Top 22 things to do and attractions in Vila Franca do Campo

If you visit Sao Miguel island, you must visit Ilheu de Vila Franca. Tickets can be bought online (the page wasn't working, when I tried to buy the tickets), or you can buy them in the ticket office in the docks. The boat leaves at every full hour from the main island, the boat drops new tourists on the island (Ilheu) and collects tourists that finished with the visit to tge island. I think in the past, you were able to swim on the island, when I was visiting, swimming wasn't allowed. Also you were not allowed to use drones on the island. There are toilets on the island. You can come with one boat, and return after one hour, when the boat comes back. The views are really amazing, try to go there when it is sunny. I strongly recommend visiting.

Amazing water! Big crabs at the rocks! Go early to get a ticket, at 11am it is all sold out! Bring an umbrella, water, sunscreen and snack not only for the ilhéu but also for the waiting on line for the tickets! Kids until 10y don’t pay and online tickets have priority at the tickets line.

What an amazing place. Definitely worth the visit when staying at the island 🏝️. Not only the island itself is worth the trip but also the way to get to the island. It is a little adventure 🏔️ but I would not miss this opportunity. On top: it is perfect for snorkelling 🤿. Rarely seen so many different fish 🐠 of different colours and types. Full recommendation!! 👍🤩🚀

Warning: since May 2025 it is no longer allowed to swim within the crater, which was the main reason people used to come here. You can still buy tickets (during the main season) for the ferry to go to the island, but you will not be allowed into the water. It is also no longer allowed to fly drones over the island. Snorkling trips to the island are still offered by local companies, but the trips only visit the outside of the crater (in the open sea) because of the swimming ban inside the crater. The swimming ban is unfortunately only noted poorly on the ticketing website.

This is a really interesting place to visit. I recommend taking last boat off the island (18:10) as they will circle the island from the outside, which they don't do on the other ferry times. Bring your own snorkeling gear and snacks. There is a washroom on the island if you need it. Got your tickets early, only 400 people are allowed to visit the island per day.

Wow! What a cool small island. A real adventure. Best for couples and for families with little kids. The water are shallow and clear.

It is a cool place to go, as there are lots of fish and a decent place to snorkel. I recommend getting the tickets to go to the island early as only 400 people are allowed on the island each day. The people who run it sell 50 tickets online and 350 in person.

Absolutely beautiful place on the hillside near the marina. It's a must-see! The drive up the hill is maybe 7 minutes from the main road near the sea. It's avaliable farther and steeper than it looks from the Google map. Drive slowly up the winding road in the countryside. Plenty of parking and a public restroom at the top. Climb the stairs to the top for a breathtaking view of the sea and Vila Franca. There are farmlands and cows grazing nearby. I highly recommend it! Free to the public. No ticket required.

Parking at the bottom of the steps. The climb up the steps took us 5 mins. Church is small, beautiful and peaceful. Stunning panoramic views from the top. More cats and chickens than humans when we visited:)

Nice view, special church you don’t see everywhere. Lovely for a little stop when visiting the town. Roads going up are quite okay, bit steep.

Amazing church on the hill. You can park there for free. The view is amazing, you can see the coastline from there. I am not sure, if you are able to enter the church.

A very beautiful viewpoint overlooking the town of Villa Franca do Campo. The legend of the statue of Mary takes us to some other unknown times. The chapel and the cave are really worth a visit.

Such a good place for a view! I came by bike and it was definitely worth the ride — beautiful view over Vila da Franca. A peaceful and memorable spot to stop and enjoy.

Great views over the island. Quite the walk up from the village but totally worth it. You can also go to the start of the stair walk with the car. Limited parking available.

Normal marina, bathroom are not acceptable, difficult to find parking so park next to the food car on the way.... Trust me you will see it on the way.

Azores is a lovely ancient oceanic volcanic island. Not so touristy as the Madeira's.

Went there to make a tour with Terra Azul to watch the Wales and Delphins and it was really beautiful. There is also a public restroom at this place.

Very cool place with a great bar to have a coffee or breakfast.

Nice place...in nice city.

Great food and staff

Nice. You can book a trip to ilhéu de vila França. It takes less than 15 minutes. One trip every hour. 5 Eur round trip for each adult. Children don't pay.

We were eager to try Queijadas do Morgado, given its reputation as a local bakery. However, our experience was far from pleasant. The queijadas were overly sweet, with hard edges that detracted from the overall texture. Maybe we are just not made for this local food. Additionally, the staff’s indifferent attitude left much to be desired. Given the numerous excellent bakeries in the area, we won’t be returning to Queijadas do Morgado.

