Sete Cidades Tour – West Volcano Lagoons & Natural Pools, São Miguel Azores

Visit Sete Cidades Volcano and its many lakes: Green & Blue, Canário and Santiago. Short hike to Boca do Inferno viewpoint atop the volcano, Vista do Rei and the abandoned hotel. Enjoy a typical regional lunch, all included. On the afternoon, enjoy the unique natural pools of basaltic rock on Mosteiros. Sete Cidades full-day tour, Azores.

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A cape surrounded by ocean with islets on the back.

A long aqueduct covered in moss and surrounded by vegetation.

A vast amount of volcanos and lagoons

As a local, I’ve driven the road up to Sete Cidades hundreds of times and it still amazes me. The moment the caldera opens up, you see the largest lagoon in the Azores, also known as the green and blue or twin lakes, the village just there, the whole scene cupped inside a dormant volcano… nobody in the van says a word, just stares and gasps. That moment is why I built this Sete Cidades tour at São Miguel.

Our West Coast Tour goes where most tourists reach and never reach, stop at four viewpoints including Vista do Rei, where the abandoned hotel, Monte Palace Hotel, stands above the green and blue lagoons, Boca do Inferno atop the volcano’s rim among others. Descend into the caldera for a local Azorean lunch, where the locals go, and a walk around the blue lagoon after, to let all that food go down smoothly. Small group, no rush, your own rhythm.

We’ll finish the afternoon at Mosteiros, the westernmost village of São Miguel, a dramatic coastline, where black lava rock meets the Atlantic. Natural pools form right along the shore, optional swim if conditions allow. Full day tour, pickup from Ponta Delgada and Lagoa included, Departure at 09:00, be back by 16:30.

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“IVO WILL TAKE YOU TO PARADISE… No Kidding. If you ever question whether or not to take a full day, guided tour, or rent a car on your own & with a guidebook, tour this island paradise on your own…well, I’m here to tell you that you could have no better time than if you booked a tour & spent the day with IVO. Forget the fact that he knows the island like the back of his hand, or that he is an intelligent, courteous & respectful person…he knows EVERYTHING there is to know about his homeland & by the end of the day…you will too!” – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ David Hurwitz on Google Reviews

“The West Coast Tour with Wildscape Azores Tours was absolutely fantastic! Everything was perfectly organized, our guide was super friendly and knowledgeable, and the coastal landscapes were breathtaking. You can truly feel the passion and love for the Azores in every detail. Highly recommended – an unforgettable experience!” – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Jens-Uwe Hälsig on Google Reviews

Duration

09:00 – 16:30
(9:00am – 4:30pm)

Exclusives included

-Local Azorean Lunch
-Short Hikes & Ocean Swim (conditions apply)

Main locations

Sete Cidades
Mosteiros

Prices

Adult = 70€
Children (up to 11y.o)= 55€
(+ transaction fees)

A view of two different lagoons inside a caldera.

Your Itinerary At Sete Cidades, Azores

1. Pico do Carvão viewpoint – Sight Stop (15m)

Start by driving up to the caldera’s wall through a inner road of the island, stop by a viewpoint to see both north and south coastlines and the vast hills and volcanic formations along São Miguel.

2. Sete Cidades aqueducts – Sight Stops (30m)

Check the old roman style aqueducts that were used to carry fresh water among western villages since the XVI century, Ponta Delgada was also fed through this infrastructure up until the beginning of the XX century. Check on the popular Nine Windows Wall and the gate, some say, to Narnia!

3. Lagoa do Canário + Grota do Inferno – Short Hike + Viewpoint (1h00m)

Reach into a secluded lagoon surrounded by trees, the Lagoa do Canário can be contemplated only from a few access points. Take a moderate walk through this natural park up until a viewpoint (Boca do Inferno) where one can contemplate some of the valleys formed around the Sete Cidades lagoon and the lagoon itself.

4. Vista do Rei viewpoint – Sight Stop (15m)

Admire the vastness of the Sete Cidades lagoon from high above (commonly known as twin lakes or blue and green lakes, but in reality it’s one massive water body)!
Learn about the difference of its colours, the legend story revolving around it and admire the abandoned luxurious hotel, Monte Palace Hotel.

5. Lagoa do Santiago viewpoint – Sight Stop (15m)

Descend into the caldera, contemplating the hydrangeas lush bushes along the way, discover the Santiago lagoon from up above.

