Ponta Delgada
Nature at its best
The municipality of Ponta Delgada has a total area of 231.89 km, located at the southwest end of the island of São Miguel. It consists of 22 parishes, the largest in area and population of all municipalities of the Azores archipelago and has a total of 65,718 inhabitants (2001 censuses).
The surface of this county is quite mountainous, culminating in the massif of Sete Cidades with 856 meters. Here are also located the lagoons of the Seven Cities, Canary, Coal and Rasa. The coastline is made up of rocky cliffs and shoals, with some dark sandy beaches.
The climate, as in the rest of the Azores, is maritime and mild, with weak thermal amplitudes, with average annual temperatures ranging between 14 and 25 degrees centigrade.
To Visit
Lagoons and more
Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo
Situated in the proximities of “Vila Franca do Campo”, it is a natural park 1 km away from the coast. It can be visited from June to September by boat. The linking point is in the “Targarete” wharf in ” Vila Franca”.
Lagoas das Sete Cidades
The Seven City Lagoons is an important tourist point in the São Miguel Island and in Azores. Its houses remind a small nativity scene were the typical architecture of the area blendes with the green of the scenery.
Lagoa das Furnas
Rich for its volcanic activity like the hot water fumaroles, mud and medicinal waters. On total the “Furnas” have more then 20 thermal springs, which makes it one of the places with more number of hygrophilous in the world.
Nordeste
The most flowery council in Portugal, with a succession of mountains, canyons, streams and belvedere, covered with a blanket of flowers. Also to be visited is the highest point in the Island with 1105 metres of altitude, the “Pico da Vara” and “Pinhal da Paz” reservation.
Lagoa do Fogo
In the centre of the island, the lagoon occupies the crater of an extinct volcano. Surrounded by some of the original vegetation of the Island, the enormous lagoon with its transparent waters and white sandy beaches is a classified natural reservation.
Caldeira Velha
Located on the side hill of the “fogo” lagoon within a fern tree forest there’s a tepid water fumarole, where a small lagoon invites you for a restoring warm bath.
Sports and Leisure
The best activities in Azores
Our team has gathered a set of activities and events, to help making your stay more pleasant. Therefore we suggest that you the following links:
Golf
Achada das Furnas (18 holes)
Batalha. Fenais da Luz (27 holes)
Ténis
Sport Complexe in Fajã de Cima
Go Kart
Nautical Sports
Windsurf, Canoe, Oar, Sailing, Jet Ski
Radical Sports
High mountain climbing; Rappel/slide; Wave Ski; Paintball
Natural Pool
Created by volcanic activity and, with clear waters which are constantly renovated.
Ponta Delgada Marina
Whales and Dolphins Observation Point
Daily trips between May and June.
Diving
Privileged areas for diving are the Orla das Feteiras, Ponta da Galera and the ilhéu de Vila Franca.
Sports Fishing
Submarine Fishing
Boat Trips
Horse Riding
Gastronomy
The delights of Azores
In Azores the fish and the seafood plates are the highlight points in the gastronomy of the region.
Don’t lose the opportunity to feast yourself with the magnificent fishes and seafood dishes. The Azores have seafood that you will not find in any other place like the “cracas” or the “cavaco”, a kind of tender and tasty lobster.
As for meat there are the typical dishes, such as: the “Cozido das Furnas” which is unique because it’s cooked underneath the hot ground. In the correct hour you may be present at the preparation of the meal next to the lagoon. In “Terceira” island there is also the famous “Alcatra”, very savory, as tradition dictates.
When Azores were discovered they were used as a harbour port for caravels travelling from the Orient.
That might have been the influence that determined the Azorean cuisine to be so rich in various spices of that era.
But you cannot taste this spices without the wines of the island. If the “Verdelho” is the most famous, there are others to be taken in count along with your meal, like the reds or whites of “Pico”, “Graciosa”, “Santa Maria” or “Terceira”.
You may visit the local museum where the vines predominate, in “Biscoitos”. And, as dessert you may enjoy the unmistakable taste of pineapple and other juicy fruits of Azores.
Parks and Gardens
Meet the Garden of Azores
“José do Canto Garden”
One of the richest botanical gardens in Azores, the “José Castro” Garden was planted from 1845, and occupies about six hectares in the centre of Ponta Delgada.