Yulia Saf 
Hi traveler, welcome to Portugal! I live in Portugal and have visited a lot of its hidden gems, including the beautiful São Miguel island in the Azores archipelago. And in this guide, I’m your trip-planning gal for all things related to where to stay in São Miguel!
I’ve cherrypicked the top areas where it makes sense to base yourself as a tourist and included some amazing hotels in every area (including a place where I stayed!).
São Miguel is small and it’s really easy to move around, so it’s best to base yourself in Ponta Delgada, the capital. This is where all tourists stay on their first visit, especially those without a car!
Choosing the right hotel to stay in can make or break your vacation in São Miguel, so I want to remind you to book yours in advance! The same goes for all the tours you plan to take.
Now, let’s get started with our virtual tour of this green island in the middle of the Atlantic!
Quick Picks for Your Stay
These are the top São Miguel hotels located in Ponta Delgada:
Contents
- Quick Picks for Your Stay
- 1. Ponta Delgada – where to stay in São Miguel for first-timers
- 2. Ribeira Grande (North Coast) – where to stay in São Miguel for surfing
- 3. Furnas – the best area in São Miguel, Azores, for families and hikers
- 4. South Coast – where to stay in São Miguel for a local experience
- FAQs about where to stay in São Miguel, Azores
- Final thoughts
Here’s a map to help you visualize where all the best hotels and areas of São Miguel, Azores, are located:
- Ponta Delgada: for first-timers
- Ribeira Grande: for surfing
- Furnas: for families and hikers
- South Coast: for a local vibe
1. Ponta Delgada – where to stay in São Miguel for first-timers
We stayed in the capital city of Ponta Delgada during our trip, and I noticed that most tourists chose it as their base for travels across the island. So if you’re a first-timer to the island, this is where you want to be! The city is centrally located so it’s easy to move around, plus it’s where all the best hotels, restaurants, and nightlife spots are!
Whether you’re traveling as a couple, with friends, or a family with small kids, Ponta Delgada is the absolute best option. It’s also the starting point for all tours, which is a perfect way to explore the island if you’re traveling without a car (more on this just below).
Just a heads up, the weather in São Miguel can change at any minute. Fortunately, when you base yourself in Punta Delgada, you can easily change your route to other parts of the island, depending on the forecast. It’s what we did, and it worked so well.
INSIDER TIPS: The SpotAzores app has live forecast cameras on multiple spots across the island so you can see how things are in real time! Bring clothes for all seasons when visiting the island, and definitely include a raincoat and a light jacket.
The city itself is super nice to visit, too. You can wander around its cobblestone streets, check out some historical churches, relax in the Jose do Canto Botanical Gardens (map), or try the typical food at the Mercado da Graça (map).
By the way, I talk about fun experiences in Ponta Delgada in more detail in my post on things to do in São Miguel, so feel free to check that one out!
HINT: Whale watching is a big thing here (in April, May, and June)! Just head down to the iconic Futurismo Azores Adventures agency (map) by the port to book your tour!
Did you know São Miguel is one of the few places on Earth where they grow pineapples in greenhouses!? Visit the local Pineapple Plantation (map) to see it yourself and try some local-made pineapple jam, juice, and liquor!
Oh, and if you’re into hiking and want to stay close to the best lookouts, consider a place in Lagoa (map) just a 15-minute drive East of Ponta Delgada! Take the iconic PRC02 SMI Lagoa do Fogo (map) or PRC 37 SMI Rota de Agua (map) trails and marvel at all the natural wonders and lakes of the area!
GETTING AROUND: I definitely recommend a car rental because it’s just so much more convenient for exploring. You can drive from one part of the island to another in less than an hour and a half! Oh, and check out my guide where I share tips and things to know for car rentals in Azores!
Ride-hailing apps don’t operate here (last time I checked, there was one single Uber driver for the whole island), and I don’t recommend buses and minivans unless you have no other option. Taxis are available and a ride to the airport (which is just next to Ponta Delgada) is around €15.
Finally, I definitely recommend a day trip from Ponta Delgada to Sete Cidades (map) in the West part of the island. This place is super remote compared to other landmarks, but it’s so worth seeing. It has a gorgeous lagoon, two lakes situated between a volcanic crater, and the most amazing viewpoints! I mean, just look at the Miradouro da Boca do Inferno (map)!
