Vagabond Mermaid’s guide on what things to do in São Miguel on a rainy day ☔️
- Karolína Kremská
- Dec 9, 2024
- 5 min read
We all know that mermaids aren’t afraid of a little bit of water and that is why they would like to advise you on how to enjoy it too. There are plenty of things you can do around this magical island when the rain starts to pour and some of these activities get even more enjoyable with the clouds than they would be on a day with a clear sky. We made a list so you can easily find them too ☺️
Hot springs and thermal baths
The volcanic origin of São Miguel makes it a geothermal hotspot which means that there are plenty of hot springs and thermal pools around the island where you can relax your body and mind. These pools make a perfect option for what to do when it is a rainy day in São Miguel! Just be careful not to take any light-colored swimwear since these mineral-rich waters will leave your pretty new set with rust stains.
Furnas
This cute little town lying tucked away in a valley by the Furnas Lake is not only known for its famous Bolo Lêvedo and cheese but mainly for its Caldeiras - hot spring lakes and steaming Fumaroles - geysers on every corner. To bathe here you can visit:
A beautiful botanic garden that has a big thermal pool. There is also a Terra Nostra Hotel hotel open to the public if you would like to book a spa or wellness treatment or visit the bar/restaurant.
This place consists of 4 beautiful outdoor pools, each of them with a different temperature ranging from 25°C to 39°C where you can bathe surrounded by green vegetation.
An absolute Instagram-worthy spot that offers bathing in thermal pools while being surrounded by a lush green Azorean forest. It has 3 small pools, one connected to a waterfall.
What you will find here are cute 2 little pools in the backyard of a 19th-century building that was later reconstructed into a spa center. They also offer massages and other wellness procedures.
The only world’s natural ocean thermal pool! The volcano underneath this piece of the sea makes this little rocky beach spot into the only world’s natural ocean thermal pool! If you come at the right time, you can even catch a sunset since it is located on the southwest side of the island. Make sure to only come during the low tide hours though, otherwise, the wild waves will make bathing impossible. At the site, you can also find the Termas da Ferraria building, with a restaurant, spa, and paid entry outdoor water pool.
Pineapples and tea
Another great activity for when it starts to drizzle outside is to go see how pineapples and tea are grown.
There are a couple of pineapple plantations you can visit either by yourself or by booking a tour. All of them have a small café at the end where you can taste the local pineapples prepared in different ways. Go to Plantação de Ananás dos Açores, Plantações de Ananases A. Arruda or Ananás Santo António.
Did you know that São Miguel has the oldest and the only remaining tea plantation in Europe? You can visit Chá Gorreana either by attending a free guided tour or walking through it by yourself to learn about its history and the tea-making process and then enjoy a warm cup of tea in the café at the end. They also have a shop where you can buy their teas and other cool souvenirs.
History & Culture, Art, Gastronomy
There are many events and festivals happening, especially in the spring/summer season when the island comes alive with religious festivities, artistic performances, and contemporary music festivals. From some of the very traditional ones like Santo Cristo or Festas do Espiríto Santo to the very modern ones like Tremor, Walk & Talk Urban Art Festival, and Azores Burning Summer, this is a great way to fully immerse yourself in the local culture even when the weather is not ideal. In the winter it gets a little more quiet but you can still find a lot of interesting things going on. Check this official calendar to stay up to date.
If you like art galleries visit Arquipélago - Contemporary Arts Center in Ribeira Grande which is housed in a beautifully renovated tobacco factory and hosts all kinds of exhibitions showcasing both Azorean and international artists, as well as Galeria Fonseca Macedo in Ponta Delgada where you can see different kinds of paintings, sculptures, and installations. To dive into history visit Museu Carlos Machado in Ponta Delgada as well as some of the local churches and historic buildings, or take a tour.
And what is better on a rainy day than having a cozy meal in a local restaurant? From locally sourced fresh fish and seafood, cheese or meat to pastry, fruits, and traditional beverages, there are plenty of things to try during your stay here. The recommendation list is long but to name a few, check out A Tasca, Restaurante Associação Agrícola or Casa do Abel for traditional food, Bar Caloura or Cais 20 for fish, Louvre Micaelense, Õtaka, Supléxio to go more modern and Rotas da ilha verde, Jardim Natural Food & Coffee or Santo Seitan for vegetarian/vegan options.
Why not do it anyway?
Charlie, VMG Security Manager, Enjoying a Rainy Day Hike in Rocha da Relva
As the mermaid would say, rain does not always mean that you have to cancel your original plans. I am not talking about a heavy monsoon-like rain here of course, but if the cloudy weather conditions still allow it, why not try anyway? Most of the hikes and trips around Sao Miguel are still pretty doable even in cloudy weather and hiking through the misty hills or a cold plunge in a waterfall while raindrops are falling could have its special charm.
Whatever you decide to do, we would also like to remind you that São Miguel is one of the places where you cannot fully rely on the forecast because the subtropical weather sometimes changes very fast. Plus, the island has several microclimates, depending on whether you’re by the sea, at the top of a mountain, or visiting the hot springs so it’s best to always leave the house prepared for anything. As an addition to the weather forecast, I also recommend checking out the live webcams that are set all over the major locations on the island and will give you a much better idea of what the weather is like in each specific area. I hope that the mermaid’s tips can be helpful for you and above all else remember to stay safe and have fun 😉
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