Sao Miguel

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Sao Miguel View

Sao Miguel is the largest island in the Azores group, in Portugal. Sao Miguel has great beaches, a hilly countryside that's great for walking, spectacular mountains and volcanoes and a couple of very dynamic cities. Sao Miguel was colonized by the Portuguese in the 14th century and since then it grew to become a very important commercial and trading center, a history that lives on to present day.

Tracks

Sao Miguel has some amazing hiking and walking areas, especially in the mountains. Lomba do Cavaleiro, in Agriao, is well worth the effort of walking there, as... Login for more

Diving

Sao Miguel has some amazing diving spots, the most impressive being the underwater volcanic mountains. Places like Ilheus das Formigas and Dollarbarat Banks... Login for more

Surf

Ribeira Grande is the best area to look for surf on Sao Miguel, as the coast is directly exposed to north beach breaks. However, considering how edgy and rocky... Login for more

Sail

Yes, especially for trips to nearby smaller islands, but also to the other larger ones in the Azores. Sao Miguel is the most trafficked island in the group, so... Login for more

Birding

White tailed tropicbird, mute swan, greylag goose, ruddy shelduck, green-winged teal, American black duck, gadwall, Garganey, mallard, King Eider, Greater... Login for more

Whales and wildlife

Azores Noctule, humpback whale, killer whale, North Atlantic Right whale, minke whale, sei whale, blue whale, short-beaked common dolphin, stripped dolphin,... Login for more

Culture

Sao Miguel prides itself with a long lasting legacy of cultural personalities, like Teofilio Braga and Natalia Correia, but also with a bustling commerce... Login for more

Explorers

Goncalo Velho Cabral (1427)

Golf and wellness

Batalha Golf Course, Furnas Golf Course

Volcanoes

Furnas, Povoacao, Agua de Pau, Sete Cidades

Lighthouses

Ponta do Arnel (1876, 15m) Ponta Garca (1957, 15m) Santa Clara (1945, 8m) Ferraria (1901, 18m)

Ratings

	Users	Editors
Beaches	(no ratings)	(no ratings)
Culture	(no ratings)	(no ratings)
Nature	(no ratings)	(no ratings)
Action	(no ratings)	(no ratings)
Must see	(no ratings)	(no ratings)

Geographics

Country	:	Portugal
Area	:	759 km²

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Demographics

Population

140,000

Getting there

By air: from mainland Portugal, European cities (London, Paris, Munich), North America

When to go

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr
May	Jun	Jul	Aug
Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Books

Exchanging Islands, by Graham McGlone (2012)
The Long Vacation, by Helen Beveridge (2011)

Movies

A Divina Comedia (1991)
Francisca (1981)

Star Board

Pauleta (footballer)
Teofilio Braga (politician)
Natalia Correia (writer)