Where to Stay in São Miguel Island (Best Places)

4 Best Areas & Towns to Stay in São Miguel Island

Sao Miguel Island is the largest and most popular island in the Azores archipelago. The main town, Ponta Delgada, is the capital of the Azores, and home to the island’s airport: Aeroporto João Paulo II. Ponta Delgada is located on the south side of the island. Ribeira Grande is the second largest town, located on the north shore. Furnas lies to the east and Sete Cidades lies to the west of the island.

The best places to stay on the island are spread out. In this next section, I’ll break down the pros and cons of four of the most popular areas to stay in Sao Miguel:

Ponta Delgada (South Coast)

👉 Best Area For Overall | ✨ Best Ponta Delgada Hotels: Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico • Hotel Do Colegio • Octant Ponta Delgada • Ilha Hostel & Suites • Out of the Blue

If you’re looking for a straightforward answer about where to stay in São Miguel, it’s Ponta Delgada. Located on the southwestern edge of the island, Ponta Delgada is the largest and most popular town on São Miguel, only 10 minutes from the airport. It’s the best place to stay overall, and it’s perfect for first-timers.

The town itself is charming and classically Azorean. Enjoy plenty of restaurants and shops, while also having access to attractions, as it’s the base for many guided experiences like van tours (which I recommend!) and whale watching.

My top hotel is located in Ponta Delgada: Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico. This property has a scenic location on the marina, walkable to town. It has hundreds of positive guest reviews highlighting comfortable rooms and friendly service. Other amenities include a swimming pool, complimentary breakfast, and parking. 

There are many great hotels in Ponta Delgada, though. Hotel Colegio has the perfect location in the heart of town. Meanwhile, backpackers and solo travelers will love the hostel, Out of the Blue, for its charm and social atmosphere. 

Budget-minded travelers should book a stay at Ilha Hostel & Suites, which provides fantastic value for the price. I actually stayed here myself. The property was spotless, breakfast was delicious, and the mother/daughter duo that runs the place is so kind. 

Lastly, if you’re not planning on renting a car in São Miguel, you should definitely stay in Ponta Delgada. Staying here will provide you all the amenities you need, and you’ll still be able to explore the island via tours.

Pros of Staying in Ponta Delgada:

• Central location for exploring rest of the island
• Good base for guided tours
• Can get around without a car
• Shopping & dining
• More hotel options
• Charming downtown with local attractions

Cons of Staying in Ponta Delgada:

• Street parking can be limited and tricky
• Not as many nature attractions close to town
• More pricey than other areas

Ribeira Grande (North Coast)

👉 Best Area For Resorts, Surfing, & Central Location | ✨ Best Ribeira Grande Hotels: Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort • Hotel Verde Mar & SPA • Volcanic Charming House

Ribeira Grande is the second largest town on the island, located on the north coast of São Miguel. This town boasts incredible sunsets and its central location makes it easy to explore the rest of the island. It’s especially popular with surfers and those looking for resort-style stays.

Hotel Verde Mar & SPA has everything you’ll need, from an on-site restaurant and bar to a spa and two swimming pools. It’s my top pick for families, but couples and other groups will enjoy the beachfront property as well. 

Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort is another beautiful hotel right on the ocean. It has lovely villas, a farm-to-table restaurant, and other amenities that make it a peaceful escape for couples and families alike. 

You’ll get all the amenities of a bigger town in Ribeira Grande, but it’s quieter than Ponta Delgada. Attractions in Ribeira Grande include surfing at Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara, hot springs, and Gorreana Tea Plantation. It’s also just a short drive from Lagoa do Fogo, hiking trails, and waterfalls.

Note that you’ll need a rental car to get by in Ribeira Grande. However, all of the above-mentioned hotels have parking.

Pros of Staying in Ribeira Grande:

• Central location
• Less touristy 
• Good resort options
• Beautiful sunsets 
• Lots of attractions and sightseeing nearby 
• Can be less expensive than Ponta Delgada

Cons of Staying in Ribeira Grande:

• You’ll need a rental car to get around
• Street parking can be limited and tricky
• Limited hotel options 

Sete Cidades (West Side)

👉 Best Area For Hiking & Lakes | ✨ Best Sete Cidades Hotels: Sete Cidades Quinta Da Quiero • SENSI Azores Nature and SPA • Mosteiros Place

Sete Cidades may be the place for you if staying somewhere scenic and surrounded by nature is a top priority. After all, a visit to the Azores archipelago is all about nature.

