Author: AzoresBPK

São Miguel House Prices Down 3.1% from July to August.

by AzoresBPK

In a season that usually brings record home sales and price hikes, the São Miguel property market took an unexpected turn this summer. After hitting a market peak in July 2025, by mid August the prices had already fallen 3.1% (€2,230/m² to €2,162/m²) which although seems minor it is an absolutely unheard of midsummer drop for what the Azores property market is used to, and is without a doubt a sign of things to come.

The decline, highlighted by Idealista’s Histórico de Preços de Venda, stands out as one of the sharpest declines since the bubble began, catching the attention of investors, sellers, and analysts.

Let’s have a look at what this could mean for you, a normal person?

Why Are Prices Falling?

São Miguel’s real estate boom has been fuelled by high demand (estimated at 60-70% Portuguese nationals and 30-40% foreign buyers), remote workers relocating the the island, new development initiatives, and investment incentives for US citizens moving to the archipelago.

The latest numbers suggest that the market has entered a new phase and not only supply is finally catching up to demand, (Construction licenses are up 43% as of June 2025 and current housing completions jumped over 22% in the last years adding 500+ new units across the islands) but also a number of these incentives to move to the island (notably the the investment portion of the Golden Visa) have been discontinued.

To keep this article brief I’ll stop there, but for a deeper dive into the factors causing the market decline in São Miguel, check our the full breakdown here.

A closer look at real time price drops in São Miguel

A scan through listings on Idealista and Facebook Marketplace reveals widespread markdowns, as agencies accept a more cautious client base and are adjusting to meet them.

Here are some examples around the island right now:

🏡 Sete Cidades (–25%)

  • Was: €1,200,000
  • Now: €900,000
  • 8-bedroom villa overlooking the crater lake.

🌊 Mosteiros (–29%)

  • Was: €1,200,000
  • Now: €850,000
  • Luxury 1-bedroom ocean-view villa on a large plot.

🌿 Ginetes (–22%)

  • Was: €497,000
  • Now: €385,950
  • Spacious 4-bedroom home in a quiet parish.

🏠 São Vicente Ferreira (–7.8%)

  • Was: €590,950
  • Now: €545,000
  • 3-bedroom house with garden and garage.

🏘️ São José (–5%)

  • Was: €575,000
  • Now: €545,000
  • Central 3-bedroom property in a sought-after area.

🏠 Povoação (–13%)

  • Was: €239,950
  • Now: €209,950
  • Charming 4-bedroom historic home.

July and August typically mark the peak of the Azores housing season with huge price hikes and agencies banking on desperate buyers paying the listed price, but this year’s 3.1% August decline has broke that pattern and although it may not seem jaw dropping yet, it’s a major shift in trend. While September showed a mild 1.6% rebound, many analysts see it as a short-term correction rather than the start of another upswing, especially as one of the major currencies invested in property was the US Dollar which has fallen dramatically in value.

Experts now expect price stabilisation and decline, initially affecting higher-end or remote properties (that surged in value during the post-pandemic boom), and gaining traction in the more popular regions of São Miguel first before noticeably affecting the rest of the archipelago.

What does this mean for you?

If you are looking to buy a home in the Azores I would really recommend holding off for 2-3 years if possible, and although we understand there are tax incentives when reinvesting capital for those who have recently sold property in Portugal, the gains from waiting out the market dip are expected to exceed even these savings.

If you are an investor planning to purchase property to sit and flip, the short term gains are currently very risky. The resell value of properties purchased in late 2025 and 2026 are expected to drop much lower than the purchasing price as the Azores housing bubble bursts.

Finally, for singles or couples looking to purchase a single family home: petition your government to review and rewrite the regulations on all individuals or businesses owning multiple rental properties. The enemy is corruption and unfair business practices, without action there will be no reaction.

If you’re interested in more information on the 2025 house price decline on São Miguel and the Azores, read more here and if you want some food for thought on how this market is possibly not consumer driven at all but, that this inflation may have been meticulously put into motion by an alliance between investors and realtors, read through ‘The Azores Property Market, Fact or Fiction?’!

The Azores Property Market, Fact or Fiction?

by AzoresBPK

After a long debate with a close friend I became curious about what he calls a ‘Tinkerbell Market of São Miguel’, referring to the fairy from Peter Pan, and how he’s very comfortable describing this radical Azores real estate inflation as smoke and mirrors that, when people would simply stop believing in it, will fade away.

