The Azores
Days 1-7 · 6 nightsA four-star hotel in the centre of Ponta Delgada, within walking distance of the restaurants and the harbour. The simplest base for exploring São Miguel by car.
€110 a nightSee on Booking →A hotel with a garden in Ponta Delgada, for those who want space rather than a pedestrian-street address. Somewhere to unwind after a day between Furnas and Lagoa do Fogo.
€105 a nightSee on Booking →A four-star hotel in the historic centre of Ponta Delgada. For those who prefer to walk out to restaurants in the evening and keep the car for the lakes of São Miguel.
€100 a nightSee on Booking →Avenida João Bosco Mota Amaral, facing the Ponta Delgada marina. For those who want to board the whale-watching boats a stone's throw from the hotel and then explore São Miguel.
€130 a nightSee on Booking →In Madalena, on the island of Pico, on Rua Conselheiro Terra Pinheiro. The logical base for attempting the climb up Pico and spending a few days away from São Miguel.
Climbing Pico requires registering at the Casa da Montanha before setting off.
€95 a nightSee on Booking →A hostel in the centre of Ponta Delgada, the arrival town on São Miguel. Handy for those planning to share a car to Sete Cidades and the island's other lakes.
€30 a nightSee on Booking →A hostel in Ponta Delgada, the cheapest of the three at this stop. For those who spend their days on the caldera road and only come back to the dorm to sleep.
€27 a nightSee on Booking →Rua Hintze Ribeiro, in the centre of Ponta Delgada, in the São Sebastião district. A simple three-star hotel for those who rent a car in the morning and walk back through the cobbled streets for dinner.
€80 a nightSee on Booking →Rua do Contador, right in the centre of Ponta Delgada. A three-star city hotel, handy for day trips to Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo and Furnas one after another.
€80 a nightSee on Booking →Avenida Infante Dom Henrique, Ponta Delgada's seafront avenue. A simple three-star hotel, within walking distance of the marina where the whale-watching trips depart.
Whale-watching trips depend on the weather at sea, so it is best to keep a spare day.
€70 a nightSee on Booking →An Art Deco hotel in the thermal park of Furnas, in the middle of São Miguel. The Terra Nostra pool is right at the door, which completely changes the end of the day.
The iron-rich water of the pool stains light-coloured swimwear, so bring a dark one.
€220 a nightSee on Booking →On the Ponta Delgada seafront, facing the harbour and the avenue running along the ocean. For a late arrival by plane and an easy departure to the rest of the archipelago.
€180 a nightSee on Booking →In Furnas, on Avenida Doutor Manuel de Arriaga, in the valley of hot springs. For those who want to see the calderas early in the morning, before the visitors from Ponta Delgada arrive.
€200 a nightSee on Booking →On the Ponta Delgada seafront, on Avenida João Bosco Mota Amaral, near the marina. A design hotel for couples exploring São Miguel by car from the town.
€170 a nightSee on Booking →In Fenais da Luz, on the north coast of São Miguel, away from Ponta Delgada. For those who prefer the quiet of the coast and accept getting back in the car for every outing.
€190 a nightSee on Booking →