Dreamy European Islands | Guide to São Miguel Island, Portugal
| Guide to São Miguel Island, Portugal.
👋My dears, today I will take you to travel to a European island that is like a dreamland - São Miguel Island in Portugal. It has beautiful natural scenery, unique geothermal landscapes, and a super healing slow life. It is definitely your next must-visit treasure holiday destination. Come and start this exciting journey with me💖.
🛫【Transportation Guide】
✈️International flights: Generally, you need to arrive in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, and transfer from Lisbon Airport to Ponta Delgada Airport on São Miguel Island. The flight time is about 1.5 hours. Remember to book your tickets in advance on the official website of the airline, as you can often get a good price🎫.
🚗Transportation on the island: Renting a car on the island is the most convenient way to travel. You can make reservations in advance through major car rental platforms. The daily rental cost of an ordinary small car is about 30-50 euros. In this way, you can drive freely and check in at various beautiful attractions. If you don’t want to drive, the public transportation system is quite convenient, but the intervals between buses are relatively long, so be sure to check the timetable before traveling🚌.
🏠【Accommodation Recommendation】
🛏️Ponta Delgada City: Recommend The Talisman - Historic and Luxury Apartments. The apartment is located in the city center, surrounded by restaurants and shops. The decoration is full of retro style. The room is spacious and bright, and the facilities are high-end. Living here can not only enjoy a convenient life, but also feel the fireworks of the island city🔥.
🌊Seaside holiday home: If you want to have an intimate contact with the sea, then choose Furnas Lake Villas. It is located by the lake, with sparkling lake water just outside the door, and is also close to the famous Furnas geothermal area. The holiday home is a stand-alone villa with a private garden and terrace. Waking up in the morning to the sound of waves and birdsong creates a holiday atmosphere.
🌟【Must-visit attractions】
Furnas Lake
This is one of the most beautiful sights on São Miguel Island. The lake water is emerald green and clear, like a huge emerald embedded in the earth. Surrounded by mountains, the lake is often covered with a layer of gauze-like mist, like a fairyland. You can stroll along the lake and breathe the fresh air, or rent a boat, drift on the lake, and quietly enjoy the tranquility. Admission is free🆓.
Geothermal Valley (Caldeiras das Furnas)
When you come to São Miguel Island, you must not miss this magical geothermal landscape. The ground was steaming, with bubbling mud and gushing hot springs. The air was filled with a faint smell of sulfur, making you feel like you are in the "belly button" of the earth. Here you can also see locals using geothermal energy to cook delicious food, which is super interesting. Admission is free and the photos are great. Remember to wear a pair of comfortable walking shoes 👟.
The Seven Cities Lake (Lagoa das Sete Cidades)
According to legend, this is a beautiful lake created by God overturning his palette. It is composed of two connected crater lakes, one azure blue and the other emerald green. Under the sunlight, the lake is colorful and so beautiful that it is speechless. Take a panoramic view from the lakeside viewing platform, or hike around the lake, enjoy a different view with every step, it’s free to visit, and indulge in the wonders of nature.
🍜【Food Exploration】
🥘Cozido das Furnas: The signature food of São Miguel Island, using geothermal heat to slowly stew various meats, vegetables and sausages, the original flavors of the ingredients blend together, soft and fragrant. You can taste it in restaurants in the town of Furnas.
🐟Grilled swordfish: What the island has the most is fresh sea fish. Swordfish has firm meat. After simple grilling, the skin is crispy and fragrant, and the inside is tender and juicy. It is paired with the local lemon olive oil sauce to remove the fishy smell and enhance the flavor. Every bite is a gift from the sea. Seafood restaurants generally have it.
🍰Queijadas da Vila: A traditional local dessert, similar to cheesecake, with a dense texture, a perfect blend of milk and egg aroma, sweet but not greasy, paired with a cup of fragrant coffee, it is a perfect match for afternoon tea.
🎁【Shopping List】
👜Hand-made embroidery: The residents of São Miguel Island have inherited exquisite embroidery skills. The embroidery products such as handkerchiefs, tablecloths, bags, etc. are exquisite and the patterns are full of local characteristics. Buying a few pieces to take back is both practical and commemorative. You can find treasures in handicraft shops in the city.
🍵Ponta Delgada Tea: The tea plantations on the island produce tea with unique flavors, especially black tea and green tea, which have a rich and long-lasting aroma. When you visit a tea garden, you can buy some freshly roasted tea leaves, which are beautifully packaged and affordable, making them perfect for personal use or as gifts.
🎉My dears, São Miguel Island is really a place full of surprises and romance. Whether it is a couple's trip, a parent-child vacation or a girlfriend's trip, you can leave unforgettable memories here. Hurry up and save this guide and head to the island💕.