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Cycling Holiday: Sao Miguel
Overview
Introduction
Whether you are a keen cyclist or simply enjoy the occasional bike ride at the weekend and just want to give it a go, here is our suggested itinerary to do just that. You cycle mainly on coastal roads and rural tracks, using mountain bikes that are ideal for the terrain. A good level of fitness is required as some routes are partly uphill, although not steep gradients.
Notes:
- Bike rental supplements such as special pedals, GPS, rear carrier or side transport bag are paid for locally. A guarantee deposit of approx. 600 Euros is compulsory and must be paid locally to the bike rental company by credit card. This deposit is returned at the end of the bike rental
- Electronic bikes (E-bikes) can be arranged for a supplement upon request
Agenda
Day 1 - Day of arrival
Arrive at Ponta Delgada airport and transfer to the Solar do Conde in Capelas.
The Solar do Conde is located in the village of Capelas on the north coast of the island, approximately 12km from Ponta Delgada and within walking distance of the ocean (600m). The estate, built around an elegant manor house, consists of 27 spacious cottages. Surrounded by extensive gardens, the property is best suited to those wishing to relax in a quiet, tranquil setting or wanting to explore the island by car, bike or on foot.
Overnight at the Solar do Conde, Sao Miguel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Sao Miguel, The Azores
Day 2 - Pineapple Tour (33km)
In the morning (09:30), the bicycles will be delivered to the Solar do Conde. After an introductory briefing with our representative, depart for a ride along the north coast, passing through the villages of São Vicente, Ferreira and Aflitos before returning to Capelas. This circular route will take you to the pineapple plantations, cultivated in greenhouses, where you can stop to visit and taste pineapple liqueur and the fruit itself. You will cross the central part of the island and the areas surrounding Capelas and see the beautiful views over the mountains and the sea. You will also have the opportunity to see an example of an intact Windmill and visit one of the Forest Parks of the Island (Pinhal da Paz) - an ideal spot for a picnic in the middle of nature.
Overnight at the Solar do Conde, Sao Miguel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Cycling in Sao Miguel
Day 3 - Sete Cidades (44km)
Today’s journey will depart Capelas, heading west to the Sete Cidades lakes. This route includes a stop at the ‘Vista do Rei viewpoint from which you can enjoy a spectacular view over the twin lakes, one blue in colour and the other green. Return to Capelas.
Overnight at the Solar do Conde, Sao Miguel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Sete Cidades, The Azores
Day 4 - Capelas / Furnas (44km)
Today’s route will initially follow the beautiful north coast of São Miguel and head east. You will start with a plain stretch of road followed by a 5km hill climb along the coastal road through the villages of Fenais da Luz, Calhetas and Rabo de Peixe to the town of Ribeira Grande. After a visit to the town, including the picturesque town square, continue your ride to Furnas. En route you will pass by a tea plantation - quite unique in Europe, and be able to visit the factory and taste the local brew. Leaving the tea plantation, the route guides you up the hill and into the middle of Furnas volcano. Your luggage will be transported to your hotel in Furnas.
Overnight at the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, Sao Miguel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Day 5 - Furnas and Ribeira Quente (19 km)
Today’s ride will depart from your hotel in Furnas. This is a gentle route during which you will visit the hot springs (in which the traditional meal, Cozido das Furnas, is cooked), Furnas Lake and the typical fishing village of Ribeira Quente. Take time in Ribeira Quente to relax, stroll along the beach and enjoy a meal before returning to Furnas. En route you will pass by a tea plantation - quite unique in Europe, and be able to visit the factory and taste the local brew. Leaving the tea plantation, the route guides you up the hill and into the middle of Furnas volcano. Your luggage will be transported to your hotel in Furnas.
Overnight at the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, Sao Miguel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Hot springs, Furnas, Sao Miguel
Day 6 - Povoacao (17 km)
Free time in Furnas: Time to relax and enjoy a stroll through the 30-acre Botanical Gardens owned by the Terra Nostra Garden. Alternatively, you can cycle from Furnas to the village of Povoação, one of the two extinct volcanoes on the island and the first village to be settled by the Portuguese in the XV century. This route has many accentuated uphill and downhill stretches but, if you are in shape, this ride will give you ample opportunity to admire the beautiful countryside of the Povoação valley.
Overnight at the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, Sao Miguel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Botanical Gardens, Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, Sao Miguel
Day 7 - Furnas / Agua d'Alto (24 km)
Today you will cycle, along the southern coastline, from Furnas to Água d’Alto. The route will commence with an uphill (3km) ride, followed by a more relaxed pace along downhill and flat roads until you reach the coastal town of Vila Franca do Campo. This road offers fantastic views over the coastal villages and the crater islet located just metres from the shore. The ride finishes in your last accommodation, in Água d’Alto. Your luggage will be transported to your hotel.
Overnight at the Pestana Bahia Praia Nature & Beach Resort, Sao Miguel on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Sao Miguel
Day 8 - Day of departure
Transfer to Ponta Delgada airport for your return flight home.
Accommodation
Solar de Conde - Night 1 to 3
The Solar do Conde is located in the village of Capelas on the north coast of the island, approximately 12km from Ponta Delgada and within walking distance of the ocean (600m).
The Solar do Conde is located in the village of Capelas on the north coast of the island, approximately 12km from Ponta Delgada and within walking distance of the ocean (600m). The estate, built around an elegant manor house, consists of 27 spacious cottages. Surrounded by extensive gardens, the property is best suited to those wishing to relax in a quiet, tranquil setting or wanting to explore the island by car, bike or on foot.