Sete Cidades is located on the west side of the island. It’s surrounded by mountain peaks, the Sete Cidades lakes (blue and green lakes), and Santiago Lake. This is an incredible area for hiking and outdoor activities like camping, paragliding, and paddle boarding.

The town of Sete Cidades is an ideal place for a relaxing vacation because you get direct access to the famous blue and green lakes while still being within walking distance of a few shops and restaurants. The town itself is quiet and quaint, despite the lakes being São Miguel’s most popular attraction.

Book a stay at Sete Cidades Quinta Da Queiró to have the lakes practically at your doorstep. Visitors rave about this homey property with its hospitable staff, clean and comfortable rooms, and convenient on-site restaurant. If you want a little luxury while still being connected to nature, stay at SENSI Azores Nature and SPA.

Note: The iconic volcanic crater lakes (pictured above) and the town on its shores are both referred to as “Sete Cidades.”  

Pros of Staying in Sete Cidades:

• Lots of nature and sightseeing here 
• Quiet and tranquil nature atmosphere
• Proximity to lakes and outdoor attractions
• Good hiking trails

Cons of Staying in Sete Cidades:

• You’ll need a rental car to get around
• Less restaurant and shopping options
• Limited hotel options

Furnas (East Side)

👉 Best Area For Hot Springs | ✨ Best Furnas Hotels: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel • Octant Furnas • Furnas Lake Forest Living

Does the idea of soaking in a thermal pool sound appealing? What about tasting Portuguese stew that’s cooked through volcanic activity? If this sounds interesting, then Furnas may be the place to stay for you. 

Couples, families, and travelers of all ages will enjoy Furnas. The small town is located inland on the east side of São Miguel. It’s best known for its thermal hot springs. 

Terra Nostra Park is the main attraction here, which includes the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel and the thermal pools located within the park. The hotel offers luxury, nature, and convenience all in one place. However, you don’t have to be a hotel guest to enjoy the pools, as outside guests can get day passes.

If you want accommodation with a little more privacy, consider Octant Furnas or Furnas Lake Forest Living. Both hotels provide similar luxury and beautiful surroundings.

If you’re visiting São Miguel for just a short trip, I recommend visiting Furnas as a day trip. But if you’re staying on the island for more than a week, booking a few nights in Furnas could be a fun way to experience a different side of the island.

Pros of Staying in Furnas:

• Good attractions nearby
• Lots of greenery and farmlands
• Best place to stay for hot springs
• Small, centralized town center
• Good boutique hotels here

Cons of Staying in Furnas:

• You’ll need a rental car to get around
• Street parking can be limited and tricky
• Further from the beach

Tips for Staying in São Miguel Island

You’ll Probably Want a Rental Car

If you’re staying in Sao Miguel for more than five days, you’ll probably need (and want) to rent a car. Renting a car from the Ponta Delgada airport is most convenient, but there are other places around the island to do so. Seeing the island by car is the best way to sightsee and enjoy all the fun things to do on São Miguel.

Driving a Manual Car is Recommended 

If you choose to rent a car in São Miguel, it’s not a bad idea to select a manual over automatic. Just about all the roads in Sao Miguel are paved and smooth, but there are still quite a few steep, winding, and dirt roads. If you can drive manual, opting for this option will make handling difficult roads easier.

Pack for Changing Weather

The cliche in the Azores is that you can experience all four seasons in one day. I found this to be pretty true. The subtropical climate means the weather can shift from sunny and warm to cold and rainy in a matter of hours.

Dressing in layers and keeping a rain jacket handy is essential. I highly recommend bringing some transitional hiking pants and a waterproof windbreaker. I packed these for my trip and they were perfect for the changing weather.

To make sure you remember everything, just use Sky’s handy packing list for Portugal!

🖨️ Get a free, printable version of our Portugal packing list here!

