Sete Cidades: Jeep Tour Crater Rim & Vista do Rei Views

Summary

Rugged jeep tracks, crater lakes and quiet village stops in Sete Cidades

You’ll ride a jeep along Sete Cidades’ crater rim, feeling wind and catching lake views most people miss. There’s time for coffee in the village inside the crater, plus stops at Vista do Rei and by both lakes — all with a local guide and pickup included. Expect moments of silence, laughter, and those shifting Azores skies.

What’s the experience like?

We bumped along the rim of Sete Cidades’ crater in this old Land Rover, windows down, hair full of Azores mist. The dirt track was narrower than I expected — every turn felt like we’d tip into green. Our guide, Pedro, kept one hand on the wheel and pointed out hydrangeas blooming wild along the edge. Sometimes he’d slow so we could catch that view: both lakes below, blue on one side, green on the other. I tried to take a photo but honestly, it never looks quite right through glass.

There’s something about being up there that makes you feel small — not in a bad way. We stopped at Vista do Rei and Pedro told us how the king once stood here (I guess that’s why it’s called King’s View). The clouds rolled over fast; one minute you see everything, next it’s just mist and silence except for cowbells somewhere down the slope. I liked that part more than I thought I would.

Later we rattled down into the village inside the crater. It smelled like wet stone and coffee — we ducked into a little café by the church for espresso and pastel de nata. A couple of locals nodded at us but mostly just went on with their day. Pedro laughed when I tried to say “obrigado” properly (I still think about that moment). After that we wandered across the bridge where the two lakes meet; you can actually see where blue turns to green if you squint just right. It’s subtle but kind of magical — or maybe it was just how quiet it was out there.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Sete Cidades crater and views

• Travel around crater rim on dirt track
• Stop inside crater for coffee and restrooms
• View green and blue lakes from bridge
• Make several stops to enjoy crater beauty

Top questions

How long is the Sete Cidades jeep tour?

The tour lasts about 3.5 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is hotel pickup included for this jeep tour?

Yes, pickup is included from hotels in Ponta Delgada or from your cruise ship.

Do you visit both lakes during the Sete Cidades tour?

Yes, you’ll see both the green and blue lakes and stop at a bridge between them.

Is there a stop for food or drinks?

There’s a short stop inside the crater village for coffee, drinks, or restroom use.

What kind of vehicle is used for this tour?

The main vehicle is a Land Rover Defender; sometimes a smaller 4x4 SUV may be used if needed.

Are guides multilingual?

The tour may be operated by a multilingual guide depending on group needs.

Is this jeep tour suitable for kids?

Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult; infant seats are available if requested.

Can travelers with limited mobility join?

Collapsible wheelchairs can be accommodated if someone assists with boarding/disembarking.

What’s included

Your half-day includes hotel or cruise port pickup in Ponta Delgada, an experienced driver-guide throughout Sete Cidades’ rugged tracks, insurance coverage for peace of mind, plus time to relax with coffee or snacks inside the crater village before heading back down again.