Área de Paisagem Protegida das Sete Cidades

Twin Lakes and Volcanic Wonders

Ponta Del Rei on São Miguel Island in the Azores is part of a protected landscape area known for its volcanic hills and coastal cliffs. The region features rolling green fields, native shrubs and ocean views from elevated viewpoints. Walking trails wind through forests and along ridges where rare birds nest. Nearby hot springs add to the natural appeal while preserving local ecosystems. This environment supports agriculture and traditional villages that rely on sustainable practices. Visitors experience clean air, clear water and a calm atmosphere away from crowded tourist spots.

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Nature Reserve in Portugal

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.2

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	9

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in guesthouses, restaurants, and by tour guides. In the village, most locals working with visitors can help in English, though a few Portuguese phrases are always appreciated.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Área de Paisagem Protegida das Sete Cidades Summary

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Famous for volcanic lakes and viewpoints. Hike crater trails, cycle around twin lakes, enjoy panoramic viewpoints and explore lush Azorean landscapes.

Place score

8.1

Best at:

Natural sites

Lakes

Spotless

Guided tours

Secluded

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

♻️ 9

Sustainability

Portugal – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Portugal has widespread acceptance of cashless payments, particularly in urban areas and larger businesses. Cards are commonly used, and mobile payment options are increasingly available. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary but not mandatory in Portugal. In restaurants, leaving a 5-10% tip is common, especially if the service is exceptional. Taxi drivers usually expect a small tip of around 5-10%, and hotel staff appreciate tips for their services.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally accepted in most public spaces, such as parks and beaches. However, certain municipalities may enforce restrictions in specific areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in public places like restaurants and bars. Designated smoking areas are available in many public spaces.

Portuguese Republic Day (October)	National holiday with public celebrations and some closures, particularly in Lisbon.
Christmas (December)	Holiday celebrations and increased tourism, expect crowded areas and higher accommodation prices.
Carnival (February)	Festive celebrations with parades and events, especially in Lisbon and Madeira. Expect lively crowds.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Bolt, Uber
Other:	Portugal boasts rich cultural heritage, beautiful beaches, and historic landmarks. Public transport is reliable, and the country is known for its mild climate, especially in the southern regions.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

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Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Área de Paisagem Protegida das Sete Cidades, Portugal

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May

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High season:	June - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Oct.
Crowdedness:	5 (Moderate tourist numbers)

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Climate details

Weather changes within hours and cloud often hides the crater lakes; clearest views usually June to September

Hydrangeas lining the roads and lakeshores bloom June to August

Don't miss

🌄 Admire dual-colored lakes from Vista do Rei viewpoint
🥾 Hike trails around the volcanic crater rim
🏞️ Explore Sete Cidades village and lake shore
🛶 Kayak on the tranquil Blue and Green Lakes
🚶‍♂️ Walk through the historic Hydraulic Tunnel

You've been here?

Why travel to Área de Paisagem Protegida das Sete Cidades?

Sete Cidades is the Azores’ most iconic landscape – a paradise for hikers, photographers and anyone who loves wild volcanic scenery. You can marvel at the two-colored lakes from famous viewpoints like Boca do Inferno and Vista do Rei, paddle a kayak across the water or bike along crater trails. The area is dotted with hydrangea-lined paths, lush forests and even a quirky abandoned hotel with legendary views. The village of Sete Cidades offers a quiet charm, with local cafés and the simple, lovely Igreja de São Nicolau. Just be aware: weather changes quickly (bring layers and rain gear) and parking at viewpoints can be tight in peak season. The Monte Palace Hotel ruins are off-limits (private property) and some trails can be muddy or slippery after rain.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Miradouro da Vista do Rei
2 Boca do Inferno Viewpoint
3 hiking trail PR04 SMI
4 Igreja de São Nicolau

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Lagoa Verde
2 Lagoa Azul

🎈Events

Sete Cidades Festival (summer)
Religious feasts at Igreja de São Nicolau
Guided hiking weeks
Local food fairs
Birdwatching weekends
Photography workshops
Community clean-up days
E-bike adventure tours
Hydrangea Blooming Season
Nature conservation days

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Visit Vista do Rei viewpoint early morning for clear panoramas.
Hike PR3 trail around Lagoa Azul and Verde for crater floor immersion and waterfalls.
Drive slowly on crater rim roads; frequent fog and narrow paths reduce visibility.
Legend says blue and green lakes formed from princess and shepherd's forbidden love tears.

How to travel to Área de Paisagem Protegida das Sete Cidades

Fly into Ponta Delgada Airport (São Miguel), then drive or join a tour (about 30 minutes) to Sete Cidades. Rental cars, taxis and organized tours are the most flexible options. Public buses from Ponta Delgada run to Sete Cidades village, but schedules are sparse – check times carefully.

Access summary

From Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL): Car or taxi, roughly 30–40 minutes.
From Ponta Delgada city: Drive via EN1-1A, about 25–35 minutes.
Popular for hiking and cycling around crater rim and viewpoints.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Área de Paisagem Protegida das Sete Cidades

There are no large hotels in Sete Cidades, but you’ll find charming rural guesthouses, family‑run B&Bs and self‑catering cottages close to the lakes and village. Book ahead in summer. For more options, stay in Ponta Delgada and visit Sete Cidades as a day trip.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Mosteiros Place

8.3

SENSI Azores Nature and SPA

9.6

Joao de Oliveira casas de campo

10.0

GuestReady - Good Vibes

GuestReady - O Segredo da Ilha

GuestReady - Volcanic Nature- Sea and Tranquillity

Casa Pé na Areia

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How to get around Área de Paisagem Protegida das Sete Cidades

The area is best explored by car or bike, with scenic roads connecting viewpoints and trailheads. Hiking is a highlight, with well-marked trails for all levels. Parking is limited at popular viewpoints – arrive early or visit late to avoid crowds. The village is walkable and you can rent kayaks or bikes locally. Public buses from Ponta Delgada are infrequent, so a rental car or guided tour is easiest.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-34 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 34% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Ponta Delgada, Portugal - 16 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£52	£115	£286
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£23	£60	£135
🍝 Food per day	£22	£46	£124
🚕 Transportation per day	£7	£9	£27

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£18
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£11
🍟 Fast food combo	£8
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£8
☕ Cappuccino	£1.40
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.60
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£16
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.50

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£7.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£60
🤧 Cold medication	£1.05
💇 Basic haircut	£8.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Sete Cidades is very safe, with almost no crime. The main risks are natural: slippery trails, sudden weather changes and steep crater edges — stay on marked paths and avoid the Monte Palace Hotel ruins (private property).

Health & Medical

Basic medical care is available in nearby towns; for emergencies, head to Ponta Delgada. Bring any personal medication. Weather can be damp and cool, so dress accordingly. Tap water is safe.

Accessibility

Main viewpoints and village are accessible by car, but many trails are steep, uneven or muddy after rain. Some lakeshore areas are suitable for strollers or wheelchairs, but crater rim hikes require good mobility.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and widely available. Public fountains are rare, so carry a refillable bottle. Bottled water is sold in local cafés and shops.