Best Things to Do in Ponta Delgada During a Cruise Stop (2025 Guide)
Updated for 2025 — Practical tips and unforgettable experiences for cruise travelers visiting São Miguel, Azores
The cruise ship World Voyager from Nicko Cruises approaches the port of Ponta Delgada, São Miguel Island, Azores — one of the most scenic cruise stops in the North Atlantic.
Welcome to the Azores — the Green Heart of the Atlantic
Arriving in Ponta Delgada, the capital of São Miguel Island, feels like stepping into a hidden paradise. Surrounded by lush volcanic landscapes, crystal-clear lakes, and warm local hospitality, it’s no surprise that this is one of the most memorable cruise stops in the North Atlantic.
Whether you have a few hours or a full day, Ponta Delgada offers the perfect mix of nature, culture, and authentic island life — all within reach of the cruise port.
⚓ How Long Do Cruise Ships Stay in Ponta Delgada?
Most cruise ships dock at Portas do Mar, right in the heart of the city. From there, it’s only a 5-minute walk to the city center, where cafés, gardens, and shops await.
Average stopovers last 6–9 hours, giving you enough time to explore nearby attractions or venture into the island’s stunning landscapes.
Pro tip: The Azores’ weather can change quickly — always bring a light jacket and comfortable shoes
🏙️ Best Things to Do Near the Cruise Port (On Foot)
If you prefer to stay close to the ship, there’s plenty to explore within walking distance:
Portas da Cidade (City Gates): The iconic landmark of Ponta Delgada.
Mercado da Graça: Discover local products like pineapples, cheeses, and jams.
Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião: A Gothic-style church with beautiful stonework.
António Borges Garden: A peaceful green escape filled with exotic plants and small caves.
Grab a coffee and a warm pastel de ananás (pineapple pastry) at a local café before heading out to explore!
🛳️ Now, let’s get this more interesting!
Cruise ship arriving at Ponta Delgada, São Miguel — the gateway to exploring the Azores
🌋 Half-Day Tours from the Cruise Port
If you have around 4–5 hours in port, you can experience some of São Miguel’s most famous landscapes:
1. Sete Cidades and the Twin Lakes
A romantic moment overlooking the Blue and Green Lakes of Sete Cidades
Sete Cidades is one of the most iconic and breathtaking volcanic craters in the world, located on the western side of São Miguel Island. This massive caldera is home to multiple lakes, each with a unique color and atmosphere — including the famous Blue and Green Lakes, as well as Lagoa de Santiago, Lagoa Rasa, and Lagoa de Empadadas.
From the top viewpoints like Vista do Rei or Miradouro da Lagoa de Santiago, you can admire panoramic views of the entire crater, the surrounding mountains, and even the Atlantic Ocean in the distance. It’s a place where every corner looks like a postcard — and every photo tells a story.
Photography tip: The light in Sete Cidades changes constantly, creating dramatic reflections and cloud movements on the lakes. It’s a paradise for photographers and nature lovers alike.
Exploring the lush gardens and tranquil atmosphere of one of the hiden gems in 7 cidades volcanic complex
📸 Explore the Hidden Gems of Sete Cidades
Most group excursions stop only at the main viewpoints, but with a Private Photo Tour, you’ll discover secret spots and hidden gems that most travelers never see.
Together, we explore quiet forest trails, volcanic ridges, and local paths that lead to unique photo opportunities — places where you can truly feel the magic of the Azores, far away from the crowds.
You’ll not only visit the best-known locations like Vista do Rei and Lagoa de Santiago, but also explore lesser-known lakes, stone bridges, and peaceful areas surrounded by hydrangeas and cedars — all while a professional photographer captures your experience naturally and beautifully.
Family fun in one of the iconic volcanic craters of Sete Cidades — moments worth remembering
👨👩👧👦 Perfect for Families, Couples, and Solo Travelers
Sete Cidades isn’t just stunning — it’s also one of the most family-friendly experiences in the Azores.
Kids love running through the green fields, exploring forest paths, and discovering how two lakes can have such different colors.
And if you’re a parent, you know how fast those moments pass — a photo tour is the perfect way to capture your family’s memories before they grow up too quickly. I do have a 4 year old daugther myself, and I know how it is, ahahah.
For couples, Sete Cidades offers an incredibly romantic setting. With its peaceful lake views, lush hills, and ever-changing light, it has become one of the most popular locations for wedding proposals in the Azores.
Imagine proposing surrounded by volcanic peaks, hydrangeas, and a reflection of the sky on the lake — it’s simply unforgettable.
