Sete Cidades & Lagoa do Fogo tour: Volcanic lakes views

The bridge between Sete Cidades' blue and green lagoons sits at the exact point where two volcanic crater lakes meet.

A full-day tour of the Sete Cidades volcanic crater on São Miguel visits five viewpoints overlooking the twin lagoons, stops at a 160-year-old ceramics factory and working pineapple greenhouses, and includes hotel pickup, a local guide in English or Portuguese, and lunch. The tour runs 8 to 9 hours and operates in all weather.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo

• Visit Vista do Rei belvedere
• See Santiago Lagoon
• View Sete Cidades volcano crater
• Stop at bridge between blue and green lagoons
• Admire Escalvado Viewpoint
• Enjoy viewpoint over Sete Cidades crater and lagoons
• Relax at Caldeira Velha hot springs (optional)
• Visit Vieira Ceramics factory
• Learn pineapple growing process in greenhouses
• Admire volcanic cones from viewpoint
• See volcanic crater lagoon
• Visit Historic Center of Ribeira Grande

The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup and heads to Vista do Rei, the belvedere where King Carlos and Queen Amélia stood in 1901, looking down into the Sete Cidades crater. From there you move through the volcanic landscape, stopping at the bridge that divides the blue and green lagoons: the two crater lakes that give the site its name. The Escalvado Viewpoint comes next, where the volcanic force of the area shaped monasteries and a smithy visible from above. A third viewpoint frames the entire volcanic crater and its lagoons against the north and south coasts of the island.

Between the crater stops, the tour includes two working sites. At the Vieira Ceramics factory in Lagoa, founded in 1862 and still run by the same family, you watch traditional earthenware production using methods unchanged for over 150 years. The factory is open 9am to 5pm. Later, you walk through glass greenhouses to learn how pineapples grow on the island: a two-year cycle from planting to harvest. Lunch is provided partway through the day.

The final major stop is Lagoa do Fogo, a volcanic crater hidden in the landscape with its own lagoon formed inside. A viewpoint there shows the expanse of volcanic cones stretching between the two volcanoes. The tour also includes a brief visit to the historic center of Ribeira Grande before returning to your hotel. Bottled water and device chargers are available throughout the day.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• local guide in English or Portuguese.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• lunch.
• device chargers for smartphones and tablets.
• entry to Vieira Ceramics factory and the pineapple greenhouses.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 09:20

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Child (6 to 16 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years)

GroupUp to 8

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 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree 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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Azores Dream Tours

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup means you don't need a rental car or local transport to reach the crater. The tour collects you and returns you at the end of the day, which suits anyone staying in Ponta Delgada or nearby without their own vehicle.

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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: Child (6 to 16 years); Infant (1 to 5 years).

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 is the bridge between the blue and green lagoons at Sete Cidades?

The bridge is a mandatory stop on the tour where the two crater lakes meet. It marks the point where the Santiago Lagoon (green) and the second lagoon (blue) divide within the Sete Cidades volcanic crater, and it is one of the most photographed spots on the island.

Can I visit the thermal pools at Caldeira Velha on this tour?

Caldeira Velha natural hot spring pools are listed as a stop, but entry is not included in the tour price and is available only if you choose to pay separately at the time.

How long does the tour take and what time does it start?

The tour runs 8 to 9 hours total. Hotel pickup is included, so the start time depends on where you are staying. Your hotel will be contacted with the exact pickup time once you book.

What happens at the Vieira Ceramics factory?

Vieira Ceramics, founded in 1862 and now in its fifth generation, demonstrates traditional earthenware production methods that have remained unchanged for over 150 years. The factory is open 9am to 5pm, and the visit is included in the tour.

How do pineapples grow in the Azores?

Pineapples are grown in glass greenhouses on São Miguel and take 2 years from planting to harvest. The tour includes a stop where you walk through the greenhouses and learn the full growing process.