Sete Cidades, Sao Miguel: How to Visit the Spectacular Twin Lakes

A trip to the Azores would only be complete with stopping on the largest island in the archipelago. Sao Miguel not only stands out as the largest island in the archipelago but is also home to incredibly diverse and natural environments. Formed through volcanoes and earthquakes millions of years ago, Sao Miguel boasts rugged coastlines, beautiful black sand beaches, secluded waterfalls, and quaint villages nestled within the hills and craters of the extinct volcanoes. Sete Cidades is one of these village areas that is a must-see on your visit to Sao Miguel.

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Where is Sao Miguel and the Azores?

The Azores are a group of nine volcanic islands located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Although part of Portugal, the Azores are an autonomous region and govern themselves accordingly with their own government. Sao Miguel is the largest island in the chain covering approximately 64 km long and 14 km wide. The population of Sao Miguel is about 150,000 people, with the largest concentration in the capital city of Ponta Delgada, which has around 50,000.

With its strategic position in the middle of the ocean, the Azores became the perfect stopover point for sailors, whalers, and military sorties. In the twentieth century, Sao Miguel attracted more commercial trade, and the tourism industry was later born.

Today, flights from North America and Europe are common, with Toronto, Boston, and Lisbon being some of the most common departure points. SATA Azores Airlines and TAP Air Portugal are the most common carriers, but starting in 2023, 16 other airlines will start to fly here. Azores Getaways offers great deals to Sao Miguel as well as the other islands.

Marketed as the “nature island,” Sao Miguel has attracted environmentally friendly conscious tourists who want to experience the incredibly green hills, mesmerizing waterfalls, and peaceful hiking trails. Even more unique experiences can be found in communities such as Sete Cidades and Furnas (near the other end of the island), which were settled inside the crater of a volcano. 

What is Sete Cidades?

Sete Cidades is the name of the village in the western part of Sao Miguel Island, located in the center of a 5 km wide volcano crater. Being inside a crater with steep, heavily forested sides, the town is challenging to get to and thus only has a population of about 1000 people. This is one of the island’s more remote areas; however, it is an absolute must!

In addition to this small, quaint village, there are two unique lakes in the crater. You see, each lake, although side by side, is two different colors; one is green, and the other is blue.

Folklore tells the story of two young lovers from different backgrounds (a princess and a shepherd) who came to a secret viewpoint high in the hills over Sete Cidades to share a romantic triste. The girl’s father, the King, finds out about the inappropriate lover and forbids his daughter to see the young man again. It is said that the young girl had green eyes, and the young boy had blue eyes. When they were forbidden to continue their relationship, legend has it that each cried a river of tears. One lake is green, representing the girl’s tears from her green eyes, while the other is blue from her blue-eyed lover’s tears. Do you believe it?

On the other hand, science believes that when the sun shines, the green lake being smaller, reflects the green from the trees on the surrounding hills, while the larger blue lake reflects the blue from the sky. It should be noted that both lakes are grey like the clouds when the sky is cloudy.

Lagoas das Sete Cidades is the Portuguese name for the two crater lakes, Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul.

How to Get to Sete Cidades?

Sete Cidades is located about 25 kilometers away from Ponta Delgada, but you can expect the drive to be 30-40 minutes long by car due to the rugged and remote terrain.

There are three ways to get to Sete Cidades:

1.      By Car – The easiest way to get there is by rental car. The island is composed of volcanic hills and valleys, and around almost every corner, there are lookouts or Miradouros that provide exceptional views. With your car, you can stop at as many as you wish. Also, remember that the weather constantly changes, so that views will vary.

2.      By Bus – Although taking a bus to Sete Cidades is possible, it is not recommended. The local transportation network is unreliable, and you may miss opportunities if you are waiting for buses that are late or do not come. These buses will also stop at many places along the way, thus making the trip unnecessarily long.

Furthermore, the buses will not stop at all the fabulous viewpoints.

3.      Taxi – Taxis are also available to take you to Sete Cidades. If you use a cab to get there, grab their phone number so you can call when you want to be picked up again.

4.      Taking a Tour – If you are not fond of renting a car in a strange place, then taking a guided tour is the best option to get to Sete Cidades. Several tour operators provide such tours. I highly recommend Sao Miguel tours as they are knowledgeable and can accommodate smaller groups or singles for a better experience. Tours can be adjusted according to the weather or the group’s desires.

What to See in Sete Cidades?

The surrounding area of Sete Cidades has a lot to offer its visitors, regardless of their interests. From incredible viewpoints and colorful lagoons to picturesque hikes and a local town, there is no shortage of things to do while visiting. There is something for everyone, including families.

Note: Sete Cidades refers to the area that includes the town, the viewpoints, the lakes, etc. So, when you hear “Sete Cidades,” just note it is a region, not just the town.