Where to stay in Ponta Delgada – best hotels
Since you’ll most likely be staying in Ponta Delgada during your trip to São Miguel, I highlighted the 8 top-rated hotels and sorted them nicely by budget just to give you some more variety.
Luxury (€250 and up)
- Octant Ponta Delgada (Azor Hotel) – Check out this vibrant and cosmopolitan hotel featuring rooms with stunning sea views, an outdoor swimming pool, and a wellness center where you can relax. They also offer free parking and a yummy breakfast recommended by all past guests! Definitely the best place to stay in Ponta Delgada.
- Grand Hotel Açores Atlântico – This luxury hotel features a perfect location facing the Ponta Delgada Marina and is just 1 mile from Downtown! Enjoy a heated indoor swimming pool, 8 conference rooms, their signature restaurant, free parking, and a delicious buffet breakfast served every morning. Best of all, they have the most comfortable beds!
- White Exclusive Suites & Villas – If you’re up for an authentic and secluded luxury experience between Ponta Delgada and Lagoa, these Mediterranean-style villas will surprise you! They have it all from a gorgeous pool with sea views, free parking, charming rooms, and daily breakfast.
Mid-range (€100 – €250)
- Hotel Talisman – This hotel is conveniently located in Ponta Delgada city center and offers a rooftop outdoor pool with great views! It also has a gym and an outdoor pool and private parking for €7 per day.
- Hotel Marina Atlantico – This 4-star hotel has rooms that cater to both mid-range and luxury travelers (the VIP suite), it has 2 beautiful swimming pools, a spa and wellness center, and it’s one of the best places to stay in Ponta Delgada for couples!
- Azoris Royal Garden – The 4-star Azoris Royal Garden is a modern hotel with amazing facilities, including 2 outdoor swimming pools, private parking (€9 per day) and a spa center with massages and treatments.
Budget (up to €100)
- Casa Barão das Laranjeiras – This is where I stayed during my holiday in São Miguel, and I definitely recommend it. The hotel is super nice, cozy, and has great facilities like a shared kitchen (there is a huge supermarket right nearby) and an outdoor pool! The hotel is walkable to the restaurants and car rentals but not so much to the city center, so we hired a car right away.
- Hotel Alcides – Located in Ponta Delgada historical center, this budget hotel offers a restaurant, terrace, and an on-site bar. They have a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi, too!
Things to do in Ponta Delgada
- Get to know Ponta Delgada on this 4-hour walking tour
- Try delicious food at the Mercado da Graça
- Relax in Jose do Canto Botanical Gardens
- Join an exciting tour of São Miguel West
- Go hiking and admire the views from Miradouro do Pico de Barrosa (map)
- See the whole island in one day on this express day trip
- Join on a whale-watching day tour
- Enjoy a fun guided buggy ride to Sete Cidades
2. Ribeira Grande (North Coast) – where to stay in São Miguel for surfing
On the North coast of São Miguel, you’ll find Ribeira Grande, a quiet town just a 12-minute drive from Ponta Delgada. The small town is in a perfect position to explore the West and the Eastern areas of the island but at lower prices compared to Ponta Delgada. But what makes this area most appealing to tourists is how great it is for surfing!
The highlight is the Praia do Areal de Santa Barbara (map), my favorite beach on the whole island. It’s huge, so it never gets too crowded, and is a paradise for beginner surfers!
The waves in the Praia Ribeira Grande area are mellow and super easy to catch, and the water is shallow until far away from the shore. This is the reason why there are many surf schools giving lessons here!
Another reason why I love this beach is that it is fully equipped with all the facilities you might need: showers, changing rooms, toilets, and lifeguards.
For even more seclusion and peace, check just accommodation a little bit further West in Capelas (map) and Calhetas (map) – they are about a 10-minute drive from Ribeira and have decent infrastructure (restaurants etc.) too.
I was actually considering staying in Capelas myself as we found something very affordable, but in the end, we booked a place in Santa Delgada for the convenience.
QUICK TIPS: If you’re used to Airbnbs, try to make São Miguel an exception. Hotels are actually cheaper and in much better condition here! Also, if you’re traveling without a car, choose a hotel as close to the city center in Ribeira Grande as possible.
Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort
Luxury in Ribeira Grande hardly gets any better than at Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort! Think lavish rooms with private balconies and loungers with direct access to the pool, and all that with amazing sea views! Try their Deluxe Villa, it comes with a private jacuzzi!
