What to Do in São Miguel When It Rains

Are you on São Miguel Island and it’s raining? See what you can do in São Miguel when it rains. Rain does not have to be synonymous with ruined vacations or a spoiled day; there are plenty of activities and places to visit on a rainy day.

When talking about the Azores and their tropical and unpredictable climate, you can expect sunshine in the morning and rain in the afternoon. But that’s no reason to stop enjoying your stay on the Green Island.

See also: Real-time Weather in the Azores

To ensure you don’t feel down on a rainy day, we hope that reading this article brightens and fills your day with activities. Shall we?

Ferraria
Fotografia de Teresa Rodrigues

What to Do in São Miguel When It Rains

You are probably thinking that a rainy day spoils everything, and even if there are activities to do, they will all be in closed places or of little interest. Not at all! In São Miguel, whether it rains or shines, there are numerous places, both outdoors and indoors, to explore, from museums, thermal hot water pools, trails, churches, interpretive centers, and more.

See the list below for some solutions for a rainy day.

Soak in the Hot Thermal Waters of Poça da Dona Beija

Photo: pocadonabeija.com

The Poça da Dona Beija needs no introduction; however, in brief, it consists of 5 fantastic thermal hot water tanks, with an average temperature of 39ºC. There’s nothing like a rainy day to enjoy hot waters. The contrast between the rain and the hot thermal waters is sensational; you certainly won’t regret it.

Poça da Dona Beija: hours, prices, and useful information >

Visit Terra Nostra Park and Enjoy the Hot Thermal Water Pool

Still enjoying the thermal waters, Terra Nostra Park, in addition to its several hectares of flora and fauna, has a fantastic hot thermal water pool and also small “jacuzzis” with warm waters. In this option, imagine that between the rain there is a bit of sunshine; you can always take the opportunity to explore the park.

Terra Nostra Park: hours, prices, and useful information >

Thermal Hot Waters of Caldeira Velha

Caldeira Velha
Fotografia de Monica Falcon

As there’s no two without three, here’s another fantastic place to enjoy a great rainy day in thermal hot waters. It’s here that you will find one of the most popular waterfalls on the island, which you have surely seen in various promotional materials for the Azores destination.

Caldeira Velha: hours, prices, and useful information >

Explore the Gruta do Carvão

(C) Amigos dos Açores

This Natural Monument is the largest known lava tunnel on São Miguel Island, measuring 1912 meters in height and consisting of 4 sections. You can visit and walk through the cave, making it an excellent option for a rainy day.

Gruta do Carvão: hours, prices, and useful information >

See Up Close How the Queijadas da Vila do Morgado Are Made

If you haven’t tried or don’t know the fantastic Queijadas da Vila, this could be an excellent option. You can see up close the entire process of making this typical and unique sweet from São Miguel.

Queijadas da Vila do Morgado: information >

Visit the Mercearia Popular 1936

This was one of the most popular grocery stores in the Municipality of Ribeira Grande and São Miguel Island. Inaugurated in 1936 by António Rebelo, it supported the community by selling oil, kerosene, sugar, etc. See up close the interior of the grocery store, customs, handmade crafts, and an exhibition of items produced in Lomba da Maia.

Mercearia Popular 1936: history, reopening, where it is, and information >

Visit a Pineapple Plantation in the Azores

A unique, delicious, and regional fruit, the Azorean Pineapple! You can take advantage of this rainy day to explore and learn more about the production process of a pineapple by visiting one of the various plantations.

Azorean Pineapple: history and how to visit a pineapple plantation >

Visit Gorreana Tea Factory

Did you know that the oldest tea plantation in Europe, Chá Gorreana, is located on São Miguel Island? This is a great opportunity to see up close the entire process of planting, harvesting, and the other processes through which tea leaves pass until they reach the final consumer.

Chá Gorreana: history, museum, factory, hours, and how to visit >

Explore the Carlos Machado Museum

The Carlos Machado Museum is the oldest museum in the Azores archipelago, having developed from the old Açoriano Museum founded in 1876. Its current collection includes four main cores: Natural History (botany and zoology), Art, Sacred Art, and Ethnography.

Carlos Machado Museum: hours, prices, and how to get there >

Visit the Azorean Military Museum

(C) Associação de Turismo Militar Português

The Azorean Military Museum is located in Fort São Brás, in Ponta Delgada and was founded in 2006. Inside, you will find the historical-military heritage of the Portuguese Army in the Azores, along with much history and memories.

Azorean Military Museum: hours and how to get there >

Visit the Maia Tobacco Museum

The Maia Tobacco Museum aims to promote, inform, preserve, and interpret the history of the tobacco agro-industry in the Azores. It is located in the old Maia Tobacco Factory, which closed in 1988.

Maia Tobacco Museum: hours, prices, and how to get there >

Taste the Typical Regional Dishes

There are so many that it’s hard to point out just one, so embark on an adventure and taste the fantastic typical flavors of Azorean cuisine. Some suggestions: Cozido das Furnas, Regional Steak, Tuna Steak, Lapas, Cracas, among many others. Enjoy your meal!

Mercado da Graça

The Mercado da Graça was built in 1848 and is an emblematic location in the city of Ponta Delgada. It is here that various merchants, farmers, and small businesses meet, and you can appreciate and acquire unique products cultivated in Azorean lands. There is also space for a butcher shop, fish market, souvenir shops, and cheese shops (O Rei dos Queijos).

Mercado da Graça, hours, and how to get there >

Taste the Chocolate Secret from Louvre Michaelense

(C) Louvre Michaelense @ Facebook

There’s something about this chocolate cake that’s hard to explain… it’s good, very good! After tasting it, you will surely fall in love! But don’t be surprised if you arrive at the place and it’s sold out… it’s one of the most sought-after cakes. Still, there are always other sweets, queijadas, etc., to taste at Louvre.

Louvre Michaelense >

More Activities to Do on a Rainy Day in São Miguel

We’ve listed only a few; you will certainly find more activities and places to visit, even on a rainy day. For the more adventurous, there are outdoor activities that, even on a rainy day, can be interesting. Check our activities section.

See also: Places and What to Do in São Miguel

How to Check the Weather in São Miguel

We recommend using the SpotAzores app to know the real-time weather conditions on São Miguel Island.