Free walking tours in Sete Cidades and what to see

Must-sees

Sete Cidades is a small village in the west of São Miguel island, in the Azores, built on the floor of a huge volcanic caldera. Several lakes lie inside the crater, and the two most famous are the Lagoa Azul and the Lagoa Verde, joined by a narrow channel crossed by a bridge. Depending on the light, one looks bluer and the other greener, and from above the difference is striking. In the centre of the village is the Church of São Nicolau, reached along a tree-lined avenue.

The best views are from the crater rim. The Vista do Rei viewpoint is the best known, and from it a signposted trail leads down to the village. Other high points look over the Lagoa de Santiago and the Lagoa do Canário, surrounded by forest. The whole area is part of the São Miguel Natural Park. Heading down to the west coast, the village of Mosteiros has natural pools among volcanic rocks and islets just offshore.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Sete Cidades. What you will find are outdoor activities: a bike tour of the caldera and bike and kayak hire to explore the lakes on your own. Paddling on the Lagoa Azul is a calm way to see the crater from inside. Day trips around the west of the island also leave from Ponta Delgada, stopping at the viewpoints and the village.

How long to spend

With half a day you can see the main viewpoints and take a walk by the lakes. If you want to do the trail from Vista do Rei, or go out by kayak or bike, allow a full day. Bear in mind that fog is common at the top of the crater, so leave some margin and go up when the sky is clear. You can round off the day by driving down to Mosteiros to watch the sunset over the sea.

Where to stay

Inside the caldera there are few beds, mainly rural houses and small places to stay, ideal if you want to wake up by the lakes before the day trips arrive. Most travellers sleep in Ponta Delgada, a little over half an hour away by car, where there is much more choice and more restaurants. Mosteiros, on the nearby coast, is another quiet seaside option.