6. Traditional Lunch – Buffet Lunch cooked the Azorean way (1h15m)

For lunch, indulge your tasting buds with our regional style food, you’ll have options of meat, fish and vegetarian in this buffet of traditionally made local food. (Starter, Main Course, Drink, Dessert and Coffee included)

7. Sete Cidades Blue Lagoon – Short Walk (30m)

We’ll take a short walk by the peninsula that stands through the Blue Lagoon, a nice quiet moment that will boost an authentic connection to the local ecosystem. Observe the local wildlife and seasonal flora, admire the crater from its inside. It will also be a great help for our digestion.

8. Sete Cidades center – neo-gothic church (15m)

A quick dwell around the village of Sete Cidades to check the regional typical architecture and lifestyle, and the iconic neo-gothic church (one of the two on the island). You’ll find a nearby souvenir/gift shop.

9. Escalvado viewpoint – Sight Stop (15m)

Reach the top of a cliff on the westernmost point of São Miguel to appreciate the views of Mosteiros and its islets, learn about the story of the missing Azorean island.

10. Mosteiros beach – Beach Walk(15m)

Descend into Mosteiros, the westernmost village of São Miguel, to walk on its beach with an unique perspective on the islets. Admire also its vast basaltic coast where natural pools formed by lava flows can be found. (The bottom of the sea at this beach is rock abundant, entering the water involves risky maneuvering, we do not recommend baths here.)

11. Ponta dos Mosteiros natural pools (optional swim) (45m)

Mosteiros is one of the most unusual swimming spots on the island. Admire a vast magnificent coastline of basaltic rock, lava flows formed this area hundreds of years ago, with the swells from the Atlantic ocean, different holes pop where one can go to refresh himself. Your guide will know which pools are accessible.

Free entry natural pools can also be found here, open to the ocean or more enclosed ones, where locals who aren’t sand lovers come to enjoy their ocean baths in a hassle free way. Beware of the rocky surfaces! (A quick dip is allowed as long as you can return dry to the vehicle. We do not provide towels or change of clothes).

The pools of “Mosteiros” are not part of the thermal ocean baths of “Ferraria”. Due to the hot water dependency on low tide and changing tides different hours, we can not assure that experience.

Disclaimer: WildScape Azores Tours (us) doesn’t assume responsibility or liability for any accidents, injuries or death that might occur during hiking and swimming activities, we only provide these opportunities assuming participants (you) are physically and mentally fit and capable of partaking in these activities and assume all responsibility for your actions during these activities. These are optional and you’ll only partake in them if you wish to by your free will.
Hiking activities are only suggested in the officially defined trails deemed safe by the Government of the Azores and swimming activities are only suggested in bathing areas with lifeguard supervision.

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   Kinjal Sheth 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ivo is very knowledgeable and is passionate about his island that he calls home. He reordered the itinerary to make it work with the weather and give us the best experience we could've had. A very pleasant company to spend the day with.  Would highly recommend.
  
 
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   alfred frigault 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ivo very informative, a bit repetitive and hot springs were way too crowded to enjoy
  
 
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   Tamara 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We went on two tours with him here, and it was sooo good. Ivo does such a great job. He doesn't just show you the best spots; he makes sure you really get to know the island. You can really tell how much heart he puts into the tours and how much he loves the island. I’d recommend a tour with him to anyone—it was an incredible experience.
  
