Sete Cidades at a glance
Sete Cidades is a volcanic crater in the west of São Miguel. Two lakes lie side by side on its floor: Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde. A bridge connects them, and a village with a church lies in the crater. The classic view is from Vista do Rei, the viewpoint over both lakes.
Visitors often ask why one lake looks blue and the other green. A local legend about tears tells the story of the colours. Most people combine the crater with other stops on São Miguel day tours, because the lake areas lie far apart on the island.
Our picks: tours to Sete Cidades
The sunset hike is the only one on foot, the jeep is the quickest way to the lakes, and the buggy is for you if you want to drive off-road yourself.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Buggy excursion to Sete Cidades
- Guide and fuel
- Helmets
- Personal insurance
A shared small-group buggy tour of three to four hours, for those who want some off-road driving.
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Sete Cidades sunset hike with wine and cheese
- Local wine and cheese
- Certified hiking guide
- Pickup and drop-off
A four-hour guided walk around the crater that ends with local wine and cheese. Walking poles are available on request.
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Sete Cidades half-day jeep tour
- Hotel or cruise ship pickup
- Driver-guide
- Insurance
A 3.5-hour ride to the twin lakes with a driver-guide. A short option if you have only half a day or arrive on a cruise ship.
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Day trips from Ponta Delgada that include Sete Cidades and its viewpoints, with live prices and availability.
Viewpoints over the twin lakes
Vista do Rei is the classic stop. From here you look down on both lakes and the bridge between them. Clouds can sit on the crater rim, and the view can open and close within minutes. If the first look is grey, wait a little before you leave.
The views change along the crater rim, and the walk in the next section follows it, so you see the lakes from changing angles instead of a single stop. Bring a windproof layer, because the rim is exposed.
Crater rim walks
Two marked routes use the rim. Neither is a full loop around both lakes.
PR03SMI Vista do Rei to Sete Cidades
A linear route of about 7.5 km, rated easy, with an average time of 2 hours. Allow for roughly 7.5 to 7.7 km. It ends in the village near the São Nicolau church. Because you finish in a different place, arrange a taxi, a lift or a pickup in advance.
PR04SMI Mata do Canário to Sete Cidades
This route follows Lagoa Azul and links to the PR03SMI. The descent on the Arrebentões road is steep and can be slippery, so wear shoes with grip and take your time.
For other trails, closures and the rules on the island, read our hiking guide.
Boca do Inferno and Grota do Inferno
Boca do Inferno, also called Grota do Inferno, is a viewpoint on the crater rim. The walk starts at the Lagoa do Canário car park and is about 1.3 km each way, so 2.6 km return. Before you set out, check locally whether the path is open. If the path is closed, Vista do Rei gives you a very good view of the lakes.
Check locally for any fee, opening hours or parking tariffs. Rules for car parks and access can change from season to season.
Kayak and paddling
Canoeing and kayaking are practised on inland and sea waters in the Azores. If you want to paddle on the Sete Cidades lakes, ask a local provider which launch area and rules apply, since conditions on the two lakes are set locally. Crater weather can turn quickly, so keep the plan flexible.
No matter how you visit, the lakes are a landscape to see and walk around, not a place to improvise a swim. Keep to marked paths.
Getting to Sete Cidades and planning the day
Sete Cidades lies in the west of São Miguel and needs a drive from Ponta Delgada. A rental car gives you the freedom to stop at the viewpoints.
Pair Sete Cidades with a second stop on the same day, for example the capital, Ponta Delgada, or hold the east of the island for another day with Furnas. The São Miguel overview explains how the three lake areas fit together. The weather can change from sun to cloud quickly, so see the weather by month and pack for both.
Sete Cidades: frequently asked questions
How long should you plan for Sete Cidades?
Allow at least a half day for the viewpoints and the village. With the rim walk, which takes about 2 hours one way, plan a full day including the transfer back.
Is the crater rim walk a loop?
No. PR03SMI runs one way from Vista do Rei to the village. It is not a full circuit of both lakes.
What is Vista do Rei?
It is the viewpoint over the twin lakes. Many visitors take the classic photo of both lakes and the bridge from here.
Can you reach Boca do Inferno on foot?
The path starts at the Lagoa do Canário car park and measures about 1.3 km each way. Check locally that it is open before you go.
Can you visit Sete Cidades without a car?
Yes, on a day tour from Ponta Delgada. A tour also solves the problem of getting back from the end of the rim walk.