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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.