 
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   Pam Pereira 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Best Guided Tour We’ve Ever Experienced! Our Furnas by Nightfall – Mystic Tour with dinner was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of our entire trip to the Azores. In fact, I can honestly say this was the best guided tour we have ever experienced! From beginning to end, the evening was absolutely beautiful. Seeing Furnas as the sun went down and then experiencing the volcanic steam, warm lights, and mystical atmosphere after dark was something truly unforgettable. There is something incredibly magical about Furnas at night that photographs simply cannot capture. And then there was Ivo. He was absolutely amazing! He is incredibly knowledgeable about São Miguel — its volcanic activity, history, culture, nature and traditions — and he shared so much information throughout the evening in a way that was fascinating and never felt like a typical tour. You could tell how passionate he is about his island and how much he genuinely loves sharing it with visitors. The dinner was another highlight. Experiencing the traditional Cozido das Furnas, cooked underground using the natural volcanic heat, was such a unique Azorean experience. The food was delicious, hearty and comforting, and learning about how it is prepared made the meal even more special. But what really touched us were the personal touches. At the end of the evening, Ivo surprised us with a homemade treat made by his mother. It was such a thoughtful and heartfelt gesture, and honestly, it made the experience feel so much more personal. That little treat is something we will remember for a long time. ❤️ Our accommodation was outside the city, and because it was quite late by the time the tour ended, Ivo went above and beyond to make sure we got home safely. That meant so much to us. He wasn’t simply our guide for the evening — he genuinely cared about our experience and our safety right until the very end. Every part of the evening felt perfectly planned without ever feeling rushed. The scenery, the stories, the volcanic landscape, the thermal waters, the dinner, the atmosphere and the little unexpected touches all came together to create a truly perfect evening. The money we paid was worth every single penny. If you are considering booking this tour, don’t hesitate — BOOK IT! You will experience Furnas in a completely different way, and having Ivo as your guide makes it even more special. Thank you, Ivo, for an unforgettable evening and for sharing your beautiful island with us. We will remember this night for a very long time. ❤️🇵🇹 Absolutely 5 stars — and if we could give more, we would!
  
 
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   Amanda Huey 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had an absolutely wonderful time on our tour of Furnas, our guide was super knowledgeable and engaging. Highly recommend!
  
 
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   Elizabeth Maher 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our guide was so accommodating knowledgeable and kind. If you want to be experience Furnas and its culture this is the evening trip for you
  
 
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   Hanne Truelsen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. An unforgettable and perfect tour with Ivo! 🥇We did the "Majestic North: Fogo, Waterfalls And Tea" tour, and it was an absolutely fantastic and flawlessly executed experience. Our guide and driver, Ivo, was amazing throughout the entire day. He made sure we never felt rushed, giving us plenty of time to enjoy and truly experience every single stop. Ivo provided lots of great information about the sights, and we loved learning about daily life and what it is like to live in the Azores. We give this tour our very highest recommendations and a well-deserved gold medal!
  
 
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   Christine Colton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. If you are looking for amazing views, local fare, and flat out great driving...this is a MUST do while on the island.  Ivo was an amazing tour guide and customized our tour!  We were up close and personal and did not have to wait for other tourists.  Hands down best day we had in the island!!!!
  
 
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   Sam Blake 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We love our tour with Wildscape tours! Highly recommended 🙂
  
 
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   Andres Salas 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ivo es el mejor guía turístico de las Azores, hicimos dos tour con él y salimos encantados, repetiremos
  
 
  
  
 
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“Wildscape is the ONLY tour company on Sao Miguel we would ever use! Ivo is amazing! We have done the Mystic tour twice and each time it has lived up to and surpassed all of our expectations. In Furnas we plunged in the thermal baths of Poça da Dona Beija and of course, ate the Cozido das Furnas.This second time, Ivo went out of his way to work with us to make it a private tour which even included our toddler who he was wonderful to! Ivo is so knowledgeable and was up to answering our long list of questions! Ivo is so knowledgeable, but is also kind and funny, he felt like he was part of our family by the end of the day! We are definitely only using Ivo as a tour guide in Sao Miguel!” – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Kirsten Botelho on Google Reviews

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INCLUSIONS

Pickup and Drop-off at chosen location (conditions apply);

Local Tour Guide;

Van with A/C and panoramic windshield;

Short Hikes & Ocean Swim (conditions apply) (EXCLUSIVE DEAL);

Lunch of Traditional Local Food Buffet (vegetarian options available);

Tasting of local sweet delicacy (EXCLUSIVE DEAL);

Water Bottle;

Tours Insurances.

EXCLUSIONS

Extra options off the chosen menu for lunch;

Wi-Fi on board.

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Question?

PICKUP AND DROP-OFF AT PONTA DELGADA & LAGOA

Pickup at your accommodation or meeting point in Ponta Delgada or Lagoa between 09:00-09:15 (9:00am – 9:15pm). Drop-off will be at the same location between 16:30-16:45 (4:30pm – 4:45pm). Please be ready at 09:00am so we can avoid delays.

Accommodation pickups and drop-off’s at Ponta Delgada and Lagoa are included for this tour.

For pickups at accommodations in Ribeira Grande we’ll charge an extra fee of 10€ euros (for booking, NOT for person) at the end of the tour, paid in cash. This fee is due to the extra mileage and the added working time to assure we maintain the activities time on schedule. Thank you for your understanding.

