Location: Ponta Delgada
Top Things to do in Ponta Delgada
Top 5 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. Igreja do Santo Cristo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 251 reviews
Reviewed By TripleTransAm - Montreal, Canada
As mentioned, from the outside it doesn't look very imposing (unless you visit during the festive event in May... then it's outrageous!). Nonetheless, inside it's quite an emotionally charged location. It's utterly quiet... you may find yourself hearing your heartbeat as you sit in the total silence surrounded by locals (and a few tourists, likely) that are there for reflection and prayer. It's the kind of environment that eventually brings us to moments of reflecting on one's life. Out of respect for the quiet and serenity, I refrained from firing off bursts of photos with my DSLR and instead concentrated on getting a few good shots not wanting the snap of my camera to disturb the visitors (I'm sure they're used to it, but still...).
While it's a mesmerizing location on its own, it helps to know the backstory behind the statue and what it means to the people of the island every year at the same time (to the point that the event is mimicked by Portuguese Açorean communities spread all over the world). This is likely what contributes most to the overall aura of the location.
2. Lagoa das Empadadas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 302 reviews
Reviewed By HERMOSAMARIPOSA1 - UK
NO! There are no restaurants or food places here at all!....just beauty by the lakeful!
We had made some homemade butties to take on our drive out of Ponta Delgarda and were on the lookout for somewhere peaceful to stop and have a munch!
THIS was IT!
As we sat with our butties a car arrived...a young man got out, assembled his windsurf board and took to the water....it was like having our own, personal entertainment!
It is obviously not easy to get here....but, if you get a chance to stop by....DO!
3. Igreja Matriz de Sao Sebastiao
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 205 reviews
4. Portas da Cidade
Overall Ratings
4 based on 879 reviews
Reviewed By Richard F - Louisville, Kentucky
This is a wonderfull location for a photo opportunity. It is located right in the middle of this beautiful city on the large main square. You can frame yourself and take some interesting shots. There is a beautiful church right behind the gate and when you turn around you can get a shot of the harbor.
5. Pinhal da Paz
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 119 reviews
Reviewed By Two_if_by_Land - Cambridge, Massachusetts
Bring an umbrella! This place can be rainy even if it is bright and sunny in Ponta Delgada. Without one, we still enjoyed a quick walk along beautiful paths, and even through the hedge maze (which is a little broken down, alas), but we couldn't stay to take as long a walk as we had planned.
