Miradouro da Vigia

Porsche at MôMô restaurant, a lunch spot we frequented

Dairy cows grazing outside MôMô restaurant

Kendal catching wind at Miradouro da Ilha Sabrina

Kendal catching wind at Miradouro da Ilha Sabrina. Farol da Ferraria lighthouse in background.

Miradouro da Ilha Sabrina. The road down to the ocean thermal pool, Piscina Natural da Ponta da Ferraria, was closed due to a recent rockslide.

Aqueduct near Muro das Nove Janelas (Wall of Nine Windows). Dates to the 16th–17th centuries as part of the Convento da Esperança.

Morning view from our cottage in Bretanha

Miradouro da Ponta do Escalvado, looking along the island's west coast

Miradouro da Lagoa de Santiago

Miradouro da Vista do Rei. Views of Sete Cidades’ twin lakes, volcanic caldera, and crater rim.

Mosteiros coast at low tide, looking for tide pool life

Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara. Black-sand with rolling Atlantic waves, popular with surfers.

Parque da Grená, Furnas. Restored park along Lagoa das Furnas with forested trails, waterfalls, panoramic viewpoints, and the ruins of the 19th‑century Grená manor.

Parking lot cat

Packing up limpets (lapas) after a dive at Porto Pesca. Traditional seafood, typically grilled with butter, garlic, and pepper, eaten straight from the shell, similar to clams or oysters.

Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia) along Moinho do Félix, coastal hiking loop that cuts inland along several waterfalls

Cliff near Cascata do Homem

Cascata do Teófilo

Above Cascata da Gruta

Terra Nostra Botanical Garden, Furnas. Historic 18th‑century estate turned hotel, featuring exotic and native plants alongside geothermal hot springs.

The Lovers’ Fountain (Fonte dos Amores)

Terra Nostra Botanical Garden, Furnas. Historic 18th‑century estate turned hotel, featuring exotic and native plants alongside geothermal hot springs.

Trilho do Sanguinho. Scenic trail along the former Furnas–Sanguinho railway.

Trilho do Sanguinho, Cascata do Salto do Prego

Looking down on Ribeira Quente from Sanguinho Village. Mostly abandoned stone houses and terraced fields along the old railway.

Gorreana Tea Plantation. Europe’s only tea plantation, established in 1883.

Rocha do Cascalho

Rocha da Relva

Rocha da Relva is accessible primarily by foot, donkey, and dirt bike. Every year on August 15, locals hold a religious festival and Mass celebrating the Feast of the Assumption.

Along Rocha da Relva trail

Miradouro do Pico do Carvão

Miradouro da Grota do Inferno trail

Miradouro da Grota do Inferno

Miradouro da Grota do Inferno trail

Mosses along Sendero Serra Devassa trail

Sendero Serra Devassa trail

Gorreana Tea Plantation. Europe’s only tea plantation, established in 1883.

Apartment lobby, Ponta Delgada

Igreja do Colégio dos Jesuítas. 17th‑century Baroque church once part of a Jesuit college.

Jardim Botânico António Borges. 19th‑century romantic garden, blending native and exotic plants with ponds, caves, and bridges.

Chilean Wine Palm, Jardim Botânico António Borges

Jardim Botânico António Borges

Along Rocha da Relva trail

Rocha da Relva is accessible primarily by foot, donkey, and dirt bike. Every year on August 15, locals hold a religious festival and Mass celebrating the Feast of the Assumption.

Along Rocha da Relva trail

Rocha da Relva is accessible primarily by foot, donkey, and dirt bike. Every year on August 15, locals hold a religious festival and Mass celebrating the Feast of the Assumption.