Free walking tours in Vila Franca do Campo and what to see

Must-sees

Vila Franca do Campo is on the south coast of São Miguel island and was the island's first capital until an earthquake and a huge landslide destroyed it in 1522. Today it is a quiet town with a centre of orderly streets around the main church of São Miguel Arcanjo. Above the town, a long tiled stairway climbs to the hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Paz, from where you can see the whole coast.

The big attraction lies opposite the harbour. The Vila Franca islet is an old volcanic crater with an almost circular lagoon linked to the sea by a narrow passage, protected as a nature reserve for its seabirds. In the bathing season you can go by boat and swim inside, with limited visitor numbers. Do not leave without trying the queijadas da Vila, the town's traditional sweet.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Vila Franca do Campo, but there are several activities at sea. You can book whale- and dolphin-watching trips combined with a stop at the islet, glass-bottom boat trips to see marine life without getting wet and kayak routes along the coast. To see the rest of São Miguel, day trips to Furnas and the lakes leave from Ponta Delgada.

How long to spend

The centre and the climb to the hermitage can be seen in a couple of hours. The islet visit takes half a day, especially if you stay for a swim, and it is worth booking because access is limited. With two days you can add a boat or kayak trip and visit Furnas or Lagoa do Fogo, both a short drive away.

Where to stay

Staying in Vila Franca puts the harbour and the islet boat on foot, with guesthouses, apartments and the odd hotel near the sea. Água d'Alto, to the west, has a sandy beach and holiday rentals. If you want more restaurants and life, Ponta Delgada is about half an hour away by car and is the most convenient base for getting around the island.