Visiting São Miguel

  Alameda dos Plátanos   Near Povoação (south coast) Fairly flat, out-and-back walk along a red dirt road flanked by stately sycamores and hydrangeas (peak bloom is late June through August) Parking on the roadside Google Maps

If you'd like to learn some basic European Portuguese for your visit, there are some excellent teachers who offer free lessons on YouTube. Here are a few links to get you started: European Portuguese: Easy phrases for tourists (YouTube channel: TalktheStreets ) Basic Portuguese Phrases (YouTube channel: learnportuguesetoday ) Basic Portuguese for Complete Beginners - Your First Lesson (YouTube channel: portuguesewithcarla ): 30 Portuguese Words and Phrases for Everyday (YouTube channel: learnportuguesetoday ) 5 Practical Situations in European Portuguese ( YouTube channel: TalktheStreets ) European Portuguese Alphabet with Pronunciation (YouTube channel: portuguesewithmaria ) European Portuguese Alphabet and Pronunciation (YouTube channel: PracticePortuguese ) How to say numbers in European Portuguese (YouTube channel: portuguesewithmaria ) Days of the Week in Portuguese (YouTube channel: portuguesewithcarla ) If you want to learn to speak European Portuguese, you will quickly fi...

  Cha Gorreana Tea Plantation  Near Maia (north coast) Has a walking trail through the tea fields, a terrace cafe, and offers a tour of their old-timey tea factory. Google Maps Trail information : https://trails.visitazores.com/en/trails-azores/sao-miguel/ cha-gorreana Porto Formoso Tea Factory   Near Porto Formoso (north coast) A bit smaller than nearby Cha Gorreana, but also offers a free tour and tea sample Beautiful old buildings and lovely views. Google Maps

Pineapples from São Miguel are a real treat! They are smaller, sweeter, and less acidic than standard pineapples. You can buy them at farmer's markets and in grocery stores, but it's worth visiting a plantation to see how they are grown. In Ponta Delgada (south coast) The pineapples are grown in greenhouses, so this is a good rainy day activity. The plantations all have a cafe and gift shop. There are several to choose from:  Plantação do Ananás dos Açores: https://ananasdosacores.pt/en/plantacao/ Ananás Santo António: https://m.facebook.com/AnanasesSantoAntonio/ Plantação Ananases A Arruda: https://www.ananasesarruda.com/

  There are two main ceramics workshops that produce traditional handmade and hand painted ceramics and tiles. Good rainy day activity. Cerâmica Micaelense in Ribeira Grande (north coast) Open weekdays 9am-6pm; closed on weekends Google Maps Cerâmica Vieira in Lagoa (south coast) Open weekdays 9am-5pm; closed Saturday afternoon and Sunday Google Maps

  In Capelas (north coast) Extensive and charmingly presented private collection of historical items from the island, grouped by profession. Very worth seeing! The elder couple who have collected, curated, and created this museum are a treasure; I hope they will be able to keep this open for years to come! They also make and sell traditional ceramic figurines for nativity sets, woven and hand-embroidered items, and traditional art made of fish scales, fig pith, and garlic/onion skin.  Good rainy day option. Open: Monday through Friday from 10am-noon and from 2-4pm Saturdays from 2-5pm €3 entrance fee Google Maps Website : https://www.oficinamuseu.pt/

  In Ginetes (west coast) Hot spring that flows into the ocean at a natural pool.  Mid-tide is best, as the waves can be scary at high tide and the water can be too hot at low tide.  You can park in the large lot at the top of the hill and walk down from there, or you can drive all the way down and park at the restaurant/spa building - from there it is a short walk.  There are public changing rooms and bathrooms.  No entrance fee. Google Maps Overview of all hot springs