I present a sceptical take on who he, and I, believe are the villains in our story: looking into the ways in which realtors, agents, and landowners may be intentionally inflating the market and why much of the hype might collapse if people stop believing in it so uncritically.

The Data EXISTS, and the Gaps EXIST ALSO

Up until now, without a doubt, house prices have risen dramatically:

  • House prices in the Azores have gone up. For example, compared to a year earlier, average home values in the Azores rose by 11% in one reported period. (Novidades – The Islands and the Diaspora)
  • São Miguel is among the islands with the highest per-square-metre prices in the region. In July 2023, homes in São Miguel had an average of €1,499/m², the highest in the Azores. (Novidades – The Islands and the Diaspora)
  • Foreign demand is significant. São Miguel accounts for a large share of searches from outside Portugal. In Q2 2025, 34% of international home searches in Portugal were for São Miguel. (Novidades – The Islands and the Diaspora)
  • Concerns about housing affordability, low construction / social housing rates, and real estate speculation are being raised by academics and civil society in the Azores. (Novidades – The Islands and the Diaspora)

So the market has been rocketing, and the general desire to move here as a standalone fact does support growth. However, beyond those pieces, there appears to be a lot of smoke and mirrors.

How A Market IS Artificially Inflated

Here are the tactics by which real estate players can easily keep the hype alive — propping up prices and urgency even when the underlying demand or turnover is far weaker than it looks:

TacticWhat It InvolvesWhy It Helps Inflate the HypeSigns or Anecdotes in the Azores / Portugal
Ghost listings / Delayed removalProperties that are sold or reserved remain on online portals as “available” — sometimes unlabelled or with slight changes to description.Keeps visible inventory high, making supply look alive. Creates illusion of high demand (people assume many want them) so buyers rush and pay more.Users on expat fora have reported contacting listings that “aren’t really available.” Reddit threads mention “listings fake or old, kept up by agents to harvest leads.” (Reddit)
Repeated “new listing” / rewritesReposting or changing old listings (new photos, changed wording) to make the listing appear fresh, so it shows up in “new” filters.Appears there is constant turnover and many new options. Makes buyers more anxious.While we found no published study specifically in São Miguel verifying refresh frequency, this is a commonly complained about strategy in Portugal more broadly (buyers seeing the same house reappear). Expats report seeing long-on-market listings that are presented as fresh. (Reddit)
Scarcity / “multiple offers” pressureAgents tell prospective buyers “someone else is interested,” “we have offers,” “owner will accept highest bid by this date.”Creates urgency, pushes buyers to offer more quickly and over asking. Weak buyers panic and buy at the full price.Anecdotal reports in forums of agents using these phrases. Also linked to the “foreign demand” narrative (“many foreigners want this”). Because data about actual offers etc. is private, it’s hard to verify. (Reddit)
Misleading pictures, over-polished staging, omitted costsBeautiful imagery, renovated showings, virtual staging; omitting how much renovation or infrastructure work is required; presenting land without mentioning high transport or works costs.Buyers see something gorgeous and assume value; underestimate real costs; inflate willingness to pay.Reddit posts from people living or buying in the Azores say many advertised properties “look ready but need €50-150k of work” to really meet the presented standard. Also, scenery, view, natural charm over hyped relative to practicality (insulation, infrastructure, access etc.). (Reddit)
Tourism / foreign demand as justificationEmphasising that foreigners are coming, that demand is rising from abroad, that property is an investment, short-term rentals profitable etc.Encourages speculative buyers to feel their purchase will appreciate or generate income; increases perceived scarcity by including foreign interest.Data from Idealista and “Idealista/data” shows foreign interest is high. But high interest does not equal high purchase numbers. Also public discussion (news) mentions foreign searches are large proportion of views, which realtors use in advertising. (Idealista)
Selective reporting of price rises / focusing on hot municipalitiesQuoting statistics for places like Ponta Delgada, Ribeira Grande, Lagoa which are desirable, while ignoring other municipalities with stagnant or falling prices.Gives impression the whole island or region is booming, pushing up expectations everywhere.For example: Lagoa & Ribeira Grande had high gains in 2024. But other areas less so. Also, Idealista reports for “Azores region” are averages that smooth over big differences. (Novidades – The Islands and the Diaspora)

