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Azores 2026, Portugal
  • Gina Steiner
  • Gina Steiner

Azores 2026, Portugal

A 58-day adventure by Gina Read more
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  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler
    2

    Tunnel das Sete Cidades

    February 14 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Today we went through the Tunnel from Mosteiros to the banks of Lagoa Azul. It is a 1,2 km long water drainage tunnel.

    The tunnel was built from 1930-1938 in order to make it possible to drain water from the Sete Cidades lakes towards the coast (the lakes otherwise have no drainage).
    Rather than in an open canal (as is e.g. common for levada tunnels on Madeira), inside the tunnel the water runs in a big waterpipe.

    Be prepared for puddles, wet and muddy stretches, which may force you to either wade through or climb up on the low concrete wall that holds a smaller water pipe.
    You will need torches inside the tunnel (take care that you have enough battery, it may take you about 1 h to go through it and back if a lot of puddles slow you down).

    Since life is never boring for me, it has also taken an interesting turn here. After about half of the distance, some parts came off the sole of my hiking boot at the heel.

    Of course, the best of all men had a piece of super string with him and so we decided to fix it well and move on. But the soles have probably both reached their denaturation date and so the other sole soon came loose 😂.

    Of course, the condition of the first sole did not get any better and when we arrived over there, one sole was completely off and the half of the other sole was loose.

    The question was: either hitchhike back or Rainer going back alone and then picking me up by car. We opted for the second solution, and the best of men heroically battled his way through the tunnel alone to rescue the princess at the lake with his golden horsepower.

    The tunnel is a remarkable feat of 20th-century engineering, it was built by decision of the executive committee of the General Board, with engineer Francisco Xavier de Castro in charge of the project.

    Drilling work on the mountain began on October 1, 1930, resulting in the construction of a tunnel over 1200 meters long, connecting Sete Cidades to Grota do Alqueive in Mosteiros. It was inaugurated 30th of December , 1937.

    The tunnel cuts straight through the mountain and made it possible, for the first time, to control excess water and also provided an easy crossing (except for the claustrophobic) to the other side of the mountain.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Praia do Areal de Santa Bárbara

    February 15 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    The first stop on our today's tour around the island was Praia Areal de Santa Bárbara.

    It is one of the largest and most popular beaches on São Miguel, stretching about 1 km along the north Atlantic coast near Ribeira Grande and Ribeira Seca.

    Its long expanse of dark volcanic sand against the deep blue ocean and green hillside scenery makes it a classic Azorean beach.

    The beach is well-known for its consistent waves, attracting surfers, bodyboarders and other water-sport enthusiasts. Many locals and visitors alike come here to ride the Atlantic swells.

    It often earns a Blue Flag, meaning good water quality and safety standards. There’s lifeguard supervision in season, plus showers, toilets, bars and parking.

    Waves can be strong here, and currents should always be respected — especially outside of peak summer season.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões

    February 15 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Our second stop was the Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeirões.

    This is a lush, scenic park where waterfalls, old watermills, and dense Macaronesian forest come together in a riverside setting.

    This protected area stretches along the Ribeira dos Caldeirões stream, on the slopes of the Serra da Tronqueira. The park has some impressive waterfalls, abundant greenery, and traditional watermills.

    The cascade of Ribeira dos Caldeirões is the park’s main attraction, a fall surrounded by rich vegetation and mossy rocks.

    You can walk through the forest typical of Macaronesia, with ancient tree ferns, cryptomerias and hydrangea thickets that make the landscape feel almost tropical.

    Several watermills from as early as the 16th century still stand in the valley and some of them have been restored.

    In summer you can also do guided canyoning experiences along the river, combining waterfalls, natural slides, and jumps into clear pools.

    Entrance is free and open year-round. Best time to visit is spring and early summer when it's warm and waterfalls are still in full flow.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler
    3

    Piscina Natural Da Boca De Ribeira

    February 15 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Today we were at Piscina Natural da Boca de Ribeira, in my opinion the most beautiful natural pool on São Miguel. Unfortunately, you can't swim in it in winter because it is not maintained in winter due to the winter storms.

    This natural seawater pool is carved into the volcanic rocks along the coast near Nordeste, a quiet area on the northeast part of the island. The pool fills and flushes with the tide, giving swimmers a natural bathing experience directly in contact with the Atlantic.

