Sete Cidades Lagoons
Lagoa das Sete Cidades
The 'Blue Lake' and 'Green Lake,' joined inside a huge volcanic crater, are the most iconic scenery of the Azores and are listed among Portugal's Seven Natural Wonders.
Sete Cidades lies inside a volcanic crater about 5 km across at the western tip of the island. A narrow bridge divides the lake into Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) and Lagoa Verde (Green Lake), which legend says were formed by a princess's tears and a shepherd's tears. The classic approach is to first take in the view from the viewpoint on the crater rim, then go down to walk around the lakeside village of Sete Cidades, go kayaking, or hike the roughly 12 km loop trail along the crater edge. It is about 30 minutes by car from Ponta Delgada. Buses run infrequently, so driving is recommended. Clouds shift quickly on the mountain, so check the live webcams before you set out.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Miradouro da Vista do Rei
- Miradouro da Boca do Inferno
- Mosteiros
- Ponta da Ferraria
- Gruta do Carvão
- António Borges Garden
- Convent of Our Lady of Hope (Santo Cristo dos Milagres)
- Carlos Machado Museum