Private São Miguel

Luxury Nature

São Miguel Island, the lush jewel of the Azores, is celebrated for its volcanic landscapes, emerald-green hills, and, above all, its enchanting thermal pools like those at Caldeira Velha. Tucked into the dense tropical forest, these naturally heated waters invite you to slow down and surrender to the island’s deep sense of calm. Rich in minerals and wrapped in mist rising from ancient geothermal springs, each pool offers not just relaxation, but a connection to the Earth’s raw, restorative power.

These are places of serene immersion, where the warmth of the water is matched only by the warmth of the welcome. Wooden walkways wind through ferns and steam, leading you to pools shaded by towering trees and framed by waterfalls. Whether you’re soaking under a canopy of green or listening to birdsong echo through the forest, your visit feels timeless — a moment carved out of the everyday, gently coaxing your body and mind to let go.

Active São Miguel

What to do, what to do? Lie on a beach all day? Or enjoy the wonderful range of activities on offer? Either way, you can’t really lose and there’s not much you can’t do here on the water – highlights include whale watching, boat excursions to the beautiful “Princess Ring Islet”, lake paddling or many other activities offered by operators. But the diving and snorkeling here is terrific, coral reef, sublime underwater topography and a dramatic ocean drop-off. On land, you’ll need to decide between fabulous hiking, horse riding and even championship-standard golf courses. Decisions, decisions…

Volcanic Island

São Miguel is rightly celebrated for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, lush crater lakes, and, yes, panoramic viewpoints that offer front-row seats to some of the most breathtaking vistas in the Atlantic. This is a place where nature takes center stage — where every winding road reveals a new perspective, from mist-shrouded peaks to luminous green valleys plunging into the ocean.

These volcanic highlands are sculpted with awe-inspiring beauty, shaped by millennia of geothermal activity. From the twin lakes of Sete Cidades, framed by the steep rim of a vast caldera, to the steaming fumaroles of Furnas, São Miguel delivers spectacle after spectacle. And it does so with quiet majesty — not through grandeur alone, but through an atmosphere of deep calm and raw authenticity.

The island’s miradouros — or viewpoints — are thoughtfully placed and effortlessly scenic. At Vista do Rei, Lagoa do Fogo, or Salto do Cavalo, you’ll find yourself suspended between sea and sky, surrounded by silence, save for the occasional call of a distant bird or the soft rustle of hydrangeas in the breeze.

Your time here will stay with you. Partly because of the sheer visual drama, the collision of fire-born earth and endless ocean. But also because of São Miguel’s unspoiled charm — the sense that you’ve stumbled upon something rare and elemental, a world shaped by nature’s hand and left gloriously untouched.