Lagoa das Sete Cidades

In the west of São Miguel, the Lagoa das Sete Cidades fills the floor of a huge volcanic crater with two lakes, one said to be blue and the other green. From the rim, the view over the water and the surrounding hills is one of the most famous landscapes in the Azores.

Two lakes in a crater

The crater is several kilometres across, and the two lakes — Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde — lie side by side within it, separated by a narrow strait. The colours depend on the light and the depth, and legend has given them a romantic explanation. Around the rim, viewpoints such as Vista do Rei and Boca do Inferno look down on the water.

What to see and do

• The viewpoints on the crater rim, with views over both lakes.
• The village of Sete Cidades, on the lakeshore.
• Walking and cycling routes around the crater and down to the water.
• The quiet roads and hydrangea hedges of the surrounding countryside.

Visiting the lakes

The lakes are in the west of São Miguel, about 25 kilometres from Ponta Delgada, reached by road. Access to the viewpoints is free; weather changes quickly at this altitude, so check conditions before your visit.

Visitor information: visitazores.com.

Image credit: Lagoa das Sete Cidades, São Miguel, by Samuel Monteiro Domingues, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.