HOW THIS Hypocrisy Persists

  • Information asymmetry: Buyers (especially foreign ones) often depend on portals, online photos, agent descriptions. They don’t have easy access to transaction histories, price declines, days-on-market data.
  • Lack of transparency / imperfect data: There isn’t always publicly available, up-to-date data in small market segments (on islands) to show which properties take long to sell, which are overpriced, etc.
  • Speculative feedback loop: As soon as price rises are reported, more buyers get interested, more marketing follows, raising expectations further, allowing agents to raise asking prices even if actual turnover doesn’t match.

Evidence Suggesting the Hype Might Be Failing

There are plenty signs suggest the “illusion” is weakening, or at least some segments are over-stretched.

  • On forums and expat communities, there are reports that many properties are not selling at the posted high prices; many are staying listed for long periods. (Reddit)
  • Some buyers say after inspecting, they find that properties need far more work (and extra costs for materials/shipping/contracting) than advertised, or that infrastructure (access roads, utilities, etc.) is poorer than implied. This reduces true value. (Reddit)
  • There are also reports that demand from foreigners is cooling somewhat, especially since the end of the Golden Visa / Non-Habitual Resident incentives (or slower regulatory clarity). Some data suggests foreign search volume is high, but actual buyer transactions are lower. (Idealista)
  • Concern among locals: housing affordability crisis is increasing, local residents being priced out. That often happens when speculative or investor-driven demand pushes up prices beyond what average income can sustain. (Novidades – The Islands and the Diaspora)

What Will Happen when People Stop Believing the Hype

If foreign buyers, investors, and even locals stopped buying into the narrative and if they stopped assuming “prices will always go up,” and “this will be gone if I don’t act now” then several outcomes could follow:

  1. Prices would correct (decline or stagnate) in many areas. Without speculative demand and urgency, agents would need to compete more on real value, condition, infrastructure etc., putting downward pressure on asking prices.
  2. Listings’ true time on market would become more visible / important. Agents could no longer hide long-on-market listings via refreshes or “new” tags without detection. That transparency might force price reductions.
  3. Higher importance of real costs and drawbacks. Buyers would pay more attention to the real expenses: renovation, infrastructure, transport, utilities, property taxes, legal costs. Those might reduce what they are willing to pay, pushing back on inflated pricing.
  4. Shift in what sells. Not the “luxury, show-piece, view” homes necessarily, but more modest, functional properties could become more in demand which might bring back local buyers and change which locations are popular.
  5. Possible increase in regulation and accountability. Pressure (public, media, government) to force portals and agents to show “days on the market,” “last available date,” actual sold/reserved status; more rigorous property inspections; stricter rules for agents’ claims.

Conclusion: FALSE!

Is the Azores property boom real? Yes because there are rising prices, foreign demand, lifestyle migration, and genuine value in the natural beauty of the Azores.

But much of what you see or read is structured to inflate perceptions of scarcity, urgency, and value. If you scratch beneath the surface, many properties are overpriced, many listings are “old” or rewritten, and many prospective buyers are swept up by narrative more than data or experience.

As people collectively stop buying into the hype, demand will soften, and the inflated prices will have no foundation so they will drop.

When that happens, those who paid premiums will feel the sting, it’s true. My advice for people considering buying in São Miguel or the Azores right now: be extremely sceptical, demand proof of all agents claims as it will be hard to prove they lied in the first place, compare hard and when you feel pressured simply back off, and definitely don’t assume the future of the market will mimic the past.

If you’re interested in why many people agree that the Azores Housing Market is collapsing, check out this article here.

What does the privatisation of Açores Airlines (SATA) mean for the Azores?

by AzoresBPK

Azores Airlines (previously known as the SATA group) has been losing in the high tens of millions annually and will sell their controlling stake of the airline to private investors.

What could this mean for you, a normal person?

The up side and what to expect:

– The airline will more than likely become more efficient, and although many flight paths will be disrupted over the next 3 – 5 years, there is a chance of better connectivity in the future.

– Portuguese Tax Payers won’t have the ongoing burden (although they will cover this large debt as part of the deal).

