written about where to stay in Lisbon.
I’d choose Ponta Delgada for the first few nights of a longer trip or for a short break with day trips. Sete Cidades is about half an hour’s drive away, Ribeira Grande is even closer, and you can reach even Furnas in under an hour.
The downside is that you’re staying in a proper town with traffic and newer buildings on the outskirts, and you have to drive out to see what most people come for. So if you have more than four or five days, I’d also set aside a few nights elsewhere on the island.
Hotels in Ponta Delgada
Octant Ponta Delgada - best luxury hotel by the marina
Octant is a five-star hotel on Avenida João Bosco Mota Amaral by the marina, about a kilometre east of Portas da Cidade. You get a rooftop pool with views over the harbour, a spa and a restaurant, and it had one of the highest guest ratings in my search of the town. Some guests do feel the spa is small and could do with a refresh, though.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Excellent location, friendly staff, beautiful and clean rooms and a varied breakfast. Everything was excellent!”
See photos and book Octant Ponta Delgada here.
CASA DA GRAÇA - best mid-range choice with charm
Casa da Graça is a small bed and breakfast on Rua Ernesto do Canto, less than ten minutes’ walk from Portas da Cidade. It has a very high guest rating, and guests praise the breakfast and the hosts. There’s private parking, which is a bonus in the centre, but a few guests mention a damp smell.
One guest highlights the place on Booking.com: “The place was beautiful! Very cosy and clean!”
See photos and book CASA DA GRAÇA here.
Hotel Alcides - cheapest choice in the heart of the centre
Hotel Alcides is on Rua Hintze Ribeiro, a few minutes’ walk from Portas da Cidade, and was the cheapest of my three picks in Ponta Delgada. It’s a simple hotel with a restaurant and bar, and guests praise the location, the staff and the breakfast. The furniture is a little worn, and parking can be tricky if you’ve hired a car.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Good central hotel with comfortable rooms and helpful staff.”
See photos and book Hotel Alcides here.
2. Furnas - best area for hot springs ♨️
- 📍 Distance to Ponta Delgada: Around 45 kilometres to the east, and the drive takes about 50 minutes.
- 🚗 Transport: You can walk around the village and to the hot springs, but you’ll need a car to get around the rest of the island.
- ✈️ Time from Ponta Delgada Airport: About an hour by car or transfer.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £85 to £340 a night when I searched for a weekend in July.
- 👮 Safety: Furnas is a safe village. Stick to the paths around the boiling springs, as the ground and water are extremely hot, and drive carefully on the narrow roads when the fog rolls in.
Furnas sits in an old volcanic crater in the eastern part of São Miguel, and you notice it the moment you drive down into the valley. In the middle of the village, the hot springs steam and bubble, and there’s a smell of sulphur in the air. In my view, it’s the most unusual base on the island if you want warm baths and nature right on your doorstep.
The best-known attraction is the thermal pools. In Terra Nostra Park, you can bathe in a large pool of rust-brown, warm water in the middle of a botanical garden, and at Poça da Dona Beija there are smaller pools beneath the trees. Bring an old swimsuit, as the iron in the water can stain the fabric.
At Lagoa das Furnas, the local restaurants make the stew cozido in holes in the ground, where the heat from the volcano cooks meat and vegetables for several hours. You can try the dish at the restaurants in the village, and from Largo das Três Bicas there’s a waymarked circular walk of just over 9 kilometres around the lake.
In the evening, Furnas gets very quiet once the day-trippers have driven home. That’s exactly the point, as you’ll have the hot springs and trails more to yourself early in the morning and late in the day. The coast, with the fishing village of Ribeira Quente, is just a short drive to the south.
The downsides are the weather and the distance. The valley is often damper and foggier than the coast, and it’s a long way to Sete Cidades in the west. I’d choose Furnas for two or three nights as part of a longer trip around the island.
Hotels in Furnas
Landescape Furnas - best luxury choice with an adults-only spa
Landescape is a small adults-only bed and breakfast about 400 metres from the centre of Furnas, and it was the most expensive of my three picks in the area. You get an outdoor saltwater pool, a sauna and a Turkish bath, and guests praise the breakfast and the peace and quiet. A few guests mention a musty smell in the room.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Wonderful place! The host was lovely. Good food for breakfast and a lovely sauna and spa.”
See photos and book Landescape Furnas here.
Vista do Vale - Hotel - best mid-range hotel with a pool and views
Vista do Vale is a smaller hotel with a restaurant and an outdoor pool in the northern part of Furnas, and as the name suggests, you get views over the valley. Guests praise the staff, the view and the breakfast. The hotel is in need of renovation in places, and there’s no air conditioning in the rooms.