This place is not just a café – it's also the place where traditional pastries, sold all over the island, are made. On your way to the restrooms, you can even peek into the kitchen and see the production in action, which adds a nice touch of authenticity. They offer a variety of cakes and local pastries. The coffee was average, but the experience as a whole was enjoyable. We sat on the covered terrace with a lovely view of the ocean – a peaceful spot to relax and enjoy something sweet. The staff were professional and friendly, and we had no problem communicating in English.

Oh my oh my oh my - husband and I just had the best cakes of our lives. Lemon Poppy and also the Coconut cake. Divine, out of this world, unforgettable. I demand to be told how the cakes are so moist and the coconut cake so fluffy at the same time! Thank you 🥰

We ordered coconut and apple pie and plus. Nice location and traditional pies and cakes. Coffee recharge is a must.

A must visit for their famous little dessert pastries "Queijada de Villa Franca Do Capo", If you arrive early at opening you can see the staff preparing and packaging them. They also have coffee, drinks, and various other cakes and pastries. Indoor seating and a small outdoor terrace with a view of the ocean.

This place is an excellent pastry shop. Best dessert place we went to in Sao Miguel and the coffee is also good! We had the queijadas, a passionfruit tart slice, and a slice of the pistachio lime bread, all of which were absolutely delicious. The right level of sweetness and moisture was present in each pastry. I would come back!

Not only a coffee. They make the famous Queijadas here to sell in other places, a small manufacture

Quite a little of a museum. Lots of artifacts and the docent was helpful and knowledgeable of everything we saw. I understand why school children like his tours.

Very interesting an guided tour recommended

Worth a visit. Small museum with interesting collection. Translations into English are not always accurate!

Beautiful and 1 a week tango classes

Beautiful place for relaxing, costless

(Translated by Google) Very friendly guided tour service! Some areas could have more texts documenting what is on display. Beautiful renovated hall on the first floor. (Original) Serviço de visita guiada muito simpático! Algumas áreas poderiam ter mais textos a documentar o que se encontra exposto. Lindíssimo salão recuperado no primeiro piso.

(Translated by Google) Entry to the museum is free, there was no direct tour, but the exhibits can be viewed. If you know English you can read the information. You don't necessarily have to go there, but if you're already there, you can take a look. (Original) Der Eintritt zum Museum ist kostenlos, es gab keine direkte Führung, aber die Ausstellungsstücke können betrachtet werden. Mit Englisch Kenntnisse kann man die Informationen lesen. Man muss nicht zwangsläufig hin, aber wenn man schon da ist, kann man dort reinschnuppern.

Much disappointing experience... such a beautiful island but you cannot do literally anything there... no swimming no walking. You can sit on the concrete and wait for the ferry to take you back. 20min is a maximum you want to spend there. At least in the end the captain gave us a ride around the island and that was the best part of the trip. We managed to make some pictures. But being there was nothing enjoyable.

Cute, small island. But please note that you can NOT swim here and that hiking is also prohibited at the moment. We went there with a little governmental boat that only costs 12 euros per person and it goes every hour (except for 12:00h) (the desk is a grey little ticket shop in the harbor). It will take you 1-2 hours to make a tour of the island, so take that in mind. We were there at 11:00h and had no queue at all. There are also many beautiful red crabs on the island, amazing to photograph, but keep that in mind if you are scared of crabs ;)

Scenic and not too expensive but no swimming is allowed inside the caldera and the trails are quite short. After 15 or 20 minutes we were ready to go back. There are bathrooms, but no water or convenience items sold so make sure to bring what you need The staff was friendly but the boat ride was quite lively as there were big swells in the ocean on the way over and back. It was only a 10 minute boat ride.

Interesting place. Currently (Aug/25') thre is no swimming do to water conditions and the upper portion of the trail is closed so very little to do on the islet.

We took a boat trip organized by Vila Watersport Center, and it was an amazing experience. Our guide was excellent and very knowledgeable, which made the whole visit even more enjoyable.

Beautiful island. It’s forbidden to swim there due to conservation status of the water.

The island is beautiful but by far not the prettiest in Azores! Unfortunately the quality of the water was not recommended for swimming so we were prohibited from doing so. The island is very pretty and has crabs and other native animals. You can see everything in 20 minutes but if you go close to midday you will be stuck there for over an hour! We paid 12 eur each and would not go again unless we can swim!