– House price market decline on the Azores islands: With major flight disruptions and higher fare costs the Azores will see a drop in tourism, which, alongside the already falling profits generated from rental properties will further aid the rising disinterest in purchasing investment properties on the archipelago. (Specifically the remote areas of São Miguel, which analysts currently expect to be the first to see a noticeable decline in property prices)

The down side and what to expect:

– Mentioned already, the increase in costs of a private business will fall on the customer, so yes, we can expect to pay more for tickets in the near future.

– Private owners reduce or drop routes which are less profitable (that’s the Azores islands!). The only upside of lower connectivity is the fall of tourism and drop in house prices that will follow it.

– Loss of labour: Private companies often try to cut costs, that often means that some of the once secure jobs for the local population may be reduced.

– If it all goes wrong? Private companies are not supported by the taxpayers money, so if the company is badly managed and has to sell material assets, we could lose these connections altogether.

Finally, for us, as many people on the Azores view SATA as more of an Azorean institution than simply a company, selling to private investors is a risk they have been willing to take but we are tentatively watching to see if it pays off.

______________________

If you’re more interested in house the collapse of the Azores property market, check out our most recent article about falling house prices in São Miguel here.

Are property prices in São Miguel falling?

by AzoresBPK

It’s time to explore the likelihood that property prices on São Miguel are falling for the first time in over 15 years. Since 2010 the largest of the Azores islands has been seeing a steady and dramatic increase in price per square meter not only in the more populated areas but across the island as a whole.

Let’s look at property prices declining in São Miguel what this could mean for you, a normal person.

If you currently live in the Azores you’ll easily to able to see for yourself that the sheer number of properties going onto the market have heavily exceeded the number of homes that are actually being sold, and that the houses that have been sold over the last year have been closed at prices well above the rapidly exponential market trend.

If we look at Idealista right now you’ll see 800 plus listings for São Miguel, only in the Ponta Delgada area, while national transaction figures and price indicators seen over the last 18 months show prices pushed well above market averages (Portugal saw record transaction values and sharp price rises into 2024). (Idealista)

You will, if you live on Sao Miguel, have noticed that a lot of the post-Covid development push that has been scarring the suburbs and torturing the neighbours are nearing completion, promising to flood the already peaking market with cheaper single family homes. Even though they are often owned by developers who would benefit from keeping the price point high they are owned by several groups that are very much in competition with each other, and irregardless to sell more by undercutting each other they will likely out price the properties that are currently on the market.  (Novidades – The Islands and the Diaspora)

My third point of reference is the environment for foreigners hoping to buy and renovate properties on the island, with waiting times of up to two years to break the earth and a growing lack of faith in the bureaucracy surrounding legalising and getting funding for such project, the immigrant community are simply losing interest in buying derelict buildings.

One of the main reasons for a drop in property prices is the ability for normal people to pay back what’s borrowed! In Portugal the mortgage rates that saw a sharp increase between 2022 and 2024 have gotten to a point that by the time someone has paid off their home they can easily have paid almost double the properties closing cost, and often at a rate that would outstrip rental prices if the market continues with this slow decline (Reuters), causing many people with the vision of ownership to rethink and to sign a long term rental agreement instead.

Although markets are unstable and difficult to predict, São Miguel has seen a huge price hike that is simply not sustainable now that US citizens face harsher VISA regulations and hurdles to be permitted to purchase property themselves (Global Citizen Solutions) , and the once eager client base of European Union members are simply losing interest in the Azores due to overpopulation and excessive tourism.

What the Data Suggests

  • New housing supply is increasing. In the Azores, the number of dwellings in new constructions for family housing stood at 548 units completed in 2023, an increase of 22.6% year-on-year. (Statista)
  • Licensing for new constructions has also surged. For example, by June 2025, in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, there were 763 dwellings in new construction licenses, up 43% compared to 532 in the same period a year before. (Supercasa)
  • Bank appraisal values have been rising, but median licensed dwellings in new constructions have been increasing faster. In June 2025, Azores recorded a 12% year-on-year variation in bank appraisal value of housing. (Supercasa)

What is less clear from public sources:

  • Exactly how many houses are for sale at any given moment in São Miguel, compared to how many are being sold in the last 12 months. There is no easily accessible, current data on sales volume vs inventory that shows a sharp inflection point.
  • How far above “real market value” recent transactions have actually been (as opposed to asking prices).