One guest highlights the staff on Booking.com: “Lovely hotel with a fantastic view and a great team of staff who make you feel welcome and at home.”
See photos and book Vista do Vale - Hotel here.
Atlantic 3 Bicas - Furnas - cheapest choice close to the lake
Atlantic 3 Bicas is a guesthouse on Largo das Três Bicas in the southern part of the village, where the trail around Lagoa das Furnas begins. It was the cheapest of my three picks, and there’s free parking and a shared kitchen. Some guests mention that the soundproofing between the rooms is poor.
One guest describes the place on Booking.com: “Clean, well-located and well-organised guesthouse with excellent facilities.”
See photos and book Atlantic 3 Bicas - Furnas here.
3. Sete Cidades and Mosteiros - best area for crater lakes and sunsets 🌋
- 📍 Distance to Ponta Delgada: Sete Cidades is about 25 kilometres north-west of the city, and Mosteiros is a little further out on the coast.
- 🚗 Transport: You’ll need a car. The villages are far apart, and the roads over the crater rim are steep and winding.
- ✈️ Time from Ponta Delgada Airport: About 35 minutes to Sete Cidades and 40 minutes to Mosteiros by car.
- 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three places below cost roughly £135 to £410 a night when I searched for a weekend in July.
- 👮 Safety: Both villages are very quiet. Only swim in the rock pools at Mosteiros when the sea is calm, as the waves can be powerful on this stretch of coast.
The western part of São Miguel is the place for you if you want to wake up close to the island’s most famous view. Sete Cidades is a small village at the bottom of a huge crater, and right next to it lies Lagoa das Sete Cidades, the largest lake in the Azores. It’s made up of a green part and a blue part, Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul.
You get the classic view over the two lakes from Miradouro da Vista do Rei on the crater rim, and from the village you can walk or cycle along the water. If you arrive early in the morning, before the day-trippers turn up, you’ll have the trails almost to yourself. The weather changes quickly out here, so check the forecast before you drive up to the viewpoints.
See hotels in Sete Cidades here and in Mosteiros here.
Mosteiros sits down on the coast north-west of the crater, with a black sand beach, natural rock pools and rocky islets out at sea. It’s one of the best places on the island for sunsets. There are only a few restaurants, so many people choose accommodation with a kitchen and pick up groceries on the way.
I’d choose this area for two or three nights if you want to hike, take photos and enjoy some peace and quiet. The downside is that you’re at the opposite end of the island from Furnas, and it’s a long way to shops and restaurants. So it’s a good idea to plan dinner in Ponta Delgada on your way back from a day trip.
Hotels in Sete Cidades and Mosteiros
Mosteiros Place - best luxury choice with a pool and sea views
Mosteiros Place is a four-star aparthotel on the hillside in the southern part of Mosteiros, with an outdoor pool, a children’s pool and views over the sea. It was the most expensive place in my search of the area, and guests praise the view, the tranquillity and the breakfast. There’s no restaurant on site and few places to eat nearby, so you’ll need a car for dinner.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Wonderful location with a fantastic sea view. We appreciate small places, and it was very peaceful as a result.”
See photos and book Mosteiros Place here.
Azure Loft - best mid-range choice close to the beach
Azure Loft is an apartment on Rua do Castelo, about a six-minute walk from the beach in Mosteiros, and there’s free parking. Guests praise the location and the facilities, but some mention that it’s an ordinary small flat rather than an actual loft. It’s best suited to a couple.
One guest writes briefly on Booking.com: “Very nice little apartment!”
See photos and book Azure Loft here.
Sete Cidades Nature Villa - cheapest choice down in the crater
Sete Cidades Nature Villa is in the village of Sete Cidades, about a 13-minute walk from Lagoa Azul and close to a mini-market. It was the cheapest of my three picks in the area, and you get a small house with a kitchen and garden. Guests do, however, mention damp and some maintenance that needs doing.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “Good location close to the lake and the mini-market.”
See photos and book Sete Cidades Nature Villa here.
4. Ribeira Grande - best area for surfing and the north coast 🏄
- 📍 Distance to Ponta Delgada: About 18 kilometres north, on the other side of the island.
- 🚗 Transport: The fast road across the island makes it easy to drive to Ponta Delgada, and from the town it’s a short trip to Caldeira Velha and Lagoa do Fogo.
