Igreja de São Nicolau

Welcome to the Azores, a group of nine volcanic islands and an autonomous region of Portugal in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean! Often referred to as the "Hawaii of Europe," these islands will amaze you with their breath-taking scenery, adorable towns, and many unique activities. The Azores are still an off-the-beaten-path destination, so you'll enjoy a quiet and nature-filled escape without compromising on wonderful food and experiences. This guide is a full five-day itinerary that will introduce you to the Green Island of the Azores, Sao Miguel - the easiest island to get to and around, and the largest and most populated of the nine. Five days is the perfect amount of time to see all sides of the island at a relaxed pace, with flexible time to do what you're most excited about - hiking, eating & drinking wine, swimming in hot springs, etc. The itinerary is based around having a car to drive around the island (and I include information about how to rent one!). For each of these five days, I give you a full list of recommended activities based on the must-see sights and attractions of Sao Miguel, from exploring historic Ponta Delgada, getting to the best viewpoints over the island's iconic lakes and coasts, going whale watching, relaxing in natural thermal hotsprings, and having wonderful dining experiences. I've included options based on your interests (relaxation, nature, culture), so it's easy to pick just one if you want a slower pace, or scale up if you're the kind of traveler who wants to do it all. I also provide recommended restaurants, bars, and accommodations around the island where you'll be staying. There's truly something for everyone in Sao Miguel, and with this guide, you'll have the perfect foundation and ease of mind to make the trip your own!

São Miguel Island is the largest--in both size and population--of the Azores. The Green Island was discovered and claimed by the Portuguese in the early 15th century. Mild climate and fertile volcanic soil made the island appealing for settlers. It quickly became an export hub for in-demand sugar. A fishing industry eventually followed. Now it's tourists who are flocking to the island. They're lured by black-sand beaches, hidden hot springs, lake-filled craters, Europe's only tea plantations, quiet hiking trails, volcanic hills, and whale-watching tours. Be sure to spend some time in Ponta Delgada, the easy-to-navigate capital, as well. This detailed guide includes: Places: cities, neighborhoods, towns, hidden villages Stay: hotels Eat: coffee shops, ice cream stands, restaurants, teahouses Drink: beach bars, rooftop bars Do: abandoned hotels, aqueducts, bamboo groves, beaches, botanical gardens, bridges, chapels, churches, fountains, fumaroles, gardens, gates, hikes, lakes, marinas, nature preserves, public parks, roads, sculptures, squares, statues, tourist offices, viewpoints Transportation: airports, car rentals, parking lots

There are secret islands in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean. Nine of them, actually. The Azores are an autonomous region of Portugal, even though they're nearly 900 miles off the coast of Lisbon. Mount Pico, on the island of Pico, is actually the highest point in the European country. The volcanic archipelago is covered with farmland. Small fishing communities line the coasts. Travelers were first introduced to the remote islands when they became a refueling stop for flights between Europe and North America. Direct flights from Boston and New York eventually followed. The Azores are finally being discovered by North Americans without Portuguese heritage. It's about time. Ponta Delgada, the little capital, mixes historic buildings with modern hotels and restaurants. São Miguel, the main island, is full of hiking trails and hot springs. Pico Island is famous for its wine. While seven other islands are just waiting to be explored. With mild climate, thanks to the jet stream, the Azores are a year-round destination. Go before the secret gets out. This detailed guide includes: Places: islands, cities, neighborhoods, towns, hidden villages Stay: hotels Eat: bakeries, coffee shops, ice cream stands, pizzerias, restaurants, teahouses Drink: beach bars, rooftop bars, tapas bars, wineries Do: abandoned hotels, aqueducts, bamboo groves, beaches, botanical gardens, bridges, chapels, churches, fountains, fumaroles, gardens, gates, hikes, lakes, marinas, mountains, natural swimming pools, nature preserves, public parks, roads, sculptures, squares, statues, tourist offices, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, viewpoints, windmills Transportation: airports, car rentals, ferries, parking lots