Awesome experience, highly recommended. We booked a half day bottom fishing. The crew went above and beyond, providing sandwiches for lunch, beer, soda, and bait, all included in the price. Super helpful and even took us to some cool spots to take pictures after our allotted time was up. Phenomenal value, I’m an experienced fisherman but my partner is brand new, so they let me do my thing with some helpful local tips, while guiding her on the basics. Can’t recommend enough, would absolutely do it again.

10/10 recommend! I took my Dad out for big game with Capt Paulo and Bruno and we had the best time. They were friendly, professional, and experts! We got a beautiful tuna and my dad and I had the best experience. We would love to book again with Azores Fishing!

Highly professional half day trip for our family. We caught tiger and grouper fish which we took and ate for our dinner. We saw lots of dolphins and our captain skilfully set up waves behind the boat for them to surf along with us. Sara and Vasco (captain) taught us how to catch and prepare fish. Wonderful experience.

Super friendly staff both on the boat to schedule our fishing trip! Crew is focused on safety as several passengers felt sick an hour into the ride and they took great care of everyone. I would highly recommend!

Well experienced captain and kind+helpfull assistant for a great trip. I enjoyed the "First Experience" with my wife and son (8 years). We chose to fish and the captain found perfect spots for Barracuda and for grouper and trigger fish. We absolutly enjoyed it and we'll do it again. Last time we saw a wale and massive tune.

Fishing in the Azores has been on my bucket list for while and Diogo, Vasco and Sofia made my dreams come true! Diogo and his team are motivated to making your fishing experience one to remember! You are spoiled with local delicacies and drinks and we enjoyed sharing past fishing adventures all day. The boats and equipment are comfortable and top notch! Thanks again for an incredible journey! See you soon!!!

Diogo and Eduardo provided my family with such a wonderful experience. First, they are both truly genuine and welcoming hosts. Their boat Galaxia was both accomodating and comfortable. We chose a half day tour and were not disappointed! First, they were able to spot dolphins on our way to the fishing area. They were able to position the boat and got the dolphins to swim alongside and in front of the boat. It was an amazing experience to see the dolphins playing with us. Then the fishing itself was great. Our children were delighted to catch as many fish as they did. Our ten year old was the most successful of all of us and will never forget the experience. I would strongly recommend Azores Fishing to anyone looking for a truly Azorean fishing experience. Thank you again Diogo and Eduardo.

I have been to the Ilhéu before 5 years ago, and had no problems. This year I have went 3 times in the morning and the tickets are all sold out each time. I decided I wanted to try and buy tickets online; I had a hard time using a bank card to buy my tickets, and after trying to buy them twice online, I never got an email of my tickets. I then tried to call and never could get through to someone to help me out. I was then told by someone in my village that I needed to use an ATM to buy my tickets.. Not impressed at all, and sad that I couldn't show 3 of my friends from Canada the IIhéu. Shouldn't have to be this hard to enjoy something while on vacation.. a LOT of time wasted.

