São Miguel Island full-day tour: Private guide, all major sites

One day covers the whole island: lakes, waterfalls, volcanic viewpoints and a working tea plantation.

A private full-day tour of São Miguel Island with a government-certified guide, hotel pickup and lunch included. You visit Sete Cidades' two-colored volcanic lakes, Lagoa do Fogo, Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park with its waterfalls, Furnas Valley's panoramic viewpoint at Pico do Ferro, and Gorreana Tea Plantation, Europe's oldest, plus coastal villages and viewpoints along the north and south coasts. The itinerary can be customized on request. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour of São Miguel Island

• Depart from accommodation
• Visit Sete Cidades volcanic lakes
• See Lagoa do Fogo lake
• Explore Ribeira dos Caldeirões Waterfalls
• Enjoy traditional Azorean lunch
• Visit Furnas Valley and Pico do Ferro viewpoint
• Stop at Europe's only tea plantation and factory
• Return to accommodation via north road

The experience

The tour departs from your accommodation and moves through the island methodically: south coast first, then west to Sete Cidades, where the volcanic crater holds two lakes (one blue, one green) ringed by steep green hills. From there the route heads north to Lagoa do Fogo, a pristine volcanic lake surrounded by untouched landscape, before reaching Ribeira dos Caldeirões Natural Park, where stone paths and wooden bridges wind through forest to waterfalls and old watermills.

Lunch is a traditional Azorean buffet with starters, main dish, drinks, dessert and coffee. After eating, the tour moves into Furnas Valley to stand at Pico do Ferro, a viewpoint overlooking the valley and Furnas Lake with steam rising from volcanic fumaroles visible across the landscape. The return journey follows the island's north road and stops at Gorreana Tea Plantation, where endless rows of tea plants cover rolling hills and visitors can walk freely through the fields. It is the oldest tea plantation in Europe and sits in a coastal landscape with Atlantic views. The route also includes Ribeira Grande with its black sand beaches and Baroque architecture, the quiet fishing village of Capelas with its natural swimming pools formed by volcanic rock, and viewpoints like Miradouro do Escalvado overlooking the Mosteiros islets and Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego above the ocean cliffs.

Transportation is private (an air-conditioned vehicle picks you up and drops you off at your accommodation), and the guide is certified by the Azores government. Bottled water, parking fees and all taxes are covered. The full day runs eight hours, though you can request changes to the stops or timing before booking.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off.
• government-certified guide in your choice of English, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian.
• traditional Azorean lunch with starters, main dish, drinks, dessert and coffee.
• bottled water.
• all parking fees and taxes.
• the option to customize the itinerary before your tour date.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Azores Islands Experience

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to cover the island's major sites (from Sete Cidades to Ribeira dos Caldeirões) in a single eight-hour loop with a guide handling the route and driving.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the two lakes at Sete Cidades that I'll see on this tour?

Sete Cidades holds a blue lake and a green lake inside a volcanic crater, surrounded by steep hills covered in lush vegetation. The contrast between the two colors is one of the most iconic views in the Azores, and small villages sit peacefully inside the caldera.

Is lunch included in the full-day tour price?

Yes, lunch is a traditional Azorean buffet with starters, main dish, drinks, dessert and coffee included in the tour.

Can I customize the stops on this tour?

The itinerary can be customized upon request. You can message the operator to discuss which sites matter most to you and adjust the route before the tour begins.

What is Gorreana Tea Plantation and why is it on the itinerary?

Gorreana is Europe's oldest tea plantation, set on rolling green hills with Atlantic Ocean views. Visitors can walk freely through the tea fields and watch traditional tea production, making it a unique stop that shows a side of the island most tourists miss.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes, the private vehicle picks you up and drops you off at your accommodation, and the cost covers all parking fees, bottled water and taxes.