Other accommodation options in Ribeira Grande
Start your day with a delicious breakfast in this great hotel also offering free private parking and a bar
Check out this guest house on the beach with free parking and Wi-Fi, ideal place to stay for budget travelers
This cozy and modern house has unique decor and a great location right in the city center of Ribeira Grande
I couldn’t resist giving you a couple more incredible luxury hotel options in the Ribeira Grande area:
- Hotel Verde Mar & Spa – The best luxury hotel in the very center of Riberia Grande with exceptional staff, a huge outdoor pool, a lavish spa, delicious breakfast, and room service. If the waves are there, you’ll see lots of surfers from your Sea View room!
- Resort Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa: This resort is located just 20 minutes from Ribeira Grande and offers beautiful rooms and suites, all featuring balconies with sea or mountain views!
Things to do in Ribeira Grande
- Take a surf lesson with one of the many surf schools
- Stroll around Ribeira Grande city center
- Gaze at amazing water views from Miradouro do Palheiro (map)
- Explore the East side of São Miguel on a guided tour
- Join a thrilling 4-hour ATV quad tour of Sete Cidades
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3. Furnas – the best area in São Miguel, Azores, for families and hikers
Furnas is a small town located on the East part of São Miguel Island, some 45 minutes from Ponta Delgada and 25 minutes from Ribeira Grande. If you’re traveling with a family or just want to maximize spending time outdoors, Furnas can be a nice alternative to Ponta Delgada.
The area is popular for its natural hot springs, mud pools, and fumaroles (vents in the Earth from which volcano gasses evaporate) with tons of hiking trails around those areas. As you drive over from São Miguel, you’ll pass Furnas Lake (map) with scenic views and nice walking paths, and then all the fumaroles will be to the North of the lake (map).
FUN FACT: Furnas restaurants actually use the heat of these geothermal springs to cook the traditional Cozido das Furnas stew with chicken, beef, pork, sausages, and veggies! The stew just casually sits there for around 6 hours!
Staying in Furnas will also allow you to explore all the best attractions of São Miguel’s east coast, like the Poça da Dona Beija (map) hot springs, the many miradouros (viewpoints), and natural parks! Plus, you can swim at one of the most beautiful beaches around, Praia do Fogo (map).
However, a must in the area is Terra Nostra Park, also part of the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, an oasis of peace where you can soak in the hot springs or lose yourself in its charming gardens! This is the main reason why tourists flock to this area!
NOTE: Nightlife is basically nonexistent in all areas outside of Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande. Keep this in mind when choosing where to stay in São Miguel.
The symbol of Furnas and its most luxurious hotel, Terra Nostra has its own thermal bath with 24/7 access, plus 2 swimming pools, a gym, and a lovely spa. For ultimate luxury, choose their Deluxe Suite in the hotel’s signature Art Déco style. A giant park around the property makes this place all the more serene and suitable for families.
Other accommodation options in Furnas
This is a great hotel offering family rooms with an equipped kitchen, free parking, and a sun terrace
A lovely property with cozy rooms featuring AC, free Wi-Fi, and private parking
What a great place to stay for couples looking for romance and seclusion with a touch of luxury
Things to do in Furnas
- Soak in the Poça da Dona Beija natural hot springs
- Join a full-day tour of the East Coast of São Miguel
- Have a picnic with the family at Furnas Lake
- Enjoy a night-time experience with thermal baths and dinner
- Go canyoning in Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
- Lose yourself in the gardens of Terra Nostra Park
- Visit the tea plantations, lakes, and volcanoes around Furnas
- Enjoy amazing ocean views from the Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego (map)
4. South Coast – where to stay in São Miguel for a local experience
The South Coast of São Miguel encompasses the small towns of Caloura (map) and, most notably, Vila Franca do Campo (map), both some 25 minutes away from the capital.
Caloura is an old, charming, fishing village known for its laid-back vibes, delicious food, and really good weather. Vila Franca do Campo is slightly bigger and famed for its beach culture, whale and dolphin watching, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Basically, look for a place in Vila Franca do Campo if you’re into marine life exploration, and stay in Caloura for a glimpse of authentic Azorean life. Still, I wouldn’t stay here for longer than 2 days because there’s just not much to do compared to the other more central areas.