Viewpoints or Miradouros

Viewpoints, lookouts, or miradouros, whatever you would like to call them offer some exceptional scenery in the Sete Cidades area. Being volcanic in nature, the green tree-covered hills are a striking contrast to the blue and green crater lakes within them. Aside from the twin lakes, there is also Canary crater lake in the same region. If you are lucky and have a cloudless sky, you can see the two-toned lakes that support the local legend. Off in the distance, you may see some of the rugged Sao Miguel coastline not far away.

Hiking

Hiking in the Sete Cidades is one of the prime reasons to visit this beautiful island. Several hiking trails are available from the base of the lakes, and many lookouts, depending on your desires.

The 11.7 km Mata Do Canário trail (also known as the crater hike) offers breathtaking views of the lakes, lush green hills, the seashore, and cows. The trail begins on the island’s western region, close to the Canary Forest. Depending on the season, parts of the path may be lined with flowering hydrangea flowers. The average visitor takes three to four hours to complete this hike. Since you’ll be finishing in the village and don’t want to leave your car parked at the beginning, taking a taxi to the trailhead is typically advised.

One of the better vantage points to see the twin lakes is from Miradouro da Vista do Rei, which also marks the beginning of a trekking path that descends to Sete Cidades. This hike is just as stunning as the Mata do Canário walk, even though it follows the opposite side of the crater. On the right side of the trail, there are views of the Sete Cidades lakes the entire way, while on the left side, there are a few spots with views of the sea and the shore of Sao Miguel Island. The hike to Vista do Rei is about 4.6 miles shorter than the preceding hike, typically taking 2 to 3 hours to complete.

Related: If you like hiking, you might also like a cycling holiday in Europe.

If hiking is your priority in Sao Miguel, then you should know that many trails, although beautiful, can also be very steep and slippery, so hiking poles are recommended. Sunscreen, a hat, and a rain jacket should also be carried as the weather can change at a moment’s notice—any time of the year.

Hidden architecture

Miro das Nove Janelos (Nine Windows Wall) is part of an old stone aqueduct, Aqueducto do Carvao (Coal Aqueduct), located close to the Canary Forest. This aqueduct was constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries to transport water to Ponta Delgada from several lakes in the Sete Cidades region. Although it hasn’t been used for a while, it is nevertheless well-preserved and regarded as an important Azorean heritage site. The nine windows (arches), four at the base, and five at the aqueduct, give this wall its name.

Although the aqueduct is visible from the road, taking a quick stroll next to it is the best way to appreciate this ancient building fully.

Town of Sete Cidades

While most people visiting Sao Miguel stop in the Sete Cidades region, only some take the time to wander through the town. However, this quaint town does have some cafes and restaurants perfect for a lunch break, and you can also have a picnic by the lake.

If you haven’t already done so, be sure to try the local “cozido” (Portuguese stew) cooked from the steam of the volcanic steam vents around the island. Restaurante Lagoa Azul offers a great cozido selection and is reasonably priced.

Igreja de Sao Nicolau is the main church of Sete Cidades and is a lovely example of Azorean architecture. It was built in 1857, and while the interior is relatively simple the garden surrounding it and the pathway leading to it are very picturesque.

If you have more time, you could walk through town and explore the shores of the lake. There are several playgrounds, and you can also rent a kayak or go paddle boarding during the summer.

Outdoor activities

If you are planning to stay overnight in Sete Cidades, you can opt for some outdoor activities. As mentioned, kayaking and paddle boarding are available by the lake.

Other activities that can be arranged in the area include bike and e-bike rentals and quad bike tours to discover some of the more hidden trails and scenic vistas.

Practical Tips for Visiting Sete Cidades

• It would be best if you were flexible with the weather. The weather in Sete Cidades changes quickly and can be rainy and covered in thick fog. Please check the weather before going; this area is best seen whenever the weather is clear. The weather here is often different than on the coast.

• As mentioned about the weather, dress in layers even if the forecast looks good. A lightweight rain jacket should be considered.

• To avoid crowds during the summer months, the viewpoints (miradouros) are best visited in the early morning or later in the afternoon.

• Bring enough water and sun protection if you plan a hiking trip through the valley or into the hills. A picnic lunch should be included for longer hikes.

• Proper footwear is a necessity for hiking in Sao Miguel. The hills can be steep, rocky, and slippery even on the brightest days since the island has high humidity.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Sete Cidades

Sete Cidades is one of the most picturesque places in the Azores, with jaw-dropping scenery that will take your breath away—commonly referred to as the “Hawaii” of Europe; the diverse landscape, exceptional activities, and friendly people make Sao Miguel and the Sete Cidades region one of the most underrated in Europe.

Are you ready to plan your next vacation here?

You Might be interested in this –

• What You Need to Know About the NEAT Hotel Avenida in Ponta Delgada – A Review
• Discovering Furnas, Sao Miguel: A Guide to the Hidden Gem of the Azores
• How to Experience Whale Watching from Ponta Delgada.

You might be interested in a Destination Overview of Sao Miguel.

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