São Miguel is the largest island of the Azores ,an autonomous region in Portugal .

Understand

São Miguel doesn't have a lot of "beaches"; much of the shore is rough cliffs. Around the eastern edge, it is especially steep. As an Atlantic island, São Miguel can have heavy weather.

São Miguel has a moderate coastal climate, with fog, rain and not very hot summer temperatures. It is very humid and green.

Cities

• Ponta Delgada (pop. 46,000). This is the capital and location of the main airport (João Paulo II), as well as the main economic center of the island. The historic center and most tourist attractions are located along the Avenida Infante D. Henrique which extends from the fort of São Brás in the southwest of the city to Clube Naval and the southeast Marina, and includes Campo de San Fransisco, the Matriz, the "Portas da Cidade" (the City Gates) and the new "Portas do Mar" development.

• Ribeira Grande (pop. 30,000). The second largest city on São Miguel is the gateway to the north and 20 minutes away from Ponta Delgada. It is known for its beautiful historic center and the northern beaches known for windsurfing, as well as being one of better access points to Lagoa do Fogo crater lake.

Getting there

The island of São Miguel is accessible by air through João Paulo II (Nordela) International Airport (PDL/LPPD), which handles domestic/regional traffic to the island, as well as international flights from Europe and North America. SATA International and TAP Air Portugal are the primary Portuguese air carriers serving the island, although several European and North American carriers provide charter services to the island.

Traveling around

Renting a car at the airport is one of the best ways to explore and get around the island. Sao Miguel is small enough to drive around in a day, and there is much to see that is only accessed by car.

You can also travel between the larger towns by bus.

See

São Miguel has several calderas, and hot springs can be found scattered over the island; mostly in the middle highlands.

In the west there is a caldera and volcano crater that is almost filled by the beautiful Sete Cidades twin seas and the town of Sete Cidades. Steep mountain walls surrounds the lakes, one is azure blue, the other is greyish, and this is explained in a local myth.

Things to do

There are some marked hiking trails on the island, for example in and around the Sete Cidades caldera. These are usually one-day trails that any beginner hiker can enjoy. Organised whale- and dolphin-watching from small boats operating out of Ponta Delgada is increasingly popular with tourists.

Safety

There is very little crime on the island. Most crimes are drug related and are generally localized in Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande. Crimes against tourists are very rare.

The other Azores islands can be accessed by boat or plane from São Miguel.