Things to Do in Ponta Delgada, Azores

Ponta Delgada is the Azores’ biggest town and the gateway to São Miguel: a handsome harbour town of black-and-white stone, with a marina full of whale-watching boats and easy access to the island’s crater lakes and hot springs. Here are the best things to do in Ponta Delgada.

Quick answer: walk through the city gates (Portas da Cidade), explore the black-and-white streets and churches, take a whale-watching trip from the marina (about €70), visit a pineapple plantation, and use Ponta Delgada as a base for Sete Cidades (40 minutes), Lagoa do Fogo and Furnas.

Why go

Ponta Delgada is compact, safe and easy to walk, with most sights within 15 minutes of the marina. It has the island’s best choice of restaurants and the most tour departures, and every corner of São Miguel is within about an hour’s drive. One day covers the town itself. Use the rest of your stay for day trips.

In town

• Portas da Cidade: the three-arched 18th-century city gates, the symbol of Ponta Delgada. They stand on the main square facing the sea, next to the Igreja Matriz.
• The historic centre: black basalt and whitewashed buildings, churches like the Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião, with its carved stone doorway, and patterned stone pavements. Allow an hour or two to wander.
• The marina and seafront: restaurants, the natural pools of Poças de São Pedro nearby, and sunset walks along the Avenida.
• Forte de São Brás: the 16th-century seafront fort, now home to a military museum.
• The market (Mercado da Graça): local fruit, cheese and fish. Go in the morning, when it’s busiest.
• Pineapple plantations: Azorean pineapples grow in greenhouses on the edge of town. The Arruda plantation in Fajã de Baixo is free to visit and sells pineapple juice, jam and liqueur.
• Gardens: the António Borges and José do Canto gardens, with huge old trees from around the world.
• Gruta do Carvão: a lava tube under the western edge of town, visited on guided tours. Book ahead and check current times.

Whale and dolphin watching

The Azores are one of the best places in the world to see whales and dolphins. Trips from Ponta Delgada marina last about 3 hours and cost around €70, often with a free repeat if you see nothing. Choose between fast rigid inflatable boats (Zodiacs) and slower catamarans with toilets, which suit young children and anyone worried about seasickness. Spring is the best time for blue whales passing through, while sperm whales and dolphins are seen all year. See whale-watching trips. See whale watching in the Azores.

Day trips from Ponta Delgada

• Sete Cidades: the twin crater lakes, one blue and one green, about 40 minutes west. Go early before the clouds roll in. See the Sete Cidades guide.
• Lagoa do Fogo and Caldeira Velha: from 1 June to 30 September the road to Lagoa do Fogo is closed to private cars during the day, and you take a shuttle bus instead (about €5, book online). Book Caldeira Velha’s warm pools online too, as time slots sell out.
• Furnas: hot springs, Terra Nostra Park and cozido cooked in the ground. Under an hour by car.
• The Gorreana tea plantation: free visits and tastings at Europe’s oldest working tea estate, on the north coast.

See our 5-day São Miguel itinerary. Browse tours from Ponta Delgada.

A one-day route

• Morning: the market, then the Portas da Cidade, the Igreja Matriz and the old streets.
• Midday: lunch near the marina, then a whale-watching trip.
• Late afternoon: the António Borges garden or the pineapple plantation.
• Evening: a swim or a walk at Poças de São Pedro, then dinner in town.

Getting there and around

João Paulo II airport is about 3km from the centre, a short taxi ride. Direct flights run from Lisbon and Porto, and from some European and North American cities. Cruise ships dock right by the marina. The centre is walkable, but you’ll want a hire car or a tour for the rest of the island. See Ponta Delgada’s cruise port.

Food

Try local cheeses, lapas (limpets), fresh tuna, Azorean pineapple, and bolo lêvedo (a sweet muffin-like bread). Look out for queijadas (small sweet cheese tarts) and Gorreana tea. See Portuguese seafood.

When to go

June to September is warmest and driest, but also busiest. Spring brings flowers and blue whales. The town’s biggest festival, Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, takes place on the fifth weekend after Easter, usually in May, with processions and decorated streets. Book rooms early for those dates. The weather changes quickly all year, so pack a rain jacket.

Where to stay

Ponta Delgada is the best base for a first visit, with the most hotels and restaurants. See the best São Miguel hotels or browse Ponta Delgada stays.

More: Azores island hopping and the Azores travel guide.

See also: the best tours in the Azores and the Furnas guide.

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