Both towns are very quiet and, like with Furnas, have almost no nightlife. You will find some nice restaurants though, like the Atlantico Azorean Restaurant (map) with traditional fare and beautiful ocean views.
The main draw of this area, however, is that thanks to its flat ground and low altitude, it has some of the best microclimates on the island: sunny (the clouds are concentrated on the interiors of the island) and less humid, the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sea. Praia de Agua D’Alto (map), with its volcanic sand, is the best beach for that!
Pestana Bahia Praia Nature & Beach Resort
If you want to splurge a little during your holiday in São Miguel, this beachfront hotel might be what you are looking for! This luxurious resort gives you direct access to Baia de Água d’Alto Beach and offers countless activities. You can play tennis on the 2 courts, billiards, and table tennis in the games room, or go golfing, hiking, and cycling in the nearby area.
Other accommodation options on the South Coast
This amazing resort is located in a protected natural area and has direct access to the sea and natural pools
Check out one of the best hotels in Caloura to stay on a budget, offering ocean views, a pool, and a tennis court
You will love this cozy cottage located in a very tranquil area close to many beaches, offering free parking on-site!
Things to do on the South Coast
- Spend a relaxing beach day at Praia de Agua D’Alto
- Dine on the best-grilled fish on the island at Bar Caloura (map)
- If you are in town in July, attend the Caloura Blues festival
- Book a whale-watching tour with a local agency (map)
- Go canyoning in Calderoes
| 👑 Luxury price: | €200 |
| 💵 Mid-range: | €140 |
| 🛏️ Budget: | €70 |
| 📍 Best area: | Ponta Delgada |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Octant Ponta Delgada |
| 🧳 Best mid-range hotel: | Hotel Talisman |
| 👛 Best budget hotel: | Hotel Alcides |
FAQs about where to stay in São Miguel, Azores
📍What are the best areas to stay in São Miguel island for first-time visitors?
The best area to stay in São Miguel, Azores, is Ponta Delgada. This is the capital city and the most popular tourist destination in the middle of the island.
📅 How many days do you need in São Miguel, Azores Archipelago?
If you want to see most of the attractions, you should spend up to 5 days on the island and stay in a central area like Ponta Delgada.
👪 Which is the best area in São Miguel, Azores, for families?
The best area to stay in São Miguel for families is Ponta Delgada (for overall convenience and access to attractions), while the small city of Furnas, East of the island, is ideal for those who prioritize hiking and time in nature.
🤩 What are the best things to do in São Miguel, Azores?
Some of the highlights include exploring the island’s many natural pools and hot springs, surfing on the North coast, or seeing the green and blue lake in Sete Cidade.
🧘♀️ Where to stay for a longer vacation in São Miguel?
Whether you’re staying for short or long, Ponta Delgada is an excellent choice. You can also split your vacation between the West (Sete Cidades) and East (Furnas) of the island.
✈️ What is the easiest way to reach São Miguel Azores?
By plane! The international airport João Paulo II in Santa Delgada serves dozens of daily flights to multiple European and worldwide destinations.
🚗 How to get around São Miguel Island?
By car! A car is practically mandatory in São Miguel if you want to reach any of the remote towns and natural wonders.
🏝️ Where can I stay in São Miguelel without a car?
Stay in Ponta Delgada because most tours that take you across the island depart from here.
🚶 Can you walk around São Miguel?
São Miguel has plenty of walkable paths and scenic hiking trails, so yes, you can walk around it a lot. Its capital city, Ponta Delgada, is also very walkable.
Final thoughts
Congrats! You made it to the end of this extensive guide about all the best areas and cities where to stay in São Miguel, Azores. Hopefully, you found the perfect hotel for you!
As you can already tell, it’s best to base yourself in Ponta Delgada whether you have a car or not. It’s just the most convenient and lively place on the island, plus you can get anywhere on the island in less than 90 minutes!
If you’re still indecisive about hotels though, these are my 2 absolute winners:
- Azor Hotel – one of the best hotels in Ponta Delgada if you want luxury, featuring elegant rooms with stunning views of the sea
- Hotel Talisman – If you are looking for great value for money, this hotel with an amazing rooftop outdoor pool is a great option
Just make sure you book your hotels in advance because the island doesn’t have too many options! The best ones sell out quickly!
And if you have any questions about your stay, drop me a comment below, and I’ll be quick to answer! Always happy to help!
Enjoy São Miguel,
Yulia
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