nice places to eat along the water here

(Translated by Google) I don't even give it another star. Completely disappointed. I hereby came to explain my displeasure with the company. The crossing to the island is done every 1 hour so far so good. I went there at 11:00 in the morning and was scheduled to return at 16:00, however it started to rain so I decided to return at 14:00. I got to the queue at around 13:45 and there were loads of people waiting, then two guys appeared. in their early 20s, they join the queue, pushing everyone around. They came close to the boat captain and asked to enter. Everyone was trying to explain the situation and the Captain and the rest of the "professionals" didn't even listen. In other words, in a line of almost 50/60 people, two guys pass everyone and go in the 1st boat. I am extremely disappointed and I was not expecting anything. Suggestion for the team who may or may not read it The return boat should leave every 30 minutes and not every 1 hour as there are a lot of people to take and it becomes tiring to wait for the boat and you cannot leave or look away from the queue for the reason I mentioned. In addition to all this, the boat that left first went around the islet, thus being able to see it from the sea, the boat I went on did not go around the same way, why? If everyone pays the same! Once again terrible work extremely disappointed. I do not give a star anymore. Completely disillusioned. I came here to explain my displeasure with the company. The crossing to the island is done every 1 hour so far so good. I went to it at 11:00 in the morning and was scheduled to return at 4:00 p.m. However it started to rain so I decided to go back at 2:00 p.m. I got in line at around 1:45 p.m. and there were lots of people waiting, in this appeared two boys in their twenties and early twenties, enter the line to push everyone. They came near the captain of the boat and asked to enter. Everyone trying to explain the situation and the Captain and the rest of the "professionals" didn't even listen. In other words, in a row of almost 50/60 people, two guys pass everybody and go on the boat. I am extremely disappointed and was not expecting anything. Suggestion for the team that can or cannot read it The return boat should leave every 30 minutes and not every 1 hour as there are many people to take and it becomes tiring to be waiting for the boat and you can not leave or look away from the queue for the reason I mentioned. Again, terrible job, extremely disillusioned. (Original) Não dou nem mais uma estrela. Completamente desiludido. Vim por este meio explicar o meu desagrado com a companhia. A travessia para a ilha é feita de 1 em 1 hora até aqui tudo bem. Fui para la as 11:00 da manhã e estava previsto o regresso às 16:00 entretanto começou a chover então decidi voltar as 14:00 cheguei a fila por volta as 13:45 e estava montes de gente a espera, nisto apareceram dois rapazes com os seus 20 e pouos anos, entram pela fila a empurrar toda a gente. Chegaram perto do Capitão do barco e pediram para entrar. Toda a gente a tentar explicar a situação e o Capitão e o resto dos "profissionais" nem sequer deram ouvidos. Ou seja numa fila de quase 50/60 pessoas dois rapazes passam toda a gente e vão no 1 barco. Estou extremamente desiludido e não estava nada a espera. Sugestão para a equipa que pode ou não lê-la O barco de regresso devia sair de 30 em 30 minutos e não de 1 em 1 hora pois são muitas pessoas para levar e torna se cansativo estar a espera do barco além disso não se pode sair nem desviar o olhar da fila pela razão que mencionei. Além disto tudo o barco que saiu primeiro deu a volta ao ilheu podendo assim ver-lo do Mar o barco onde fui não a mesma volta porque? Se todos pagam o mesmo! Mais uma vez péssimo trabalho extremamente desiludido. I do not give a star anymore. Completely disillusioned. I came here to explain my displeasure with the company. The crossing to the island is done every 1 hour so far so good. I went to it at 11:00 in the morning and was scheduled to return at 4:00 p.m. However it started to rain so I decided to go back at 2:00 p.m. I got in line at around 1:45 p.m. and there were lots of people waiting, in this appeared two boys in their twenties and early twenties, enter the line to push everyone. They came near the captain of the boat and asked to enter. Everyone trying to explain the situation and the Captain and the rest of the "professionals" did not even listen. In other words, in a row of almost 50/60 people, two guys pass everybody and go on the boat. I am extremely disappointed and was not expecting anything. Suggestion for the team that can or can not read it The return boat should leave every 30 minutes and not every 1 hour as there are many people to take and it becomes tiring to be waiting for the boat and you can not leave or look away from the queue for the reason I mentioned. Again, terrible job, extremely disillusioned.

(Translated by Google) We bought a ticket for the boat to the small island of Vila. They didn't inform us that swimming is not allowed on the island, and the boat departure times they have online, and the same one they tell you at the booth when they stamp your ticket, don't match the actual times they use, so we had to stay on the island an hour longer than we wanted. (Original) Compramos el billete para el barco que va a la islita da vila. No nos informaron de que el baño no esta permitido en la isla, y el horario de salidas del barco que tienen en internet, y el mismo que te dicen en la caseta cuando te sellan el tiquet no coincide con el que ellos usan realmente por lo que nos tuvimos que quedar en la isla una hora mas de lo que queriamos.

(Translated by Google) If I had known that swimming was not allowed, we wouldn't have taken the boat. The islet is beautiful, but it's not exactly amazing. We bought tickets online and arrived right on time for the first boat and were able to board (be careful, it's September 1st; August or July isn't the same). In an hour, we had walked around the entire islet, taken photos and videos, and enjoyed the views, but if you can't swim (they only announce it with signs when you arrive at the islet), it's pointless to be there. We then returned on the first boat. So please, if you're interested in swimming, find out if you can swim. (Original) Si llego a saber que NO ESTÁ PERMITIDO EL BAÑO no cogemos el barco. El islote es bonito, pero tampoco es para tirar cohetes. Cogimos billetes por internet y llegamos justo a la hora del primer barco y pudimos embarcar ( ojo, es primero de septiembre, en Agosto o julio, no pasa igual). En una hora habíamos paseado por toda el islote, hecho fotos y vídeo, y disfrutar de las vistas, pero si no te puedes bañar( solo lo avisan con carteles al llegar al islote) es absurdo estar allí. Luego volvimos en el primer barco. Así por favor, si te interesa el baño, infórmate bien si puedes bañarte.

(Translated by Google) The service is perfectly adequate, but the point of the visit is zero: swimming inside and outside is prohibited and the hiking trail leading to the summit is closed. (Original) Service tout a fait correct, mais l'intérêt de la visite est nul: interdiction de se baigner à l'intérieur et à l'extérieur et le chemin de randonnée qui mène au sommet est fermé.

