Last updated: . Updated São Miguel geography and attraction details, trail and coastal access, hot-spring and swimming precautions, operator age and itinerary qualifications, admission and facility guidance, historical family-trip context, and the related Azores family film. Date information added October 31, 2026.
Family time in São Miguel
Family footage from São Miguel in the Azores.
Playback isn’t available here. Open the film on Vimeo ↗
This guide was published in 2022. Check current access, opening hours, prices, and operator requirements before visiting.
Drinking in the beauty of the Azores Islands, or “Portugal’s Hawaii,” can be done around the island by boat, car, or foot. It’s difficult not to be stunned by every view and landscape on the island. The endless, rolling farm fields, tea plantations, old calderas, lakes, and incredible coastlines will sink deep in your memory.
We’ve visited this amazing place with our five kids and wanted to see it again. There was far more on the island than we could accomplish in our 4-day visit.
Whether you are looking for hiking, interactions with animals, swimming in hot springs, or visiting the beach, we’ve got your ultimate guide to the island for your family!
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Watch the original Azores family film on YouTube
Different parts of the Azores offer many places to stay, but the entire island is beautiful. This guide focuses on São Miguel, one of the Azores’ nine islands. Driving times vary considerably by your base, destination, mountain roads, and weather; check each route rather than assuming every place is within an hour.
Check out these top family hotels in Sao Miguel:
For car needs, visit our favorite Rental Cars.
Depending on the season, you’ll want to go whale watching. Whale species and sightings vary by season, and trips depend on sea conditions. Ask the operator which species may be present for your dates; sightings are not guaranteed. Spotting these magnificent creatures in real life is an experience like any other.
We’d recommend sailing with Tiago with Picos de Adventura for their focus on eco-sustainability and experience.
This “bathing site of the famous” has regulated access. The weather did not permit a visit during our trip, but check the current access rules, approved transport and landing options, visiting season, capacity, and sea conditions before planning. Ask the operator exactly what its trip includes; do not assume a landing or swimming stop.
The island’s coastlines will amaze you from the land above or on a boat tour around the island. See and experience its beauty through Whale Watching Expedition and Islet Boat Tour or a Full day tour to São Miguel with Lunch. If you’re a fan of fishing, you can have a fishing adventure around Ponta Delgada. Trip length, age limits, conditions, and whether lunch is included can vary; confirm the current itinerary with the operator.
Many family-friendly hikes are available around the island, but distance, steep sections, mud, and tunnel conditions differ. Check the official trail status and assess the full route for your children before setting out. We recommend downloading the AllTrails App, which you can use worldwide. I like reading the reviews and downloading the map features without service later.
Some of the hikes to try:
This hike, in particular, is really fun with kids.
Perfect for kids who love to explore, this trail to “Hell’s Window” goes through several tunnels (bring your flashlight or flashlight in your charged phone!), old aqueducts, and ends in a waterfall out the side of the mountain.
More extended hike options with huge cedar forests and serenity. Plan on at least a couple of hours.
There are many fantastic waterfalls around the island, even with hot springs water.
Salto do Cabrito Waterfall is a somewhat strenuous hike with a beautiful view at the end. For younger kids, throw them in a carrier (or bring them in case little legs get tired).
Canyoning difficulty and minimum ages vary by route and operator. Confirm current conditions and suitability for your family directly with the provider.
If your children are older, canyoning may be an option. Routes, minimum ages, and conditions vary by operator, so confirm suitability and current requirements directly before booking: this one.
It’s pretty easy to simply take a drive and explore the island in all its beauty. Signs are plentiful with lookouts, or “miradouros.” We pulled up Google Maps from our Airbnb and tagged three near us that were all stunning:
These were only 5-10 minutes apart, so we could see all three in an hour. They were stunning!
Many of these “miradouros”, or lookouts, have BBQ areas with picnic tables. Some go down to the coast, and you can do a short hike with your lunch. The Ponta da Sossego During our visit, we saw roughly 7–10 picnic tables and bathrooms. Check current facilities before you go.
The Mata-Jardim José do Canto lies on the southern shore of Lagoa das Furnas and includes gardens and a chapel. Check the operator’s current opening calendar and admission; the old €3 figure is not a current quote. The estate has Lagoa das Furnas as its picturesque backdrop.
My boys loved running around, throwing rocks into the lake, and playing amid the trees and old structures.
Across the lake from the Jose De Canto Gardens is Grená. Grená is a walking park with woodland trails and waterfalls. The nearby lakeside caldeiras are a separate geothermal area; do not assume that hot-spring bathing or canoe rental is included in Grená admission.
São Miguel has volcanic viewpoints and geothermal areas. The linked places below include both; check current access and facilities before visiting.