- ✈️ Time from Ponta Delgada Airport: About 20 minutes by car.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £105 to £260 per night when I searched for a weekend in July.
- 👮 Safety: Ribeira Grande is a quiet town. The currents and waves at the beaches can be strong, so only swim where there’s a lifeguard, and follow the flags.
Ribeira Grande is the second-largest town on São Miguel and sits on the north coast, where the Atlantic sends big waves rolling in. Two of the island’s best sandy beaches are here, Praia de Santa Bárbara and Praia do Monte Verde, and Santa Bárbara in particular is popular with surfers. If you’re new to the board, you can take a lesson with one of the surf schools on the beach.
The town itself has an attractive centre with churches, a town garden by the river and the Ponte dos Oito Arcos, a bridge with eight arches. It’s less touristy than Ponta Delgada and there are fewer places to go out in the evening, but you can eat well at the restaurants in the centre and by the beaches.
See hotels in Ribeira Grande here.
The biggest advantage is the location close to the middle of the island. Just south of town is Caldeira Velha, where you can bathe in warm pools in the middle of a lush valley, and the road continues up to the crater lake Lagoa do Fogo. In the summer months, access to Lagoa do Fogo may be regulated with a shuttle bus and paid parking, so check the situation before you drive up.
São Miguel’s tea plantations are the only ones in Europe where tea is processed industrially, and one of them, Gorreana, lies further east along the north coast. I’d choose Ribeira Grande for surfers, for those who want beaches and nature close by, and as a slightly cheaper alternative to Ponta Delgada.
Hotels in Ribeira Grande
Hotel Verde Mar & SPA - best luxury hotel by the beach
Verde Mar is a five-star hotel about a four-minute walk from Praia do Monte Verde in the western part of town. You get an indoor and outdoor pool, an infinity pool with a view, a spa and a restaurant, and the hotel has a high guest rating from a large number of reviews. Guests mention that the restaurant menu is limited and a bit pricey.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Good hotel with a fantastic location and friendly staff.”
See photos and book Hotel Verde Mar & SPA here.
Terra Vivaz - Ribeira Cottage - best mid-range choice with a garden
Terra Vivaz is a small guesthouse in Ribeira Seca, just under 2 kilometres south of the centre and a little over a kilometre from the Ponte dos Oito Arcos. It has a very high guest rating, and guests praise the garden, the peace and quiet and the hosts. You’ll need to drive to the beach and restaurants, and a few guests find the sofa uncomfortable.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful cottage, very cosy and with a lovely garden.”
See photos and book Terra Vivaz - Ribeira Cottage here.
A Casa del Rei - cheapest choice in the middle of town
A Casa del Rei is a guesthouse on Rua Gonçalo Bezerra, close to the town garden in the centre and about a seven-minute walk from Praia do Monte Verde. It was the cheapest of my three picks, and guests praise the cleanliness, the spacious rooms and the staff. There’s free parking, but it can get noisy outside when the town is celebrating.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A clean, comfortable and well-thought-out place with friendly staff.”
See photos and book A Casa del Rei here.
5. Vila Franca do Campo - best area for families with children 🏖️
- 📍 Distance to Ponta Delgada: About 25 kilometres east along the south coast.
- 🚗 Getting around: You can walk around town and to the beaches, but you’ll need a car to see the rest of the island.
- ✈️ Time from Ponta Delgada Airport: About 30 minutes by car.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. The three places below cost around £115 to £255 per night when I searched for a weekend in July.
- 👮 Safety: Vila Franca do Campo is a quiet, family-friendly town. Keep an eye on the children by the piers and on the rocks, where the waves can wash up.
Vila Franca do Campo was São Miguel’s first capital until an earthquake and a landslide destroyed the town in 1522. Today it’s a charming harbour town on the south coast with a small centre around the church of São Miguel Arcanjo, a marina and several swimming spots. The town suits families who want a beach and short distances.
The town’s landmark is Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo, a small volcanic crater just under a kilometre out to sea. The crater is almost perfectly round and connects to the sea through a narrow opening, so there’s a lagoon of clear water inside. In summer, boats sail out from the harbour, and visitor numbers are limited, so book your ticket well in advance.
See hotels in Vila Franca do Campo here.
Just west of town is Praia de Água d’Alto, a long sandy beach, and heading east you’ll soon be in Furnas. The town is known for queijadas da Vila, small sweet cheesecakes you can buy in the bakeries and cafés in the centre.
Compared with Ponta Delgada, there are fewer restaurants and less going on in the evening, but in return you stay close to the water and right between the western and eastern parts of the island. I’d choose Vila Franca for a week of beach time and day trips where you don’t want to spend too long in the car.
