Things to do in Sete Cidades

Sete Cidades is a village sitting inside a volcanic caldera in the west of São Miguel, built around the twin lakes Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde. The two are joined arms of a single crater lake, not separate waters — the colour split you see from Vista do Rei comes from light and depth, not different chemistry.

Boca do Inferno, above the smaller Lagoa do Canário, and Grota do Inferno add closer viewpoints down at lake level.

Allow half a day from Ponta Delgada, about 40 minutes' drive each way, and check conditions before you go: the access road, like the one to Lagoa do Fogo, can be shut by fog or wind with no warning.