    In summer the water tends to be very clear, and the rocky edges and volcanic features give the area a distinctive look — great for swimming, or just relaxing beside the sea. In winter, of course, all the driftwood from the winter storms and also some large boulders are in the water.

    Natural conditions vary depending on tides and weather. In some years, unusually high algae growth driven by ocean changes has occasionally made the pool less appealing or even led to temporary closures during peak season.

    There’s car access and nearby parking and some facilities, like changing rooms, restrooms and A Kkeiner kiosk (which is closed in winter). Fortunately the emphasis here is on the natural environment rather than built infrastructure.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Zona Balnear dos Poços

    February 16 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    Poços de São Vicente Ferreira, also known as Poços de São Vicente, are popular natural swimming pools located on the north coast of São Miguel near Capelas.

    “Poços” means wells, which are what they call many natural pools and swimming areas enclosed in either volcanic rock or cement. 

    In this case, it is cement and a wall made of big rocks, protecting the swimmers from big waves. This makes Poços the ideal spot on the north coast to swim in the Atlantic Ocean even if the sea is rough because this shield protects you against the powerful Atlantic waves.

    These seawater-filled pools are excellent places to swim all day, the water is clear and coast around beautiful.

    There are also the old pools, which are small and shallow and only separated from the sea by a small wall but they are not used any more.

    When the sea is calm in summer, you can choose between the calm, enclosed pool, or the open ocean for more adventurous swimming and snorkeling and spotting colorful fish and other marine life right near the rocks.

    There is also Azorean history around, as it sits near the ruins of an old whale factory.

    Despite its wild appearance, the area is well-equipped: there are showers, toilets, and a dedicated car park and during the official bathing season (June to September), the area is typically monitored by lifeguards.

    In winter this is the best option for real swimming since Ponta da Ferraria is only dipping - but warmer since the sea water there is a little bit heated up by the thermal spring.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Queijadas de Coco & Queijadas de Amêndoa

    February 17 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    You're probably all familiar with Pastel de Nata (or Pastel de Belém). These are puff pastry tarts filled with pastry cream, which were likely made before the 18th century by the monks of the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Belém, now a district of Lisbon.

    By the way, the name Pastel de Nata can be translated as "puff pastry with cream filling."

    I'm a Pastel de Nata fan in Germany, but only because Queijadas de Coco and Queijadas de Amêndoa aren't so easy to find.

    Queijadas de Coco are traditional Portuguese coconut custard tarts, particularly popular as a regional variation of the classic Queijada from Sintra. These small pastries are characterized by a moist, creamy interior and a slightly crispy or golden top. 

    They feature a "custardy" consistency similar to a cross between a creamy milk custard and an eggy macaroon. They are predominantly sweet with a rich coconut taste, often balanced with subtle notes of vanilla, cinnamon, or citrus (lemon or orange zest). Typically they are shaped like cupcakes or mini-tarts, often served in pleated paper liners. 

    While the original Queijada de Sintra (dating back to medieval times) is made with fresh cheese, the coconut version is a popular "regional flavor" found in pastry shops throughout Portugal and thus also the Azores.

    The same applies to Queijadas de Amêndoa but they have an intense almond flavor.

    Ohn nom nom 😋😋😋.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Azorean Poke

    February 18 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Today we once more drove to Capelas, to the Zona Balnear dos Poços. Using satellite imagery, I timed our trip, so we arrived at the parking lot just as the sun began to break through the clouds, revealing a beautiful blue sky.

    Swimming time! 🏊 🌊 🌞

    Since buying fresh fish and cheese from the island's best cheesemonger was also on the agenda, we then drove from Capelas on the north side of the island to Ponta Delgada on the south side.

    At the narrowest point of the island, the drive only takes 15 minutes. We arrived in Ponta Delgada right at lunchtime and took the opportunity to eat a poke bowl at Azorean Poke.

    It's definitely my favorite place to eat. While there's no outdoor seating, you could take the bowl to the beach. The tuna is incredibly fresh, as are all the other ingredients.

    A large bowl costs 11 euros, and the service is very friendly. It's not particularly fancy; it seems that decorating is rarely a priority here in the Azores, but it's pleasantly furnished.

    I haven't met any other tourists there yet; I suppose it's not local enough for most of them.