If you can’t decide between the Azores and another Portuguese island in the Atlantic with warmer weather, read my guide to where to stay in Madeira.
Hotels in Vila Franca do Campo
Pestana Bahia Praia Nature & Beach Resort - best resort right on the beach
Pestana Bahia Praia is a four-star resort with direct access to the beach at Água d’Alto, about 3 kilometres west of the centre of Vila Franca. You get an outdoor pool, kids’ club, tennis court and restaurant, and it was the most expensive of my three picks in the area. Guests mention that parts of the hotel could do with a refresh and that the evening buffet is pricey.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A wonderful stay in the perfect location with staff who make you feel right at home!”
See photos and book Pestana Bahia Praia Nature & Beach Resort here.
Casa do Pescador 14 - best mid-range choice near the beach
Casa do Pescador 14 is a small holiday home on Rua dos Oleiros, about a three-minute walk from Praia do Corpo Santo beach and close to the centre. It has a high guest rating, a well-equipped kitchen and free parking, and guests praise the host. Some guests mention that the bed upstairs creaks.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A very sweet and cosy house with everything you need and more!”
See photos and book Casa do Pescador 14 here.
Vinha da Areia Beach Hotel - cheapest choice by the beach and marina
Vinha da Areia sits right by the beach and marina at the eastern end of town and was the cheapest of my three picks. There’s an outdoor pool with a view, open in season, and guests praise the location. However, the hotel has a lower guest rating than the others in this guide, and several mention worn facilities and a limited breakfast.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “A really nice location with the beach and marina right next door.”
See photos and book Vinha da Areia Beach Hotel here.
6. Angra do Heroísmo - best area for history on Terceira 🏰
- 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re staying in Terceira’s historic capital, where you can walk everywhere.
- ✈️ Getting to the island: You reach Terceira by plane from Ponta Delgada or Lisbon, and once on the island a hire car is the easiest option.
- 🛬 Time from Terceira Airport: Around half an hour by car from the airport at Lajes on the other side of the island.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€. The three places below cost roughly £75 to £160 per night when I searched for a weekend in July.
- 👮 Safety: Angra is a very safe town. The cobblestones in the centre get slippery in the rain, so bring shoes with good grip.
If you want to see more than São Miguel, Terceira is my pick for a second island, and the best base is Angra do Heroísmo. The town centre is on the UNESCO World Heritage List because for several hundred years Angra was a regular port of call for ships on the routes to Africa, India and the Americas.
The streets are wide and straight, lined with colourful houses, churches and palaces, and Praça Velha in front of the town hall has cafés and restaurants. The town was badly hit by an earthquake in 1980, but it has been rebuilt, and the historic centre has kept most of its character.
Above the town stand the forts of São Sebastião and São João Baptista, which are around 400 years old, along with the Monte Brasil peninsula, with walking trails and views over the whole bay. It’s a lovely walk up there in the late afternoon.
See hotels in Angra do Heroísmo here.
Terceira is known for its summer festivals with street bullfights, where a bull on a long rope runs through the streets. Inland, you can descend into Algar do Carvão, an ancient volcanic chimney, and on the north coast you’ll find the natural sea pools at Biscoitos.
I’d choose Angra for three or four nights if you have a week or more and want to see two islands. The downside is that you have to fly between the islands, and there’s no big sandy beach in the town itself.
Hotels in Angra do Heroísmo
Boutique Hotel Teatro - best luxury hotel in the historic centre
Boutique Hotel Teatro is a four-star hotel on Rua da Esperança, a few minutes’ walk from Praça Velha. It has one of the highest guest ratings in this whole guide, and you get an outdoor pool, spa and gym right in the middle of town. Some guests find the rooms small, and parking spaces are limited.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “It was a lovely surprise to find such high-quality furnishings.”
See photos and book Boutique Hotel Teatro here.
Pousada de Angra do Heroismo Castelo de S. Sebastiao - best mid-range hotel in an old fort
The pousada sits inside the São Sebastião fort on the slope above the harbour, about ten minutes’ walk from the centre. You get an outdoor pool, a restaurant and views over the town and the sea, and guests praise the historic setting. A few rooms are worn, though, and in need of some maintenance.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A really cool concept hotel, and the staff were perfect!”
See photos and book Pousada de Angra do Heroismo Castelo de S. Sebastiao here.