(Translated by Google) They don't let you swim. They don't tell you about it on the website. It's not worth it. (Original) No dejan bañarte. No lo avisan en la web. No vale la pena.

A nice church in the middle of the town

(Translated by Google) The church is beautifully decorated from the outside. However, the opening hours are completely inconsistent, so I wasn't able to visit. Hence, one star deducted. (Original) Kirche von außen schön geschmückt. Allerdings stimmen die Öffnungszeiten überhaupt nicht, sodass mir ein Besuch nicht möglich war. Somit einen Stern Abzug.

(Translated by Google) Festivities of the Lord Bom Jesus da Pedra - August 2017 (Original) Festas do Senhor Bom Jesus da Pedra - Agosto 2017

(Translated by Google) Almost opposite the Church of San Miguel, it appears more ornate and larger, and its interior rivals the former. Free to visit. (Original) En frente casi de la iglesia de san Miguel parece más vistosa y grande y su interior rivaliza con la anterior. De visita Gratuita

(Translated by Google) The best and biggest religious festival in my city (Original) A melhor e maior festividade religiosa da minha cidade

(Translated by Google) Catholic Church of BOM JESUS ​​DA PEDRA, one of the Religious Festivals with the largest concentration of people in the municipality of VFC. (Original) Igreja ⛪️ Católica do BOM JESUS DA PEDRA, das Festas Religiosas de maior concentração de pessoas no concelho de VFC..

(Translated by Google) If you pass through Vila Franca do Campo, it's a must-see. Come and see. (Original) Se passar em Vila Franca do Campo é uma paragem obrigatório. Venham ver.

(Translated by Google) The Forte Real, as shown here, no longer exists. Bus has been demolished to the ground. (Original) Das Forte Real, so wie es hier abgebildet ist, gibt es nicht mehr. Es ist Bus auf die Grundmaern abgerissen.

Excellent diving experiences with Azores sub. Thanks to the diving instructors, boat skipper, office manager. The dive centre is located at marina, easy to find. The instructors were extremely supportive. Diving experiences were made easy and fun. There were enough breaks between day dives, so I could have enough rest. Equipment were of excellent qualities.

I went for a try dive and Rodrigo helped me perfectly. He understood what was important and really knew how to make me feel comfortable during the dive. Had al lovely dive. I saw old canons, all kinds of fish, a starfish and even an octopus hidden in the rocks. Rodrigo knew where to watch and together we enjoyed what nature showed us. Thanks again and have a great season!

We had a great experience overall. The team was super friendly and professional, and we felt we were in good hands. As first-time divers, it really helped that each of us had our own instructor so we could go at our own pace. My brother had a blast, and his instructor pointed out lots of marine life, which made it even more exciting for him. I felt a bit anxious, and in hindsight, it might have been better to try diving in a pool first to get used to the equipment. Still, my instructor was very patient and I never felt pushed to go deeper than I was comfortable with.

Great experience! I’d never been diving before and went with a friend who was certified, doing the “Try Dive.” All of the instructors were friendly, funny, and very experienced. Having 0 knowledge going into it, they explained everything in such a way that I was safe and excited the whole time. The waters and sea life were absolutely beautiful. This experience made me want to get certified soon. I would recommend this place to anyone interested, regardless of skill level!

We had a wonderful time at the dive center! 🐠✨ The guides were super friendly, helpful, and always had a joke ready – we felt welcome and well taken care of from the very beginning. Everything was perfectly organized: we could easily store our own equipment at the dive center, which was really convenient. The dive sites were absolutely stunning and made every dive a special experience. 🌊🐚 All in all, a fantastic experience – highly recommended!

My son did two days of double dives which he enjoyed and he saw a good variety of sea life. Was well organised and kit was good. Worth knowing that they require an accompanying adult on the boat for under eighteens.

Great diving center. We went scuba diving with four people. The dive site is the famous Ilhéu de Vila Franca. And we had our dive at the mouth, Boca. The diving instructors are patient and professional, but they are also a cheerful bunch, providing a pleasant atmosphere. We felt safe and were in good hands. The facilities of the diving center are sufficient and basic. There are hot showers and changing rooms at the diving center.

Amazing scenery, if you are lucky and have a sunny weather. The road is closed from certain hour in the day. So you can take a bus that has a round trip, and also stops for 5 minutes on the parking lot near this viewpoint. The price for bus ticket was 5 eur (adult ticket). Also there are red and green bus lines, that cover different stops. Very nice spots to visit with the bus.

