I’ve got all the best eco hotels and things to do in this short guide to exploring the island of Sao Miguel Azores. While you’re reading through and getting ideas, you may find a few affiliate links I’ve added. If you decide to click and make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. This helps me keep my blog going and I’m so appreciative of your support!
Your Eco-Friendly Adventure Travel Guide to Sao Miguel in the Azores
It won’t be hard to slow down when visiting the islands of the Azores. Where a typical traffic jam is caused by the neighborhood cows and your only hurry will be in getting changed to jump into a hot spring. Then you can indulge in an amazing locally sourced dinner of sausages, octopus or fish. A glass of locally made wine and a star filled sky to soothe away your sore feet while dreaming of your epic day tomorrow.
There are rainbows a plenty and a plethora of tours focused on hiking, and eco-tourism. On my visit to the Azores I tried to do a little of all of this. After departing from Madeira Island, my 2.5-hour flight took me to the biggest Island in the Azores and the most touristic Sao Miguel. I arrived on a drizzly afternoon in Ponta Delgado, the capital of this autonomous region and largest town in the island chain. It has been inhabited since 1444, founded by the Portuguese just two decades after Madeira Island. After my arrival, I hopped in my rental car and headed to my hotel for the night. Google Maps worked here as well, so finding my way towards my destination was easy as pie. It took around 45 minutes to reach the town area called Furnas. The drive takes you through green rolling hills, cows and lush vegetation. I continued on passed a volcanic lake with steam rising in the distance. The fog and drizzle made everything look mysterious, with the lack of cars or other people I felt like I might have been in some post human time.
This amazing property was once a derelict farm. After the farm closed the property was purchased by Luisa and her husband who converted Quinta Da Mo’ into an amazing eco complex. It is a fantastic place that melds with nature while still having every amenity you might find in a big hotel. The property has a handful of private bungalow style homes situated on several acres. They are each unique with different numbers of bedrooms and styles. Most of them were old grain mills and they make the perfect home away from home for any holiday. With full kitchens and private terraces, you will be in a lush, private sanctuary. With resident chickens, cute ducks that will follow you around and a giant carp you will be sure to feel like you are on a farm.
Its lush relaxation area is perfect for reading a book and listening to the sound of the nearby waterfall. The jungle-like outdoor cooking area is a great place to sit and have an espresso, or rowboat around the pond with the resident ducks, relax in a hot tub while listening to the rain or enjoy a home cooked meal on your own private patio. Just don’t forget to try Luisa’s home cooked banana cake that she leaves in all the rooms for an impromptu breakfast or midnight snack.
I woke to the sounds of roosters crowing, and headed to the riverside outdoor kitchen for a morning espresso.
The day did not go as I hoped as a thick fog had enveloped most of the island. This meant that I would not be able to hike the Sete Cidades or any of the other volcanic calderas until the rain and clouds cleared.
I attempted to go to one of the nearby overlooks to get an idea of what this island really looked like. I got stuck in a cow traffic jam on the way on the small country roads, but was soon on my way up to the overlook. It seemed like I was completely alone on this island though, other than the cows that is. At the top of the overlook, was a great view, or there would have been a great view, all I saw was a thick white wet fog however. With that I headed back in the direction of my hotel to see the furnal hot springs.
Over the next day and half I drove all over the island and explored as much as I could despite the overcast skies and drizzle. I visited the Caldeira Velha which is a great place to go for some relaxation. This is a natural hot pool in the forest where boiling water from the ground mixes with cool river water. The result is a perfect 105-degree hot pool. When you get to toasty you can walk up the hill where there is a second pool with a waterfall of regular river temperature water. This park is just a five-minute walk from the road and even has bathrooms and changing stalls. Parking there can be difficult even on a rainy day as there are only about 12 spots for cars.
One of my main goals was to hike the 13 mile trail to the Sete Cidades, a huge caldera that rises above a gigantic volcanic lake. Alas, when I arrived at this lake it was still hemmed in by clouds. Since I couldn’t do much hiking I did a driving tour through Lagoa, Ribeira Grande, Furnas and points between. I saw many beautiful places, the coastline was beautiful, the volcanic hills rolled right into the ocean and the waves crashed down all around. If seas hadn’t been so rough I had hoped to swim at Pont de Ferraira, a place where a hot spring is joined by the ocean.
Quinta Santa Bårbara Turistica
At these eco bungalows you can pick your own vegetables to be cooked at the on-site restaurant. Which serves fresh local seafood and local delicacies as well as having an amazing wine list and friendly staff. Have the spa to yourself after a long day hiking. With a steam room, sauna hot tub and solar heated pool. The bungalows are pod style and are the size of American style Apartment with full kitchens, living rooms, large bathrooms and separate bedrooms. It has every amenity you might need and because it isn’t connected to any other unit, you can sleep soundly in the natural surroundings.
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