These two were the best experiences on Sao Miguel, Azores. The views of Sete Cidades, from the Boca do Inferno viewpoint, were nothing short of magnificent, and Lagoa do Canario was such an amazing surprise, to me 🙂 After leaving the car park, you walk along footpaths though a forest of super tall conifers. Creates a calm, and bit chilly, atmosphere. Passing overgrown picnic tables and barbecues. After a fairly short while you reach Lagoa do Canario. Our tour guide led us through a passage between the tree trunks, and quickly we were at the shore of the small lake, floored by the beauty. Those tall trees add another dimension to things. Photos have a hard time to do it justice. So glad I got to enjoy this! From the lake we followed a dirt trail up to, and along, the crater rim. At the top you find Boca do Inferno viewpoint. A path leads out to a promontory platform, from where you can marvel at the splendid views of the crater that spreads out in front of you. You spot the Sete Cidades village on the crater floor, and if you’re lucky, like us, another Azores island in the distance. Our guide told us it’s not a usual sight. After backtracking, our next stop was the Vista do Rei viewpoint. At which a hotel once was planned. Plans apparently fell through, because now they’re left with an abandoned structure. In front of the hotel that was never finished, there is a viewing platform. It shows Sete Cidades from another angle, and it’s not the best. Can be skipped, but the hotel is kinda cool. I saw some people venture into the deserted building. Didn’t look too tempting to a scaredy-cat like me 🙂
Before being dropped off home in Ponta Delgada, we did a short stop at pineapple farm. Went into the green house, and sat down at the primitive cafe for a bit.
These places I visited on a tour with Sao Miguel Azores Tours. Highly recommended company! Roberto will tailor to your needs. Initially I looked into going there on my own, and it can be done, but with a bit more hassle. Buses leave Ponta Delgada a couple of times a day only, and you will have to spend several hours there, before you can hop on a bus going back. Ideally for walking the whole rim. Wouldn’t have minded doing that though.
Boca do Inferno Viewpoint
Lagoa do Canario
BBQ spot
Vista do Rei Viewpoint
On the way