Wear Shoes with Good Grip

Don’t skimp out when it comes to packing shoes for the Azores. I highly recommend packing a pair of hiking shoes or other durable shoes with good grip. You can expect steep hills, cobblestones, dirty and rocky trails, volcanic rock, and more. Protect yourself and your feet. 

Wear an Old or Darkly Colored Swimsuit at Thermal Pools

Many of the thermal pools around Sao Miguel have a natural orange clay. This includes the thermal pools at Terra Nostra and Poca da Dona Beija. 

This clay is totally harmless to you (it’s actually rich in iron!), but to your swimsuit? Not so much. The clay can stain fabrics and take awhile to remove. I recommend wearing an old or darkly colored swimsuit to prevent any hassle.

Additionally, don’t wear jewelry in the thermal pools unless it’s solid gold, as it may tarnish.

Consider a Vacation Rental

Although there are plenty of nice hotels throughout Sao Miguel, sometimes it’s nice to stay somewhere with more space.

Sao Miguel has tons of vacation rental properties. These can be found all over the island off-the-beaten-path and in the areas mentioned in this article. Properties range from countryside houses to mountain chalets and villas with lake and ocean views.

Casa do Castanheiro, Casa de Pedra, and Sete Cidades Lake Cabin are just a few beautiful, highly-rated properties I found. 

Another advantage to staying in a vacation rental is that there’s the potential for easier parking. Parking can be a bit tricky (but not impossible) if you stay in Ponta Delgada. 

🛏️ Ready To Book Now? You can search top hotels in Ponta Delgada on Booking here, or top rentals on VRBO here.

Visit Natural Volcanic Pools During Low Tide

Swimming in a natural thermal pool in the ocean is super cool, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind. 

First, it’s best to go during low tide so you don’t encounter rough waves or any potential safety hazards. Second, I recommend wearing protective water shoes since the inside of the pool is volcanic rock, which can be quite sharp and rough.

English is Widely Spoken

To my surprise, everyone I met in Sao Miguel spoke good English. Of course, I recommend picking up a few Portuguese words while you visit, but know that you’ll be able to get around without much of a language barrier. 

Book Things in Advance

Book ahead when it comes to accommodations, tours, and restaurants reservations. This especially goes for things in Ponta Delgada. The timeline for bookings will vary with each of these things, but it’s smart to not wait till the last second. Things tend to book up around Ponta Delgada and the rest of the island, especially if you visit in the summer.

Uber is Now Available in São Miguel Island

Uber recently became available in Portugal, and appears to be available in São Miguel. 

However, there are local taxis you can take if you need transport to or from the airport. You can order taxis from or through your hotel or hostel. You can also use an app called “Taxi-Link,” which works like Uber.

Don’t Expect White, Sandy Beaches

Sao Miguel is a volcanic island, with evidence of its long volcanic history all around. This is especially the case on Sao Miguel’s beaches, which are located on the north and south coasts.

Instead of the soft, white, and sandy beaches of mainland Portugal, expect to see sand that ranges from gray to black in color. It looks really cool and is part of what makes Sao Miguel unique and one of the best places to visit in Portugal. 

FAQs

What is the best island to stay on in the Azores?

Sao Miguel Azores is the largest and most popular island to stay on in the Azores. 

How do you get around in Sao Miguel Azores?

A car is the best way to get around Sao Miguel Island. Either by renting a car, or taking guided tours. You can compare car rental prices on Discover Cars.

Where can I stay in Sao Miguel without a car?

Ponta Delgada is the best town to stay in Sao Miguel if you don’t have a car.

How many days do you need in Sao Miguel?

Five days or more is recommended in order to see the top attractions in Sao Miguel.

Where is the best place for first-time visitors to stay in Sao Miguel Azores?

Ponta Delgada is the best place to stay for first-time visitors. Ponta Delgada is centrally located and has the most options in terms of hotels, dining, and shopping.  

What is the easiest way to reach Sao Miguel Azores?

If you’re coming from North America, there are direct flights you can take to Sao Miguel. This includes cities like New York, Boston, and Toronto. Otherwise, I recommend flying into Lisbon, Portugal and then flying into Sao Miguel. 

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Thanks for reading! If you have any questions about staying in Sao Miguel, drop a comment below and I’ll get back to you. And keep planning your trip with my 5-day São Miguel itinerary.