Sete Cidades refers to seven cities (or tribes). It’s one of the Earth’s beauty spots, and like most, volcanic in origin. It’s in the Azores Island chain.
This beautiful hunk of volcanic goodness is located about 16 miles away from Ponta Delgada on the western end of São Miguel Island. Expect the drive to be 30–40 minutes long by car. If you don’t have a car, there are said to be rather unreliable buses from Ponte Delgada. You may wish to consider a Sete Cidades Tour.
Is the area rural? Well, cows graze the slopes—and you might be surprised to find out that milk is one of the top export products of the Azores, centered on the island of São Miguel. Folks transport raw milk, which is immediately tested by scientists, to small stations in the country, often by horse-drawn cart, as you see in the picture. It’s made into cheese, butter, and powdered milk for export. Of course, you can just pour yourself a glass—it’s excellent stuff.
Although I toured Sete Cidades by car, I can imagine it would make a fine place to hike, so peppered with picture points you’d never stop clicking that shutter—and the weather patterns help change the backdrop at a moment’s notice, according to Jacob Odencrantz:
The effects of the combination of high altitudes and the powerful weather patterns of the mid-Atlantic are as much something to experience as are the spectacular heights, gorgeous shores and green valleys of the Azores.
Staying
To stay on the island of São Miguel: São Miguel Lodging
Sete Cidades top picks for lodging: Sete Cidades Lodging
The top-rated Sete Cidades Lake Lodge offers just what I like, a rustic, lakeside retreat, spitting distance to the lake, kayaks offered to skim its glistening surface. Just the thing for that “get away from it all” island vacation.
Location of the town of Sete Cidades and the Lakes:
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