Furnas Boutique Hotel Thermal & Spa

I've always loved hotels. This is why I ended up studying hospitality at Les Roches International School of Hotel Management and working for Starwood, Kempinski and Mandarin Oriental. I've been a Portugal specialist since 2019 and have lived in Lisbon since 2022. This means that I've had the opportunity to stay in and inspect some wonderful properties over the years. Here I'm sharing a collection of some of my favorite hotels.

Known as the "Green Island", Sao Miguel is the largest and most populated island in the Azores. Filled with beautiful lakes, waterfalls, volcano craters and endless fields of hydrangeas, it's absolutely a stunning destination. By putting this guide together, I wanted to help you make the most out of your time in Sao Miguel. This guide includes 👉 Advice on getting to Sao Miguel 👉 Guidelines on renting a car 👉 12 Hotel recommendations (at least half of which I've personally visited) 👉 23 Places to explore 👉 9 Suggested excursions 👉 21 Restaurant and bar recommendations and so much more!

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!