Discover Santa Maria: Nature, Culture and Coastal Trails
Santa Maria is the southernmost and easternmost of the nine islands of the Azores. Covering 96.87 km², the island combines striking landscapes, historic traces, hiking trails, festivals and unique water experiences. At 586.84 metres, Pico Alto is its highest point. This creates a diverse mix for planning your trip: you can combine days in nature and by the coast with island history, music and regional specialities.
Landscapes ranging from natural monuments to red earth
On the south coast lies the Pedreira do Campo, Figueiral e Prainha Natural Monument. It covers around 230 hectares and provides the setting for a particularly varied landscape. Gruta do Figueiral is an artificial cave. In the past, clay was extracted there to make roof tiles, as well as limestone for lime production. Numerous shell fossils can be seen on the walls and ceilings.
Barreiro da Faneca also offers a distinctive setting. The protected landscape is red and semi-arid, covers around 8.35 km² and includes the bays of Raposo, Tagarete and Cré. Those who want to experience different landscapes will therefore find striking contrasts on Santa Maria between protected areas, bays and coastal stretches.
Hiking trails for different daily itineraries
The Costa Sul PR05SMA hiking trail crosses the entire Pedreira do Campo, Figueiral e Prainha Natural Monument and ends at Praia Formosa. The linear Areia Branca PR06SMA hiking trail connects Praia Formosa with Baía de São Lourenço. Along the way, it crosses the protected area for the management of species or habitats at Pico Alto, as well as the protected landscape area of Baía de São Lourenço.
The Great Route of Santa Maria, by contrast, is a circular hiking trail that begins at Forte de São Brás in Vila do Porto. Its coastal paths provide access to various bathing spots, including the white sandy beaches of São Lourenço and Praia Formosa. When choosing a holiday apartment, it makes sense to consider in advance whether hiking, coastal landscapes, bathing spots or cultural destinations should be the focus of your days.
Culture, music and the history of the island
Santa Maria was the first of the Azores islands to be discovered and settled by Portuguese explorers. In the historic area of Vila do Porto, the Núcleo de Vila do Porto do Museu de Santa Maria presents the island’s history in two buildings, from its discovery to the construction of its airport. The Centro de Interpretação Ambiental Dalberto Pombo has a permanent exhibition based on the naturalist’s estate and covering, among other things, insects, the Santa-Maria-Estrelinha, sea turtles and fossils.
The events calendar also shapes the island’s cultural character. Maia Folk takes place every July in Baía da Maia and features folk music from different generations and cultures. In July, the Santa Maria Blues Festival is also held in Anjos, presenting musical styles that evolved from blues and jazz. The Maré de Agosto Festival takes place every August at Praia Formosa and combines different musical genres with activities.
Winegrowing, regional specialities and water experiences
The term “heroic winegrowing culture” is associated with wine production on the steeply sloping, terraced hillsides of São Lourenço and Maia. Winegrowing on Santa Maria is thought to date back to the beginning of the 15th century. You will encounter a culinary speciality on the Route of the Volcanoes: “Sweet Fossils” are handcrafted biscuits made by the “A Cagarrita” bakery and inspired by the fossil forms of the fossil-bearing deposits on Santa Maria.
Opposite Praia Formosa lies Baixa da Pedrinha, a marine protected area suitable for night diving and snorkelling. From the marina of Vila do Porto, this area can be reached by boat in around ten minutes.
Places for further searches
For further orientation around Santa Maria, you can explore Vila Do Porto, Almagreira, São Pedro and Santo Espírito individually. This allows you to combine your search for suitable accommodation with the landscapes, hiking trails, cultural offerings and water experiences that are particularly interesting for your trip.
To the overarching travel overview: Azores.
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