Things to do in the Azores with Kids

A 7-day family friendly itinerary for Sao Miguel Island

Often referred to as the ‘Hawaii of Europe’ the Azores is an achievable family adventure destination and one of the best trips we have ever done!  There really is so much I can say about our time on Sao Miguel (the main island) so I’ve pulled together some tips and a 7-day itinerary for getting the absolute maximum out of your time in this tropical paradise!

Useful Tips

How to get there: We flew direct to Sao Miguel from Stansted, which at the time of writing is the only airport in the UK where you can fly direct to The Azores.  You can also easily connect from other airports through Lisbon, Porto and Faro in Portugal which I think gives great options for a dual-centre break (but then I’m greedy trying to squeeze extra things in always…!)

The weather: Before flying we were worried about the weather. With a tropical climate the island can be rainy and overcast and while we found the weather to be changeable we found time to sunbathe every day on our June trip to this paradise island.  One way to manage your trip around the weather is to download the SpotAzores app.  This app allows you to view web cams from across the island in real time, as often there will be sunshine in one part of the island, while others might have rain or heavy cloud cover.  This was invaluable to us for making the most out of our time there.  I would still advise to pack some waterproof clothing in case!

How to get around: The island is small (you can drive the whole length in around 1.5 hours) and the public transport options are limited.  We hired a car (pick up at the small Ponta Delgada airport is very easy) and we found it a breeze to drive and park everywhere.  Having a car really enabled us to see everything we wanted to, but if driving is not your thing I would recommend to base yourselves in Ponta Delgada where you’ll find the most public transport options.

Taking a slow pace: All around the island there are pulling in spots or ‘Miradouro’ where you can pull-over and take in the views.  Well worth looking out for.

Where to stay

We split our stay between hotel and homestay:  Senhora Da Rosa hotel in Ponta Delgada and Santa Barbara Mountain in Santa Barbara.  The island is small enough that you can base yourself in one location, and we would recommend both of these stays.

Senhora Da Rosa is a family-focused hotel, with a children’s playroom and activities and an outdoor pool and sauna. The rooms were generous in size (we had 6 weeks of luggage with us and didn’t feel cramped) and all of the rooms have outdoor space with either a patio or balcony. The hotel also boasts two restaurants: Magma which serves traditional Portuguese and Azorean fare and a Sushi Bar and garden, Mirante, with stunning rooftop views of the Azorean mountains. LINK TO BOOK.

Santa Barbara Mountain is one of three homestays in a small complex in the north of Sao Miguel.  This smart two-bedroom apartment had its own garden with both mountain and (sunset) sea views as well as my absolute favourite part – a washing yard, with washer, dryer and line.  It’s amazing what small comforts you need when you are travelling for long periods!!  We paid £140 a night for this apartment so it was a great option considering it sleeps four comfortably. LINK TO BOOK.

Other accommodation options I can recommend in the area are either of the Octant properties (in Ponta Delgada and Furnas) and Santa Barbara Eco Resort.

How to spend a week in the Azores

Day 1: A direct flight from London is around 4.5 hours, so Day 1 is all about checking in and orientation.  If you choose to stay near Ponta Delgada I recommend a ‘first day’ trip to Parque Urbano.  This huge green space has an amazing children’s play area and an open air café to settle you in gently.

Day 2: Now it’s time to see the views that have drawn you to The Azores!  Head to Sete Cidades to walk, picnic and take in the best of the viewpoints.   Parking down on the bridge between the two lakes is free and the lakes make for a beautiful and very family friendly walk both in length and terrain.  Then head up to Miraduoro do Rei for the breathtaking views which make this island so famous.

Day 3: Another thing that makes the Azores so famous is the wildlife.  We had the most incredible experience on a half day Whale and Dolphin watching tour.  We saw both – and to see these animals in the wild was so emotional!! 

A couple of things to note – some boats don’t take passengers under 5, but Picos de Aventura have a larger boat suitable for smaller children and that’s who we went with.  Also the ride can be choppy, so anyone who does not have their sea-legs might want to be prepared for that in advance.

Day 4: A trip to the town of Furnas and Parque Terra Nostra is a full day’s excursion.  As well as expansive and beautiful botantical garden, the entry fee also permits guests to swim in the thermal waters.  These have to be experienced to be believed – it was like swimming in the warmest bath.  What is also incredible, is watching how it is a hub for the community as well as for the guests dropping in for a day.  Grab a bite to eat on the veranda of the Terra Nostra Hotel to round off your day.

Day 5: It is well worth spending time in Sao Miguel’s capital city Ponta Delgada.  Start slightly outside of town, taking a peek at the pineapple plantation Ananases A. Arruda, entrance is free but you may be drawn into temptation with the pineapple themed shop.  Head into Ponta Delgada to take in the pretty streets, townhall and cathedral before queueing for a table at A Tasca.  A Tasca specialises in traditional Azorean cuisine – think delicious steaks and the local delicacy of garlicky Limpets (don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it!), this was our stand out meal of the trip and well worth a visit.

Day 6: The climate in the Azores means that it is possible to grow tea on the islands.  You can walk amongst the tea plants, take in the sea views and visit the factory of Gorreana for free and even grab a complementary cup of their produce while you are there. Feeling refreshed, you can continue your no-cost day at Ribeira dos Caldeiroes Natural Park.  This park has an amazing waterfall trail and is a brilliant way to spend an afternoon.

Day 7: Where better to spend your last day on the island than in yet more thermal springs or by the sea.  Heading to Caldeira Velha, you can swim underneath waterfalls or bathe in natural thermal hot springs.  Something in the Azores that gets less publication are the beaches – these volcanic rock beaches have darker sand but we found them to be clean, safe and brilliant for a families.  Our favourite at Moinhos, even had suncream pumps at the changing rooms and the little details like that really underline the experience for me.

I think there is a misconception that The Azores is only for big adventure seekers looking for off the beaten track thrills. And whilst that is certainly available we found this to be a magical family holiday, that was totally accessible! As ever, do message me via my contact form if you have any questions about visiting the Azores – I promise, you won’t regret it.

That Holiday Mum x

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