    I absolutely love coming here, it's truly my favorite spot. The food is simply the best and freshest of anything I've eaten in restaurants around here (if you accept not local recipes). Only Cais da Sardinha comes close, but that's in a different price range. I will write something about Cais da Sardinha later on.

    So put on your bucket list: Azorean Poke.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Ilhéus dos Mosteiros

    February 18 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    When I'm looking for a place to spend the winter, there are a few things I pay attention to.

    I want to be able to see the sunset, the sea can't be too far away, and the microclimate has to be right. I also have a few requirements for the apartment itself, but above all, the microclimate is important if I'm going to be spending two months there.

    Finding the right microclimate isn't quite so simple, so I consult climate charts, monthly averages for temperature, cloud cover, wind, and rainfall, study the major air and ocean currents in the area, and, most importantly, carefully examine the local topography in relation to it.

    This time, too, my analyses were correct: if there's any sunshine on the island, it's here. Even after a long and stressful workday, I'm in a beautiful place, watching the sunset, the sea, and the Mosteiros Islets

    The Ilhéus dos Mosteiros (literally, Islets of the Monasteries) are four uninhabited rocky islets located about 1 km from Mosteiros.

    The Mosteiros Islets gave the neighboring municipality of Mosteiros its name. According to Azorean chronicler Gaspar Frutuoso, the earliest settlers to the area thought the largest of the islets looked like a church or monastery, and therefore named the islets and their settlement Mosteiros. Frutuoso noted:

    "Between the large islet and Ponta Ruiva, by the cliffs, until the promontory of Escalvados, there are some large depressions and well made fumaroles, in the form of a church, or monasteries, or of both things, that older settlers called the monasteries [Mosteiros], situated on the fajã that ran from the peak in Sete Cidades."

    The Mosteiros Islets are the exposed remains of a submarine volcanic cone heavily eroded by the sea over time. The islets are composed of compacted palagonite tuff rock. The maximum altitude of the islets is 72 metres above sea level.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Miradouro da Tromba de Elefante

    February 19 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Perched high above the rugged northern coastline of São Miguel, the Miradouro da Tromba de Elefante is one of the island’s most dramatic and lesser-known viewpoints.

    Its name “Elephant’s Trunk Viewpoint” comes from the striking rock formation below, where a long, curved ridge of dark volcanic stone stretches toward the Atlantic Ocean, resembling the trunk of an elephant dipping into the sea.

    Unlike some of São Miguel’s more frequented scenic spots, Miradouro da Tromba de Elefante feels peaceful and untouched. The surrounding area is characterized by endemic vegetation and a coastal contours shaped by centuries of volcanic activity and erosion.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Cooking on an island of the high seas

    February 19 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    As on all islands located further out at sea, the selection and quality of food here are limited. The fact that the mainland is 1500 km away doesn't make things any easier.

    In January and the first half of February, the selection of fish here isn't comparable to, for example, on the Spanish mainland. What's available here is beef, milk, cheese, and deep-sea fish such as high-quality tuna, swordfish, and grouper.

    Many foods have to be brought in by ship or plane, which certainly doesn't make them any fresher. The people who were born here have long since gotten used to it, or rather, have never known anything different. For us, it's an adjustment.

    But since we're often on islands, we're familiar with it, prepared, and have our workarounds. I always bring a wide variety of spices, and Rainer brings ground whole-wheat flour, sourdough starter, and a baking pan. Since apartments often only have coated pans, he sometimes brings an uncoated one. Not this time, though, because there was a stainless steel one available.

    Since we have an outdoor kitchen here with a fireplace grill, sink, and roof, we can invent the best things imaginable together. I also try to get an apartment with an oven, which doesn't always work out, but usually it does, like here.

    Today we're having calamari with baked potatoes; we bought the rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves at the market yesterday. The wine, including the port, is exceptionally good here and really reasonably priced.

    Bon appétit!    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler
    1

    Sete Cidades

    February 20 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    Sete Cidades is a civil parish and a village, that is located in the center of a massive volcanic crater five kilometres across. The population in 2011 was 793 in an area of 19,19 km2. It is one of the smallest parishes of Ponta Delgada by population, although the largest in area. It contains the localities Cerrado da Ladeira, Cerrado das Freiras and Sete Cidades.

    At this time of the year it is not so easy to find the villages or the craters in the sunshine, because at Ginetes the warm air is forced to go up on the mountainside and the humidity condenses. Thus the crater rims are often in the clouds.

