Discover Sete Cidades: Crater Lakes, Trails and Culture

Sete Cidades combines an impressive volcanic landscape with lakes, viewpoints, hiking trails and a striking historic building. At its heart lies the almost circular Caldeira das Sete Cidades. Its average diameter is 5.3 kilometres, while its maximum depth is around 630 metres.

Lakes and Protected Nature

Lagoa das Sete Cidades is the largest lake in the Azores. It consists of two separate bodies of water: Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde. This remarkable landscape can be viewed from different perspectives. The Vista do Rei viewpoint is located on the Cumeeira das Sete Cidades south of Lagoa Verde and offers a panorama of the caldera and its lakes.

The Área de Paisagem Protegida das Sete Cidades covers approximately 2,173 hectares and is classified as a Ramsar site. In addition, one geosite within the protected landscape belongs to the UNESCO Global Geopark Azores. The birdlife is also noteworthy for nature enthusiasts: the area serves as an important transit zone for migratory birds, including grey herons (Ardea cinerea) and Eurasian coots (Fulica atra). The Complexo Ambiental da Lagoa das Sete Cidades provides information about the Parque Natural de São Miguel, Lagoa das Sete Cidades, as well as the geology, flora, fauna, water resources, hiking trails and classified cultural heritage of the area.

Hiking Trails with Different Views

Several trails provide different ways to access the landscape. The PR03SMI begins at Miradouro da Vista do Rei and ends in the built-up area of Sete Cidades. Along its route on the southwestern slope of the Cumeeiras, it offers views into the caldera, of the various lakes and of volcanic formations. The PR04SMI offers wide panoramic views of São Miguel’s northern and southern coasts and ends next to the Igreja de São Nicolau in the centre of Sete Cidades.

The Mata do Canário–Sete Cidades hiking trail offers another interesting combination of nature and history. It runs alongside the Muro das Nove Janelas, an aqueduct reconstructed in 1830 to supply Ponta Delgada. Depending on your interests, you can therefore include trails focusing on views, volcanic landscapes or historic structures in your daily plans. Canoes, kayaks and SUP equipment are also available for exploring Lagoa das Sete Cidades.

Culture in the Town Centre

The Igreja de São Nicolau provides a cultural highlight within the natural setting. It is a Neo-Gothic building in the Historicist style by Manuel Lamberto Monteiro and stands at the end of a picturesque avenue densely planted with cryptomeria trees. Construction began at the start of 1850; the ceremonial blessing took place on 16 August 1857.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans?

When searching for a holiday apartment or holiday home, you can first determine the focus of your trip. If you mainly want to experience the caldera, the lakes and the viewpoints, the landscape should set the pace for your excursions. If you are also interested in trails, water activities and historical details, it is worth considering these experiences together and allowing enough room for different daily plans. The variety of themes makes Sete Cidades appealing to travellers who want to combine nature, activity and culture rather than visit just a single viewpoint.

Interests can also vary within a family: while some explore the panoramas and volcanic formations, others prefer the lakes, birdwatching, the information centre or the Igreja de São Nicolau.

More Destinations for Your Search

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Sete Cidades, you can also visit Ribeira Seca, Porto Formoso, Pico Da Pedra, Arrifes, Povoação, Ribeirinha, Lagoa and Villa Franca Do Campo.

For the higher-level travel overview: S.Miguel.