Before I visited the Azores, several people told me the same thing: do not skip the miradouros (aka scenic viewpoints). They were completely right. Every time you spot a road sign for a miradouro, pull over immediately to enjoy incredible views. Driving along the coast and stopping at all the miradouros was one of my favourite parts of the whole trip.

São Miguel has an incredible number of gorgeous lookout points scattered around the island. You could spend an entire day just driving the loop around the island and stopping at each one. Or you could easily slot a few miradouro stops into whatever itinerary you already have planned. This guide covers my favourite miradouros we visited in São Miguel. Save this guide before your next trip to São Miguel!

*There may be affiliate links in this post.  Read my privacy/disclosure policy to learn more.

The good news is that São Miguel is a great travel choice at almost any time of year. Here is a quick breakdown to help you decide:

Summer (July–September) is peak season, and for good reason. It is the warmest and driest time to visit, and your best window for swimming.

If you want to see the island’s famous hydrangeas in full bloom, late July and August is your sweet spot. The island turns into a sea of blue and purple, and it is absolutely magical.

Spring (April–June) and Autumn (October–November) are both great times to go, and honestly my personal recommendation. Temperatures are comfortable, crowds are noticeably thinner, and spring period lines up with peak whale migration, making it the best time for whale watching in the Azores.

We visited in May and loved every minute of it. We had a few rain showers, but by keeping an eye on the SpotAzores cameras each morning, we stayed mostly dry. It was a touch too cool for swimming most days, but we managed two warm enough afternoons to actually get in the water.

Winter (December–March) brings cooler temperatures, more rain, and stronger winds. Swimming is off the table, and some smaller restaurants and guesthouses may shut entirely for the season.

That said, if you love dramatic landscapes and do not mind the moody weather, there is something genuinely beautiful about the island in winter too. You will almost have the island entirely to yourself.

As someone who has never visited an island as small as São Miguel, the weather was absolutely fascinating to me. Not only can the weather completely change in under twenty minutes, one side of the island can have thick fog and rain while the other side is in full sunshine. It genuinely feels like two different days happening at once.

The climate stays mild year-round, ranging from around 14°C (57°F) in winter up to 24°C (75°F) in summer. That said, expect some rain and fog no matter when you visit, especially at higher altitude spots like Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo. If the middle of the island is cloudy, head down to the coast. It’s almost always sunnier there.

One tool that genuinely saved our trip was the SpotAzores website. They also have an app you can download. It shows live camera feeds from different parts of the island. We checked it every single morning before deciding on our plans for the day. I can’t recommend it enough.

Depending on which route you take to get to Boca do Inferno, you will likely pass this viewpoint along the way. It is a quick stop that is definitely worth your time. On a clear day, you can see almost the entire island from this single spot. Rolling green hills stretch out below, dotted with small villages across the landscape.

This viewpoint is easily one of the most famous spots on the entire island. It is the exact photo you probably saw when you searched for Azores travel inspiration online. The views over the caldera are absolutely incredible, and the visit is completely worth it. From here, you can see the whole caldera of Sete Cidades along with all three lagoons.

This viewpoint is along the Boca do Inferno hike, which is a short and easy trail. Make sure to wear tennis shoes or hiking boots because the path can get a bit muddy, especially after rain.

If you want to beat the crowds, arrive early, because this spot fills up fast as the morning goes on. There is a decent amount of parking for this hike, but even by 10am in the shoulder season, it was hard to find a parking spot.

This viewpoint is only a short drive from the famous Boca do Inferno hike. It gives you a completely different perspective over the same Sete Cidades caldera. There is a small car park, but people rarely stay long so it is easy to find a spot. 

We nearly skipped this one, assuming it would be the same view as the other Sete cidades viewpoints, but it ended up being my favourite viewpoint of the entire day. The views of the lagoon are amazing and the angle is perfect for photos. This is a viewpoint stop at the side of the road so parking is limited.

This viewpoint makes you feel like you are standing on the edge of the island. There are cliff views on one side, with a lava delta stretching out into the ocean on the other side. This spot would be a great place to watch the sunset. 

This viewpoint sits right on the side of the road and is easy to miss. It offers great views of the small village nearby, with rolling hills leading down to the ocean. It is not as dramatic as some of the other viewpoints, yet it is just as beautiful. The stop is still well worth your time.

This viewpoint delivers a beautiful panorama over Furnas lagoon on a clear day. I visited on a cloudy day, unfortunately, and could not see anything at all. From the photos I have seen online though, the view looks absolutely incredible.

This is another Furnas viewpoint that clouds kept me from experiencing fully. This one overlooks the Furnas valley, rather than the lagoon itself. It deserves just as much of a visit as Miradouro do Pico do Ferro.

There are three main viewpoints overlooking Lagoa do Fogo, and I would recommend visiting all of them. Each gives you a completely different perspective of the lagoon.

The three viewpoints are Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo (decent sized car park), Miradouro da Barrosa (roadside spots for a few cars), and Pico da Barrosa (a few parking spots along the road. Note that Pico da Barrosa requires you to walk up a small hill to get to the viewpoint.

I saw this viewpoint all over social media, and it was just as stunning in person. The miradouro is a small park at the edge of the island, with incredible coastal views.

This spot would make an incredible place for a picnic, or a place to enjoy the sunrise or sunset. There are tons of different plants and flowers around the park and in late July and August the entire park is covered in hydrangeas.

There are two viewpoints for the Arnel lighthouse. This one is just north of the lighthouse. It has stunning views of the cliffs and the lighthouse itself overlooking the ocean.

Enjoy the sea breeze and sea birds flying overhead. You can walk down to the lighthouse, but expect a very steep path.

This viewpoint sits on the south side of the Arnel lighthouse. It offers a different angle of the lighthouse, yet an equally stunning one. From here, you get gorgeous cliff views along with the houses leading down to a small pier.

Most people, myself included, come here to see the iconic church with its zig zag steps. However, the church sits on top of a hill that gives you gorgeous views overlooking the city of Vila Franca do Campo.

From this spot, you can also see the ocean and out toward the islet of Vila Franco. After photographing the church, make sure to sit on a nearby bench and take in the view.

Honestly, stopping at viewpoints along your route is the best advice I can give anyone visiting São Miguel. There are so many beautiful miradouros in São Miguel and each one offers a unique perspective of the island.

Save the location of these thirteen viewpoints, because you will want to add them to your itinerary. If you have enough time on the island, I would recommend a road trip along the coastal route and stopping at the viewpoints along the way. It is a fun way to explore the island.

Looking for more travel inspiration? You may also enjoy these posts:

11 Interesting Things to Do in Furnas São Miguel You Can’t Miss

São Miguel Azores itinerary: 5 Days on Portugal’s Most Stunning Island

The Perfect Sete Cidades Itinerary for First Time Visitors