Breathtaking views and there are many viewpoints throughout the road. Forbidden entrance with your personal vehicle from 9h to 19h, but there are constant buses that take you as you wish. It is possible to trek around the crater, and from and to the peak of the crater and the rest of the island. Warnings! 1. It’s forbidden to go down to the lagoon, as it is a safeguarded habitat for seagulls and other animals. 2. The are is prone to develop a lot of dense fog in a matter of seconds, so it’s advisable to take a light impermeable windcoat.

Stunning viewpoint of a crater-collapsed caldera on São Miguel Island, Azores. From this spot you can see both sides of the Atlantic, and the steep walls of the caldera and lake. If there are clouds covering the top of the mountain…. Just wait a few minutes… they will pass and blow over… won’t take long. Worth the wait. Exceptional.

Great view. Road is open until 9 am and after 7 pm. Otherwise you have to use shuttle bus but I recommend doing it with own car

The view from this point is beautiful, even if it's cloudy. I would recommend going down to the lake. There is a hiking trail just from there. It is a bit difficult hiking up, but the peaceful moments and views make it worth it. There is parking available and it's quite spacious.

The view is beautiful even with a little fog, it looks like a fairytale. We came to check the lake before 9, and after 7 in the evening. Don't believe the webcams, they are way too high up in the mountains.

Perhaps the best view on the island. We arrived just after 7pm, as the road was closed to regular traffic prior to this. Still had time to walk partway up the higher path, for an incredible view near the top of the island.

Great fun. Not overcrowded, only a few slides but people are nice, the slides are great for all types of thrill seekers, none are very extreme though.

Before going there, make sure you know what is waiting for you, especially when you go with kids and you don't want to make them cry :) First, this is a rather small swimming pool with some enjoyable slides. Ok. Adult 23€, Kids 12€ !! Plus they distinguish between residents and non-residents! If you don't want to pay extra for, umbrella, sun lounges, you simply have to lay on the concrete floor in the bear sun!!! If you want to have a warm shower even that costs extra! Food is not eatable. Spare your money and enjoy some other attractions on this beautiful island.

It’s expensive but the kids love it though I find it absurd that foreigners have to pay more. The food’s quality is horrible and too expensive, the hot dog fell completely apart (please see photo attached) and the chips tasted old. If you absolutely want to eat there, then don’t chose a menu and go for a burger, a sandwich or a bifana, at least they don’t fall apart and feel fresher. Since you can go out of the park to eat somewhere else and then come back, I highly recommend that you don’t eat at the bar, the food quality isn’t even worth 1 star.

nice water park to enjoy 2-3 hrs with kids (aged 7 and 11 - both above 1,2m), two slides with tubes - really enjoyed the black hole. Price oriented on tourists small swimming area had sun heated warm water now; food can be bought in the park (e.g. burger, hot dog, fries, small tasty pizzas) with fair prices; pay with card or charge money at the entrance receiption to use inside the park; residual money will be paid back when you leave We have been there a second time during our stay: water park was not so crowded before 2pm, after 2 plan some waiting time (max 5-10 min) which feels for kids like ages Restaurant: too long waiting time and most ice cream and pizza options where not available, only hot dog and burger

Good for the money

(Translated by Google) Nice day out on Sao Miguel. The design is somewhat limited: 6 "real" slides, a baby pool with 3 slides and a swimming pool (85 cm at the edges and 135 cm deep at the deepest point) with 1 children's slide. Pools are not heated! Temperature varies between 18-25 degrees. You pay 20 euros for this per adult, 10 euros for children and children aged 3 or younger are free. The latter is mainly because there is very little for these children to do. 4 of the 6 larger slides are accessible to children from 110cm, the other 2 from 120cm. Black Hole (from 120cm) is really worth it and, as the name suggests, completely in the dark. You can freely place your towels on the central square. Sunbeds and parasols are offered at a reasonable price. There is very little shelter for the rest, so on a sunny day this is worth it. All in all, quite a nice park where you can enjoy a day of fun, but quite pricey for what it actually is. (Original) Leuk dagje uit op Sao Miguel. De opzet is wat beperkt: 6 "echte" glijbanen, een babybadje met 3 glijbanen en een zwembad (85 cm aan de randen en 135 cm diep op het diepste punt) met 1 kinder glijbaan. Zwembaden zijn niet verwarmd! Temperatuur varueert tussen de 18-25 graden. Daar betaal je dan 20 euro voor per volwassene, 10 euro voor kinderen en kinderen van 3 jaar of jonger zijn gratis. Dat laatste is voornamelijk omdat er voor die kinderen ook vrij weinig te doen is. 4 van de 6 grotere glijbanen zijn toegankelijk voor kinderen vanaf 110cm, de 2 andere vanaf 120cm. Black Hole (vanaf 120cm) is wel echt de moeite waard en zoals de naam al doet vermoeden volledig in het donker. Op het centrale plein kun je vrij je handdoeken neerleggen. Ligbedden en parasols worden te guur aangeboden. Er is vrij weinig beschutting voor de rest dus op een zonnige dag is dit wel de moeite waard. Al met al dus best een leuk park waar je prima een dagje kunt vermaken maar behoorlijk prijzig voor wat het daadwerkelijk is.