Pressure Points Causing Price Weakening

Taking the data plus local conditions, the following dynamics could yield a drop in house prices in São Miguel over the next 2-3 years:

  1. Mass construction after COVID
    After the COVID‐19 pandemic, housing demand shot up (both from locals and foreigners). Developers responded: more licenses for new construction, more projects underway. As these developments finish, there will be a significantly expanded supply of single-family homes and apartments. Even if much of this remains under developer ownership initially, they compete—both with each other and with second-hand / resale housing. This tends to dampen price inflation and often pushes prices down, especially for properties not in premium locations or with less desirable features.
  2. “Overpriced” resale stock lingers
    Many properties currently on the market may have been priced assuming continuing growth—or based on recent “outliers” of sales. If buyers begin to believe that those pricing assumptions are inflated, then those houses will sit longer, get negotiated down, or have to reduce asking prices.
  3. Challenges for renovating / restoring properties
    The consensus is that foreign buyers / immigrants are less willing to take on derelict or very old properties, because bureaucracy (permits, legalising renovations, obtaining funding/grants) can take years or not happen at all. Waiting times to “break ground” on renovations can be long and extend without warning, which increases risk. So the demand for lower-cost restored or fixer-upper houses is weaker.
  4. Regulatory & demographic headwinds
    • For non-EU / US citizens, there may be tighter regulation or higher costs in permitting, which reduces the pool of buyers.
    • Some reports suggest European buyers are showing less enthusiasm, possibly due to concerns about overpopulation, infrastructure strain, or cost of living rising.
    • Also, in many urban centres in Azores, more housing is being built than in more rural / peripheral areas, even as those latter areas may be depopulating. Oversupply in certain zones could exert downward pressure. (OECD)

Why the Drop Hasn’t (Yet) Been Sharp — But Could Snowball

So far, there is no strong publicly available evidence that prices have fallen sharply, just hints that growth is slowing, that supply is increasing, and that many buyers are hesitating due to high prices.

A noticeable decline might begin with a few percentage points off peak over a year, mostly in non-prime areas or for properties that are overpriced, but once more of the developments finish and the number of houses for sale increases, the competition among sellers could accelerate the slide.

Added to this: if interest rates climb again (or even if borrowers expect them to) or if credit becomes tighter, fewer buyers will be able to risk buying at such high prices. At that point, the forced adjustments (price reductions, more negotiating, more properties sitting on market) could accelerate the decline.

Potential Magnitude & Timeline

  • Short term (12-18 months): modest declines (somewhere between 5-10%) for average priced properties in certain municipalities (especially outside Ponta Delgada or premium coastal zones).
  • Medium term (2-3 years): significant devaluation is possible and likely if supply continues to outstrip demand, and sentiment shifts. This would dramatically affect prices in many segments, and even more in overvalued areas.

Thoughts & feelings

While no one can definitively predict real estate cycles, the real estate prices in São Miguel have been artificially inflated beyond the true market demand and now many potential buyers have been priced out of the market, most of all the local population of the Azores, where the average wage is 200eur less than the mainland and the monthly minimum wage stands at 870eur.

After many years of rising prices propped up by demand, limited supply, inflation, and speculative expectations which some would say were driven by the real estate industry, these supports are weakening.

If you are a potential buyer, now is the time to watch the market more than jump in at peak asking prices. If you are a seller, there will be pressure soon to adjust expectations.

Where can I find a Beer Garden in São Miguel?

by AzoresBPK

The island of São Miguel has a lot to offer, but sometimes you just need to stop, take a drink under a sun umbrella and listen to some music.

Beer Gardens are very common around central Europe but where might you find something similar here in the Azores? There are a few spots, let us share them with you.

Taberna Na Boavista – Ponta Delgada

Just a few minutes from the centre of Ponta Delgada you will find Taberna na Boavista, a hybrid hostel / bar with a great vibe and a super nice garden out the back.

  • The garden is away from the street so you don’t hear traffic.
  • They also serve great food.
  • The price is a little on the high end but the vibe makes up for it.

It’s easy to park nearby and walk up the road to the bar. Find it on Google maps right here!

Something a little more crafty?

The Azores Brewing Company – Ribeira Grande

This is a great place to spend the afternoon! The Azores Brewing Company brews their own beer and boast a fun little beer garden just outside the brewery itself.

