7-Hour Sete Cidades and Mosteiros Tour with Azorean Lunch

Start by driving up to the caldera wall through an inner road of the island. Stop at a viewpoint to see both the north and south coastlines, along with the vast hills and volcanic formations across São Miguel.

See the old Roman-style aqueducts that were used to carry fresh water among the western villages since the 16th century. Ponta Delgada was also supplied through this infrastructure until the beginning of the 20th century. Visit the popular Nine Windows Wall and the gate some say is the entrance to Narnia.

Reach a secluded lagoon surrounded by trees at Lagoa do Canário, which can only be contemplated from a few access points. Take a moderate walk through this natural park to the Boca do Inferno viewpoint, where you can admire some of the valleys formed around the Sete Cidades lagoon, as well as the lagoon itself.

Admire the vastness of the Sete Cidades lagoon from high above. Commonly known as the twin lakes, or the blue and green lakes, it is in fact one massive body of water. Learn about the difference in its colours, hear the legend surrounding it, and admire the abandoned luxury Monte Palace Hotel.

Descend into the caldera, contemplating the lush hydrangea bushes along the way, and discover Lagoa do Santiago from above.

For lunch, indulge your taste buds with regional-style food. You'll have meat, fish, and vegetarian options in this buffet of traditionally prepared local dishes. Starter, main course, drink, dessert, and coffee are included.

Take a short walk along the peninsula that stretches through the Blue Lagoon for a quiet moment and an authentic connection to the local ecosystem. Observe local wildlife and seasonal flora, admire the crater from the inside, and enjoy a gentle walk that also helps with digestion.

Enjoy a quick stroll around the village of Sete Cidades to see its typical regional architecture and local way of life. Visit the iconic neo-Gothic church, one of only two on the island, and find a nearby souvenir and gift shop.

Reach the top of a cliff at the westernmost point of São Miguel to appreciate the views over Mosteiros and its islets. Learn the story of the missing Azorean island.

Descend into Mosteiros, the westernmost village of São Miguel, and walk along its beach with a unique perspective over the islets. Admire its vast basaltic coastline, where natural pools formed by lava flows can be found. The seabed here is very rocky, and entering the water involves risky manoeuvring, so bathing is not recommended.

Mosteiros is one of the most unusual swimming spots on the island. Admire a vast and magnificent basaltic coastline shaped by lava flows hundreds of years ago. With the swells of the Atlantic Ocean, different pools appear where visitors can cool off, and your guide will know which ones are accessible.

Free-entry natural pools can also be found here, including both open-ocean and more enclosed spots, where locals who are not fond of sandy beaches come to enjoy hassle-free ocean baths. Beware of the rocky surfaces. A quick dip is allowed as long as you can return dry to the vehicle, but towels and a change of clothes are not provided.

The pools of Mosteiros are not part of the thermal ocean baths of Ferraria. Because the hot water there depends on low tide and changing tide times, that experience cannot be guaranteed.