Furnas has geothermal features to explore; check current access and viewing arrangements before visiting.
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Maybe this is not the kid’s favorite thing to do, but a wonderful cultural experience and a bonus for the parents. Also a good option on a rainy day! Ponta Delgada, the central city on the island, boasts many great churches, including these three:
Visiting museums is another exciting activity for a rainy day and can be indeed great with kids:
Are pineapples grown on trees or in the ground? Find out yourself with a tour of the Pineapple Plantation near Ponta Delgada. Do it yourself or join a trip with a guide.
Visit the historic tea plantation at Gorreana Tea Plantation! The scenery is beautiful, and you can try some tea at the end of the tour.
Near Ponta Delgada is Gruta do Carvão, a cave, and museum beckoning the kids to come and explore.
One of the reasons we came to Sao Miguel was to get some space for my kids. They love to find sticks and run around a forest. The Reserva Florestal de Recreio do Pinhal da Paz can entertain for hours and wear out the most energetic kids!
Near Ponta Delgada, this nature reserve has been a place for outdoor family time. Check current availability of bathrooms, BBQ pits, and the playground before visiting.
The best time to visit Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake) is on a clear and sunny day. When we stopped by, we saw nothing but clouds and rain! Use only routes currently permitted, and check the weather and trail status before setting out.
Check current trail and road-access arrangements before visiting Lagoa do Fogo; routes and any temporary restrictions can change. The Sete Cidades region (Seven Cities) boasts several lakes to take your breath away.
See and experience a black sand beach surrounded by cliffs. Let the kids play, eat a picnic lunch and relax.
There are several hot-spring options on São Miguel Island. Rules differ by venue, so check current age, health, ticket, and conduct requirements directly before booking. We visited Poça da Dona Beija and loved the tropical backdrop to the pools fed by a hot waterfall.
However, other options include the Cascata da Ribeira Quente, a hot springs waterfall, or Terra Nostra Park.
See this post for a complete list of the hot spring options in São Miguel.
Bonus: Visiting a hot spring can be an excellent activity for a rainy day. While it’s a bit chilly getting in and out, the rain didn’t bother us on our day in Poça da Dona Beija!
If organized tours are your vibe, there are many great options with hot springs, such as Furnas Hot Springs at Night with Dinner or try a Full-Day Furnas & Fire Lake Tour.
If you are looking for a swim in the warmer months, the Complexo Municipal de Piscinas may be an option for families. Check current pool availability, opening hours, and conditions before visiting.
This natural hot spring in the ocean offers a rustic, natural hot spring outside. Check current access, sea conditions, tides, and any supervision before deciding whether to enter the water. The ocean pool and any spa facilities have separate conditions; never assume a lifeguard is present.
Cozido, a local traditional dish of meats and vegetables, is sunk deep into the earth in the morning and cooked by the area’s volcanic activity. Tony’s Restaurant in Furnas is a famous spot to try this local favorite and has many other delicious entrees.
Tip: In our experience, Cozido could sell out, though we were lucky to have it for dinner. Contact Tony’s to check current availability and whether you need a reservation.
The waterfall area has old watermills and aqueducts. Check current access, fees, and any guided-tour arrangements with the provider before visiting; parking may be limited.
View these gorgeous city arches that used to welcome tourists that came by boat to the island. Located in the heart of Ponta Delgada, they are also worth seeing at night.
My boys are constantly playing some kind of army/fighting imaginary game. Take that interest further by visiting an actual fort. The Forte da Sao Bras has its own current admission rules; check the military museum’s ticket page before visiting.
The Mercado da Graça offers loads of local fruits like pineapple, watermelon, and bananas.
Inter-island flights can make another island possible, but routes, fares, connection times, and weather vary. Compare the full itinerary and allow enough time rather than assuming every island is a cheap, straightforward day trip.
Given the flood of questions about our relocation to Portugal and being American expats, I’ve taken the plunge and launched a second blog titled ‘American Family in Portugal’. Join us as we share our journey and insights into expat life in this beautiful country!
Book your flight to the Azores on Booking.com, Skyscanner, Kiwi.com, or Expedia
Find a nice hotel in the Azores from Booking.com, Expedia, or Vrbo, (we also love Tripadvisor and Hotels.com)
Discover other fun activities in Portugal through GetYourGuide, Airbnb Experiences, or Viator
Rent a Car on Expedia Rental Cars
Get insured while traveling with World Nomads
Capture your best memories in the Azores as we do with a GoPro, Sony camera, or our favorite drones: DJI FPV, Air, and Mini
Check out your travel necessities from a comprehensive list of all the 7Wayfinders Travel Must-Haves. Click Here!
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