(Translated by Google) The only water park on the island, therefore a little expensive… But the slides are secure and offer good sliding sensations (the black and red ones particularly). It’s an ideal stopover when traveling with children! A snack bar on site at reasonable prices and of reasonable quality. Possibility of renting deckchairs and parasols at an additional cost. (Original) Seul parc aquatique de l’île, par conséquent un peu cher… Mais les toboggans sont sécurisés et offrent de bonnes sensations de glisse (le noir et le rouge particulièrement). C’est une étape idéale lorsqu’on voyage avec des enfants ! Un snackbar sur place à prix corrects et de qualité correcte. Possibilité de louer avec supplément des transats et parasols.

Isolated beach. Parking is accessible by car with the ubiquitous Azore style grills and tables at the top. The beach is a 125 meter descent, and the switchback trail down was a little rough and a bit overgrown. Occasionally the steep grade and loose sand made for less than stable footing. If the trail was wet, it would have been more precarious. However, if dry, a reasonably capable person should be safe in the trek. We got there near high tide and the sandy portion of the beach was limited. Check the tide times and try to plan your visit for low tide. See the photos for the beauty and condition of the beach. There were no facilities at the bottom. Maybe we were tired from the previous week of hikes and exploring the island, but the hike back up was work and we were glad we brought plenty of water with us. Overall, I would say there are equally isolated and beautiful beaches that are more accessible (check out Praia do Lombo Gordo), but maybe the difficulty of access is what you're looking for?

A decent small beach with patches of sand and rocks. It’s also a naturist beach, if you want. The ocean entry is always rocky. The drive down is short, about 100 m, with parking for around 6 cars. If the parking is full, you can leave the car on the main road. From the parking place, it’s a 450 m hike down to the beach. The descent is steep but not really difficult. Just make sure to turn right on the way down — if you miss it, you’ll end up on a more challenging path that leads to a nearby rocky beach.

If you like hiking ,this place is for you ! Not sure about nude beach thing as when we reached there , it wasn't accessible due to high tides and the walk was tough in summer noon . If you wish to enjoy just beach ,swimming and good vibes ,go somewhere else

You will thank yourself for traversing the (at times) steep and slightly treacherous path. Make sure you wear footwear that has grips. We wore Teva sandals. We were there on a Thursday between 4 and 6pm and didn’t have anyone else there, but passed one pair of people on our way back up the path. It’s not an official nudist beach, but pretty safe to do so, just keep your clothes close if you’re afraid of others getting down there while you’re there. If you’re alone on the beach, it’s a perfect opportunity for a nude hang out, as there’s no view down to the beach from civilization and there were no boats that sailed by us. The sand is beautiful black sand, which is corse and comfortable. Swimming is a bit difficult but possible if you’re carful.

Beautiful secluded beach. The sea seemed too rough to swim but it was possible to dip. Recommended for hikers and caution is advised for non-hikers as the trail might have leaves and small rocks that makes the footing a bit less stable. Caution is also advised for individuals travelling with small children as the descent has no guard rails.

Make sure you have proper hiking shoes as it is a steep dirt path with loose rocks/sand and easy to slip even on a sunny day as the sand is so dry. There was a sign that said "Trail closed", but we tried it anyway to see how far we can reach but very carefully. It's beautiful once get there, there was nobody on this hidden beach

Good beach for tanning nude, I think it was a naturist beach, as there were about 8 people doing nudism

A secluded beach nestled between cliffs, Praia da Pedreira offers a tranquil escape with fine sand and clear waters. The beach provides a stunning view of the Ilhéu de Vila Franca do Campo, a small islet known for its natural beauty. Accessing the beach requires descending a steep path, which can take around 5-10 minutes, depending on your pace. The path is challenging, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

Beautiful, secluded beach with just 2 people. Easy swimming, calm, small weaves. But we visited in October.

