Places to visit in Ribeira Grande – Island of São Miguel

Ribeira Grande is located on the north coast of the beautiful Island of São Miguel in the Azores archipelago. The town was a village until June 1981, when it was upgraded to city status and became the seat of a municipality with 14 parishes.

This lovely region boasts various enchanting sites with natural and architectural heritage that capture the hearts of visitors.

In the central part of the city, you will find several important historic buildings with their Gothic/Manueline heritage, two beautiful churches, and various residential buildings that house shops on their ground floors.

This region also features palatial and stately homes, reflecting the economic power of this territory. A fine example of such a house is the current Casa da Cultura, located in the Solar de São Vicente.

Ribeira Grande
Fotografia de Nuno Vieira

This is the flattest municipality on the entire island and home to the volcanic massif of Serra de Água de Pau. Its highest point is Pico da Barrosa at 947 meters above sea level.

The settlement of the town began in the late 15th century, based on the stream that gives it its name, featuring a beautiful waterfall. With very fertile lands and charming natural beauty, it became the most important economic center in the north of São Miguel Island in the 20th century.

Praça do poder da Ribeira Grande
Fotografia de Maria Freitas

Little remains of the original settlement, as Ribeira Grande has been ravaged by various disasters. However, the urban center continues to charm with its typical houses and churches from previous centuries.

From Ponta Delgada, it is only 15 kilometers to Ribeira Grande and its eight-arch bridge. See below the places to visit in Ribeira Grande:

Santa Luzia Viewpoint, Palheiro

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The Santa Luzia Viewpoint is situated above the sea and offers a unique and charming view of the city, Monte Verde beach, and the north coast, as well as the volcanic massif of Serra Devassa. From this location, you can hear the sounds of the cagarros, the most abundant seabird in the entire archipelago, and there are several spots to relax, picnic areas, and a playground for children.

Ribeira Grande Swimming Pools

Image captured by drone, watch the full video here.

The Ribeira Grande Swimming Pools, or Municipal Pools of Poças, are a complex annexed to the beach with a large saltwater pool, a jumping tank, and a freshwater pool for children. Additionally, the complex has two supporting bars and the largest sunbathing area in the Azores. Other services include changing rooms, rental of umbrellas and loungers, an elevator for disabled access, a medical office, restrooms, and freshwater showers.

Tobacco Museum

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The Tobacco Museum of Maia was one of the oldest tobacco factories on São Miguel Island. It closed its doors in 1988 and reopened as a museum in an attempt to preserve the culture of tobacco. During the visit, you can see the weighing, pressing, and drying areas of tobacco and the area where the processing machines are located.

See also: Listing of Museums in the Azores

Açorean Emigration Museum

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The Açorean Emigration Museum was inaugurated in 2005 and is located in the former fish market of Ribeira Grande. Its archives contain a vast collection of local ethnography, including photographs, documents, clothing, and memories of those who left the Azores in search of better conditions and quality of life.

Additionally, there is an online database where you can consult records and requests from emigrants from the 19th century.

Municipal Museum of Ribeira Grande

The Municipal Museum of Ribeira Grande is housed in the 18th-century Solar de São Vicente Ferrer. Here, visitors can understand the life and dreams of the people of the Azores and the emigrants. Each space is dedicated to a different aspect of Açorean culture, from carpentry pieces to tinware, looms, a moving nativity scene, archaeology, and ceramics.

The space also includes a library, a newspaper library, an image library, an oral history archive, and an archaeological archive.

Eight Arches Bridge

The Eight Arches Bridge is located in the Matriz parish, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, and is one of the most visionary works in the Azores in the 19th century. It appears on the municipal coat of arms and, along with the City Hall building, is one of the city’s “ex libris.”

It was constructed between 1883 and 1893 based on a design by military engineer António Augusto de Sousa e Silva. From its very narrow sidewalk, visitors enjoy views of the sea and the historic center of Ribeira Grande.

Contemporary Art Center – O ARQUIPÉLAGO

(C) José Campos

The Arquipélago is a cultural landmark of São Miguel Island. In addition to the architectural beauty of its buildings, it features a shop and bookstore, workshops, an exhibition center, a documentation center, and an audiovisual production center.