  • You can find beers here that you may not find elsewhere on the island.
  • The place has a fun vibe with games to play and toys for kids.
  • They have a plastic dome in the garden for you to shelter in if the rains do come.

Find the Azores Brewing Company here on Google maps, but you should know that they close at 9pm most days.

Something with an ocean view?

Beach Club – Santa Barbara

Although some would argue it isn’t technically a Beer Garden – it’s a place to drink surrounded by nature, so we are going to share it with you anyway.

  • It’s got it’s own little path down to the quiet end of Santa Barbara beach.
  • The parking is easy and there’s almost always space.
  • They often have live music events at the bar

You’ll find it right here on Google maps. Enjoy!

Maybe you want to go somewhere more upmarket?

Cais De Sardinha – Ponta Delgada

Right on the docks in Ponta Delgada you’ll find the great little spot with a few trees and the ocean touching the decking of the bar. The bar itself has indoor seating but you can choose to relax on the waterfront area or the picnic bench style zone right by the entrance.

  • It’s in the city so if you are staying in Ponta Delgada you can walk home after.
  • They also serve great food and snacks.
  • The ‘people’ watching of the marina and the boats going by created a perfect relaxing vibe.

It’s not far at all from the Arches of Ponta Delgada, check it our here on Google maps.

Possibly you want to bundle your beer garden experience with a day in Furnas?

A Quinta – Furnas

A Quinta is a very chill Beer Garden in the crater of Furnas, Near Parque Terra Nostra.

  • It’s in a great location and loads to do and see all around.
  • It’s open day and night, just check in advance before visiting.
  • The team running the place are super nice and have a reputation for great service, you’ll feel welcome for sure.

Tip: while you’re in the area check out these spots!

You’ll love it! You can find it here on Google maps!

more info on the Ponta Delgada indoor climbing and art space

Indoor Bouldering in Ponta Delgada

by AzoresBPK

ESCALAVA!
the bouldering project Ponta Delgada really needed!

Here in Ponta Delgada inside the Premissa Hibrida alternative sports and art space, just a ten minute walk from the city center, is the Escalava Climbing wall. Shoes, chalk, desk space, wifi and coffee. The bouldering is open to everyone to try during their social Monday hours between 18h and 21h, and for those who want to take climbing more seriously you can get 24/7 access for a small monthly membership fee of 20eur.

The Premissa warehouse project is a registered and insured private space run by two friends living on the island. Visit their Instagram page for events.

You can find the warehouse space right here but don’t forget to check online to see when they are open.

Escalava is the only indoor bouldering space in Ponta Delgada, with a full range of route changes every week and a dedicated management team the project has high hopes to build the climbing community in Sao Miguel.

Send them a message on instagram here.

From the blog

Free things to do in the city of Ponta Delgada, São Miguel.

by AzoresBPK

Our little one-stop info drop for when you’re in Ponta Delgada on a budget – plot twist: all these things are free to enjoy.

We live in Ponta Delgada and you don’t need to pay money to enjoy every sight, taste and experience. Here’s my short list of the best options and I’ll add the coordinates and a little info for each.

THE ARRUDA PINEPPLE PLANTATION

Visit the historic Arruda Pineapple Plantation while you’re in Ponta Delgada. The plantation has a 100 year history and as well as entry it offers free tours, tasting and shelter from the bad weather.

  • It’s actually very interesting and the entrance is free!
  • As well as free taste tests you can purchase the Arruda Pineapple Liqueur made with their family recipe.
  • There is a whole heap of products made with pineapple for you to encounter, some which might surprise you..

It’s not far at all from the center of Ponta Delgada, the plantation itself is right here.

Full of ananas? Maybe you want to stay active or stay out of the rain.

ESCALAVA Indoor Climbing, alternative sports and arts centre

Ponta Delgada has a cool sport and arts centre for adults and children, with a great little boulder climbing gym it’s highly rated and easy enough to find right here. The two walls (one vertical and one overhung) have a full range of difficulties so you’ll enjoy yourself whatever your skill. The space is open for yoga practice, and can be used as an art space on request.

If you’re also looking for a space to work and socialize then this is the spot. Send them a message on instagram to see when the space is open.

