While we visited the island of São Miguel (Azores) for its nature, we were pleasantly surprised by what the capital city of Ponta Delgada had to offer! It still feels like a sleepy fishing village, yet it has delicious dining options, buzzing bars, and excellent accommodation. We loved wandering the cobbled streets, admiring the historic buildings, and gazing out over the Atlantic from the picturesque marina. Here are our top recommendations for things to do in Ponta Delgada, along with some helpful travel tips.
Things to do in Ponta Delgada
While the city is small, there are plenty of charming things to do in Ponta Delgada! We based ourselves here for half of our São Miguel itinerary, as it’s an ideal gateway to explore the west of the island, such as Sete Cidades lake.
Only visiting Ponta Delgada for the day? That’s perfect, too! You only really need an afternoon/evening to explore and enjoy a nice dinner in the city. We loved NONNAS for the pizza.
- Don’t miss out on Portas de Cidade, the city’s iconic gateway, and a must-see photo spot on your visit.
- Looking for the best shopping spot in the Old Town? Head to the scenic pedestrian street of Rua dos Mercadores (exact location here).
Tip: We stayed at Vila Gale, a hotel housed inside one of the historic buildings. We loved the location; only a 10-minute walk to the main sights!
2. Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião
Make a stop at the main church of Ponta Delgada, situated right off a bustling square. It’s beautiful on the inside and outside, and well worth a quick visit for its peaceful atmosphere and ornate interior carvings.
If you want to learn more about the history of Ponta Delgada from a local, we recommend joining a walking tour like this one. It takes you to all the top spots in the city!
Visiting at sunset? From the fort, it’s just a few minutes walk to the city’s beautiful marina, where you can watch the sun go down with a drink from one of the bars. This is also the spot you’ll go to join a dolphin or whale watching tour.
4. Campo de São Francisco
We stumbled across this beautiful central square by chance, and spotted another lovely church named Santuário do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres. Although we first visited during the day, we returned at night, when it had come alive completely! Lots of locals gather here to meet, and in the summer, there’s a bandstand used for live concerts.
6. Whale Watching Tour
Take a boat from Ponta Delgada Marina for a whale watching tour (best in the morning) and head out onto the Atlantic to see these mammoth creatures in the wild.
Sadly, Nick couldn’t join me because of his back injury, and while I didn’t see whales this time, I saw a massive pod of dolphins with a baby. Incredible!
We recommend booking this tour with a marine biologist guide who can teach you all about the different species.
7. Try Pineapple Wine (Unique Thing to do in Ponta Delgada)
Did you know there are 200+ pineapple producers on São Miguel? We noticed the pineapple carts around the streets of Ponta Delgada (and of course, we grabbed a fresh juice). However, we had no idea that a famous pineapple plantation was just on the edge of the city. You can book a tour of the farm and try products like pineapple jam and even pineapple wine!
Ponta Delgada Hotels
You could easily visit Ponta Delgada for the day, but we think it’s an excellent base for your São Miguel itinerary. We stayed in two hotels in the city, and both were fantastic!
- Vila Galé: Book this hotel, housed in a historic building with a spa and beautiful outdoor pool. Perfect for relaxing after a day of hiking and exploring. We loved its city center location.
- Lusitano Garden Villas: Stunning rooms and offers equestrian experiences on-site. As an avid horse rider, I loved this! It’s on the outskirts of the city, but just a short bus or car ride away. You can book a room here
Favorite Restaurants & Cafés
- Jardim Natural Food & Coffee: Our favorite food spot, inside the botanical garden. We returned three times!
- Michel Restaurant: Tasty and traditional Portuguese dishes (book a table here).
- INTZ48 Coffee Roasters Azores: Excellent coffee.
- Nonna’s Teeth: Great spot for a pizza night
- CASCARA Coffee: Fresh bread, delicious coffee, and brunch options.
How to Visit Ponta Delgada
Visiting Ponta Delgada is really easy, and once you’re there, you can walk between all the main sights (for example, by booking a walking tour like this one).
Arriving from Ponta Delgada Airport
Ponta Delgada Airport is an 8-minute drive from the city center. We recommend hiring a car at the airport, as you’ll need one to continue with your São Miguel itinerary. Alternatively, there is the option to pre-book the ANC Airport shuttle bus (€ 8/9.40 USD one way).
We recommend to rent a car in Azores through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
If you’re arriving by car, parking is a bit harder on the streets of Ponta Delgada. Look for public parking garages or pre-book parking at your hotel.
Budget for Ponta Delgada
We found Ponta Delgada to be quite affordable as a city, especially for food. But if you want to lower your budget even further, consider booking a self-catering apartment or ensure that you book your hotel in advance.
Best Time to Visit
We visited Ponta Delgada at the end of May/beginning of June, and it was stunning! The average daily temperature was 20 degrees, and we had some sunny days that were perfect for exploring the picturesque streets. You can also check the live webcams for weather updates.
Ponta Delgada is the capital of the Azores archipelago, a group of islands located halfway between Portugal and the USA. The city is situated on the main island of São Miguel, which serves as the gateway to the other smaller islands.
Very! We never felt unsafe in the city, especially as it has maintained its traditional ‘village’ feeling. Like anywhere, you should always exercise caution with your belongings, especially in busy areas.
Ponta Delgada is known as the capital city of the Azores. It’s famous for being one of the best spots for whale watching, with many boat tours leaving from the marina.
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