Why Every Traveler Should Visit This Epic Island In The Azores

From enchanting waterfalls to surreal crater lakes, here’s why everyone should visit this gorgeous Portuguese island…

Hidden far away in a distant land in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, exists a small little eden called São Miguel…

A beacon of sustainability, it’s referred to locally as ‘The Green Island’, and is the largest and most populous landmass in the Azores…

The result? A world of spalding hot springs…

Fabulous hiking trails…

Bewitching waterfalls…

Sexy cliffscapes…

Otherworldly green tundras…

And some Instagram-worthy volcanoes…

A UNESCO-listed nature reserve, you’ll spot everything from sperm whale pods…

to cute bottlenose dolphins…

to sleepy sea turtles…

and scary blue sharks circling the coast…

But let’s not stop there. The main attraction of São Miguel is a stunning crater lake called Lagoa do Fogo (the Fire Lake)…

It’s one of the most remote mountain lakes in the world and measures an epic 10 miles in circumference…

It was formed a staggering 15 million years ago from the tippy top of a volcano, which last erupted in 1563. In fact, the place is so ecologically important that it’s protected by a special act of Parliament…

For more visual inspiration, check out this unearthly island in the middle of the Arabian sea!

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.