Sete Cidades half-day jeep tour: Volcanic lagoons and ridge views

Drive the volcanic rim and stand above two lagoons in one morning

A half-day jeep tour of Sete Cidades on São Miguel takes you through the volcanic landscape to Pico da Cruz at 856 meters, where you see the Green and Blue Lagoons, Rasa Lagoon and Santiago Lagoon spread across the caldera below. The route includes a neo-Gothic church lined with cryptomeria trees and stops at Miradouro das Cumeeiras for views across the entire crater and village. A professional guide leads the way in English or Portuguese, and hotel or port pickup is included for guests in Ponta Delgada.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Sete Cidades natural landmarks

• Visit Sete Cidades Lagoon
• See neo-Gothic church and cryptomeria trees
• Hike dirt trail to Pico da Cruz summit
• Stop at Miradouro das Cumeeiras viewpoint

The experience

You arrive at Sete Cidades with a free afternoon or morning and no car. The tour picks you up from your hotel or the port in Ponta Delgada and drives you into the volcanic landscape that surrounds the two lagoons (the Green Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon) each colored by the minerals and algae in the freshwater below. The jeep climbs a scenic dirt trail ascending to Pico da Cruz, where the view opens across the entire caldera: the two main lagoons, Rasa Lagoon, Santiago Lagoon, and the village nestled at the crater's base.

Along the way you stop at a small neo-Gothic church built in the 19th century, flanked by cryptomeria trees that line the path to its entrance. The route follows the caldera's ridge, and at Miradouro das Cumeeiras you step out for sweeping views of the whole Sete Cidades crater and its lagoons. The professional guide (speaking English or Portuguese) explains the volcanic geology and the landscape as you move through it. The tour runs about three and a half hours, leaving time for lunch or other stops elsewhere on the island before or after.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Portuguese.
• hotel and port pickup and drop-off service for guests in Ponta Delgada city.

Before you book

Lasts 3h 30m, runs every day at 09:00 and 14:00, from € 50 per person, with a live guide in English and Portuguese, in groups of up to 6 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 30 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Azores Trails of Nature

Is this one for you?At three and a half hours, this tour leaves your afternoon or morning free for other activities on São Miguel (a meal, a beach, or another site), while still giving you the full view of the Sete Cidades caldera and both lagoons from the ridge.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (6 to 10 years); Infant (under 6).

What are the Green Lagoon and Blue Lagoon at Sete Cidades?

The Green Lagoon and Blue Lagoon are two distinct bodies of water that together form Lagoa das Sete Cidades, the largest freshwater lake in the Azores. They sit inside volcanic craters and are separated by a narrow strip of land. The different colors come from the minerals and algae in each body of water.

How high is Pico da Cruz and what can you see from the top?

Pico da Cruz stands at 856 meters. From the summit you see the Green and Blue Lagoons, Rasa Lagoon, Santiago Lagoon, and the village of Sete Cidades spread across the caldera below, with mountains and greenery surrounding the entire crater.

Is hotel pickup included in this tour?

Yes, hotel and port pickup and drop-off service is included for guests staying in Ponta Delgada city.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not very fit?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You travel by jeep to the stops, and while there is a scenic dirt trail to Pico da Cruz, the pace is set by the group and the guide.