Day three of São Miguel was split into three parts. In the morning, I explored the easternmost points of the island, where I saw the most beautiful gardens. I followed this with an afternoon boat ride to a nearby Islet of Vila Franca do Campo to swim in its calm waters and greet the many colorful, friendly fish. I ended the day at the beach where I watched the sunset at São Miguel’s most popular beach, Água d’Alto.
Nordeste – Ponta do Sossego and Ponta da Madrugada
Nordeste is the eastern most town in São Miguel. While the nature of São Miguel is highly preserved in general, Nordeste is the most untouched part of the island. There are a number of beautiful, flowery gardens. Having grown up in the dusty, flat plains of northwest Texas, I had never seen such lush, manicured plant life. Heaps of flowers overwhelmed me with their smells and vibrance.
From the center of the island, it’s a pleasant 45 minute drive to the garden of Ponta do Sossego and Ponta da Madrugada. Along the way, you might consider stopping at a couple of the many outlooks (miradoras) that you’ll see on the roadside. As you approach the gardens, you’ll likely pass through the small town of Pedreira. It struck me as a charming town, but I didn’t do much while there. I wish I had checked out a coffee shop or restaurant — this place, for example.
Quick tip: when I arrived at Ponta do Sossego, there was a coffee stand where I had an espresso and bolos lêvedos, the sweet bread for which the Azores is famous. Highly recommended! And by the way, ordering coffee in Portugal is quite different than in America.
Lagoa do Congro
In the middle of São Miguel, there is the hidden gem of Lagoa do Congro, which few tourists find.
It is the most utterly tranquil place in all of São Miguel. Getting there is a bit tricky, so here’s how you do it. Plug in these coordinates to Google Maps: 37.7497567,-25.4013771. In satellite mode, you’ll see a side road at this point. Once you arrive at this point, signs will guide you.
Once you’ve parked, you’ll take a shady, leisurely 20 minute hike before you arrive at the foot of the lake. There are various hiking paths leading to great views of the lagoon, the lagoon’s shore, and deeper through the woods. All together, a trip around the area made for a very pleasant afternoon detour on my way back towards Vila Franca do Campo to catch my boat transfer to the nearby islet.
Vila Franca islet
About half a mile off the coast of São Miguel sits the Vila Franca islet. Formed by a long-dormant submerged volcano, the islet was a lovely spot to spend my late afternoon. Inside the islet, there is an almost perfectly circular natural lake that is narrowly linked to the ocean. The lake’s shallow and crystal clear waters allow you to spot the many colorful, friendly fish, so don’t forget to bring a pair of goggles.
There is a small beach area on the western side, but don’t count on finding space there to sunbathe, especially since it disappears during high tide. I suggest opting for the concrete spots on the opposite side of the islet.
To get to the islet, take a boat taxi for €6. All details may be found here. Note that I tried purchasing online, however their system did not work, so I simply purchased my ticket at the ticket office, which is placed about 100 yards from the boat dock. I noticed that the ticket seller only serviced the office for about 20-30 minutes before each trip.
Água d’Alto Beach
Água d’Alto is the most popular beach in São Miguel. It is certainly not the most beautiful beach in the world, but it does the trick. The black sand of this volcanic beach is soft, and it’s not heavily trafficked, being an unusual spot for visitors and tourists. There is plenty of room to lay down a towel in a quiet spot and catch up on some reading or take a rejuvenating nap.
There is parking available right in front of the beach. It’s located in the town of Água d’Alto or simply plug in these coordinates: 37.7172868,-25.4738443.