The east and north of the island
The lighthouse at Nordeste
Shortly before entering the city of Nordeste, at “Ponta do Arnel”, a road of hairpin bends winds down to the oldest lighthouse on São Miguel at a steep 35% gradient. The lighthouse was put into service in 1876. More courageous drivers venture even further down, passing the colorful fishermen’s cottages, built into the rocks before they reach the tiny fishing harbour.
Journey time/Distance: about 30 minutes
Lighthouse at Nordeste |
Lighthouse at Nordeste |
Journey time : about 30 minutes
Caldeira Velha
This, one of the ancient natural swimming baths is located near the geographical centre of the island. A warm waterfall spoils the bathers amidst the subtropical vegetation making a pleasantly warm, relaxing bath.
Journey time/Distance: about 25-30 minutes
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Journey time : about 25-30 minutes
Lombadas
On the way to the north coast, there is a small treasure to be discovered. If you are not afraid to cross a narrow river, you can get sparkling spring
water fresh from the rocks instead of buying plastic bottles of drinking water from the shop. The “filling station” is inside a small, dilapidated hut that
used to be part of the commercial bottling plant before it disappeared under
a landslide. It is one of the natural sources of “Lombadas”.
Distance: about 18 km
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Distance: about 18 km = 11 miles
Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Close to Salga you can visit these waterfalls and an old watermill surrounded by lush greenery. It is beautiful in any kind of weather.
Journey time: about 25 minutes.
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The tea factories
Tea has been cultivated commercially for about 150 years on the north coast of the island of São Miguel. Two factories, “Chá Gorreana” and “Chá Porto Formoso” invite visitors to come in and learn about the cultivation, harvest and traditional processing of tea in their factories.
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Looking at the old machines that were manufactured in England is almost like travelling back in time. Strolling through the vast tea plantations and enjoying a cup of freshly brewed tea is a pleasure for your senses.
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Distance: about 20 km or 30 minutes
Santa Barbara beach
Close to the town of Ribeira Grande, there are several beaches ideal for watersport enthusiasts to go surfing.
The long sandy beach of Santa Barbara is also a popular spot for paragliding. “Tuká Tulá”, a small beach bar offers food and drinks.
And in case you are looking for an ideal spot to have a “sundowner”, the barkeeper Leandro will serve you the best gin and tonic on the island.
Journey time: about 20-25 minutes
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Arquipelago – the centre for contemporary arts“Arquipélago” located in Ribeira Grande on Rua Adolfo Countinho de Medeiros is only a 20 minutes drive from Ponta Delgada. Here, a former alcohol factory has been converted into a centre for contemporary arts by the Portuguese architects Menos é Mais Arcquitectos Associados and Joao Mendes Ribeiro. Instead of pulling down the old, partly dilapidated buildings covered with graffiti, the architects integrated them into their overall concept. The old volcanic stone walls were preserved and extensively renovated. The architects added two concrete buildings, one of one storey |
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The western two-story building has a basement and accommodates the auditorium and workshops. The entrance and foyer, as well as the offices and equipment rooms are located in the eastern building opposite. The largest old building houses the exhibition halls, up to 4.50 meters (15 feet) high, in the smaller industrial buildings, with their distinctive gabled roofs, there are a total of 24 workshops.
Journey time/Distance: about 30 minutes
More information: arquipelagocentrodeartes.azores.gov.pt
Journey time: about 30 minutes
A perfect place for...
- A relaxing break in an idyllic, peaceful surrounding
- Garden lovers and nature enthusiasts
- Guests seeking privacy and seclusion as well as ample space
with luxury accommodation - Honeymooners
Your hosts:
Dagmar Mehlis-Doering and Wulf H. Koehler
We are a German couple who have been living on São Miguel, the main island of the Azorean archipelago, for more than ten years.
Apart from German, we speak English, French and Portuguese.
We live directly next-door to the apartment and will gladly provide you with ideas for your sight-seeing tours, transportation, restaurants, whale-watching or souvenirs.
You are welcome to use our extensive library of travel guides and books on the Azores’ flora and fauna.
We can also pick you up from the airport in Ponta Delgada if you would like us to.