    From my location I can simply drive to the north slope, the south slope and between the crater lakes over the bridge, which I often do on the way to Ponta Delgada.

    The village of Sete Cidades, is located in the southwest portion of the crater and extends from the Blue Lake north to south. Farmland, mostly pastures, are located around the village, and confined to the portions south of the Blue Lake. The remainder of the crater is forested, although the southeastern portion also has some grasslands. A bridge at the junction of the two lakes provides the most direct road connection to Ponta Delgada. The tunnel to Mosteiros is located in the western end of the crater, in an area of open parklands,

    The region received its geographic nomenclature from the Latin Insula Septem Civitatum, which means "Island of the Seven Tribes" or "Island of the Seven Peoples" (Portuguese: Ilha das Sete Tribos or Ilha dos Sete Povos), but became a historical reference as the "Island of the Seven Cities". In Latin, civitas does not signify city, but rather a collectivity of citizens of a determined community.

    The first Iberian document to refer to Sete Cidades was a Latin chronicle from the city of Porto-Cale (the modern city of Porto), written in 750 A.D. by a Christian cleric.

    I like the drive over the bridge between the lakes and up and down the serpentines of the crater slopes, it's a nice contrast to the coast. So when I go to Ponta Delgada I often drive through the montains there and back again by the sea.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Cais da Sardinha

    February 21 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    Opinions on the Cais de Sardinha differ, but from me the restaurant gets a clear plus 🌟.

    It is located directly on the harbor of Ponta Delgada with a view of the water and since the restaurant has a spacious interior with a completely glazed front, I find it very cozy there even in cloudy weather and wind.

    You clearly pay for the location, but it's worth it, because in my opinion this is the best location in all Ponta Delgada but the price definitely has also to do with the quality of the food.

    We had Salada de Polvo and Pica-Pau do Mar and both were really excellent, we tried to taste the composition of the spices, which was not easy.

    It took a while until the food came, but not too long, if food is freshly prepared, that's normal in my opinion. It may take a long time if the restaurant is full, but since only 4 tables were occupied except for us, everything was unproblematic.

    We only had a little snack there, if you want to eat extensively there, you have to pay a little more (30-40 p. p) since the portions are small and you have to go for at least a starter, a meal and bread. However, if all the food is as delicious as our two meals, it's definitely worth it.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Romeiros

    February 22 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Today I set off at 4:15 a.m. to take Rainer to the airport. On the way there, I encountered a group of singing men. I had already heard another group yesterday morning and watched them walk past my house.

    On the way back from the airport, I overtook two more of them in the pitch black. This time I parked further ahead at Parque de Merendas de Mosteiros because I had seen a lit cross there. Then I observed their activities from a distance.

    They are Romeiros.

    Romeiros are groups of men who travel around the island as religious pilgrims during Lent (before Easter).

    They can be recognized by their dark cloaks or scarves, rosaries around their necks, walking sticks in their hands, and backpacks on their backs. They are often singing or praying as they travel.

    The groups walk around São Miguel for about a week, visiting many churches and chapels along the way.

     They pray together, sing religious songs, stop at shrines, and stay overnight with families in the villages.

    Their journey can cover around 300 km.

    This is a form of penance and gratitude in the Catholic faith. Many pilgrims undertake the pilgrimage out of personal vows: for health or family, for a good future for the Azores, or simply out of tradition and a sense of community.

    The Romeiros often walk at dawn or very early in the morning because their daily schedule is strictly organized, and they want to visit as many chapels as possible each day. Furthermore, singing together at dawn is part of the spiritual atmosphere.

    Mosteiros, where I live, lies on the classic coastal route that many Romeiros walk during their circumnavigation of the island. During Lent, several "ranchos" (pilgrim groups) travel through this very area.

    Around Mosteiros Romeiros often come from: Ginetes, Candelária, or Sete Cidades. They are recognizable by their scarves/colors, as each group has slightly different colors and prayer rhythms.

    In the first two videos you don't hear the rhythmic singing but sacred music from the tape near the cross. On the third and fourth video you can hear that they typically chant rhythmically when they walk. A leader calls out a line, the group responds—this way they keep pace and remain spiritually focused.

    I saw them very early in the morning, so they were probably on one of the longer stages of the day and had been walking since about 4 or 5 a.m.

