Ponta Delgada Cruise Port: A Day on Sao Miguel

Ponta Delgada, on São Miguel in the Azores, is a favourite stop on transatlantic cruises. Ships dock right in the town centre, and the island’s crater lakes, hot springs and tea plantations are within an easy drive. Here’s how to spend a day ashore.

Quick answer: ships dock at the Portas do Mar terminal on the seafront, a few minutes’ walk from the old town. With a day, take a tour to the crater lakes of Sete Cidades, or to Furnas for hot springs and stew cooked in the ground. Or stay in town and visit a pineapple plantation. See Ponta Delgada shore excursions.

In Ponta Delgada

• The Portas da Cidade: the city gates on the main square.
• Black-and-white streets: wander the old town’s churches and mosaic pavements.
• Pineapple plantations: Azorean pineapples grown in greenhouses, a short taxi ride away.
• The market and seafront.

See things to do in Ponta Delgada.

Day trips from the ship

Sete Cidades

The famous twin blue and green crater lakes, about 30 to 40 minutes’ drive away. The views from the crater rim are spectacular on a clear day.

Furnas

About an hour away, with steaming fumaroles, hot springs and the Terra Nostra garden’s warm thermal pool. Try cozido das Furnas, a stew cooked underground in the volcanic heat. Bring a swimsuit and an old one for the iron-rich water.

Lagoa do Fogo

A wild crater lake in the island’s centre.

Tea and whales

The Gorreana tea plantation on the north coast, or a whale-watching trip from Ponta Delgada marina. See whale-watching trips.

A tour is the easiest way to see them in a day. See Ponta Delgada tours.

Tips

• Weather changes fast: clouds can hide the crater lakes. Bring a waterproof.
• Taxis offer island tours at fixed prices; agree the price and return time in advance.
• Allow time to return from Furnas.

More: the São Miguel itinerary and Funchal’s cruise port.

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