Hotel Zenite - cheapest option close to Praça Velha
Hotel Zenite is a simple hotel on Rua da Rosa, just a few minutes’ walk from Praça Velha, and it was the cheapest of my three picks in Angra. Guests praise the location, the staff and the breakfast. Some rooms are small, and parking is limited in the streets around the hotel.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “The location is absolutely perfect. Breakfast was just what I needed.”
See photos and book Hotel Zenite here.
7. Madalena on Pico - best area for hiking and wine 🍷
- 📍 Distance to the centre: Madalena is Pico’s main town, and you’ll be staying close to the harbour, the restaurants and the supermarkets.
- ⛴️ Transport: The ferry to Horta on Faial leaves from the town’s harbour, and on Pico itself you’ll need a car.
- ✈️ Time from Pico Airport: About 15 minutes by car.
- 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. The three places below cost around £105 to £230 per night when I searched for a weekend in July.
- 👮 Safety: Madalena is a very quiet town. The weather on the mountain can change quickly, so set off early, and never go up without a permit and proper gear.
Pico is the island for you if you want to hike and drink wine. The island is dominated by the Pico volcano, which at 2,351 metres is Portugal’s highest mountain, and you can see it from almost everywhere on the island when the clouds lift.
Madalena on the west coast is Pico’s main town and the most practical base. This is where the ferries from Horta arrive, and it’s only a short distance to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed vineyards. Just south of town at Criação Velha, you’ll find the small vineyard plots, currais, behind low walls of black basalt, and it’s one of the most unusual landscapes in the Azores.
If you want to climb the mountain, the trail up Montanha do Pico starts at Casa da Montanha at an altitude of around 1,230 metres. The hike is just under 8 kilometres there and back, it’s rated as difficult and takes about seven hours, and you need a permit before you set off.
Pico is also a great place for whale watching, with trips departing from both Madalena and Lajes do Pico on the south coast. From the harbour, Atlânticoline sails to Horta on Faial, so you can easily take a day trip to the neighbouring island.
I’d choose Madalena if you want to climb Pico or have a relaxing wine holiday, ideally as a third stop after São Miguel and Terceira. The downside is that there are few sandy beaches, and getting here requires an extra flight or ferry.
Hotels in Madalena
Azores Wine Company - best luxury choice in the middle of the vineyards
Azores Wine Company is a winery with a restaurant and apartments set among the vineyards, about 6 kilometres north-east of Madalena. It was the most expensive of my three picks on Pico, and guests praise the views and especially the food in the restaurant. Some guests mention that the wine fridge in the room is noisy.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic location in a vineyard. Beautiful room and a beautiful hotel and restaurant.”
See photos and book Azores Wine Company here.
AL - BOA NOVA - best mid-range choice with a view
AL Boa Nova is an apartment in the southern part of Madalena, about 400 metres from the centre. It has a very high guest rating, and guests praise the cleanliness, the space, the view and the kitchen. You need to let them know your arrival time in advance, and parking is limited.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Easy communication, very clean and spacious, and a lovely view.”
See photos and book AL - BOA NOVA here.
Pico Studios - cheapest choice in the centre of town
Pico Studios offers apartments on Rua Doutor Freitas Pimentel in the middle of Madalena, just a few minutes’ walk from the harbour and the restaurants. It was the cheapest of my three picks, and there’s free parking. There’s no outdoor area, and some guests mention noise from nearby venues.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful apartment, great location and a perfect host.”
See photos and book Pico Studios here.
Where not to stay in the Azores?
I wouldn’t stay in Nordeste on the eastern tip of São Miguel if you only have a few days. The area is beautiful and green, but it’s a long way to both Ponta Delgada and Sete Cidades, and the roads out there are long and winding.
Also be wary of cheap places in the villages high up in the middle of the islands. The fog and rain are often thicker here than on the coast, and without a car you won’t get to the restaurants or the places you want to see.
Don’t try to see all nine islands on one trip either. Flights and ferries between the islands can be cancelled in bad weather, so it’s better to do two or three islands with several nights in each place than one night on each.
If you’re visiting the Azores for the first time and only going to São Miguel, I’d stay in Ponta Delgada and add a couple of nights in Furnas. Families will have the easiest beach holiday in Vila Franca do Campo, surfers and those who want to be close to Caldeira Velha should choose Ribeira Grande, and Sete Cidades and Mosteiros suit those looking for peace and quiet and hiking.
If you have a week or more, you can add Terceira and Pico to your trip. If you’re travelling on in Portugal, I’ve also written about where to stay in Porto, and if you want to spend a few days in the capital, you’ll find inspiration in my guide to things to see in Lisbon.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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