  • At the moment it’s a membership space operating on a monthly membership system but they have open drop in and social hours every Monday (more information)
  • The climbing area is a bouldering gym (limited height/no ropes) so you don’t need to understand knots or have a climbing partner.
  • The team running the place are super nice and very inclusive, you’ll feel welcome for sure.

Pro tip: Parking right outside is a bit cramped but outside of the main gate on both sides you’ll find a larger parking zone.

Torre Sineira de Ponta Delgada

Why it’s one of the best:

  • It’s a bit hidden, we found it by mistake (this usually means it’s quiet)
  • It’s open during daylight hours most days (see the plaque) and you don’t need to book, just turn up.
  • You can see the city, the surrounding mountains and the ocean all at once.

A cool additional detail: the tower is home of step one of a puzzle Geocache if that’s what floats your boat (find out more about Geocaching on the Azores here).

Sound like the one you’re looking for? Google maps will take you there.

If you’re looking for something with a bit more of a nature vibe, scroll on.

Jardim António Borges – BOTANICAL GARDEN

Why it’s one of the best:

  • It’s free, it’s close to the center and it’s just beautiful.
  • It has a great little cave system to explore.
  • The garden has a cute café with some of the best coffee in the city.

The garden is usually pleasent and quiet even if the café can have a bit of a wait on weekends. Enjoy!

Sound like somewhere you’d want to go? Google maps will take you there.

Looking to make a splash? Check this out…

Piscinas do Pesqueiro swimming area

Why it’s one of the best:

  • It’s free and fresh!
  • It’s very quiet most of the year but July to September can get a bit packed.
  • There is a lightweight open-air gym area behind the pools.

Just so you know the pool area have recently started charging for the use of the toilet.

Sound like the one you’re looking for? Google maps will take you there.

That’s our top free spots to visit as backpackers on São Miguel island.

NEW: visit the Ponta Delgada indoor climbing and art space!

Geocaching on the Azores

by AzoresBPK

To put it plainly, the Azores are a Geocaching Mecca! For the beginners, for those advanced, for the niche Geocachers who wouldn’t look twice at a Cache with a difficulty rating lower than a 4 on a 3+ terrain trail, it’s all here and there are thousands of them.

What is Geocaching? For anyone who doesn’t know, a Geocache is a hidden treasure / box / pot / jar, usually containing an interesting item or a log book for leaving your mark. You find these Caches by a location based app GEOCACHING where you can see the location, hints and clues and information left by previous Geocachers. What do you do when you find it? Sign the log book and put it back! That’s the game, it’s all about going to places and exploring areas you never would have discovered if it weren’t for the hunt for the Cache.

Geocaching on Sao Miguel is a wonderful way to view the island, come across hidden waterfalls and find yourself on the islands most elusive viewpoints, it’s so good in fact that we run a fun Geocaching tour where you an join us on the hunt.

The plethora of Geocaches to be hunted down on Sao Miguel island

If you’re interested in knowing more about Geocaching with us on Sao Miguel you can message us on Instagram and ask away.

Cache hidden in a tree trunk.

That’s it, enjoy the islands and maybe take a look around the site for some of our more interesting posts.

NEW: visit the Ponta Delgada indoor climbing and art space!

Are there Dangerous or Venomous Animals on the Azores Islands?

by AzoresBPK

Backpackers are going to get out there in the wilder lands of the Azores Islands and possibly take advantage of the free campsites around Sao Miguel, but what do you need to keep an eye out for? Are the Azores islands safe? I’ll go into detail below.

Long story short here, you don’t have much to worry about here in the Azores islands when it comes to dangerous land animals. The archipelago was pushed up from beneath the ocean through volcanic and tectonic activity therefore the island chain has no native land mammals aside from the Azores Noctule (a native species of bat) which is not in any way dangerous.

There are mammals here now but nothing you should worry about. Maybe the only two powerful species are humans and dogs, neither of which should bother you unless you are bothering them.

The Sao Miguel Cattle dog is often found guarding farms

In the ocean? Yes there are some urchins that might spike your feet (remove spikes and wash with soap and fresh water) but aside from that if you’re swimming, snorkeling or diving then your main concern are jellyfish like situations, see below:

Pelagia noctiluca

Portuguese Man O’ War

These are the two specific blobs to look out for. In the first photo you’ll see the Mauve Stinger (apply an ice pack to the sting for 10-15 minutes and reapply if the pain doesn’t subside) and on the second you’ll see the Portuguese Man O’ War (not specifically a jellyfish but that doesn’t really matter right now) and if this meanie stings you then don’t scratch the area and do rinse it with salt water (or vinegar if you have some) but pretty much prepare for hours of pain and seek medical attention if you’re vulnerable in any way because the stings have been known to be fatal.

