Things To Do
Trip to Azores before or after!
We highly recommend visiting the Azores if you have time! We specifically went to Sao Miguel Island, better known as "The Green Island". What makes this island so appealing is its closer proximity to the U.S., making it a convenient stop when traveling to or from Portugal. It’s the perfect way to break up the trip and enjoy a little escape from the mainland. Every person we met was incredibly friendly, and we felt completely safe throughout our entire stay. We highly recommend renting a car to be able to explore as much as possible in the time you have. Driving was easy, as the traffic laws are similar to those in the U.S. We enjoyed our stay in a beautiful Airbnb, but there are also plenty of hotel options available. Below, we’ve listed all of our favorite activities and experiences.
Ponta Delgada
Ponta Delgada is the islands capital. Throughout the city, you’ll find beautiful churches and monuments that are worth a visit. We also went here almost every night for dinner. Our favorite restaurants were A Tasca and Louvre Michaelense. Be sure to grab a cocktail at Resves Street Bar!
Sete Cidades
Sete Cidades: A destination with the "Seven Cities" volcano and the Queen/Kings Viewpoint. While exploring this side of the island, we highly recommend booking an ATV tour with Quad Azores Tour! The tour guide, who is also the owner, takes great pride in his small business and emphasizes intimate group tours. From our quad, we were able to take in some of the island's most breathtaking views, stopping at key lookout points and discovering hidden gems along the way! This was likely the highlight of our trip—definitely the best excursion we experienced!
Thermal Baths
Sao Miguel is volcanic in origin, so there are plenty of natural thermal baths to explore! We recommend Caldeira Velha, Parque Terra Nostra and Poça da Dona Beija. Poça da Dona Beija is best to go to at night!
Caloura
On a sunny day, this beach town is beautiful. Be sure to grab a bite at Bar Caloura and take a swim in the natural pool next door!
Chapel of Our Lady of Peace, Vila Franca do Campo.
Beautiful church worth visiting on a clear day
Furnas
Furnas is the center of São Miguel's unique geothermal activity. Here you can visit two active volcanic sites to see the boiling caldeiras in action. This is also where Terra Nostra Park and Poça da Dona Beija are. From here, you should also take about a 15 minute drive to Ribeira Quente to see a beautiful natural waterfall, just a short hike after the tunnel!
Ribeira Grande
This is the northern part of the island. Here you will find the Gorreana Tea Factory, Miradouro de Santa Iria lookout, TukáTulá Beach Bar and Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara which is a spacious beach known for its beautiful black sand.
Natural swimming pool in Maia
Piscinas Naturais das Calhetas da Maia - a natural swimming pool in Maia, very close to Ribeira Grande. A local recommended this spot, and it did not disappoint! It’s not crowded and offers a fun experience—try to visit at low tide.
Where we stayed in Azores
Porto
Porto, Portugal's second-largest city, is located in the northern part of the country and is famous for its port wine, stunning bridges, and rich architecture. We spent three amazing days exploring the city and had an unforgettable time! Porto is very walkable, but be sure to wear comfortable shoes as it can be quite hilly. We highly recommend joining a free guided walking tour with Porto Walkers, which is a perfect way to learn about the city’s history and culture. Don’t miss iconic sights like the Dom Luís I Bridge and Livraria Lello, the famous bookstore! We stayed in an Airbnb, but there are plenty of affordable hotels and other Airbnbs right in the heart of the city!
Douro Valley
The Douro Valley is definitely a must-see! Known as the wine region of Portugal, it’s famous for its stunning terraced vineyards, dramatic landscapes, and exceptional wines. We had an incredible experience visiting this area through an excursion we booked on Viator (link attached). The tour included round-trip transport, a traditional Portuguese lunch, stops at two wineries for wine tastings, and a scenic cruise along the Douro River—such a perfect way to explore this breathtaking region! It was one of the highlights of our trip and an unforgettable day. If you’re a wine lover or simply enjoy picturesque landscapes, this is an experience you can’t miss!
Sintra
Sintra is an absolute must-see! It was an easy day trip from Lisbon, and I highly recommend using Uber to get there, as they can drop you off right at the castle entrance. If you drive yourself, parking can be tricky, and the walk to the castle is long and steep. Sintra is home to several castles, but we managed to visit two, which felt like the perfect amount for a day. Be sure to book your tickets and reserve a time slot in advance! The two castles we visited were Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira, both of which were stunning. For lunch, we stopped at a great spot called Tascantiga, before heading to our final stop, Pena Palace. We then spent the remainder of our afternoon exploring the charming city center. To wrap up the day, we enjoyed several bottles of house white at Lord Byron Cafe, our favorite bar of the trip! It was the perfect way to end a truly unforgettable day.