Chat with us, powered by LiveChat Guided Group Tours of The Azores in Portugal for Solo Travelers | Solos

What to expect

Lagoa do Fogo

Lagoa do Fogo

Admire São Miguel’s epic crater lake

Furnas Valley

Furnas Valley

Geothermal springs & fumaroles

Ponta Delgada

Ponta Delgada

Discover the capital's historic charm

Gorreana Tea Factory

Gorreana Tea Factory

Tour Europe’s oldest tea plantation

About this trip...

Discover the volcanic beauty of São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores, on this guided exploration of dramatic crater lakes, lush landscapes and Atlantic coastlines. Based in the historic capital of Ponta Delgada, we explore highlights including the twin lakes of Sete Cidades, the pristine Lagoa do Fogo crater lake and the geothermal valley of Furnas. Along the way, visit Europe’s oldest tea plantation at Gorreana, tour a pineapple plantation, enjoy a winery tasting, stroll through Terra Nostra Garden and experience the natural hot springs of Caldeira Velha, while discovering picturesque villages and spectacular viewpoints across the island.

Activity Level: Activity Level Rating
What's this?

What's included?

  • Return airport transfers
  • Private Room
  • Breakfast daily, four lunches & two dinners
  • Pineapple plantation tour
  • Winery tour & tasting
  • Gorreana Tea Factory tour & tasting
  • Visit to Terra Nostra Garden
  • Visit to Caldeira Velha
  • Guided tour of Ribeira Grande
  • Accompanying Solos Tour Leader

What's extra:

  • International flights are not included
  • Let us help you book them! Learn more.
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips & drinks
  • Meals when not included in the itinerary
  • Activities when not included in the itinerary
  • City tax is currently €2 per person per night (capped at a maximum of three consecutive nights) and paid locally.

Itinerary

  • Arrival day
  • Sete Cidades
  • Furnas & Terra Nostra
  • At leisure
  • Northeast & Southeast coasts
  • At leisure
  • Lagoa de Fogo & Ribeira Grande
  • Return home

What you'll be doing

Day One: Arrive in São Miguel

Day One: Arrive in São Miguel

Today we arrive in Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores, and transfer to our hotel. Later, we gather for a welcome drink and dinner.
  • Dinner included
Day Two: Sete Cidades

Day Two: Sete Cidades

The day begins at a pineapple plantation, where we learn how this tropical fruit is grown on the island and enjoy a tasting of fresh pineapple and traditional homemade liqueur. We then continue along the island’s west coast, passing historic villages and scenic landscapes with breathtaking views of the volcanic lakes. At Sete Cidades, we hear the local legends before enjoying lunch at a traditional restaurant in the village.

In the afternoon, we continue along the north coast to admire dramatic volcanic rock formations shaped over centuries. We stop at a charming local winery for a guided tasting of regional wines and insights into the island’s unique grape varieties.

 

  • Breakfast & lunch included
Day Three: Furnas & Terra Nostra

Day Three: Furnas & Terra Nostra

This morning, we visit the scenic Santa Iria viewpoint, known for its history and sweeping coastal views. We then continue to the Gorreana Tea Factory, Europe’s oldest tea plantation, for a brief tour of the production process followed by a tea tasting. Next, we travel to the Furnas Valley, one of the island’s oldest settlements, known for its fertile land and volcanic activity. Here we see fumaroles, hot springs and mineral waters, and admire panoramic views over the caldera from Pico do Ferro (570m). Before lunch, we watch the traditional “Cozido das Furnas” being lifted from the ground, where it slow-cooks for around six hours, before enjoying this unique regional dish.

Later, we visit the 18th-century Terra Nostra Garden for a stroll through its botanical park or a relaxing dip in the thermal pool. We finish the day with a tasting of traditional Azorean sweet bread in the fumarolic area of Furnas village before returning to the hotel.

 

  • Breakfast & lunch included
Day Four: At leisure

Day Four: At leisure

Today we enjoy a day at leisure in Ponta Delgada, with the freedom to spend it as you wish. Relax at the hotel and take a dip in the pool or wander through the old town. In the afternoon, there is the option to join a half-day guided tour of downtown Ponta Delgada (additional cost), visiting museums, charming gardens and historic churches dating from the 16th to the 19th century. This excursion must be pre-booked with Solos at the time of booking.

  • Breakfast included
Day Five: Northeast & Southeast coasts

Day Five: Northeast & Southeast coasts

Today brings another full day of exploration, beginning along the island’s northeast coast. Our first stop is Ribeira dos Caldeirões, a botanical park where waterfalls and old watermills reflect the island’s early wheat-based economy. We continue to Vila do Nordeste before heading to a scenic viewpoint to enjoy a specially prepared picnic lunch. Later, we travel to Povoação, the first settlement on São Miguel Island, for a short orientation tour and a tasting of the local pastry, “Fofas da Povoação”.

  • Breakfast & lunch included
Day Six: At leisure

Day Six: At leisure

Enjoy the day at leisure. Relax at the hotel, stroll along the seafront or join an optional whale-watching excursion (additional cost). Set sail on a catamaran for the chance to spot playful dolphins performing acrobatics and majestic whales gliding through the pristine waters of the Azores. This excursion must be pre-booked with Solos at the time of booking.