People, the most dangerous predator of all.

Azorean people are a delight! What a lovely group, don’t worry about them they are kind and considerate.

That’s it, enjoy the islands and maybe take a look around the site for some of our more informative posts.

NEW: VISIT THE PONTA DELGADA INDOOR CLIMBING AND ART SPACE!

The Best Snorkeling Spots on São Miguel Island

by AzoresBPK

Yes, São Miguel does have a Decathlon, it’s in Ponta Delgada so if you don’t have a snorkel and mask you can grab a cheapo there! There are a whole load of great places to see the underwater world without scuba diving but here are my top five!

REMEMBER: In Portugal a red flag means stay out of the water. A yellow flag means no swimming but you can go into the ocean. A green flag means you can swim and blue and white checkered flag means that the beach is without a lifeguard. If you see a yellow flag with a jellyfish in the center, it mean’s there have been sightings, which in the Azores could mean the infamous Portuguese Man O’ War.

I made a map, took some photos, added a bit of info and linked the coordinates, enjoy your trip!

Pedreira Beach, Vila Franca Do Campo

Why it’s one of the best:

  • It’s calm, rocky and a great place for fish to hide.
  • It’s a very quiet calm beach, you may find yourself alone there.
  • Parking is fine and you’re not too close to the town so pollution will be at a minimum.

Surrounded by grassy cliffs and and submerged rocky areas it’s a great beach to spend the day looking under and above the water.

Sound like the one you’re looking for? Google maps will take you there.

Something else a little further along the south coast? Try Ponta Da Galera.

Ponta Da Galera, Caloura

Why it’s one of the best:

  • It’s a rocky outcrop in a beautiful area.
  • You’ll see a lot of fish and great views of rocks jutting out of the ocean.
  • It’s easy to get to and easy to find parking.

This is a pretty out of the way less touristy area of the island but it’s doubtful you will be alone as unless you go early in the morning you’ll meet a lot of locals here, but not many holidaymakers!

Sound like the one you’re looking for? Google maps will take you there.

Making your way along the opposite coastline? Head to Buracao de Sao Pedro.

Buraco De São Pedro, Fenais Da Luz

Why it’s one of the best:

  • It’s a huge hole in the landscape midway along the northern coastline.
  • The views are amazing under and above the surface!
  • There are some great walks and viewpoints in the area.

What can I say? It’s surrounded by nature and a bit difficult to access but where you find rocks you find fish.

Sound like the one you’re looking for? Google maps will take you there.

Hoping for a snorkel in the sunset? We’ve got a suggestion.

Piscinas Naturais, Mosteiros

Why it’s one of the best:

  • There is an array of pools and rocky outcrops.
  • It’s in the beautiful town of Mosteiros.
  • It’s a sunset facing area so you get the late light also.

When you get to the natural pools area of Mosteiros you’ll see the main pool that everyone seems to prefer, continue to the right a little and the second largest pool may possibly be the best for underwater life.

Sound like the one you’re looking for? Google maps will take you there.

Looking for something truly unique? Here we go.

Ilhéu De Vila Franca Do Campo

Why it’s one of the best:

  • It’s on the tiny island that sits just below Vila Franca.
  • The beach is beautiful but the island is definitely worth visiting anyway, but as the rock ridge wraps around it protects the area inside meaning is a great place to see smaller fish and flora.
  • The island is a protected nature reserve. (this does mean it comes with some conditions)

You can buy an 8euro roundtrip ticket to the island from the ferry booth, but be aware that the number of visitors to the island is often regulated to preserve the foliage and not overload the amenities.

Sound like the one you’re looking for? Google maps will show you where it is, but you’ll need to check the ferry schedules beforehand.

Those were our top five Snorkel spots for backpackers on São Miguel island! Enjoy the ocean and check us out more as the website develops.

NEW: VISIT THE PONTA DELGADA INDOOR CLIMBING AND ART SPACE!