The buildings range from the black of volcanic stone to the white of almost fresh paint. The beauty of the space is so great that the exhibitions are almost relegated to the background.

Lagoa do Fogo

The Lagoa do Fogo is classified as a special conservation area and is the second-largest lagoon on São Miguel Island. It is located within the crater of the Água de Pau Volcano, and from its viewpoint, you can see an incredible landscape.

From here, visitors can take a hiking trail that leads to the shores of the lagoon. The route is long but well worth it. Since the lagoon is located within a natural reserve, take the time to connect with nature and enjoy the dense and lush endemic vegetation.

Caldeira Velha

The Caldeira Velha is a Natural and Regional Monument, consisting of a hot iron water waterfall where visitors can bathe. It is located in the crater of the Fogo Volcano and features exotic vegetation and fauna.

The Caldeira Velha has fumaroles, gasification zones, and a thermal water spring.

Calderas of Ribeira Grande

Caldeiras
Fotografia de Helena Botelho

The Calderas of Ribeira Grande are a thermal complex crossed by a stream and surrounded by typical Laurisilva forest vegetation. In its central area, there is a caldera with boiling waters in light blue tones.

The existing buildings in this area were constructed in the 19th century with whitewashed stone masonry.

Salto do Cabrito Waterfall

The Salto do Cabrito Waterfall is a stunning waterfall with a height of 40 meters. In fact, it consists of two waterfalls, one more inland and another that cascades into a small lake. The trail to reach it passes through abundant nature, leading through Fajã do Redondo.

Santa Iria Viewpoint

The Santa Iria Viewpoint offers a breathtaking view of the coast and is located opposite the beautiful Bay of Santa Iria, to the north of São Miguel Island. From the viewpoint, you can also see Porto Formoso and a lush green landscape extending to the sea.

Porto Formoso Tea Factory

The Porto Formoso Tea Factory is a museum space where guided tours are available at any time of the day. Visitors can taste teas in two distinct places: in the beautiful room that recreates a typical kitchen from São Miguel or on the terrace with a splendid view over the tea plantations and the village of Porto Formoso.

Gorreana Tea Factory

Gorreana Tea Plantation – São Miguel, Azores

The Gorreana is the oldest tea plantation in all of Europe. It began production in 1883 and has been in the same family for five generations. The factory has 42 hectares planted and produces about 40 tons of tea per year. You can visit the factory, closely observe the entire manufacturing process, and appreciate all the machinery used in the past and currently. You can also taste their teas and enjoy the view.

São Brás Lagoon

The São Brás Lagoon is located in a flat area of Pico Moniz and Monte Escuro. It is surrounded by typical Macaronesian forests and is 610 meters above sea level.

Santa Bárbara Beach

In the past, Santa Bárbara Beach was used only for sand extraction. In 1997, it became not only a bathing area but also a spot for water sports. The beach, which is one kilometer long, has excellent leisure facilities and support infrastructure. It is one of the most sought-after beaches on the island for surfing.

Praia da Viola

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The Praia da Viola is one of the most beautiful natural beaches in the Azores. It features coarse sand and a cliff with several springs. Its trail begins in the parish of Maia and passes by ruins of mills, paths lined with pasture, mulberry trees, and vineyards, with waterfalls leading to this lovely deserted beach.

Praia dos Moinhos

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The Praia dos Moinhos is a beach area with fine gray sand. In 2009, it underwent improvements, including the addition of modern changing rooms. Until then, it was considered a secret beach with few visitors.

The beach now has restrooms and showers. It is an excellent place to swim and sunbathe.

Monte Verde Beach

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The Monte Verde Beach is well known for its strong waves, ideal for surfing and bodyboarding. Furthermore, it is a beach with great potential, being highly sought after by bathers and hosting the Monte Verde Festival, which annually attracts over 20,000 people.

Ribeira Grande is one of the most beautiful settlements in the entire Azores archipelago and has numerous points of interest; enjoy your stay in this municipality.

Watch also: Places to visit on the Island of São Miguel