  • Breakfast included 
Day Seven: Lagoa de Fogo & Ribeira Grande

Day Seven: Lagoa de Fogo & Ribeira Grande

We begin with a scenic journey along the island’s south coast, heading towards the Água de Pau Natural Reserve and one of the Azores’ most iconic sights, Lagoa de Fogo. Surrounded by a lush natural landscape, this beautiful crater lake offers a sense of serenity and tranquillity. We continue to Pico de Barrosa (980m), where breathtaking panoramic views unfold across the island, including a stunning vantage point over Lagoa de Fogo itself.

We then continue to Caldeira Velha, one of São Miguel’s most enchanting natural spots. This geothermal reserve is known for its warm, mineral-rich pools and lush tropical vegetation. The area forms part of the island’s Laurisilva forest, an endemic subtropical landscape of ferns, mosses and towering trees that creates a serene, almost mystical atmosphere. Our final stop is Ribeira Grande, the second-largest city on São Miguel, shaped by waves of emigration and past volcanic eruptions, some of which destroyed parts of the town. Here we explore the charming cobbled streets of the historic center, known for its traditional Azorean architecture and colorful façades.

 

  • Breakfast, lunch & dinner included
Day Eight: Departure day

Day Eight: Departure day

We gather one final time for breakfast before transferring to Ponta Delgada Airport for our flight home.

  • Breakfast included

Accommodations

Hotel Talisman, Ponta Delgada

Hotel Talisman is a charming four-star boutique hotel located in the historic centre of Ponta Delgada, just a short walk from the city’s main attractions, including Portas da Cidade, the marina, museums, and a variety of cafés, restaurants and bars. The hotel is housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century building that blends traditional Azorean architecture with comfortable modern facilities.

Facilities include:
The Palm Terrace Café & Restaurant serves a buffet breakfast along with regional and international dishes. The spacious dining room and outdoor terrace overlook a lush garden that blooms year-round. Relax in the bar and lounge areas or head to the rooftop pool and sun terrace for panoramic views over the city.
Room includes:
Rooms are spacious and bright, with classic décor, and are equipped with Wi-Fi, TV, air conditioning, a safe, minibar, kettle and hairdryer.

Dates & Prices

Departure Return Nights Price from Other Info
Jun 5 2027 Jun 12 2027 7
$2999
 

Essential Information

Transfer time
Transfer time from Ponta Delgada Airport to the hotel is approximately 10 minutes.
Dress Code
The dress code for during the day is casual. It can be windy and temperature might drop when at altitude so a light windproof jacket might be useful. In the evenings the dress code is smart casual. Comfortable shoes for walking and sightseeing are recommended.
Gratuities
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. To give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below. The Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides, porters and hotel staff of approximately €25. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip.
Passport, Visa & Entry Requirement

We recommend that you check passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting at the State Department if you have a U.S. Passport. Most countries require that your passport have at least six months validity when traveling internationally, and many require that you have one to two blank visa pages for either an entry stamp or visa. As a general rule, please check that your passport has six months validity beyond your planned trip, and if not, please renew your passport with plenty of time to provide Solos with your updated passport information by the final payment due date.

Not sure what travel documents you need? Our trusted partner, sherpa°, makes it easy to check visa and entry requirements based on your destination and passport. One quick check now means smooth sailing later. Click here to learn more.

Health requirements

We recommend that you check if vaccinations are required for your destination at the CDC’s recommendations for your visited destination(s). We also recommend you purchase travel protection. A travel protection plan can often assist with medical emergencies and reimburse costs that are covered by the plan. Please verify coverage details with Solos before you travel.

Important information
As part of health & safety we do require all our guests to be able to manage the demands of the trip. This will often include early starts with long days travelling by foot and on and off minibuses/coaches. You also must be mindful that when visiting a country with different cuisine and culture, special dietary requests cannot always be made as readily available with great choice. Please see the day by day itinerary for details of the programme. The order of the itinerary and events may be subject to change according to traffic, weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances beyond control.
More to Explore

You may wish to take an optional excursion during the course of your stay. 

Ponta Delgada Guided City Tour

Join a half day city tour visiting some of the museums, charming gardens and unique churches from the 16th up to 19th century that enrich the city’s history. 

Currently - €67 per person

Whale Watching 

Set sail on a catamaran for a whale watching adventure, with the chance to witness playful dolphins performing acrobatics and majestic whales gliding through the pristine waters of the Azores.

Currently - €65 per person

Please note:- Optional excursions are not guaranteed and are based on minimum numbers. The prices quoted are guideline only and may involve other non-Solos travelers. These excursion will need to be

Flights & Airport Transfers

Whether you'd like us to arrange your flights or prefer to book your own, we're here to make the process easy. Our team can secure flights from the location that suits you best or provide all the arrival and departure details you'll need if booking independently.

Arrival & departure airport transfers are included for the majority of our trips EXCEPT our UK Breaks, regardless if you book your own flights or if we book them for you. To learn more about flight options, payments, and transfers, click here.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance before any trip — it safeguards you against unexpected issues like illness, cancellations, or lost luggage. It also protects your health and travel investment, giving you peace of mind to fully enjoy your journey. Click here to learn more.

Rated as Excellent (4.8/5) by our customers

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Fantastic time

I’ve recently returned from my first Solos trip and had a fantastic time. I can honestly say that I enjoyed every minute, and the memories will last a lifetime.
-Patricia

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Highly Recommended

I’d highly recommend Solos to people looking to travel on their own with a group of like minded people.
-David

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Brilliant Week!

We laughed until our bellies ached. It was such a brilliant week.
-Janev

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Go for it!

I still get a bit nervous but this will be my third time with Solos and its one of the best decisions I have ever made- everyone is so friendly, just go for it!!
-Jane

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