Ponta Delgada | Eastern & Central Groups
SUGGESTED ITINERARY FOR 1 WEEK
DAY 1 | SAIL TO VILA FRANCA DO CAMPO (SAO MIGUEL ISLAND), 12 MILES AND VISIT VILA FRANCA DO CAMPO
Get yourself in the right mood with a brief coastal trip of 2/3 hours to the first capital of São Miguel, the historic city of Vila Franca do Campo, with its old buildings and manor houses, a lively charm remembrance of the early settlement days. If you have time, don’t lose the opportunity of visiting Furnas, a thermal paradise lost in one of the world’s most exuberant green hidden gems. Must visit: Terra Nostra Garden; Vila Franca do Campo.
DAY 2 | SAIL TO VILA DO PORTO (SANTA MARIA ISLAND), 54 MILES
Enjoy a full day of sailing and cross your fingers for an amazing ride shared, for sure, with dolphins and, perhaps, turtles and whales! You won’t be the first lucky one.
DAYS 3/4 | VISIT SANTA MARIA ISLAND AND SAIL TO ANGRA DO HEROÍSMO (TERCEIRA ISLAND), 145 MILES
Santa Maria is the only non-completely volcanic island and enjoy the title “Sun Island”, given by a prevailing warm and dry climate. Visit Barreiro da Faneca, also known as “red desert” because of its scarlet clays formed by pyroclastic rocks and say Wow! When visiting São Lourenço Bay, one of the most beautiful bays in the archipelago with it is cliff side vineyards, typical houses and agricultural plots. Say goodbye to Santa Maria Island and set sails to Terceira Island. Must visit: Vila do Porto; São Lourenço Bay.
DAY 5 | VISIT TERCEIRA ISLAND
Once in Angra do Heroismo, get yourself lost in the immaculate and well preserved streets of one of the most historical cities of Portugal and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Still, Terceira does not end in the unique charm of Angra. You must drive along the green leaves of a truly stunning landscape towards Algar do Carvão lava tube, with its magnificent stalagmites, stalactites and a lake. And by the way, Terceira is the land of joy and excitement in the Azores. If there is a traditional bullfight, on any of its many villages, don’t lose it, even if you are not fond of bulls and fights. It’s a local social event, full of regional flavors. Must visit: UNESCO city of Angra do Heroismo; Algar do Carvão lava tube.
DAY 6 | SAIL BACK TO PONTA DELGADA (SAO MIGUEL ISLAND), 92 MILES
Arrive at Ponta Delgada Marina and get yourself a well-deserved last night on board, along a drink at “Portas do Mar” area to celebrate a full week of sailing while travelling and discovering the wonderful Azores. But don’t forget, São Miguel is not only about yachts, the Marina and Ponta Delgada. Don’t leave us before admiring its most iconic places: Sete Cidades – a twin lake crossed by legends and myths – and Fogo, with its stunning views. Must visit: Sete Cidades Lake; Fogo Lake.