    During a morning prayer stage, on the way from the west coast towards the north of the island, stopping at the cross in Parque de Merendas de Mosteiros is a fixed ritual.

    The Romeiros pilgrimage dates back to the time after the devastating earthquakes of the 16th century. Since then, every year during Lent, groups of men walk around the island in prayer—one of the most vibrant traditions of the Azores.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    A new idea…

    February 22 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    …is born 😂

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Comur - Ponta Delgada

    February 23 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    Initially dedicated to exporting eels, Comur now produces around thirty varieties of canned goods and this cans are sold in this store.

    The shop is right next to the Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião in the old town of Ponta Delgada and they offer sardines, gilthead bream, mackerel, lean fish, trout, cod, smoked salmon, and cod roe, as well as mussels, whelks, and octopus... all in tins, each more colorful and imaginative than the last!

    Some are shaped like gold bars, others feature panoramas of Portuguese cities, and some are even stamped with dates from 1916 to the present day (look for your birth year!).

    The only thing setting this store back is the astronomical prices! One can of fish ranges from 9,5-15 euros 😲😳.

    Otherwise the aesthetic of the store is impeccable and further back in the store you can find a small jewellery shop.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Termas das Caldeiras

    February 24 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 14 °C

    Today was a really hard and exhaustive working day and I hardly managed to motivate myself to move my ass out of the house. I already had my bag over my shoulder and opened the door, but then I closed it again an the sofa sucked my into the cushions.

    After one minute I had a short clear moment and told myself : Gina, what are you doing, this is NOT good for you and I managed to get out of the door. PHEW! 😮‍💨

    I drove to the Termas das Caldeiras, that's an one hour drive and I was waiting since some weeks for their reopening after renovation. They reopened some days ago.

    This is the thermal bath, the locals use. It's small and uncomplicated, you can reach it over a cobblestone street.

    It costs 7.- for one hour and one hour is enough. The Lady asks for your name and after an hour she comes to you to tell, that the hour is over so you can take a shower.

    They have warm showers, restrooms and changing rooms and when I came in, there were only 5 locals. The 2 bassins have different temperature, one had 38,7° the other 40,8° - this changes but the lady tells you the temperature when you enter.

    The termas are located near Ribeira Grande and it's a historic 19th-century thermal complex which includes the oldest stone bathtub, dating from 1803.

    It's nestled in a Laurissilva forest landscape and they not only offer thermal baths but also massages, relaxation areas, balneotherapy, and treatments such as llamas and peoides.

    The thermal waters are known for their sulphurous properties, indicated for relaxation and health treatments.

    It is situated in a valley with outdoor barbecues, a restaurant, and nine pits for cooking the famous "cozido" (a traditional Portuguese stew).

    After one hour in the bath my stressful day was washed away 😊. How fortunate, that I managed to move my ass 😂.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Miradouro da Grota do Inferno

    February 25 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Today was a long working day BUT the sky was clear as water. So I jumped into the car, because I've been waiting for exactly such a day for a long time.

    I drove up to the craters and over the bridge between the twin lakes to Miradouro da Grota do Inferno. This is one of the most breathtaking viewpoints on São Miguel.

    Perched high above the Sete Cidades volcanic complex, this scenic overlook offers a perfect panorama over four crater lakes.

    You can see the twin lakes of Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde, whose contrasting blue and green waters sit inside the vast crater of the ancient Sete Cidades Caldera as well as Lagoa de Santigo and the smallest Lagoa Rasa.

    It's hard to catch a clear day like this during winter but if you do, the scene feels almost unreal: steep crater walls, rolling green hills, and the shimmering lakes below.

    Despite its dramatic name (Grotto of Hell Viewpoint), the atmosphere here is peaceful. The viewpoint is accessible via a short hike from nearby parking areas along the Serra Devassa trail network.

    You already know weather in the Azores changes quickly, so on misty days the lakes disappear beneath a sea of clouds, which visitors might still find magical. If it was raining - like often here - proper footwear makes sense because the last part of the trail might be slippery.

    By far the most amazing viewpoint here.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Canal das Sete Cidades

    February 26 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    I've never shown you the bridge in Sete Cidades that goes between the twin lakes. Now's the time.

