Sete Cidades half-day tour from Ponta Delgada: Twin crater lakes

Twin volcanic lakes, a king's viewpoint, and a quiet crater village in 3.5 hours

This half-day shore excursion departs directly from Ponta Delgada cruise terminal and travels through São Miguel's volcanic landscape to Sete Cidades, one of Portugal's seven natural wonders. You'll stand at Vista do Rei, the famous overlook where King Carlos I and Queen Amélia visited in 1901, and see the contrasting blue and green crater lakes below. The tour includes a comfort stop inside the crater to explore the village of Sete Cidades and visit the 19th-century São Nicolau Church.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Sete Cidades crater and village

• Pick up at Ponta Delgada cruise terminal
• Visit Vista do Rei viewpoint
• Take photos at Sete Cidades crater belvedere
• Visit Boca do Inferno viewpoint
• Stop inside Sete Cidades crater
• Walk village streets and visit São Nicolau Church
• Relax or enjoy a drink in the village

Stops and time spent at each 5 stops

1. Sete Cidades 1h
2. Lagoa do Canario 30m
3. Vista do Rei Miradouro 30m
4. Sete Cidades 30m
5. Miradouro da Boca do Inferno 40m

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle.
• live guide in English or Portuguese.
• access to Vista do Rei viewpoint, Boca do Inferno viewpoint, and the village of Sete Cidades with time to visit São Nicolau Church.

Times

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• Every day 09:00

Information

Half-day shore excursion from Ponta Delgada to Sete Cidades crater, featuring Vista do Rei viewpoint overlooking the twin lakes Lagoa Azul and Lagoa.

Group Up to 24 2 similar private tours ›

Live guide English and Portuguese Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. 7 similar tours with pickup › See the exact address

Ages Adult (10 and older) · Child (under 10)

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

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly Infant seats available Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with back problems

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

5.00 ★★★★★ Exceptional 8 verified traveler reviews

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The experience

How much of the island can you actually see if your ship only gives you a few hours ashore? This tour packs the crater's most recognizable stops into a half-day, starting with pickup at the Ponta Delgada terminal and a drive through the island's lush volcanic terrain. The route takes you to Vista do Rei first (the viewpoint that earned its nickname "The King's View" from that 1901 royal visit), where Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde sit side by side in the vast crater basin below, their colors distinct enough that the contrast is the reason photographers come back.

From the rim, you descend into the crater itself for a comfort stop in the village of Sete Cidades. The streets are quiet and the 19th-century São Nicolau Church stands framed by gardens: a neo-Gothic building that anchors the small settlement. You have time to walk, sit with a drink, or simply stand in the crater and look up at the rim you just drove down. The tour also includes Boca do Inferno, another viewpoint within Lagoa do Canario Park that looks back across the crater, giving you the geography from multiple angles. An air-conditioned vehicle carries the group throughout, and a live guide in English or Portuguese narrates the stops and the landscape's volcanic history.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 10).

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 Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde, and why do they look so different from each other?

Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) and Lagoa Verde (Green Lake) are the twin crater lakes that sit inside the vast volcanic basin of Sete Cidades. Their contrasting colors come from the minerals and algae in each lake and the way light reflects off them, making them one of the Azores' most photographed natural features.

Can I get out and walk around inside the crater, or is it mostly viewing from the car?

The tour includes a comfort stop inside the crater where you can walk through the village of Sete Cidades, visit the São Nicolau Church, or simply relax. You're not confined to the vehicle. There's time to explore on foot.

Is this tour suitable if I have mobility issues or find it hard to walk uphill?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The comfort stop in the village allows you to move at your own pace, and most of the viewing happens from the car or at accessible viewpoints. However, the tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers.

How long does the tour actually take, and will I be back to the ship in time?

The tour is 3.5 hours from pickup at the cruise terminal. Since it departs directly from Ponta Delgada and is designed for cruise guests, the timing is built around typical port schedules, though you should confirm your ship's all-aboard time when booking.

Operated by Greenzone, Animation Turistica Lda.. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago