Location: Ponta Delgada
Top Things to do in Ponta Delgada
10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Ponta Delgada That You Shouldn't Miss
Ponta Delgada (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈpõtɐ ˌðɛɫˈɣaðɐ]) is the largest municipality (concelho) and administrative capital of the Autonomous Region of the Azores in Portugal. It is located on São Miguel Island, the largest and most populous in the archipelago. The population in 2011 was 68,809, in an area of 232.99 square kilometres (89.96 square miles). There are 17,629 residents in the three central civil parishes that comprise the historical city: São Pedro, São Sebastião, and São José. Ponta Delgada became the region's administrative capital under the revised constitution of 1976; the judiciary and Catholic see remained in the historical capital of Angra do Heroísmo while the Legislative Assembly of the Azores was established in Horta.
Restaurants in Ponta Delgada
1. Azores Private Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 491 reviews
My name is Rui and I am a Sao Miguel Island native. I love meeting people from other countries and making their visit to the Azores one they will never forget. My customers are not just clients to me – they are new friends, and as such they receive personalised service. I have many years of experience as a professional private driver, and you will find me an enthusiastic host with an excellent sense of humour. I can provide VIP services, Private Tours by Car and/or Minivan, and Airport Transfers.
2. Azores Adventure Islands
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 596 reviews
Canyoning, E-Biking,, MTB, ccean and lake Kayaking, Hiking, Rock Climbing, Jeep Tours and all outdoor adventure travel activities in the beautiful atlantic Islands of the Azores - Portugal!
3. Azores4travel
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 129 reviews
The goal of Azores4Travel is to acquaint the tourists of the main points of interest of each ride we do in a simple and customized way. Some of them are sometimes difficult to get to and not well known by most people, even by local people.
4. Carpe Diem dream tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 130 reviews
Carpe Diem dream tours is a nature tourism company operating on Sao Miguel Island-Azores. We develop hiking activities in interpretive trails, observation of local fauna and flora and jeep tours. We are a dedicated team, seriously engaged in ensuring our clients a privileged contact with nature in a sustainable way, guaranteeing and promoting the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity.
5. Azores Epic Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 227 reviews
We organize your Epic Adventure! From Canyoning to Rock Climbing, adventure is always guaranteed! Canyoning is our biggest passion and we want to share it with you in the best way possible! For us, the main secret is, SMALL GROUPS AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCES! Adventures in Azores - São Miguel! Canyoning in Azores is a must do!
6. Pure Azores Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 920 reviews
The most authentic tours in the Azores! Our guided tours in Sao Miguel island offer the perfect mix between: - famous natural wonders like the crater lakes and volcanic activity - hidden gems off the beaten track - contact with the Azorean culture We work with small groups, with flexible programs adapted to your needs, which can include any level of hiking activity to get to the most hidden and beautiful places.
7. Plantacao de Ananas dos Acores
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
Immerse yourself in the magical journey of the azorean pineapple. Free tours, pineapple for sale, fresh pineapple juice, cocktails, ice cream and a lot more! Visit us!
Reviewed By I820ZEannag
The tour through the plantation is well organized and the staff is very friendly. Rodrigo was super kind and gave a lot of extra information. Try the chocolate fondue - so good!
8. Pinhal da Paz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
9. Museu Carlos Machado
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By Candonjan - St. Catharines, Canada
Although the Museu itself is housed in the ancient convent of Santo Andre, for just a bit more you get access to three separate museums located near each other in one of oldest parts of the city, an outstanding bargain. For some reason these magnificent museums are largely missing from guidebooks and tourist recommendations. Our first stop was the convent (where we purchased admission to all three sites), which provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of cloistered nuns on this already remote island. The convent itself has been beautifully restored and dates back to the 16th c. (It also houses a rather odd – and old -- collection of stuffed animals and dried insects.) Second stop was the museum housing the work of Sao Miguel's greatest contemporary artist, Ernesto Canto da Maya. While you might find the display itself a bit underwhelming, if you’re lucky you’ll meet gallery docent Daniel Fernandez, who took the time to give us insight into the life and work of this sculptor and the intellectual and cultural community he helped found in mid-20th c Porta Delgada. He also insisted we not miss the Museum of Sacred Art nearby, which, given the rather dry title, we might have otherwise overlooked. But because of Daniel's enthusiasm, we made a point of visiting the next day, and that was one of the high points of our entire stay. While there is indeed a small display of sacred art, we were totally unprepared for the spectacular Igreja do Colegio where the collection is housed and its magnificent carved altar, truly one of the most awe-inspiring works of art I've ever seen. Here museum director Pedro generously explained the church and its Jesuit origins as well as help us put this masterpiece into its historical and cultural context. The name of Grinling Gibbons, the great carver that oversaw the friezes in St Paul's, is world famous, but you will leave marveling at the work of the nameless Azorean master carvers who completed this astonishing piece of work on a small island in the middle of the Atlantic at about the same time Gibbons was working in London. Don't miss it.
10. Igreja Matriz de Sao Sebastiao
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 298 reviews
Reviewed By Nanette132 - Brisbane, Australia
An easy walk to this lovely old church from the port. We were to go on a free walking tour from near here but they didn't show up so we visited the church. The outside was plain but lovely inside, in the distinctive Portuguese style. You can walk up to the Botanic Gardens E1 for seniors and the Sant Ana Palace in the Park from here and also the very interesting Fort Sao Bras and Military Museum. Pick up a map as you leave the ship, ask them to mark the highlights and walk the narrow streets of lovely Ponta Delgada. The Sol Mar supermarket is across the street from the port, cheap water, beer and wine in Litre cartons, easy to carry back on the ship.
