PortuguêsActivities to do on Sao Miguel island
On Sao Miguel, Azores I can assist you on scheduling several activities such as: Hiking trails, Whale watching or Dolphin safari, Boat tours, Big Game fishing, Lake fishing, Snorkeling, Scuba diving, Horse riding, Canoeing, Jet Ski, Wave ski, Surf, Wind surf, Body board, Hunting, Rowing, Yachting, Paragliding, Moto 4 tours, Mountain climbing, Bird Watching, Paint ball, Biking, Rappel/slide, Soccer, Golf, Mini Golf, Tennis, Bowling, Speleology or Volcano watching, kart, B.T.T., and even Geocaching.
Culture things to do on Sao Miguel island
In Ponta Delgada city, you can visit the museums: Carlos Machado (connected to the Convent of Saint Andre), Military museum (Sao Bras Fort), and the Ponta Delgada Synagogue.
In Religious terms you can see: the Saint Sebastian mother church “Sao Sebastiao”, the Saint Christ of Miracle church “Santo Cristo dos Milagres” / Convent and Chapel of “Nossa Senhora da Esperança”, the Colegio or “igreja de Todos-os-Santos” church, Saint Joseph´s “Sao Jose” church, St Peter´s “Sao Pedro” church, Santa Clara church, and the “Alto da Mae de Deus” chapel view of Ponta Delgada. There is too the mother Matriz church of “Nossa Senhora da Estrela”, and the “Arcano” museum in Ribeira Grande city, and in Vila Franca do Campo the mother Matriz church of “Sao Miguel”, the chapel of “Nossa Senhora da Paz”(view of Vila Franca do Campo town), and of course all the other churches around the island in each village.
Top Things to do in Ponta Delgada city
You can visit the Fruit market, admire the main traditional shopping street “Machado dos Santos” with beautiful stone basaltic sidewalks, go to the center main square and see the gate entrance “Portas da Cidade”, the City Hall, walk on the Infante Dom Henrique Avenue and see Ponta Delgada sea port “Portas do Mar” and Marina, 2 shopping centers “Parque Atlantico” and “Avenida Center”, go on the local (train) “a Lagarta” traveling in the city, visit the volcanic cave named “Gruta do Carvao” and several handy craft shops, or even play in the Casino “Hotel Casino Principe de Monaco”. Close to the city you can see to the Pineapple plantation “Augusto Arruda” in Faja de Baixo village.
Where to Swim on Sao Miguel island
From the end of Spring to the begging of Autumn you can swim in the Atlantic Ocean, average temperature during this time is around 20º (max. 24º). There are several beaches on Sao Miguel: the closest beach from Ponta Delgada are the “Milicias” and “Populo” beach, “Agua de Alto” beach, “Vinha da Areia” beach, Caloura beach, “Praia da Viola” beach, and the Ribeira Quente beach “Praia do Fogo” all on the South coast. On the North coast there is Santa Barbara beach, Areal de Santa Barbara beach , Porto Formoso beach, “Praia do Lombo Gordo” in Nordeste town, and the Public swimming pools in Ribeira Grande city . On the West coast the Mosteiros beach. There is too in Lagoa town the Public swimming pools. In Vila Franca do Campo town there is the Aqua park “Atlantic Splash”. There is too several natural swimming pools, the most important one´s are in Mosteiros village, Capelas town, Caloura area and “Ferraria” in Ginetes village and the little isle of Vila Franca do Campo.
Religious Traditions on Sao Miguel island
- Normally around the year there are many festivities, but the main festivities start in May, more exactly on the 5th Sunday after Easter “Santo Cristo dos Milagres” in Ponta Delgada city. Before Easter during six weeks there is the “Romeiros” (a type of pilgrims, that walk during one week, around the island).
- During April to June there is the Holy Spirit Festivities, in the several villages around the island.
- On the 1st Sunday after Easter there is the beautiful flower carpet procession of “Enfermos” in Furnas village.
- On the 14th of May the Labor procession of “de Trabalho / Sao Miguel de Arcanjo” in Vila Franca do Campo town.
- On the 24th of June in Vila Franca do Campo town the Saint John dancing parade.
- On the 29th of June in Ribeira Grande city the “Cavalhadas” (Horse riding parade)
- On the 15th of August the procession of “Nossa Senhora dos Anjos” in Agua de Pau village.
- On the last weekend of August the procession of “Senhor Bom Jesus da Pedra” in Vila Franca do Campo town.
- On the 6th of September the procession of “Coraçao de Jesus” in Ribeira Grande city.