The Azores – Sete Cidades And A Full On Day Of Beauty And Wonder 1

Heading over to the Western end of Sao Miguel, Azores I came to the rim of the Sete Cidades crater. One of the 7 natural wonders of Portugal, I got up there, looked down, and being speechless in my head I screamed WOW! I have seen many many super landscapes and views in my life. This was up there in the ‘you really gotta see this with your own eyes’ group.

The Azores - Sete Cidades

A huge and wide and deep almost circular crater about 5km across created through thousands and thousands of years of volcanic activity and collapses, now dormant. The Land of 7 Cities as known the first thing that strikes you is are the lakes especially the large one that stands out way below you. The colours are immense, you can see how the lake has locally been split into blue lake and green lake. The light, greenery and reflection play their parts in creating a stunning prism of a view.

The Azores - Sete Cidades

BaldHiker Retreats

From the highest point on the rim you can stand, one way looking across and down into the beauty of the crater or look East away from the crater and the rest of Sao Miguel lays before you (below). If you was following my live activities and pictures on Twitter then you can now see how I managed to do such a variety of things such as dolphin watching, a hike, a view and a geothermal swim all in one day… These islands have it all… and never far away from each other.

The Azores - Sete Cidades

The Azores - Sete Cidades

The Azores - Sete Cidades

The Azores - Sete Cidades

There is a track that runs all around the crater, perfect for escape and views, some even cycle round. If by car then 4×4 is only way. Of course the adventure does not stop up here, get down into the bottom of the crater and the sense of awe does not stop. Picnic on the edge of the lake, wander through the village and see the way of life in here. The abundance of green set against a rich blue sky has you looking around mesmerised.

The Azores - Sete Cidades

The Azores - Sete Cidades

It is hard to describe how quiet it was. Being on an island you never get the mad mad crowds. The water lapping on the edges inviting us on with our kayaks. My guide Nuno (below), from Futurismo, has a justified passion for this place, he was off and paddling in a flash, calm water kayaking in paradise.

The Azores - Sete Cidades

The Azores - Sete Cidades

The Azores - Sete Cidades

Aside from the main lake there are others to explore. Up in the higher reaches of this area are hidden gems. Below is the Lake of Santiago, describing it as green beauty does not do it justice. Steep tree-lined slopes heading down into the deep green water. Unique feast for the eyes!

The Azores - Sete Cidades

Back out on the crater rim and suddenly a traffic jam… goats chilling in the Azores sun 🙂

The Azores - Sete Cidades

Of course the slopes from the rim outwards are features from the volcanic past, now leading to the ocean. For centuries these areas have been managed to gorgeous green pastures. These cows get a view and a half eh? 🙂

The Azores - Sete Cidades

The Azores - Sete Cidades

The Azores - Sete Cidades

On the coast outside of the crater, way on the West of Sao Miguel is a totally theraputic experience to wash away a good hard days walking maybe, Ferraria Thermal and naturally geothermal heated ‘ocean’ water. Backdrop of the sea, set about volcanic rocks, waves lapping warm water over you as you swim….. Truly magical, I didn’t want to get out.

The Azores - Sete Cidades

Alas, it was time for dinner, and what a dinner it turned out to be. Eating a wonderfully large and perfect steak at the Caloura Hotel, watching the sun go down on a day I will never forget. A wonderful day in the Azores.

The Azores - Sete Cidades

The Azores - Sete Cidades

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21 Comments

  1. awesome. is it possible for non-swimmers t go to Ferrari Thermal and enjoy in the water?

    1. Paul Steele says:

      Hi, yes i cannot see why not 🙂

    2. Mike Lodge says:

      Wonderful experiences, Paul!

  2. Katie @ Katie Wanders says:

    Great post! Love the pictures~ Visited this spot in 2013 so gorgeous!

  3. alivia dockery says:

    Wow Paul…great photos. Is Sets Cidades the Volcano that has the crack that will let west side of the Island slide and create tsunami to east coast of US or is that another one? Im retired airline capt..looking to find someone to wander the world with…doing what you’re doing too…love that Adventure!
    Cheers!

  4. Lisa Mclean says:

    Trying to get the other half to consider an adventure on the Azores. How can I persuade him?

    1. Paul Steele says:

      Hi Lisa.. Landscapes like no other.. each island so different from the next.. activities, food.. great food, especially if you like sea food.

  5. Deb Adadjo says:

    Haha! A traffic jam of goats! What a great blog and beautiful pics!

  6. Nancy D. Brown says:

    I loved my visit to Azores. You can also ride the rim trail on horseback. Have you hiked nearby Pico Island?

  7. thewalkerswife says:

    What amazing photographs! The Azores has been high on our list of ‘must visit’ destinations for a while now and this post simply makes us even more eager to get there! Thanks for sharing a wonderful experience.

  8. Laura Higgins says:

    In 2009, we visited while on a trans Atlantic cruise. Upon seeing those lakes, I felt I must somehow in my lifetime get down to that village. This is 2013 and still have this strong pull, hence me finding your pictures and travel log. Thank you so much for keeping my dream alive.

  9. Arthur (shift_)Equal says:

    really cool green lake =))

    1. Paul Steele says:

      Was amazing close up.. incredible 🙂

  10. Great pics and account of your time in the Azores Paul – only way I’d get to see these places and thanks for sharing your experiences with us – great to wake up to on a Saturday morning ;-))

    1. Paul Steele says:

      thx so much Cathy

  11. Never been but I will someday. Grandparents on both sides came to Fall RIver Mass. from Sao Jorge. Thanks for the tour!

  12. Connie Langford says:

    What amazing beauty. Thanks for sharing. Makes me want to go there right now!

  13. Wow, what stunning natural beauty. The the thermal baths, sweet! Thank you for sharing.

    1. Paul Steele says:

      Thank you Erika, it truly has to be seen with your own eyes 🙂

  14. Sandy Allen says:

    I love the close-up cow shot. Great photos. I’m looking forward to reading more.

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