The first day after arrival is important for resting after a long journey. Pick up your rental car at the airport, get familiar with the hotel, and maybe head to the sauna. The next morning, it’s best to pack up after breakfast and set off to discover the beauty of the island. If you have some time on the evening of your arrival, it’s nice to take a short walk through town and visit Restaurante Dona Mariana to try the local beef and bean pudding. I also recommend booking a catamaran cruise for this day to spot whales and dolphins in the wild (more info on-site). Today's program depends on your arrival time.

Head along the coast to explore the city of Ponta Delgada. Start at the former port of Forte de Sao Brás, which is steeped in the city's history. Continue along the coast to the new harbor, where there's also a public natural swimming pool, and board the catamaran that will be waiting for you. The whale and dolphin watching excursion lasts about 3 hours. When you get back, I recommend waiting a little while before swimming. Because just a short walk past the rock formation Ilhéu de Rosto de Cão lies the hidden black sand beach, Milicias beach, where the ocean is beautifully clean. This makes it the best spot for a swim near Ponta Delgada. Behind the beach, you'll also find the ruins of Forte de Sao Caetano. 

A full-day road trip around the western part of the island! Drive out to see the Farol da Ferraria lighthouse, which is a beautiful example of the local architecture. Next, you'll visit the rock formations and the town of Mosteiros. Interestingly, all the (lava) stones are jet black, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of volcanic islands like the Azores. Just keep in mind that it is strictly forbidden to take lava stones off the island under penalty of a fine. There are also natural swimming pools here, though their accessibility depends on the tide. If they're open, I definitely recommend taking a break and cooling off. The next stop on the route is the Miradouro da Lomba do Vasco viewpoint, located on a hill where you can see the cliff-lined edge of the island and a view from above of the town of Sete Cidades, which you will visit after driving down. I recommend taking a short walk around the local ponds so you can compare them with the upcoming views from above. On the way to the parking lot for the Miradouro Grota do Inferno viewpoint (the island's most famous lookout), I suggest stopping briefly at the Miradouro do Cerrado das Freiras viewpoint as well. Both lookouts offer a beautiful view of the town. And that's where your first road trip ends, leaving you with just the drive back to your hotel.

Today you'll head out for a trip to see the Gorreana tea. The journey begins with a tour of the town of Ribeira Grande, followed by a drive to the Gorreana Tea Factory grounds. Take a leisurely stroll through the plantations and climb up to check out the viewpoint. Then, move on to the museum, where admission is free. It's fascinating to follow the timeline from the harvesting of the tea leaves to the actual production process. Don't hesitate to join in on a tasting of different types of tea, which is also free. The museum tour ends in a combination gift shop and cafe. On your way back to the hotel, make a quick stop at Pico Queimado mountain, which offers a stunning view (especially at night) of the entire western part of the island.

The most demanding day of your vacation, full of walking, sightseeing, and swimming under waterfalls. You will travel through most of the western part of the island, and the first point on the plan is a hike along the waterfalls. Park at the Miradouro e merendário da Rocha viewpoint (see the map below) and head downhill to the first stop on the route, Cascata do Homem. The first waterfall. Once you have seen the place, head back halfway up the hill you came down from, following the path marked with signs to the next stops. The path will lead through an old ruin overgrown with moss. The second waterfall you arrive at, Cascata do Teófilo, is suitable for swimming, but be careful of the possibility of falling rocks from the top of the waterfall and the shallow water at the bottom. The third waterfall, Cascata da Gruta, is not suitable for swimming due to frequent rockfalls, but it is the only one where the path leads behind the falling water through the rock. You will then continue through a cedar forest and the village of Lomba de Sao Pedro back to the car.

The journey continues towards the town of Nordeste and its nearby botanical gardens with views from Miradouro da Ponta do Sosego and Miradouro da Ponta da Madrugada. Ideal spots for a picnic. 

Today is a relaxing and easy-going day spent around the town of Furnas. Here, you'll visit the local thermal baths (entrance fee required) and the surrounding park. There's also a restaurant in the area, making it an ideal spot to spend most of the day. On your way back to Ponta Delgada, be sure to stop at the Lagoa das Furnas Hotsprings, where you can see steam rising from the ground and even small geysers from time to time. For those sensitive to pungent odors, this stop isn't for you, and I strongly advise against it as it smells like sulfur in some places. Another stop on the way home is the Miradouro do Pico do Ferro viewpoint, offering a different perspective of the island.

You're in for a journey through everything from tunnels to meadows. You'll also be walking through a forest, so I recommend sturdy shoes for all types of terrain. This trail is very popular with the locals, so don't worry about being alone out there. And this will also mark the end of your holiday on the island, as this trip is the last one. All that's left is heading back to the hotel and packing your bags. 

There is nothing else planned for today, and it's time to head home. Since we don't know your flight time, you'll need to plan any extra activities yourself. Not far from the airport, there's the Relva viewpoint, which offers a lovely view of the ocean. If you have time, you could stop by there. If not, don't worry—maybe this isn't your last time visiting the island. There is still so much to discover here. Please adjust your plans based on your departure time.