Location: Ponta Delgada
Top Things to do in Ponta Delgada
Top 10 Things to do in Ponta Delgada, Portugal
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. Monte Cable Car
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By Penny.M - England
We were staying in Madeira and purposely chose to do the cable car when there were no cruise ships in to avoid the queues. It is a good trip that provides great views over Funchal. It is probably one of the must dos in Madeira. No good if you are afraid of heights but we felt very safe. The cars run continuously and it is all very organised. We felt it was good value for money. You would not need to be on an organised trip to do this. Just walk to the entrance and pay, avoid paying the inflated cruise trip prices. It is a 10-15 minute walk on the flat Promenade from the cruise ship port in Funchal.
2. Azul Diving Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 291 reviews
Azul Diving Center Madeira is a top service SSI and PADI dive center located at Quinta do Lorde Resort - Hotel - Marina on beautiful Ponta Sao Lourenco,Madeira Island. Our focus is on custom-tailored dive and snorkel trips, individual training and small, fun groups of people! Enjoy a morning or afternoon dive in our stunning house reef, easy accessible from the beach or our jetty.
Reviewed By AlanCScotland - Scotland
Just had a fantastic kayaking experience with Pedro from Azul. As keen kayakers we spoke to them in advance of our trip, and they responded quickly. We got booked up, and then the trip was rescheduled due to weather conditions. They communicated well to ensure we got on the water. In the end we had a fantastic outing, the scenery and caves were amazing and Pedro was a very good guide and great guy to chat to. As strong paddlers we got a customized trip, which we really appreciated. Thoroughly recommend
3. Quinta do Riacho
Overall Ratings
5 based on 466 reviews
Enjoy Madeira Island wonderful weather, breathtaking views and great trails on horseback. At Quinta do Riacho there's an equestrian activity for everyone. From calm trail riding to galloping through the Mountains.
Reviewed By rmdubois - Taunton, United Kingdom
A horse ride out from Quinta do Riacho in the Laurissilva, Madeira’s ancient forest hills, was one of the best experiences of our first visit to the island. We spent two weeks over Christmas/New Year 2017/18. My partner is a very experienced rider and in trying to find a ride for her we discovered there are relatively few horses on the island. Local stables seemed to have stopped offering rides over the holiday season but Paula and Paulo were keen and helpful. We found Quinta do Riacho easily, though they would have arranged pick-up from Funchal. There had been plenty of December rain up in the hills so the going was soft, making it dangerous to canter. But the ride was a very pleasant two hour walk, including some stunning woodland scenery alongside the levadas and tremendous vistas looking towards the coast. Paula runs a small operation with about 6 horses. She is an experienced horsewoman and they clearly care deeply for their horses - and dogs - all apparently ‘rescued’. She was considerate with the other rider, a beginner, on the morning ride and was eager to pass on very informative background and explanation of the island and its customs. We’d forgotten our camera and the photos she kindly forwarded when we returned to UK are wonderful souvenirs of a memorable and enjoyable morning. Our thanks to Paula. Quinta do Riacho is on our list for our next trip to Madeira.
4. Ponta de Sao Lourenco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Lesterbeach - Winnipeg, Canada
There is a large parking lot but no washrooms. The trailhead is easy to spot behind the sign. The walk is quite desolate. There are no trees but lots of wildflowers. We walked halfway to Esperito which is quite a climb. The stairs are good but there are hundreds of them. There are some gorgeous lookout points where you can see the sea on both sides. It was rainy in Funchal but beautiful blue skies here.
5. Mero Diving Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 78 reviews
Welcome will Madeira! Premier destination for the practice of DIP, Partial Nature Reserve Tern is your ex-libris. It is arguably the card Business par excellence of our seas and our natural beauty, providing an unforgettable diving experience. The dive center Mero Diving Center is located in the heart of this magnificent reserve and offers sea lovers the opportunity to visit this authentic sanctuary of marine life with ease and convenience.
Reviewed By wookiemum
My husband and I are holiday divers, with rescue certification. Our daughter (11) aquired her junior open water last year. We booked two dives with them, one being a night dive. On both dives our party of three was accompanied by three divers from the...MoreThank you so much
6. Levada Caldeirao Verde
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 539 reviews
Reviewed By MichaelGorm - Denmark
Not for people with vertigo, as the trail takes you on a narrow levada walk. At the end, continue the 100 meters up to the green lagoon with a stunning waterfall. 100s of photo opportunities on this walk!
7. Eira do Serrado
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 293 reviews
Reviewed By louiseholistic - penarth
Worth stopping here on the way to the Valley of the Nuns to admire the views and take photos. Souvenir shop and toilets.
8. Porto Moniz Natural Swimming Pools
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Nik R - Varna, Bulgaria
It is an interesting natural formation created when hot lava met the cold ocean and it is turned into a public swimming pool with amenities (showers, changing rooms, etc) therefore you have to pay 1.50 € to use it. If it is windy or the sea is rough, the waves crash into the natural barrier and jump inside the pools. A number of restaurants and a nice cafeteria are close-by, and a free parking lot is there on a large gravel area. You can find a similar formation about 200 meters away from the main one but no life-guards are there. We'd love to try it but we didn't have our swimming suits :).
9. Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 337 reviews
Reviewed By Nik R - Varna, Bulgaria
Nice and quiet place at the western-most tip of Madeira which, as all places around the island, offer stunning views and there are also a couple of hikes in the vicinity.
There is also a small museum on the ground floor, free of charge, exhibiting documents and items related to the development of the lighthouse system around Madeira. Interesting to take a look, although the info is mostly given in Portuguese. You have to be careful when walking on the paths close to the edge of the cliff because it is dusty and slippery. A big, free parking is just next to the lighthouse.
Worth a visit if you are in the area.
10. Lokoloko - Mountain Bike & Outdoor Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 156 reviews
Enjoyable mountain bike tours, that starts on the top of the mountain and ends by sea level. A vivid trail ride that may vary between challenging up hills and adrenaline full down hills. With an experienced guide leading the way, we cycle along forest tracks and water filled Levadas. A great opportunity to contemplate Madeira’s rural landscapes.
Reviewed By JMio - UK
Superb two days guided mountain biking tours with our guide Sergio.
Everything was spot on, beginning with the great, well-specced & well maintained bikes (150mm Radon Slides, full XT and Reverb dropper posts - they even swapped the brakes over for us awkward Brits & spent time setting up the suspension on each bike), a brilliant guide and the most amazing trails.
From the minute we were picked up from our hotel it felt like we'd known and been riding with these guys for years - genuinely warm, super friendly and a great local's knowledge of all the trails on the island.
Highly recommended, I cannot think of any reason why I wouldn't recommend booking with LokoLoko - do it!
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