Accommodation
- 27 air-conditioned cottages
Amenities/Leisure
- Buffet breakfast
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Gardens with barbecue areas
- Outdoor swimming pool - open May-Sep
- Free parking
- 6km from the local golf course
- 15 minutes’ walk to the town of Capelas
Note: This hotel is used as part of our Cycling Holiday itinerary.
Terra Nostra Garden Hotel - Night 4 to 6
The Terra Nostra Garden is one of the best hotels on the island of Sao Miguel and well positioned next to the Terra Nostra botanical park.
The Terra Nostra Garden is one of the best hotels on the island of Sao Miguel. Well positioned next to the Terra Nostra botanical park, the hotel is made up of two adjoining buildings: the Art Deco Wing, built in the 1930’s which has maintained its architectural history; and the Garden Wing, added much later in the 1990’s. Many of the bedrooms, along with the restaurant and indoor swimming pool, enjoy fabulous views over the world famous, extensive botanical gardens - owned by the hotel.
Guests dining here are treated to local Azorean products, with a focus on the Cozido, a sustainable meal fully cooked underground using the natural heat of the volcanic hot springs - a must for any visitor to the islands.
Accommodation
- 86 rooms including cosy art deco rooms, garden view rooms, superior garden view rooms, deluxe garden view rooms, garden suites and suites
- Some garden view rooms interconnect
- Some art deco rooms interconnect – one interconnects with a suite
Amenities/Leisure
- Buffet breakfast
- Restaurant (mostly à la carte) with view over the park and serving regional cuisine including the traditional Azorean dish of Cozido – pre-booking recommended
- Bar with terrace – piano player in summer
- Reading lounges/large sitting areas
- Business centre
- Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel
- Shop selling local handicrafts and souvenirs
- Wellness centre with two treatment rooms (payable locally), mini gym, Jacuzzi, sauna, Turkish bath and indoor heated swimming pool (10 x 14m)
- Sports bar with snooker table (payable locally c.5 Euros per hour)
- 3 Lifts
- Library
- Tennis court (artifical grass) payable locally
- Free access for hotel guests to the 12-hectare botanical gardens and its outdoor thermal pool fed by natural springs – the public pay 8 Euros entrance fee
- Free parking
- 7 restaurants within a 5 minute walk
- 5 minutes’ walk to the centre of Furnas
- Bikes for adults available for hire (local charge 16 Euros per day) including one electric bike
- Irregular bus service (3 services to Vila Franca do Campo and Ponta Delgada and 1 to Ribeira Grande per day – early morning departure/late return)
- 20km to Vila Franca do Campo – local taxi costs c.20 Euros each way; 9km to Ribeira Quente and 35km to Nordeste
- 30 minutes’ drive to Ponta Delgada from Furnas – local taxi costs c.40-50 Euros each way
Pestana Bahia Praia Nature & Beach Resort - Night 7 to 7
The Pestana Bahia Praia Nature & Beach Hotel is located at one end of the longest beach on São Miguel – Praia da Água d’Alto (dark sand and with blue flag status), 18km from the capital Ponta Delgada and 5km from the town and marina of Vila Franca do Campo.
The Pestana Bahia Praia Nature & Beach Hotel is located at one end of the longest beach on São Miguel – Praia da Água d’Alto (dark sand and with blue flag status), 18km from the capital Ponta Delgada and 5km from the town and marina of Vila Franca do Campo. Uninterrupted ocean views can be enjoyed from the large gardens and outdoor swimming pool, restaurant and many of the spacious, guest bedrooms.
A public bus service connects the property, six times a day, with Ponta Delgada and Vila Franca do Campo – from where it is possible to join a whale and dolphin watching or diving excursion, or visit the nature reserve of Ilhéu da Vila. For guests with car hire, the location, half-way along the south coast, makes it an ideal base for exploring the island. In fact, the picturesque Lagoa do Fogo is only 5km away.
Accommodation
- 102 air-conditioned rooms including classic rooms, junior suites and suites
Amenities/Leisure
- Buffet breakfast room and bar extending out to the garden terrace
- Restaurant (buffet or à la carte menu)
- ‘Aqqua’ bar with terrace
- Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel - even reaches part of the adjacent beach
- Games room (table football, table tennis and billiards)
- 2 Lifts
- Mini gym and sauna (free of charge)
- Outdoor swimming pool (30 x 3.70m) open all year – pool towels provided. The pool is only for adults.
- Pool bar open Jun-Sep
- Extensive lawns and gardens (60,000sqm)
- Mountain bike hire (c.13 Euros per day payable locally)
- 2 Tennis courts (free of charge) and a football field
- Spa with treatment rooms (massages and facials) and outdoor pool
- Free parking
- Private access to the beach (with lifeguards). The beach has changing facilities and a restaurant (summer months)
- 5km from Vila Franca do Campo – restaurants, café bars, shops, markets, PADI diving centre and whale watching base. During the summer months an hourly boat service links the marina of Vila Franca do Campo to the nature reserve of Ilhéu da Vila
Route Map
Best time to go
- JAN
- FEB
- MAR
- APR
- MAY
- JUN
- JUL
- AUG
- SEP
- OCT
- NOV
- DEC
Time Difference
GMT - 1 hour
Currency
Euro
Language
Portuguese
Average flight times
4 hours 5 minutes
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Average temperature
Average rainfall
- JAN
- FEB
- MAR
- APR
- MAY
- JUN
- JUL
- AUG
- SEP
- OCT
- NOV
- DEC