Top Azores Culture

Who are we at SMATUR? First, we LOVE what we do, therefore, we have the best job in the world, and the smile is always present; WE LOVE OUR LAND, and we proudly show it off, because no matter how small it may be in size, it is giant in what it can give us; and finally, it is our MISSION to value what we have, to use the sustainability of these small islands as a brand, and together with the energy of the island, to surprise those who dare to visit us.

Explore the wonders of Sao Miguel’s Furnas Valley on this informative full-day tour, including lunch. Visit the island’s famed ceramic factories, snap memorable photos at Caloura, Vila Franca do Campo, and Furnas. See Furnas lake and the surrounding hot springs and indulge in a traditional Sao Miguel lunch of ‘cozido,’ a rich stew cooked by thermal vents underground. You won’t want to miss the tea factory and the Ribeira Grande City with its beautiful architecture.

Visit to the Gorreana Tea Factory, the only one of its kind in Europe, where you will learn more about the island's tea culture through the different processes involved in its production and where, at the end of the visit, you will have the opportunity to taste a cup of tea accompanied by traditional biscuits!

Spend a few hours exploring Ponta Delgada’s rich culinary offerings on this guided excursion. After meeting up with a knowledgeable local guide at Portas da Cidade, sample local specialties and learning about Azorean food culture while stopping by local markets and eateries like Mercado da Graca, Louvre Michaelense, and O Principe dos Queijos. Enjoy complimentary tastings and drinks along the way.

This small group tour will take you back in time to the days of WWII, where your guide will tell you all about why Lajes and Praia da Vitoria were military bases during the war. The tour begins with hotel pickup to make things easy, and then you’ll be off to visit the historical war sites. After touring for around four hours, you’ll be dropped back off at your hotel.

Exploring São Miguel Island’s stunning landscapes can be challenging with its mix of rugged terrain and remote viewpoints. This half-day quad biking adventure offers the perfect solution, combining thrilling exploration with guided expertise. Take the driver’s seat and navigate both on-road and off-road routes through the mountains surrounding the Sete Cidades Volcano. Weather permitting, marvel at panoramic views of tranquil lakes and the vast ocean.

Discover the west side of São Miguel island with ease on a full-day tour from Ponta Delgada. A great way for first-time visitors to orient themselves, this tour covers Lake Fogo, Boca do Inferno lookout, Mosteiros, and Sete Cidades, home to the vivid Lago Azul and Lago Verde. Enjoy a traditional Portuguese lunch and hotel pickup and drop-off on this small-group tour.

Spend a relaxing evening at the Poça da Dona Beija thermal baths in Furnas during this nighttime excursion from Ponta Delgada. Bathe in the natural pools (tickets are not included), enjoy a guided nature walk, and feast on Cozido das Furnas, a traditional Azores meat and vegetable stew boiled underground in volcanic steam from the hot springs. Your tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Ponta Delgada.

Discover the volcano route that will take you to the best attractions of the island of São Miguel! During 2 days you will explore the Furnas volcano, a place of constant volcanic activity and thermal pools, discover the unmistakable beauty of the Seven Cities volcano, marvel at the nature of the Fire volcano, learn how pineapple is produced from the Azores, visit one of the most famous water cascades and admire the tea plantations among many other attractions. Choose between two tour options: •Tour with lunch included, "cooked from the furnas" served on one day and a "regional food buffet" on the other, or; •Tour without lunch where you will have extra free time in the lunch break, the opportunity to buy food or simply bring snacks with you. Our guides will answer all your questions with a welcoming smile and allow you to enjoy your holidays to the fullest. IMPORTANT : The order of days described may not reflect the actual order of the Tour. Contact us for more information.

When your cruise ship docks on São Miguel Island, experience the best of the Azores’ natural beauty on this small-group shore excursion. Follow the rugged coastline to Santiago Lagoon and the Seven Cities volcano with your guide, and admire uninterrupted views over the spectacular landscapes. Breathe in the scent of wild azaleas and hydrangeas, and visit a local pineapple plantation—with pickup and drop-off at the port included on your tour.

Take a trip back in time, discover the old winemaking traditions, that still remain in place today and make it an obvious choice for UWH designation. Walk through its vineyards and taste their exclusive wines.

Are you passing through Faial or prefer a shorter tour, but want to see the island’s most iconic sites? This is the ideal walk! In a few hours, discover the imposing Caldeira, the Volcán dos Capelinhos and viewpoints with stunning views of the nearby islands: Pico, São Jorge and Graciosa. Enjoy a guided tour with professionalism, good disposition and dedication, ensuring that every moment becomes a memorable experience at Faial.

Discover the best of Faial Island on a full-day tour with your local Guide Ramiro, combining stunning landscapes, stunning volcanoes and authentic culture. Explore the most iconic spots in a comfortable vehicle while enjoying a relaxed pace. Visit Caldeira, the huge volcanic crater, and admire panoramic views, then head to the Volcano dos Capelinhos, where the 1957 eruption remodeled the coast. Along the way, discover panoramic viewpoints, beaches, traditional villages and island secrets, with stories and curiosities that give life to Faial. With flexible time at each stop and multiple opportunities for photographs, this tour is the ideal way to enjoy Faial in a single day. The groups are small to ensure a more personalized experience, so the places are limited - we recommend booking in advance to secure your seat.