    The Sete Cidades channel, is the shallow passage that divides Lagoa Azul from Lagoa Verde. Crossed by a bridge and road, it is an iconic spot for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and cycling, situated on Portugal's largest freshwater lake and elected one of the 7 Natural Wonders.Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Lagoa do Canário

    February 27 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Lagoa do Canário is one of the most enchanting hidden lakes here on the island. Tucked inside the highlands of the Sete Cidades volcanic complex, it offers a quieter, more intimate alternative to the region’s famous twin lakes. lt lies within a protected natural area in the western part of São Miguel.

    The lake sits at roughly 800 meters above sea level, surrounded by dense stands of Japanese cedar, cryptomeria, and native Azorean vegetation. Because of its elevation, the weather can change quickly, often wrapping the lake in a soft, mysterious fog.

    Unlike the large and well-known Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde nearby, Lagoa do Canário is small and secluded. Its calm, dark green waters reflect the surrounding forest, creating an almost fairytale atmosphere.

    The lake is beautiful year-round, but the best conditions are usually from late spring to early autumn when visibility is clearer. In winter you have to wait for clear sky in this area, which is seldom. If you go during season, there are more people, so you should go there in early morning or late afternoon. When I went there, nobody else was at the lake, since most of the people go straight to the viewpoint in this season.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Muro das Nove Janelas

    February 28 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    It's my last weekend here on the Azores, next Saturday I'm going back to good old Germany.

    After almost eight weeks I know almost everything here, I still miss a road on the north coast and the Centro de Interpretação Ambiental da Caldeira Velha. However, they have been closed since my arrival at the beginning of January and I am eagerly waiting for the reopening.

    What I'm showing you today is one of the few historical structures here.

    So Muro das Nove Janelas is one of the most evocative historical structures in the region. This stone aqueduct, whose name means “Wall of the Nine Windows”, is a reminder of the island’s past engineering ingenuity.

    Built in the 18th century, the aqueduct was part of an ambitious water supply system designed to bring fresh spring water from the highlands to the city below. Its nine arches give the structure both its name and its distinctive visual rhythm. Today, moss, ferns, and hydrangeas often frame the weathered basalt stone, creating a fairytale scene.

    Since the area is great for hiking you can incorporate it into your hiking trail.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Miradouro do Cerrado das Freiras

    March 1 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 12 °C

    The Cerrado das Freiras viewpoint is often forgotten although you pass by all the time.

    Located at approximately 514 meters above sea level, it offers a perspective of the famous Blue and Green Lagoons and the Lagoa de Santiago.

    While the famous Vista do Rei viewpoint (I will write something about that later on) shows the caldera from afar, Cerrado das Freiras brings you much closer to the Blue Lagoon, allowing you to see the details of the banks and the dense vegetation surrounding the Green Lagoon and the village.

    The name "Cerrado das Freiras" comes from a legend (and local history) about a group of nuns who supposedly took refuge in this isolated area to escape pirate attacks in the 16th century.

    It's an excellent and more tranquil alternative to more touristy viewpoints like Boca do Inferno or Vista do Rei, but in this season there are not many tourists around.

    It's located on the regional road (ER9-1) that descends to the village of Sete Cidades. There's a small free parking lot nearby. So like I already wrote, you pass by anyways.

    Like mostly the best time for visit is sunrise or sunset, since the soft light enhances the contrast between the blue and green of the waters.

    You can also reach it on foot via trails that connect to the Santiago Lagoon or even by bicycle from the village.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Miradouro da Vista do Rei

    March 2 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    As I promised you, I'm writing something about it Miradouro da Vista do Rei today.

    It is located at approximately 544 meters altitude and one of the most iconic "postcard" views of the Azores.

    It lies next to the Monte Palace Hotel, the lost place I already wrote about.

    The view offers a privileged panoramic view over the Sete Cidades and the twin lakes Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde. The landscape is considered one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal.

    The name "Vista do Rei" commemorates the visit of King D. Carlos I and Queen D. Amélia in July 1901.

    It is very easily accessible by car (about 30 minutes from Ponta Delgada) and has parking and restrooms nearby.

    Before going up, check the real-time weather conditions via SpotAzores, like I already wrote often: fog is very common in this area and can completely block the view.    Read more

  • Gina SteinerAzores 2026, PortugalTraveler

    Sunset is different here

    March 2 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    The sunset here is really different, rough and wild and beautiful. In winter, however, everything but not cozy.

    That's why I'm not sitting here with a cocktail or a red wine endlessly in the sunset, but watch it for 30 minutes and then I'm on my way again.Read more

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