Wanderyn
Sete Cidades
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · PT

Sete Cidades

Getting around: Sete Cidades is about 40-45 minutes' drive from Ponta Delgada, in the northwest of São Miguel. Some public bus service runs there, but frequency is limited; a rental car or organized tour is the more practical option, especially to reach the various viewpoints around the crater rim.
Hours: Open access as a natural area and village; the main miradouros (Vista do Rei, Boca do Inferno) are accessible at any daylight hour.

Sete Cidades is a massive volcanic caldera in western São Miguel containing twin lakes — one blue-tinted, one green-tinted, separated by a narrow bridge — a color contrast local legend attributes to the tears of two star-crossed lovers, one with blue eyes and one with green. The crater and lakes are the single most iconic image associated with the Azores.

The classic view is from Vista do Rei, a viewpoint on the crater rim (near an abandoned, graffiti-covered hotel that's become a landmark in its own right), looking straight down at both lakes at once. A small village sits within the crater itself, and hiking trails circle the rim or descend to lake level for those wanting more than the drive-up viewpoint.

Sete Cidades FAQs

Why are the two lakes different colors?

The color difference is due to how each lake reflects light and its depth/algae composition, not an actual color of the water itself; local legend explains it more romantically as the tears of two lovers, one blue-eyed and one green-eyed.

What is Vista do Rei?

The main viewpoint on the crater's rim, offering the classic postcard shot of both lakes together — it's also near a long-abandoned hotel building now covered in graffiti, itself a minor point of interest.

Do people actually live inside the crater?

Yes, a small village (also called Sete Cidades) sits on the crater floor between the two lakes, with a working community and a distinctive pink-and-white church.

Can I hike around the crater rim?

Yes, there are hiking trails along parts of the rim offering different viewpoints, in addition to the main drive-up miradouros.

How long should I plan for a visit to Sete Cidades?

A half-day covers the main viewpoints and a drive down into the village; a full day allows for hiking parts of the crater rim as well.

Your travel graph
Ready to plan Sete Cidades?Planning a trip soon? Add it to build an itinerary.

Reviews/Comments

No comments yet — be the first.