If you wish to skip on this fee we can meet at the “Estátua do Emigrante” or “Portas da Cidade” in Ponta Delgada and/or “Continente” supermarket at Lagoa . We’ll define your chosen meeting point when we reach out to you to confirm booking details.

Frequently Asked Questions – Sete Cidades Tour, West Coast, São Miguel

If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, please don’t hesitate to contact us! We’d be happy to help.

Is Sete Cidades worth visiting?

Without question! Sete Cidades owns some of the most impressive landscape and views on São Miguel, one of the most photographed places in all of Azores. The twin lagoons inside a dormant volcano caldera are unlike anything else in Europe.

The question isn’t whether to visit or not, this is definitely on the must list, it’s whether to go on your own or with a local who knows where best views are, navigate the busy tourist roads, escape the mainstream route and reach the most popular eating places for locals.

What type of clothes should I choose for the West Coast tour?

A definitely must are comfortable shoes, those high heels will look good on you for the photos but you’ll probably miss some of the fun walking to more off-track places or be more prone to injuries. Uneven terrain is expected throughout our tours.
Light and breathable clothing for summer, waterproof and warmer for winter. Swimwear, towel, sunscreen and water shoes, if you’re planning to go for a swim in Mosteiros natural pools.

Main Attractions

What is the Vista do Rei viewpoint and is it on the tour?

Vista do Rei (the King’s View) is one of the most iconic viewpoints in São Miguel, Azores, where the entire Sete Cidades caldera opens up beneath you: twin lagoons, secondary volcanic craters, the small village and the ruins of the Monte Palace Hotel in the foreground, all surrounded by collapsed volcanic walls. It’s the angle everyone coming to the Azores aim for Yes, it’s an important stop on the West Coast Tour and your local guide will make sure to get you the perfect angle without the crowds and with them.

Is there a Sete Cidades tour from Ponta Delgada with pickup included?

Yes, the West Coast Tour includes accommodation or meeting point pickups in Ponta Delgada and Lagoa, at no extra cost. Pickup starts at 09:00 (9:00am) and drop-off is around 16:30 (4:30pm). For guests staying in Ribeira Grande, pickup is available for a small additional fee. No rental car, no parking stress and no figuring out which roads are safe and open to drive.

What is the legend of the green and blue lagoons of Sete Cidades?

The legend tells of a princess and a shepherd who fell in love, a forbidden love at that time, after a successful time of dating in secrecy eventually it was forbidden. The family of the girl wanted not her to relate with a lower-class boy and the family of the boy were terrified about the possible consequences. The bridge represents this division and being also the last place, they met to bid farewell, after their last kiss, they departed each other and with their tears they filled both the blue and green lagoons. Here they remain side by side ever since. This story is elaborated by your guide at sight, visualizing it makes a lot more special.

Difficulty Level

Is there any dangerous wildlife in São Miguel?

The wildlife around São Miguel is pretty friendly: you won’t find any snakes, venomous spiders, coyotes, foxes, wolfes, bears or any sort of predatory species. Usual the problem is at sea with the medusas or when getting too close to some birds’ nests.

How difficult is the walking on the West Coast Tour?

Walking is light to moderate throughout. At short durations of 30 – 60 minutes, mostly on gravel and dirt paths. Only a section of Boca do Inferno stands at a moderate level due to its inclination, but this is optional, the tour it’s still enjoyable and rich without that section. The walk after lunch is flat and easy, the pace you define it. Mosteiros involves walking at the beach or through lava rock floors, can be uneven, so comfortable walking shoes are essential. No hiking shoes needed, flip-flops not a good idea. The tour is suitable for most fitness levels.

What makes this tour different from other Sete Cidades tours?

Most of Sete Cidades tours go on the same route: one or two viewpoints, a quick photo stop, be back on the bus in 10 minutes. This Sete Cidades tour takes detours from the mainstream route, ones that only locals know about and sometimes are not too fond to share, to avoid crowding our hidden gems. Descend into the caldera village for a proper relaxed Azorean meal, where locals go. Explore the insides of the crater with time. Continue west to Mosteiros, a coastline many day tours skip and prioritize Lagoa do Fogo, because it’s easier. We cover each side of the island a step at a time, without rush. Small group, guided by born and raised locals, flexible pace.

A path to a viewpoint on top of Sete Cidades volcano.

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