Thematic visit about the history of the Pico vineyard from its beginnings to the present day. The vineyard from planting to the final product.

Immerse yourself in the rich arts and crafts heritage of Angra do Heroismo on this tour. Try your hand at traditional embroidery, clay, and tile-making, and visit a local coffee farm to enjoy tastings of coffee, tea, and fresh fruit. This hands-on experience offers a unique blend of creativity and local flavors.

Discover the very best of São Miguel Island in just two unforgettable days. This complete tour covers all four main regions — Sete Cidades, Lagoa do Fogo, Furnas, and Nordeste — offering a perfect balance between sightseeing, nature, and culture. Unlike short day trips, this experience allows you to explore each place at a relaxed pace with plenty of time for photos and authentic local experiences. Led by a certified local guide, you’ll uncover hidden viewpoints, volcanic wonders, and charming Azorean villages. Travel in comfort in a small group (maximum 8 people) with hotel pickup and drop-off included, ensuring a personal and flexible experience. When booking, please note this is a 2-day tour. The system allows you to select only one date, but the second day will automatically be scheduled for the following day — for example, if you book for May 8, your tour runs on May 8 and 9. Perfect for travelers who want to truly experience the real Azores — beyond the postcard views.

Discover the island of Faial from one end to the other! With the full day tour, you get to know all the main sights of the island, and even get to choose a few extra stops of your choice! For example, you can visit a museum, as well as bathe in one of our wonderful beaches. If you want to know a little more about our nature, you can choose to visit more remote panoramic viewpoints! The duration is approximately 7-8 hours, and includes insurance, local guide, lunch and even snacks and drinks on board our vehicles... Don't waste time and book your tour now!

With a dash of adventure in an incredible natural setting, we will unveil a secret unknown for many: the unique volcanic Pico wines, and the people who make it all possible. Intertwined with the local communities we curate encounters and tastings you wouldn’t otherwise be able to live, EXCLUSIVELY with independent wine producers. This heroic wine comes from vines that grow from lava soil and flourish on the rock. All the work is done manually and none of this has changed in 500 years, when the first settlers introduced grape growing in Pico. After our walk in the landscape of Pico Wine, to refresh our feet, we drive you to one of our favorite natural swimming pools, in an amazing setting or just lay down for a bit, exchanging more local stories and preparing your appetite for the next stop. Finally, we take to a wine tasting in a beautiful setting with an emergent and promising awarded independent local producer. You will experience all the landscape and history in your mouth!

Dive into the island's natural beauty on this full-day guided tour, From the ocean to the lush green fields going throw different landscapes while you learn about the rich history and culture of the island. This is a tour that can be totally personalized, but we always show you the main highlights in a very comfortable and full of style van.

Pico Mountain is the tallest mountain in Portugal and can be very difficult to climb, especially for newcomers. On this full-day outing, climb the mountain and sleeping volcano with a professional, certified Pico Mountain guide belonging to the Association of Azores Mountain Guides. It’s a 5-mile (8 kilometers) hike to the top at 7700 feet (2350 meters), with your guide watching out for the proper routes and your safety and well-being.

Visiting a place it's more than exploring and taking pictures. It's also about understanding what makes that place special and unique, it's culture, it's people. I've lost count of how many people I've encountered that regretted renting a car and exploring on their own (all the stress involved and the nature of the island twisty narrow roads contribute to that), or others that at the tea or pineapple plantations ask me to give some explanation about what they are seeing when they are not my clients and realize what they are missing. On a private tour, tailored to your needs and interests, you can let an experienced tour guide drive you around in a safe and relaxed environment, learn about the places you visit and, in some way, become a local too. You won't have to divide the guide's attention with others, it's a private tour! You'll learn the local culture, economy, habits while being driven by not only a local experienced guide… But a friend!

This excursion is unique because we will visit two iconic places in the Azores, Lagoa do Fogo is the second largest on the island of São Miguel and one of the largest in the Azores. It has been classified as a nature reserve since 1974 and is part of the Natura 2000 Network for being classified as a special conservation area. Lagoa das Sete Cidades is very likely the most iconic and recognized natural monument in the Azores. In a region with such a large number of striking landscapes, the image of Sete Cidades is chosen countless times to represent or promote the island of São Miguel and the archipelago. Named one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal and classified as a Protected Landscape by the Natura 2000 Network, the Sete Cidades are a unique place in the world, which any traveler passing through these islands must visit.

Discover the main attractions of the island of São Miguel. Includes one vehicle for a total of 8 people. Ideal for families and groups. Highlights of St. Michael on a day tour. Discover the hidden charms of the island of São Miguel on a day trip. The tour can be customized to the taste of the customer. The tour can be fully customized to the taste of the customer.