Even solo travelers love this experience: a private photo tour allows you to explore freely, connect with nature, and return home with professional portraits that tell your travel story.
Golden hour magic — capturing serenity and light in the Azores
2. 💧 Furnas Lake — Inside Another Volcano
Aerial view of Furnas Lake, inside a living volcano — one of the most scenic and peaceful places in the Azores, San Miguel Island
Located on the island’s eastern side, Furnas is a completely different world — another volcanic crater, but with an atmosphere of peace and energy that feels almost surreal.
Here, you can see volcanic activity with your own eyes: steaming fumaroles, bubbling water, and natural sparkling water springs that you can actually taste.
The area around Furnas Lake is extremely scenic, surrounded by lush green hills and thermal steam rising from the ground.
Don’t miss the neo-Gothic chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias, standing beautifully by the lake, and the small pier where everything feels still and calm — a perfect place for reflection and, of course, photographs.
What makes Furnas truly special is that it’s a sensory experience — you can see, smell, feel, and taste the volcanic power of the Azores. From the earthy scent of sulfur to the warmth of the ground beneath your feet, every detail makes you realize that you’re standing inside a living volcano.
Pro tip: For cruise visitors, Furnas can be visited comfortably on a half-day photo tour, with pick-up and drop-off from the port, allowing enough time to enjoy this natural wonder and return to your ship without stress.
🌿 Full-Day Tours (for Longer Cruise Stops)
If your cruise ship allows you to stay in port for 7–8 hours, why not make the most of it?
This is your chance to experience the very best of São Miguel Island — from volcanic lakes to waterfalls, hot springs, and tea fields — all in a single day.
And the best part? You can combine it all in a 2-in-1 experience — a scenic island tour and a professional photo session that captures the beauty of the Azores and your memories.
Lagoa do Fogo — a protected natural wonder and one of the most photogenic places in the Azores
🔥 Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake)
Rising high in the mountains, Lagoa do Fogo is one of the island’s most striking natural wonders.
It’s known for its untouched, wild beauty — in fact, the entire area is part of the Natura 2000 Network, a protected zone that preserves the island’s native flora, fauna, and unique volcanic landscapes.
Because of this environmental protection, Lagoa do Fogo remains one of the most pristine and untouched places in the Azores.
The views are simply breathtaking, with turquoise water surrounded by volcanic peaks and lush green slopes.
There are several viewpoints to stop and photograph, each offering a different perspective of this pristine crater lake. On clear days, you can even see both the north and south coasts of São Miguel at once.
This is also one of the best spots to capture the dramatic contrast between sunlight and mist that gives the Azores its mystical atmosphere.
🌺 Furnas Village
Furnas is famous for its geothermal activity and the traditional Cozido das Furnas — a delicious meal cooked underground using volcanic heat.
Here you’ll feel the earth literally breathing beneath your feet, with steam rising from fumaroles and bubbling springs.
Don’t miss the Terra Nostra Garden, one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Europe.
Inside, you’ll find a large thermal pool filled with warm, mineral-rich water — 100% natural and naturally heated by the volcano.
It’s the perfect place to relax and feel the island’s energy in the most authentic way
🍃 Gorreana Tea Plantation
Strolling through Europe’s oldest tea plantation — naturally grown and uniquely scenic
Did you know that the Azores have the oldest tea plantation in Europe?
And that it’s 100% natural, grown without pesticides?
At Gorreana Tea Plantation, you can walk through fields of perfectly aligned green tea plants, surrounded by mountain and ocean views — a paradise for anyone who loves photography.
Join me for a Private Photo Tour through this scenic and photogenic tea plantation, where you can capture its geometric shapes, learn about traditional tea production, and enjoy a warm cup of locally made tea with something cozy to eat.
Breathtaking aerial perspective of São Miguel Island — where land meets sky
🌋 A Full Experience — From Coast to Crater
These full-day itineraries give you a complete picture of São Miguel’s volcanic beauty — from coastal cliffs to crater lakes, from thermal springs to waterfalls and tea fields.
Whether you travel solo, as a couple, or with your family, this is the perfect way to see it all and take home timeless photos of your day in the Azores.
Every cruise stop is short — but the memories you create can last a lifetime.
In the Azores, every corner tells a story: volcanic lakes, hidden waterfalls, and endless ocean views. Whether you travel solo, as a couple, or with your family, my goal is to help you see, feel, and capture the island at its best.
👉 Book your Private Azores Photo Tour
Let’s turn your short stop in Ponta Delgada into an unforgettable chapter of your journey.