Gorgeous beach...4 stars because there are lot of stairs to get down there...Be careful of the road leading to the parking lot...if you drive down the street from the wrong side, you will have to navigate through a lane that leaves about 4" of space between your car and the walls/hydro pole. Entrance isn't well marked, you need to go down a short alley to get to the stairs

Very nice (almost) private beach with really nice cliffs around it. Unfortunately not good for snorkeling at the moment due to seaweed and some waves (loose sand), which result in limited visibility under water. Beach is still well worth the visit, but currently not for snorkeling.

It's one of my favourite beaches here in S.Miguel. It's quite hard to get down there and go up because of the many stairs and how steep it is but definitely worth it! It's mostly used by locals so it's a quiet place, make sure you respect it.

Nice beach. But downclimbing is adventureous. Pretty steep. The stairs way left (street between two houses and 50m ahead then right is dead because of a slide)

Hidden beach used by locals. No tourists. Hard to find the stairs down and once you do, there are plenty of stairs to walk... Unfortunately we couldn't swim when we went down because there were too many seaweeds in the water. Hopefully, you'll have more luck!

Family run business. Very friendly and knowledgeable stuff. We got a tour of the facilities and had a chat with the owner too. Tasting was 10 different wines, liquors and other spirits. Taster size is about half a shot glass. You can purchase their products after the tasting. They accept card payments too. There are a few parking spots available at the facility.

Wonderful place with great tour guide/owner. The place might not look like much but it is very much worth visiting. The stories shared by the owner of daily challenges in the life of the vineyard are very interesting and informative. The liquors(spirits and vinos) are unique to Azores and either you love or hate them.

This is a charming winery where you can go on a really educational tour with one of the owners of the winery. Nuno gave us a very interesting and in depth history of the space and the amazing transformations that have taken place over the years. We in particular enjoyed the port-style wine and passion fruit (manacujá) liqueur. A very well done wine experience that I highly recommend!

As pointed out in other reviews, don't let the factory appearance scare you away. We entered through the factory door and one of the workers named Antonio was kind enough to give us a fantastic tour of the facility and full tasting of more than 10 liquors/wines at the end. The various liquors and wines were very good and made locally. They had plans to expand the back area to accommodate more guests/tour groups but it was a great intimate experience already. Overall, I highly recommend making a stop out here.

Very interesting and warm tour and tasting! Check the times on their website (Mon-Fri 4 times per day currently) and go there a bit before. Absolute bargain for 10 euros/person. You get a tour by the people running the place, lots of history, lots of interesting bits about wine, Azores, their business etc. Highly recommend asking things that interest you, you don't always get to ask people with that much experience and knowledge. Muito obrigado! 😊

*Disappointing Tasting Experience at Manuel Francisco Simas Rainha Winery We visited Manuel Francisco Simas Rainha winery for a liquor and wine tasting, but the experience left much to be desired. At €10 per person, we expected a reasonable sampling, but instead, we were given tiny drops—barely enough to taste. Later, we purchased four 100ml bottles of liquor for €15, only to discover the same bottles selling for just €2.50 each at a local corner store. This huge markup made us feel like we were taken advantage of simply because we were tourists. While the staff member conducting the tasting was friendly, the overall experience didn’t justify the cost. The value for money was poor, and we left feeling more disappointed than impressed. Unfortunately, we wouldn’t recommend this tasting to others. **Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)** – Overpriced and underwhelming.

This is the most personable winery tour I have ever been on. Maria provided us with a history of her family's winery, showed us where they grow grapes and where they make the wine and liqueurs. Then she provided a taste of about 10 wines and liqueurs. Definitely recommend!

The beach is dirty and not clean at all. There are cigarette butts and litter. There is also a lot of seaweed and seagulls. The restaurant is over priced for a beach restaurant the cafe has fair prices for drinks but I don't know if they serve food.

Our most popular beach on São Miguel. There is a rock that divides the beach with a sheltered nest. There is a spacious parking lot by the beach, there are good snacks and there are good facilities with showers. The beach is located next to the Aqua Center (at the time of writing the review under reconstruction).

This beach looked really beautiful. We only walked by for lunch. If I had time, I definitely would have wanted to check it out. There weren't too many people around lunch time, but a completely different story in the afternoon. Around 4PM, it was packed with people.

Publicly accessible (for free) including washrooms, showers, etc. Great experience.

Nice beach Pay attention to jellyfishes

Easy to park, very safe and clean beach

My favorite beach

(Translated by Google) If you are nearby, quite ok (Original) Wenn man in der Nähe ist, ganz ok

A small fort.

(Translated by Google) Small fort (Original) Pequeno forte

🤍💯