Sete Cidades & Lagoa do Fogo jeep tour: Two volcanic lakes

Drive off-road to two crater lakes and a volcanic summit viewpoint

A jeep tour of Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo on São Miguel Island with a professional guide and hotel or port pickup. The tour covers off-road paths that regular vehicles cannot reach, starting at Miradouro do Pico do Carvão for island-wide views, then descending into the Sete Cidades caldera to see Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul separated by a narrow bridge, and finishing at Lagoa do Fogo, the island's highest lake inside an active volcanic crater. The tour runs 8 hours and suits all fitness levels. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and a minimum of two people is required per departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo

• Visit Miradouro do Pico do Carvão viewpoint
• Explore Sete Cidades lakes and caldera
• Discover Lagoa do Fogo volcanic lake

The experience

Sete Cidades sits about 17 km northwest of Ponta Delgada, a caldera holding three smaller lakes and two large ones (Lagoa Verde with its crystal-clear green water and Lagoa Azul in striking blue) separated by only a narrow bridge. The jeep gets you to viewpoints and off-road terrain that conventional vehicles cannot access, so you reach angles and overlooks of the crater and its lakes that a standard car tour would miss. Miradouro do Pico do Carvão opens the day with views across lush valleys and rolling hills. On clear days the sight extends to Lagoa do Fogo and the surrounding mountains.

Lagoa do Fogo, the island's highest lake, sits inside the crater of an active volcano and is surrounded by lush forest, rugged hills and volcanic terrain. Its waters are often a vibrant blue against the green vegetation, and the area is a protected natural reserve. The jeep route lets you approach this landscape from angles a walking tour or a road-bound vehicle cannot reach, bringing you close to the geothermal character of São Miguel without requiring hiking or scrambling.

Hotel or port pickup in Ponta Delgada is included, so the logistics are handled before you step into the jeep. A professional guide speaks English or Portuguese and leads the full 8 hours. Public transportation options are nearby if you prefer to meet the group at a central point instead.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Portuguese.
• hotel or port pickup and drop-off service in Ponta Delgada.
• jeep access to off-road paths and viewpoints that regular vehicles cannot reach.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

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 22 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 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Azores Trails of Nature

Is this one for you?The jeep handles the steep terrain and off-road routes, so you see the volcanic landscape and crater lakes from angles a standard car tour cannot reach without requiring you to hike or scramble on foot.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide 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 two lakes at Sete Cidades and how are they different?

Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul sit at the base of the Sete Cidades caldera, separated by a narrow bridge. Lagoa Verde holds crystal-clear green water while Lagoa Azul is a striking blue. The contrast comes from the mineral composition and light reflection in each crater lake.

Can I reach Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo by regular car, or does the jeep make a difference?

The jeep accesses off-road paths that conventional vehicles cannot reach, bringing you to viewpoints and angles of the volcanic terrain that a standard car tour would miss. This is what makes the geothermal landscape and the crater lakes visible from perspectives most visitors don't see.

How long is this tour and what time does it start?

The tour runs 8 hours. Your hotel or port pickup in Ponta Delgada is included, so the guide will collect you at your accommodation and return you at the end of the day.

What is Lagoa do Fogo and why is it special?

Lagoa do Fogo is the highest lake on São Miguel Island, nestled inside the crater of an active volcano. It is surrounded by lush forests, rugged volcanic hills and dramatic terrain, and the area is protected as a natural reserve to preserve its untouched landscape.