Azores, trip with a 7-years kid

We started the trip at Miradouro da Ponta do Escalvado (where we later arrived 2 more times on other days, forgetting that we had already been there 😂). We walked along the shore of Lagoa Verde in the direction of Sitio Secreto. It was windy and cold, with a light drizzle. The trail followed the forest, providing good shelter from the wind.

Lunch: Komaki Burger Truck

Next, we climbed to the panorama of Miradouro da Grota do Inferno. It was incredibly beautiful, with the sun just emerging from behind the clouds, casting a lovely light on the lakes. As we started to feel the cold, we headed to the pineapple farm in Ponta Delgada: Plantação de Ananás dos Açores.

We enjoyed the ocean views at Ponta da Ferraria. Later, we headed north of the island.

Lunch: Restaurante Maré Cheia. It’s better to order the fish, we made a mistake, and while the food choice wasn’t the best, the quaint town where the restaurant is located made up for it.

After lunch, we descended to the local beach, a must-visit spot: Praia dos Moinhos. Very beautiful, secluded, with roosters roaming around. We concluded the day in the natural park Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões. This park became my favourite on São Miguel, but it’s better to visit during the day as there is little light in the evening. Nevertheless, I fell in love with it.

The day was overcast but warm. In the morning, we visited the tea plantation Gorreana Tea Factory Fábrica de Chá Gorreana. I am a fan of green tea, so after the free tour, I tasted it all and bought something as a present for my parents. When the weather cleared a bit, we went to the Terra Nostra Park and the nearby geysers Caldeiras. I heard about the park from my friend and she was fascinated, but it didn’t live up to my expectations. Perhaps it was the wrong season, I think it would have looked sensational in the summer or spring. We ended the day at an incredible panoramic viewpoint bathed in the rays of the sunset: Miradouro do José Furtado.

My husband was fascinated by the giant waves at Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara. After that, we went to Salto do Cabrito. With the child, we didn’t dare to climb to the second level of the waterfall, so we contented ourselves with the lower part.

We followed this trail.

We returned to the city of Ribeira Grande for lunch and then headed to the easternmost part of the island, to a beautiful and deserted viewpoint overlooking the ocean: Miradouro da Ponta do Sossego.

We bathed in the hot springs at Centro de Interpretação Ambiental da Caldeira Velha (tickets need to be purchased online a day or two in advance!! and don’t forget to book the locker room). Not just the place, but all the surrounding is breathtaking.

Afterward, we took a long walk from the panoramic point Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo to the beach Praia de Lagoa do Fogo. All the days before we waited for clear skies and finally got it! Keep an eye on the https://www.spotazores.com, because when it’s sunny it’s a paradise view.

We visited Antigo Pomar das Caldeiras da Lagoa das Furnas and walked to the waterfall Cascata do Grená. We saw many giant-sized houseplants growing in the middle of the forest, such as a meter-tall peace lily with a huge flower.

We followed this trail.

We had lunch at an excellent restaurant at the Furnas Lake Hotel: Furnas Lake Restaurant.