A Lagoa do Fogo is one of the largest lakes in the Açores archipelago and the second largest on the Island of São Miguel, located in the municipality of Ribeira Grande.
2025 Update: From June 15th to September 30th, a shuttle service will provide access to the points of interest in the Lagoa do Fogo Nature Reserve. More information, itinerary, and prices here.
It is a spectacular place with blue waters and is one of the main tourist attractions on this island. Lagoa do Fogo was classified as a nature reserve in 1974 and is a protected landscape, like several others in the archipelago.
It is located in the caldera of the Fogo volcano and has had very little human intervention, thus preserving much of its wild fauna and flora. It is an important lake for the region as a source of drinking water and is one of the main postcard images of the Island of São Miguel.
Lagoa do Fogo sits inside a volcanic crater, atop one of the highest mountains on the island. It was formed about fifteen thousand years ago by the eruption of the Fogo volcano, also known as the Água de Pau volcano, and is the youngest on the island.
Located at an altitude of 575 metres and covering an area of 1360 hectares, it is renowned for the colour of its water—a breathtaking blue.
From June 15, 2025, to September 30, 2025, access to Lagoa do Fogo will be provided by a shuttle service. Traffic on the road between Caldeira Velha (Ribeira Grande) and Casa da Água (Lagoa) will be restricted for rental cars, but will remain open to all other vehicles.
Lagoa do Fogo Shuttle
A convenient and reliable transport service to Lagoa do Fogo.
Offers comfortable, air-conditioned journeys by bus.
Operates on a hop-on/hop-off model, allowing you to explore Lagoa do Fogo at your own pace.
Prioritises the safety and comfort of visitors during the trip.
Alleviates the hassle of traffic and parking.
Available from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Departure Points
Two departure points chosen on opposite sides of the island; check the stops and departure/arrival points on the map.
Stops & Itineraries
There are three scheduled stops: the Bela Vista, Lagoa do Fogo, and Pico da Barrosa viewpoints.
Itinerary A
Starts at Caldeira Velha, passing through the following points: Miradouro da Bela Vista, Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo, Pico da Barrosa, and Casa da Água (Lagoa), before making the return journey in reverse, namely via Pico da Barrosa, Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo, and Miradouro da Bela Vista, ending at Caldeira Velha.
Itinerary B
The reverse route, starting near Casa da Água (Lagoa), passes by Pico da Barrosa, Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo, Miradouro da Bela Vista, and Caldeira Velha, then returns via Miradouro da Bela Vista, Miradouro da Lagoa do Fogo, Pico da Barrosa, and Casa da Água (Lagoa).
Price
The shuttle service costs €5 for non-residents. Residents of the Azores and children travel for free.
Buying Tickets
Tickets can be purchased directly on the bus, online, or from authorised agents.
The service starts and ends at two points that are close to other activities, allowing you to plan your day around the service. You can combine your visit to Lagoa do Fogo with a variety of hiking trails or a dip in the Caldeira Velha.
You can use your ticket multiple times on the same day, between 9:00 and 19:00, as long as you don’t board from the same starting point more than once. This allows you to go down to the lake or visit the three viewpoints at your own pace.
Where to Park Your Car?
You can leave your car at the Caldeira Velha car park (101 spaces) or the car park near Casa da Água (60 spaces). These are also the start and end points for the shuttle service route.
Previous Information:
Access to Lagoa do Fogo is via Pico da Barrosa, one of the highest points on the island at 949 metres. You can get there on foot or by car, but for a more complete experience, you can take the hiking trails down to the lake for a closer encounter with nature.
As Lagoa do Fogo is located within a nature reserve, you can enjoy a unique experience with a close-up view of the local fauna and flora, which remains wild and untouched.
You have to follow a steep path to reach the lake area. First, you’ll arrive at Praia da Lagoa do Fogo, a calm and very secluded beach, which was named one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal in 2012.
Lagoa do Fogo can be admired from the various viewpoints, as it sits nestled below the mountains.
Many people prefer to park their cars and view the lake from above, but others aren’t satisfied with just the view and choose to follow the walking trail down to the lakeshore.
The trail to the lakeshore is long and steep, so you need to be in good physical condition. It’s also important to be very careful and pay close attention, as the area is difficult to access and the path is quite steep.
The journey can take about 2 hours each way, so it’s recommended to start early, be well-prepared, and bring necessary equipment, such as:
Comfortable clothing suitable for the activity;
Footwear suitable for hiking trails;
Food and drinks (especially water);
First-aid kit;
A fully charged mobile phone;
A camera to capture every spectacular detail you’ll see.
Following these tips can make your experience at Lagoa do Fogo even more spectacular:
If you are physically fit and up for it, we recommend hiking down the trails, as by car you will only get the view from the top of the lagoon;
Always stay on the marked trails and avoid taking shortcuts so you don’t get lost;
Check the weather before you set off, as on cloudy days it can be quite difficult to get a good view of the lagoon. To check the visibility and temperature at the lagoon, we recommend using the SpotAzores app before your visit. This app allows you to see live camera feeds from various attractions across the islands, helping you avoid arriving to bad weather.
Lagoa do Fogo is a spectacle in its own right on the island of São Miguel, a stunning combination of history, the beauty of its blue waters, and its green shores brimming with pristine, preserved flora. Above all, it’s a place where humanity connects with nature.
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